Health Corner

Know the prostate

If we are cautious enough to repair our homes or other possessions, how much more care should we give the temple of God?

Our body is the temple of the living God. It is our responsibility to keep it clean and take care of it. Jesus instructs us that, “The healthy do not need a physician, but the sick do.” All the men have a prostate gland, which enlarges as men get older. The prostate gland wraps around the urethra that is the path the urine flows from the bladder to eliminate. When the prostate gland gets bigger, some men may experience a problem with urination. Men, especially in Asian culture, do not freely express the medical issues they face with others. It is essential to know that help is available.

WHAT IS BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA?

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is an enlarged prostate. The prostate is a gland that surrounds the urethra (the channel that carries urine from the bladder out). This gland often gets bigger as men get older. This is nothing to do with prostate cancer, as the word itself says benign and is a widespread condition in almost all men.

WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS OF BPH?

Many people with BPH may not have symptoms.
When they do occur:

Having to urinate often, especially at night
Having to strain or wait to start the urine flow
A weak urine stream or flow
Leaking or dribbling urine
Feels like bladder not empty even after you urinate
In rare cases, men may present with unable to urinate at all, which is a severe problem and requires medical help right away

WHAT CAN SOMEONE DO ON THEIR OWN TO FEEL BETTER?

BPH symptoms like getting up at night more to urinate may reduce by cutting down the amount of fluid you drink 3-4 hours before bed; limiting caffeine (any source like coffee, soda, tea…) at least 6 hours before bedtime. Alcohol drinks will act as a diuretic or water pill and make you urinate more often. Allergy and cold medications that contain decongestant or antihistamine can make BPH symptoms worse. Double voiding means after you urinate; you wait for a few minutes to relax and try to urinate again. This may help to empty your bladder some more.

BPH treatment options:

Watchful Waiting: If BPH symptoms not bothering, then no need to start any medications.
Medicines: There are medications available to relax the urethra and medicines to shrink the prostate or keep the prostate from growing. Please reach out to your healthcare provider for their expert opinion.
Surgery: Surgery options are available. Please seek help from your provider.

Knowing what is happening to our body is important; if we are cautious enough to repair our homes or other possessions, how much more care should we give the temple of God? “Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies.” (1 Cor 6: 19-20). Time is precious. Unless you turn on the light, you will still sit in darkness. God has placed healthcare providers in this world to help others. One has to tap into the available resources to be benefited. If any of you are experiencing the above problems, please do not hesitate to contact your healthcare providers.

DR. JAISY SONNY
Dallas, USA

Dr. Jaisy Sonny, DNP, APRN, FNP-BC, is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner in the Department of Urology at Veteran Affairs Medical Center, Dallas, Texas. After completing her nursing education in India, she migrated to the USA in 1997. She completed her Bachelor’s and Master’s Degree in Nursing from the University of Texas at Arlington. She completed her Doctor of Nursing Practice in 2017 from Chamberlain University. Dr. Sonny resides in Rowlett, Texas, with her husband, Sonny George, and three beautiful daughters