Patient/caregiver was instructed upon lifestyle measures for individuals with BPH as follows:
Practice timed voiding:
- Timed voiding is a behavior therapy of bladder retraining. This technique allows an individual to void and empty the bladder on a timely schedule, but not waiting for the urge to urinate.
- Timed voiding helps to individuals with BPH, by promoting improved bladder emptying, reducing back-up of urine, and controlling the frequent urge to urinate.
- Also, by reducing the back-up of urine in the bladder, timed voiding helps prevent development of urinary tract infections.
Practice double voiding:
- Individuals with history of BPH have difficulty emptying the bladder, which results in heavily backed-up urine in the urinary bladder.
- Double voiding is a pattern of bladder training to help improve emptying of bladder. Double voiding technique allows an individual some extra time for the act of voiding and empty the bladder completely.
- This method involves taking a small break during urination, when the flow of urine is obstructed, sit relaxed for a minute on the toilet, and try passing the urine again.
- With improved emptying of the bladder and thereby, reducing the back-up of urine in the bladder, double voiding helps relief of BPH symptoms and also prevent development of urinary tract infections.
Shed few pounds:
- Obesity is a strong risk factor for development of BPH. Overweight and obese men have a lot of abdominal fat, which exerts undue pressure on the bladder, poses difficulty for the bladder to empty, and cause exacerbation of BPH symptoms in individuals with history.
- This leads to reduced volume of urine voided, backed-up urine in the urinary bladder, frequent urge, and increased risk for UTIs.
- Shedding a few pounds can reduce the pressure on the bladder, release the obstruction to urine flow, promote better bladder emptying, and offer relief from symptoms of BPH.
Maintain compliance with recommended physical activity:
- Inactivity and non-weightbearing can lead to difficult bladder emptying, urinary retention, and exacerbation of BPH symptoms in individuals with history.
- Exercise and physical activity improve bladder emptying, reduce urine retention, and offer relief from symptoms of BPH in individuals with history.
- Compliance with recommended physical activity also contributes to preventing weight gain and maintaining weight in the desired range, which also helps with relief from symptoms of BPH.
