Men's Health Day丨Care for men's health, how to stay away from the pain of "inflammation"?

Author: Wu Zhigang, deputy chief physician, First Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University

Reviewer: Zhao Lianming, Chief Physician, Peking University Third Hospital

Zhu Ziqing's "Back Figure" is a prose that everyone is familiar with. It describes the author's father sending him to the train station, taking care of him getting on the train, and buying oranges for him when he went to study in another place. The language of the whole text is simple, expressing the father's love for his son in a profound, delicate and sincere way.

Father's love is deep. We have grown up under his strong arms. However, the long years have left a mark of fatigue on them. Work pressure, social life, smoking and drinking, and long periods of sitting, these unhealthy lifestyles have made more and more diseases target them, especially the "unspeakable secret" that troubles men - prostate disease. October 28th of each year is World Men's Health Day. Let us pay attention to the health of middle-aged and elderly men, keep them away from the troubles of prostate diseases, and protect their health and happiness.

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Since 2000, relevant medical institutions in my country have launched "Men's Health Day" publicity activities on October 28 every year, prompting the whole society to pay attention to and care about men's health and let men enjoy the right to health. It also reminds us to always pay attention to men's health and prevent diseases.

As an important part of the male urogenital system, the prostate gland is located at the bottom of the bladder and surrounds the urethra. It looks like an inverted chestnut. Its main function is to secrete prostatic fluid, which is an important part of semen and plays an important role in sperm vitality and male fertility. At the same time, the prostate gland can also control urination and prevent urine from flowing back. Don't underestimate such a small organ. Its function is indeed very powerful. It is the "life gland" of men. It is very important for men to maintain the health of the prostate gland. Pay attention to men's health, love the "gland" in front.

At present, the prevention and treatment of prostate-related diseases in my country is still not optimistic. For example, prostate hyperplasia. According to statistics, the incidence of prostate hyperplasia in men over 50 years old is about 50%, and the incidence in elderly men over 80 years old is as high as 80%. Even so, many people in society still lack understanding of prostate diseases. Therefore, on this day of Men's Health Day, let us pay attention to the prostate and solve the prostate problems of middle-aged and elderly men. It is particularly important.

The main diseases of the prostate include prostatitis, prostatic hyperplasia, and prostate cancer. Men may be troubled by prostate diseases to a greater or lesser extent throughout their lives. During the young and middle-aged period, they are most likely to be troubled by prostatitis, which can easily lead to a series of related urogenital system diseases, such as male infertility. With the increase of age, the incidence of prostatic hyperplasia will increase year by year, and it often occurs in men over 40 years old. It is also called benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostatic hypertrophy. Prostate cancer is a tumor disease, and the incidence population is mostly middle-aged and elderly people over 60 years old. Because there are no symptoms in the early stage, it is often discovered during physical examinations or when symptoms appear, it is already in the late stage, so we must pay attention to it.

Since the prostate is a male-specific organ, and some men are not aware of the disease, many male friends are ashamed to talk about their discomfort, so their children need to observe more carefully. We must know that prostate disease may cause frequent urination, urgency, pain, and perineal swelling. In severe cases, it may cause urinary retention, hydronephrosis, uremia and other diseases, and some may even threaten the life and health of middle-aged and elderly people.

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So, how to protect prostate health and stay away from prostate diseases? In fact, regular screening is very important to prevent prostate diseases. Men need regular physical examinations every year after the age of 50, and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) and rectal examinations can be performed to detect prostate lesions in time. Especially for men with a family history of prostate cancer, regular examinations should be performed every year after the age of 40.

Of course, in our daily lives, we should also try to take good care of the prostate to prevent the occurrence of prostate diseases. Here are some common sense for maintenance:

1. Pay attention to diet and match it properly: Eat more foods rich in zinc, vitamin E and other foods that are good for the prostate, such as pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, walnuts, spinach, tomatoes, etc. Eat less spicy, high-fat, high-cholesterol foods that are harmful to the prostate, such as peppers, coffee, animal offal, etc.

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2. Pay attention to habits and stay away from tobacco and alcohol: In today's era, life, work, and society give great pressure. Being in a state of high pressure for a long time may affect the health of the prostate. You should find a suitable way to deal with stress, such as exercise, meditation, good sleep and relaxation techniques. Many men relax by drinking. In fact, the alcohol in the wine and the tar, nicotine, and nicotine in cigarettes can also interfere with the nerve function of the prostate to control blood vessels, thereby aggravating the symptoms of prostate congestion and causing symptoms such as prostatitis.

3. Pay attention to drinking water and urinate in time: Drink enough water every day to keep urine dilute, flush the urinary tract and prostate, and prevent bacterial infection and stone formation. It is generally recommended to drink no less than 1500 ml of water per day.

4. Pay attention to urination and do not hold urine: Empty the bladder in time to avoid urine retention and reflux. Holding urine for a long time can easily lead to urinary tract infection and even decreased prostate function. It is recommended to develop a habit of drinking water regularly and urinate regularly. Empty the bladder completely every time you urinate, and do not leave any urine. Urinate every 2 to 3 hours, especially in cold weather.

5. Pay attention to exercise and do proper exercise: Aerobic exercise, such as walking and running, is needed to promote blood circulation, improve venous return in the lower limbs, and relieve prostate congestion. Avoid cold stimulation such as swimming, which has a greater impact on the prostate. At the same time, avoid sitting for a long time, moving little or riding a bicycle for too long to prevent the perineum from being compressed, which may cause a series of symptoms of prostate disease.

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6. Pay attention to medication and take it safely: Some medications may have adverse effects on prostate health. If you are taking medication, please consult your doctor if there are any prostate-related side effects. If side effects occur, you should seek advice from a professional doctor in time. They will evaluate your specific situation and provide appropriate treatment.

7. Pay attention to examinations, early diagnosis and early treatment: Regular examinations of prostate and other diseases are carried out to timely detect and treat prostate diseases. Examination methods include digital examination, urinary system ultrasound examination, blood examination (including blood routine, serological examination, tumor marker examination, etc.), urine examination (including urine routine examination, bacterial culture, etc.), semen examination (including semen routine examination, bacterial culture, etc.), prostate fluid examination (including routine examination, bacterial culture, etc.), etc.

Doing the above points can generally help men protect their prostate. However, if symptoms occur, if you want to solve the problem fundamentally, you should seek medical attention in time, seek professional help, and use effective drugs to control the progression of the disease. For example, α-receptor blockers, 5α-reductase inhibitors, and traditional Chinese medicine commonly used in clinical practice can effectively relieve the clinical symptoms of prostate hyperplasia.

On this important day of "Men's Health Day", each of us must pay attention to and attach importance to the health of the prostate. Currently, the means and programs for treating prostate diseases in clinical practice are relatively mature, and male friends do not need to worry too much. Rational treatment and scientific prevention and treatment are the correct ways to deal with prostate diseases. We should take necessary measures to protect prostate health and develop good living habits, which will help avoid potential health problems and further improve men's quality of life.