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Guys, Don’t Ignore It—Men’s Health Issues, Explained

Physician urges men to tackle issues head-on during Men’s Health Month

Sometimes it’s easy to put off going to the doctor, especially if your problem is something you may feel too embarrassed to talk about. But in honor of Men’s Health Month, Baptist Health urologist Kyle Basham, MD, is encouraging men to face health issues that may be affecting their quality of life such as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) or enlarged prostate, prostate cancer screening, and incontinence. 

Enlarged Prostate (BPH)

Symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) or enlarged prostate often include: 
  • Frequent or urgent need to urinate
  • Increased frequency of urination at night (nocturia)
  • Difficulty starting urination
  • Weak urine stream or a stream that stops and starts
  • Dribbling at the end of urination
  • Inability to completely empty the bladder
“As the prostate enlarges, the urine stream can become weaker,” said Dr. Basham, of Baptist Health Urology Clinic-Fort Smith. “The bladder gets irritable and the patient feels the need to urinate more frequently and urgently.” These symptoms can have a negative impact on a man’s daily life and keep him from doing the things he wants to do professionally and socially. However, there are a wide range of treatment options available for BPH ranging from oral medications to procedures depending on the shape and size of a man’s prostate.  According to Dr. Basham, several factors play into determining a treatment plan.  “First thing to consider is the patient’s goals,” he said. “Some are more concerned with getting off of medication, others with preservation of sexual function, and some just want to get rid of a catheter and will do whatever is needed.”  One of the treatment options available for BPH is Aquablation Therapy. Aquablation therapy uses the power of water delivered with robotic precision to provide symptom relief with low rates of irreversible complications, regardless of prostate size or shape. It significantly reduces the chances of sexual dysfunction and incontinence. Urolift is a treatment option that is minimally invasive and can sometimes be performed in a physician’s office. Tiny implants are used to hold the enlarged prostate tissue out of the way and increase the opening of the urethra.    Dr. Basham says each patient is different and he works with them to identify the proper treatment based on their situation. 

Prostate Cancer Screening

Some symptoms of prostate cancer may mirror those of BPH, but also include pain or burning during urination, blood in the urine, or pain in the back, hips and pelvis that doesn’t go away.  For most men, routine prostate cancer screening begins at age 50. African American men or any man with a family history of prostate cancer may discuss earlier screening with their healthcare provider. “You should never ignore bothersome urinary symptoms until it is too late to do something about them,” Dr. Basham said. “But we often refer to prostate cancer as silent and screening is required to reach a diagnosis.”   There are two types of commonly used tests for prostate cancer screening: a Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test and a Digital Rectal Examination (DRE). Both can detect abnormalities and determine if further steps such as a biopsy should be done.  

Incontinence

Incontinence, also known as bladder leakage, can be just as common in men as it is in women. For men, the most common cause of stress urinary incontinence is the surgical removal of the prostate gland to treat prostate cancer, or a prostatectomy. Men may also suffer from overactive bladder (OAB) as a result of damage to the nervous system or muscles related to diabetes, stroke or Parkinson’s Disease. A urologist can determine whether medication or a procedure can control the symptoms.  “Ultimately, it’s important for men to recognize changes in their health and know they can turn to their primary care providers and specialists when they need help,” said Dr. Basham. Dr. Kyle Basham, a board-certified urologist, utilizes the newest technologies and current techniques to care for his patients. He provides care for a wide range of urological conditions in both men and women, as well as robotic surgery. Click here for more information on Dr. Basham and Baptist Health Urology Clinic-Fort Smith.
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