Living with BPH

Management of BPH may include:

• Changing Some Habits. Limit fluids in the evening, empty your bladder before going to bed, and don’t take water pills (diuretics) that are active at night. Not smoking can also help ease BPH symptoms.
• Changing Your Diet. Stay away from or reduce the amount of alcohol, coffee, and other fluids. This is especially important after dinner. A higher risk for BPH has been linked to a diet high in zinc, butter, and margarine. Men who eat lots of fruits are thought to have a lower risk for BPH.
• Avoiding Use of Certain Medicines. Decongestants and antihistamines can slow urine flow in some men with BPH. Some antidepressants and diuretics can also make symptoms worse. Talk with your healthcare provider if you are taking any of these medicines.
• Kegel exercises. Repeated tightening and releasing the pelvic muscles is called Kegel exercises. These can help prevent leaking urine. Practice these exercises while urinating to train the specific muscle. To do Kegels, contract the muscle until the flow of urine decreases or stops. Then release the muscle.

Delay in treatment can cause lasting (permanent) bladder damage that can't be treated.

If you’re experiencing symptoms of BPH, talk to your doctor about next steps for diagnosis. Appointments can then be made at Atlantic General Urology for further evaluation and treatment, by calling 410-629-6277.