Prostate & male hormone deficiency compromises quality of life in elderly

Ghaziabad: With increase in average life span there is a significant population of elderly people. In this group of people, symptoms like mood swings, anxiety, nervousness, loss of libido, fatigue tiredness, sexual dysfunction, sleep dysfunction, sleep disturbances could be because of age related androgen deficiency. This is also the population who have prostate related urinary complaints like delay in start of urination, frequency, decrease force of urinary stream, urgency, sense of incomplete emptying of bladder, dribbling of urine. Many times these problems are slow in onset, so many people may not notice them or ignore them thinking them as a part of normal ageing process. Enlarged prostate related LUTS not only effects quality of life but if ignored can lead to serious conditions like sudden retention of urine, kidney failure, recurrent UTI, blood in urine & bladder stone. What people need to understand is that timely treatment can avoid more serious circumstance.

Doctors at Columbia Asia Hospitals, Ghaziabad say that in many people sex related problems have origins in psychological distress, and stress and anxiety are major contributors to this problem

Dr. S C Karan, Consultant-Urologist at Columbia Asia Hospitals, Ghaziabad today conducted a special health awareness campaign for a group of senior citizens of the city, and educated them about prostate related urinary disorders and sexual dysfunction. Prostate gland disorder are highly prevalent in elderly male hormone deficiency.

The health talk saw a number of people interact freely with the doctor and discuss their problems and doubts.

“Urinary disorders and sex related problems often cause a lot of embarrassment among patients. Many of them continue to suffer silently without reporting to a doctor because they are too shy to do so.” says Dr. S C Karan.

The prostate gland secretes a fluid that helps nourish the sperm. The gland surrounds the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder out through the tip of the penis). A man's prostate gland usually starts to enlarge after he reaches 40. As the prostate grows, it presses on the urethra. This narrowing of the urethra is caused because of prostate enlargement which leads to trouble with urination, ejaculation and even erectile dysfunction.

“Prostate enlargement is a common problem. Men after the age of 40 should get annual screenings. Treatment for acute and chronic prostate enlargement includes antibiotics, medication and/or surgery. Therefore, timely diagnosis remains is crucial in managing the problem at the right time,” adds Dr Karan.

The health talk was aimed at encouraging people to come out and discuss the issues they are facing and raise awareness about the consequences of ignoring urinary problems. Timely detection of the cause and medical intervention is crucial.