Men older than 40 who experience urinary urgency are advised to get checked for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) to allow early detection and treatment, a doctor said recently.
BPH gained attention in the media recently after it was revealed that King Charles III had undergone treatment for the condition, and that he was “doing well” afterward.
The king’s public disclosure of his experience with BPH led to a surge in searches on the UK’s National Health Service Web site for information about the condition.
Photo courtesy of Tungyuan Hospital
Many men older than 40 have BPH but fail to get treated in a timely manner due to embarrassment over the condition, Cathay General Hospital urologist Wang Yan-chieh (王彥傑) said.
Symptoms of the condition, which is characterized by an enlarged prostate that leads to frequent or urgent urination, are exacerbated in the winter when people use cold medications more often, he said.
Such medications usually contain antihistamines, which are a diuretic, he added.
An increase in age and male hormones could lead to prostate enlargement in men, and half of men older than 50 develop BPH, he said, adding that heredity and obesity are also possible causes of the condition.
“BPH symptoms are particularly evident during the Lunar New Year holiday since more people suffer from colds, and people get stuck in traffic where they cannot get to a restroom,” he said.
“Those traveling between north and south Taiwan for the holiday are also more susceptible due to the change in climate,” he said.
Those in their 40s who experience frequent or urgent urination should consult with a physician, since the condition can worsen if left untreated, he said, adding that it could lead to renal edema or uremia if it becomes severe.
“Generally speaking, if you need to get up to urinate two or more times after going to bed, you should seek medical treatment as soon as possible,” he said.
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