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2 | June 2020 | Living Well
While family history and age cannot
be changed, there are everyday
steps men can follow to take charge
of their health, including prostate
health, and maybe even prevent
problems down the road.
Consider the following tips to help
lead a healthier lifestyle.
• Get checked out regularly. Just
because you’re healthy doesn’t mean
you should eschew routine checkups,
and that includes self-examinations.
While regular visits to your health
care provider can keep you up-todate
on preventative screenings and
immunizations, getting to know your
own body can have similar benefits.
• Care for your prostate. If you’re
experiencing frequent urination, a
weak or slow urine stream, incomplete
bladder emptying, difficulty or
delay in starting urination, or a urine
stream that stops and starts, these
could be signs that you are suffering
from Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
(BPH), otherwise known as enlarged
prostate. Enlarged prostate, which is
noncancerous and affects more than
40 million American men, can also
Michael J. Tortorella, MD
Obstetrics & Gynecology
Board Certified
Pregnancy
Family Planning
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Second Opinion for Surgery
cause loss of productivity and sleep,
according to research published in
the Journal of Urology. Medication is
Men’s Health Matters
Fortunately, many health risks that men face can be treated if found early.
In-Office Ultrasounds
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often the first line of treatment, but
some patients may suffer uncomfortable
side effects, including dizziness,
headaches and sexual dysfunction,
which can prompt them to quit using
their medications.
“Many men living with BPH symptoms
take prescription medications
after they have been diagnosed, but
relief can be inadequate and temporary,”
said Peter Walter, M.D.,
a urologist and paid consultant for
Teleflex Inc., the manufacturer of the
UroLift System.
As one alternative to medication,
an option like the UroLift System
treatment is a minimally invasive
procedure that doesn’t require any
cutting, heating or removal of prostate
tissue. A urologist places small
implants to lift and move enlarged
prostate tissue so it no longer blocks
the urethra and can allow for normal
urine flow. Most common side effects
are mild to moderate, and patients
generally can return to their normal
routines with minimal downtime.
• Focus on a more nutritious diet.
Aim for a pattern of healthier eating
that includes more fruits, vegetables
and leafy greens, such as lettuce,
spinach, kale and broccoli, which
can help keep you — and your prostate
— healthy. Also try to cut back
on the consumption of red meat —
specifically processed meat — as
well as salt and sweets.
• Know your numbers. Be sure
to discuss your family history and
lifestyle with your doctor, as he or
she may recommend screenings for
diseases and common ailments. Also
be sure to keep up with these screenings
and check in with your doctor
to make sure you’re accounting for
milestone ages and common ailments
associated with aging.
• Make exercise a priority.
Exercise is a key to maintaining quality
of life. Officials of the American
Heart Association recommend
at least 150 minutes per week of
moderate-intensity aerobic activity
for adults. Even shorter increments
of physical activity multiple times a
day — such as a walking meeting,
opting for the stairs instead of the elevator,
or parking farther from your
destination — can provide health
and stress-relieving benefits.
(Family Features)
Source: UroLift ª
Esther Pelissier, ARPN-BC
Esther Pelissier