A medic in Kericho has urged elderly men to seek regular check-ups on their prostate gland to avoid late diagnosis, as this can cause bladder, urinary tract and kidney problems.
The prostate gland is a small, soft organ in the male reproductive anatomy. It is found below the bladder and plays a role in producing semen. It also plays a role in hormone production and helps regulate urine flow.
In an interview with KNA, a resident surgeon at AIC Litein Kericho Annex Clinic, Dr. Philip Blasto advised men of ages 50 and above to recognize the symptoms to guard against developing enlarged prostate problems referred to as Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) that lead to urinary tract infections, bladder stones and, in extreme cases, kidney failure.
“The older a man becomes, the higher probability your prostate will become bigger. At age 50, nearly most men have their prostate enlarged, which makes it difficult to urinate and, in rare cases, can prevent urination entirely. BPH is a common prostate issue in people over 50 years old. This condition refers to a prostate that is enlarged but not cancerous.
This is a condition called urinary retention, which requires urgent medical intervention. It is important to be aware of a prostate problem to get timely treatment,” said Dr. Blasto.
Such symptoms of BPH, Dr. Blasto noted, include waking up in the night to urinate frequently, trouble controlling the bladder such as stopping or delaying urination, inability to empty the bladder completely, a weak urine stream or dribbling at the end of urinating and a complete inability to urinate.
“The risk factors of developing an enlarged prostate include family history, age, where men in their 50 have a high likelihood of developing the condition, obesity, cardiovascular problems, type 2diabetes and erectile dysfunction,” said the medic.
He lamented that the hospital was managing around 100 patients per month from Kericho and Bomet counties with enlarged prostates, an indicator that the ailment was rampant in the two counties.
“If a patient has a high risk of BHP, it is best to speak to a doctor. Early diagnosis can be important, as early treatment can minimize the effects of BPH. We are providing treatment to around 30–40 men per week who were found to have an enlarged prostate,” noted Dr. Blasto.
The medic noted that interventions included medications to relax muscles around the prostate and bladder that stop the growth of the prostate and shrink the prostate and reduce BPH symptoms, surgery, lifestyle changes that include reducing the intake of fluids before sleeping, transurethral methods which involve feeding a thin tube through the urethra.
Dr. Blasto noted that it was important to report a change in urinary habits to a doctor quickly for a diagnosis to avoid developing BPH symptoms if left untreated a patient will develop kidney problems.
“Patients diagnosed with BPH should receive regular checkups. Having the size of the prostate monitored and reporting any new symptoms can reduce the risk of complications. When BPH symptoms develop, kidney failure can occur. The kidney can no longer remove waste from the bloodstream and when the prostate is enlarged, it can compress the urethra and interfere with the flow of urine resulting to urine not leaving the body contributing to renal failure,” noted Dr. Blasto.
By Sarah Njagi
