How To Fix Frequent Urination at Night: Urologist Explains All About BPH

Talking With Docs
11 Nov 202209:17
EducationalLearning
32 Likes 10 Comments

TLDRIn this informative episode of 'Talking with Docs,' Dr. Paul Zalzo is joined by Dr. Brad Weaning and Dr. Peter Ince, along with a guest urologist, to discuss common urinary symptoms that affect many men after the age of 50. These symptoms, often associated with the prostate, include a slow urine stream, frequent nighttime urination, and dribbling post-voiding. The doctors clarify that these are typically not signs of prostate cancer but rather benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). They offer advice on lifestyle changes, such as limiting fluid intake before bedtime, and explore various treatment options ranging from herbal supplements like saw palmetto to medications that relax or shrink the prostate. In severe cases, more invasive procedures may be necessary to improve urinary flow. The episode also touches on the potential side effects of treatment, including the loss of ejaculation, and emphasizes the importance of discussing these with a urologist. The doctors stress the treatability of BPH and encourage viewers to take charge of their health, especially during Movember, a time to raise awareness for men's health issues.

Takeaways
  • 📈 **Common Symptoms**: Men over 50 may experience slower urine flow, frequent urination at night, and dribbling after urinating, which are symptoms of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).
  • 🧬 **Genetic Factors**: There isn't much that can be done to prevent these symptoms, as they are largely due to genetics and the natural aging process.
  • 💧 **Hydration Tips**: To reduce nighttime urination, it's advised to stop drinking fluids 3 to 4 hours before bedtime.
  • 🌿 **Herbal Supplements**: For mild symptoms, starting with a herbal supplement containing saw palmetto, which can help relax the prostate muscles, is suggested.
  • 💊 **Medication Options**: If symptoms persist, medications like Flomax and Rapid flow can relax the prostate muscles, while Avodart and Proscar can shrink the prostate to improve urine flow.
  • 🚫 **Medication Concerns**: It's important to consider the downsides of medication and only take necessary drugs after understanding their potential side effects.
  • 🔍 **Medical Consultation**: If herbal remedies and medications don't work, consult a urologist to explore more invasive procedures to improve urine flow.
  • ✂️ **Surgical Options**: Various surgical procedures are available to open up the prostate, such as electrocautery, laser treatment, thermal microwave probes, or water jets.
  • 💥 **Surgical Considerations**: Surgical procedures to open the prostate can lead to loss of ejaculation for most men, as the prostate's ability to squeeze closed is compromised.
  • 🤔 **Procedure Choice**: Less invasive procedures that preserve ejaculation may require repeat treatments more frequently, which is a significant consideration.
  • 🛡 **Cancer Distinction**: It's important to note that these symptoms are typically not related to prostate cancer, which is a common concern among men experiencing these issues.
  • 📢 **Awareness and Education**: Raising awareness about men's health, especially during Movember, can help educate and encourage men to take charge of their health, including prostate health.
Q & A

  • What is the main topic of discussion in the video?

    -The main topic of discussion is lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in men over the age of 50.

  • What is the role of the prostate in the urinary system?

    -The prostate is located at the base of the bladder and urine flows through it and out through the penis. As the prostate enlarges, it can restrict the flow of urine, leading to LUTS.

  • What are some common symptoms of BPH?

    -Common symptoms of BPH include a slower urine stream, frequent urination, waking up at night to urinate, and dribbling after urination.

  • How can one initially manage mild symptoms of BPH?

    -Mild symptoms can initially be managed by avoiding fluid intake a few hours before bedtime and considering herbal supplements like saw palmetto, which can help relax the prostate muscles.

  • What are the two types of medications that can be prescribed for BPH?

    -The two types of medications are ones that relax the prostate muscles (like Flomax and Rapid flow) and ones that shrink the prostate to improve urine flow (like Avodart and Proscar).

  • What is the acronym LUTS stand for?

    -LUTS stands for Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms.

  • Why is it important to differentiate BPH symptoms from prostate cancer?

    -It's important because while BPH is very common and not cancerous, prostate cancer requires different management and has more serious implications for health.

  • What lifestyle change is suggested to those experiencing night-time urination due to BPH?

    -The lifestyle change suggested is to stop drinking fluids three to four hours before bedtime to reduce the need to wake up and urinate at night.

  • What are some of the more invasive procedures that can be done if medications do not work for BPH?

    -If medications do not work, more invasive procedures such as transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) or other transurethral procedures that use electrocautery, lasers, thermal microwave probes, or jets of water to open up the prostate can be considered.

  • What is a potential side effect of more invasive BPH procedures?

    -A potential side effect of more invasive BPH procedures is the loss of ejaculation for the majority of men, as the prostate's ability to squeeze closed during ejaculation is compromised.

  • How can viewers support Movember and men's health awareness?

    -Viewers can support Movember and men's health awareness by visiting the Movember website or app, and contributing to the cause through the 'Talking with Docs' channel.

Outlines
00:00
😀 Understanding Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms in Men Over 50

This paragraph introduces the topic of lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) that men often experience after the age of 50. The doctors discuss the common symptoms like a slowing urine stream, frequent nighttime urination, and dribbling after urination. They explain that these symptoms are often due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), which is an enlargement of the prostate that can constrict urine flow. The doctors emphasize that these symptoms are not typically indicative of prostate cancer and that there's not much that can be done to prevent BPH, as it's largely a genetic condition. Initial steps for managing symptoms include lifestyle changes like reducing fluid intake before bedtime.

05:02
🌿 Herbal Supplements and Medication Options for LUTS and BPH

The second paragraph delves into treatment options for mild to severe LUTS and BPH. For mild symptoms, the doctors suggest starting with herbal supplements, specifically those containing saw palmetto, which can help relax the prostate muscles. If symptoms persist, medical treatments are available, including drugs that relax the prostate muscles (e.g., Flomax and Rapid flow) and drugs that shrink the prostate (e.g., Avodart and Proscar). The doctors also discuss more invasive procedures that can be considered if medication doesn't work, such as transurethral procedures to open up the prostate and improve urine flow. They note that these procedures can lead to a loss of ejaculation for most men, which is an important consideration. The paragraph concludes with a reminder of the commonality and treatability of BPH and the importance of men's health awareness, particularly during Movember.

Mindmap
Keywords
💡Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS)
Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS) refer to a collection of symptoms that affect the urinary system, including a slow urine stream, frequent urination, and dribbling after urination. In the video, it is discussed as a common issue that many men experience after the age of 50, often related to the prostate.
💡Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH)
Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH) is a condition where the prostate gland enlarges, which can lead to urinary symptoms without being cancerous. It is a key topic in the video, as the doctors explain that BPH is often the cause of LUTS in aging men and is not a sign of prostate cancer.
💡Prostate
The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system that is located below the bladder and surrounds the urethra. In the context of the video, the prostate's size and muscle tightening can lead to LUTS and BPH, affecting the flow of urine.
💡Urologist
A urologist is a medical specialist who focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of conditions related to the urinary tract and male reproductive system. In the video, a urologist is consulted to discuss and manage symptoms of LUTS and BPH.
💡Herbal Supplement
Herbal supplements are natural health products derived from plants. The video mentions saw palmetto, a berry that can help relax the muscles of the prostate, as an example of a herbal supplement that may be used to alleviate mild LUTS.
💡Medication
Medication is a term used to describe drugs that are used to treat or prevent disease. In the video, the doctors discuss the use of medications to help with LUTS and BPH, including drugs that relax prostate muscles (e.g., Flomax, Rapid flow) and those that shrink the prostate (e.g., Avodart, proscar).
💡Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP)
Transurethral Resection of the Prostate (TURP) is a surgical procedure used to treat BPH by removing part of the prostate gland that is pressing against the urethra. The video explains that while TURP can be effective, it often results in the loss of ejaculation for most men.
💡Movember
Movember is an annual event involving the growing of mustaches during the month of November to raise awareness of men's health issues, such as prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and men's suicide. The video encourages viewers to be aware of men's health, especially in the context of prostate issues.
💡
💡Ejaculation
Ejaculation is the process of expelling semen from the male body, typically as part of sexual activity. In the video, it is mentioned that certain treatments for BPH, like TURP, can result in retrograde ejaculation, where semen enters the bladder instead of being expelled through the urethra.
💡Genetics
Genetics refers to the study of genes, genetic variation, and heredity in living organisms. In the context of the video, the doctors mention that the development of BPH is largely influenced by a person's genetic makeup, which is beyond their control.
💡Electrocautery
Electrocautery is a medical procedure that uses heat generated from electrical current to cut or burn tissue, often during surgery. The video discusses its use as one of the methods to open up the prostate in order to alleviate symptoms of BPH.
Highlights

Discussing lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) and benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

Common symptoms include a slower urine stream, waking up at night, and dribbling after urination.

BPH is caused by the prostate tightening and enlarging, which restricts urine flow.

BPH is not a sign of prostate cancer in the majority of cases.

There's not much that can be done to prevent BPH, largely due to genetics.

Initial steps to manage symptoms include reducing fluid intake before bedtime.

Herbal supplements with saw palmetto can help relax the prostate muscles for mild symptoms.

Medications such as Flomax and Rapid flow can relax the prostate muscles.

Drugs like Avodart and Proscar can shrink the prostate to improve urine flow.

Combining medication types can be an option if single treatments are ineffective.

If medication fails, there are several minimally invasive surgical options to open the prostate.

Transurethral procedures aim to increase the diameter of the tube for better urine flow.

Most transurethral procedures result in loss of ejaculation for the majority of men.

Less invasive procedures may preserve ejaculation but may require more frequent treatments.

BPH is very common, typically not cancer-related, and is treatable.

Movember is a time to raise awareness about men's health, including prostate health.

The video encourages viewers to take charge of their health and seek knowledge about BPH.

Transcripts

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Men's HealthUrinary SymptomsBenign ProstateHealthcare TipsMedical DiscussionAging MenTreatment OptionsProstate HealthDoctor's AdviceHealth Awareness