Health Essentials
When the prostate screams for recognition
I love the years when we competed on whose urine stream could go the farthest, then as time went on we engaged in “more important” competitions but recently the topic quite often centres on how often one wakes up at night to urinate. Sleeping throughout the night with no interruptions is now worn as a badge of honour. An abrofo nkatie (or chestnut sized if you prefer sophistication) sized structure has more control on all these competitions than you can imagine. If you have not heard about the prostate gland yet then you are probably well below your fourth decade in life and it does not matter if you are male or female. This time our ladies have been spared the direct troubles that may accompany a prostate; MEN ONLY! The prostate is sandwiched by the bladder and the penis and the rectum is behind it. The urethra then runs through its centre. We will realise soon that these structures closely associated with the prostate have a story to tell when changes occur. The primary role of the prostate is to secrete a fluid that nourishes, protects and transports the sperms safely to their destination. Most people associate the prostate only with prostate cancer and who wouldn’t BUT the prostate has other challenges to contend with and we will focus on the main ones today; 1. Prostatitis 2. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) 3. Prostate Cancer Fortunately for us all three above
can be managed especially when we start early and do not wait for complications.
PROSTATITIS
Common in men below 50 years. May be classified as acute or chronic. It may be as a result of bacterial infection through sex or urinary tract infection but may also be as a result of trauma. Symptoms
• Fever and chills, pus-like discharge through
• Frequent urination , burning sensation during urination or difficulty urinating
• Pain in groin, painful orgasms
• Pain in bladder, testes, penis
• Erectile dysfunction
BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERLASIA (BPH)
This is not cancer! There is an increase in size of the prostate though the actual cause of the increase in size is unknown, there is an association with male hormones. The increase in size is also associated with age. I have had the unpleasant experience of witnessing grown men sweating and crying in pain as they are unable to pass urine even though they have a full bladder and this is because the enlarged prostate has blocked the urethra where the urine exits. Fortunately medical science has made it possible to offer quick relief, well that is once the person can get to a professional. Symptoms
• One urinates frequently especially at night
• There may be urgency; you need to “evacuate” urine once you get the urge otherwise you may wet yourself.
• There may be difficulty starting to urinate and you may have to strain
• Poor urine stream; remember the competitions of yesteryears?
• Intermittent urine stream; urine stops midstream and then resumes when you coax it enough
• Terminal dribbling; after urinating you may continue to drip hence men beyond a certain age tend to shake the penis after the act
• Urinating may be painful
• Blood may be in the urine; sometimes the blood may not be visible to your eye
PROSTATE CANCER
This is one of the commonest diagnosed cancers in men. In Ghana the prevalence of prostate cancer is about seven per cent (among 50 to 74 year olds) and the average age of diagnosis is 66 years. Most prostate cancers are slow growing and many people die with the cancer and NOT FROM the cancer. This cancer is commoner among black males and may appear at an earlier age and often more aggressive and lethal. Risk factors
• Age; increase change of getting this cancer as you grow older
• Race; being black may mean a higher risk
• Family History; when others in your blood line have had a brush with prostate cancer then be alert
• Fatty foods, sedentary life
• Obesity is often blamed as well but I have seen people slimmer than me have to deal with this. Get screened
Symptoms When prostate cancer has not spread beyond its walls
• Frequency, nocturia, straining, blood in semen or urine
• Weak or interrupted urine flow
• New onset erectile dysfunction
• Pain at micturition ( not common) When the cancer spreads
• Pain in back, hips, thighs etc.
• Unexplained weight loss
• Fatigue
• Change in bowel habits such as constipation etc. There are various steps to diagnose prostate cancer, BPH or prostatitis and we will delve into these later but a few lines on the PSA is in order. The prostate specific antigen (PSA) is an enzyme that may be used to screen for prostate cancer but it should be noted that like all tests it has its downsides. It is elevated whenever there is an irritation of the prostate. It may be elevated in other conditions other than prostate cancer such as;
• Inflammation such as in prostatitis
• Certain anal/rectal examinations
• Severe constipation
• Extended sexual intercourse (I am not sure what extended means)
• Passing a urinary catheter
PROSTATE CARE/RISK REDUCTION
• Choose healthy foods; lots of fruits and vegetables
• Choose healthy foods over supplements
• Keep a healthy weight
• Exercise most days of the week
• Report symptoms discussed quickly
• Get screened. And do alert your doctor if you have a family history of prostate cancer Men, it is time to take care of our prostates and dear ladies do keep an eye on the prostates that are dear to you.
AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)
Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel Health Essentials Ltd/ St Andrews Clinic/Mobissel (dressel@healthessentialsgh.com)
Dr Essel is a medical doctor, holds an MBA and is ISSA certified in exercise therapy, fitness nutrition and corrective exercise. Thought for the week –“Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men with more than one million new cases diagnosed each year worldwide (according to the World Cancer Report 2014: 1,111,689 cases identified in 2012).
By Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
A good relationship with your boss is critical for job success and career development. Supervisors have a great influence on your stress level, your team and company culture, and ultimately, whether you succeed or fail in a role.
They are also your best resource for support, problem-solving, and personal development. Building a strong relationship with them can be transformative for your work experience and professional growth, but navigating this connection can be complex.
Here are some key values and characteristics that will help you along the way.
- Be authentic
It is important to be yourself when building any new relationship. Do not be over-the-top trying to impress or kiss up to a manager. Be authentic and try to build a genuine connection with them instead. This will be incredibly helpful when it comes to dealing with personal issues, having difficult conversations, and building trust.
- Be empathetic and respectful
Bosses are human beings with their own professional pressures and personal lives, so it is important to maintain empathy toward them. Strive to get to know them on a personal level; you do not need to be best friends, but knowing the basics, like their family and hobbies, can be meaningful.
Also, help your supervisor look good. Every leader wants a high-performing and successful team. By developing trust, understanding, and excellent communication, you can help your boss achieve their goals.
- Build trust and add value
Showing initiative will win you big points with almost any boss. Whether setting up regular one-on-ones, volunteering for new projects, or offering help, the benefits of this dedication are twofold.
Proactivity makes leaders feel supported-like you are looking out for them. It also provides opportunities for your individual growth.
Whenever possible, add value beyond the limitations of your job description. Whether you have a special interest or extra capacity, find ways to support your team and relieve pressure. – Source:careers.vikingservice.com
..To be continued
This week I bumped into Deborah, one of my avid readers and I promised her I will be writing this weekend. So Deborah, this is for your reading pleasure and to pick some golden nuggets for the future.
The quest to find the best way to make one’s golden years, happy, exciting, healthy and a time most people look forward to continues unabated. One factor that keeps popping up is the need to grow friendships with people more than 20 years younger than yourself.
Do not take this for granted. It is a form of “social security” since these close friends who are much younger than you will step in to support you in more ways than you can ever imagine.
Some conditions may make life challenging for older adults but knowing these Geriatric Giants helps us to take the necessary steps to reduce our risk.
“Geriatric Giants” refers to a group of chronic health conditions that are common in the elderly, typically 65-year-olds and older.
These conditions quite often co-occur and can impact on the independence, dignity and overall wellbeing and quality of life of an elderly person.
These Geriatric Giants include:
- Impaired Intellect/ Memory (e.g. Dementia)
- one of the major battles we need to deal with is challenges with memory
- Exercise, adopt the Mind Diet, build a great social network and enjoy time outdoors
- Keep reading and solving puzzles for as long as possible
- Instability – leading to much feared falls
- A good reason to indulge in Balance Training and Core Strengthening exercises from today
- Ensure your home is safe; avoid clutter such as cables crisscrossing floors, toys etc. These are all trip hazards and should be avoided
- Many healthy, happy and fun-loving older adults have died soon after a fall with its attendant complications.
- Do whatever it takes to avoid falling
- Immobility (opening the doors to pressure sores, joint stiffness)
- Even when you are unable to move about on your own it is important to get support to change positions as often as possible or get an appropriate mattress or bed that prevents prolonged pressure over any single point.
- Make sure you passively or actively move joints daily.
- Incontinence (urine, faeces or both)
- This is one of the reasons older adults prefer to stay at home and avoid going out to meet friends etc.
- Iatrogenic Disorders – adverse effect of medication
- Quite often most older adults are on several medications and some side effects such as drowsiness may seem to cause more unhappiness and may even lead to falls.
- Inappetite – this may result in poor nutrition
- This may also be linked to loss of teeth thus making chewing very difficult or limited.
- The loss of smell and taste may also reduce the amount of food one may willingly eat.
The power to reduce the impact of the Geriatric Giants starts now and should be a lifetime commitment. It is never too early to start making the appropriate lifestyle modifications, nor is it too late to reduce the impact of the giants on one’s life.
Other conditions that significantly impact on the lives especially of the elderly are:
- Sleep Disorders
- Good sleep has the power to give us energy, improve our thought pattern and even helps us to make good choices.
- Good sleep sets the tone for a healthy life
- Constipation
- This is a challenge that confronts quite a number of older adults.
- Movement, fibre and lots of water go a long way to reduce the stress that frequent constipation generates.
- Fraility
- Muscle loss is real and as we age, we lose a significant percentage of our muscle plus our bones also become brittle.
- Make sure strength training is part of your exercise schedule
- Polypharmacy
- Another headache that needs to be confronted head-on
- Everyone especially older adults need a good primary care physician or a general practitioner who can coordinate all medicines from the different Specialists who may be attending to an elderly person. This ensures that unnecessary medicines are dropped
The goal of care at all times is to optimise the quality of life. As family, professional caregivers and friends we should always show respect so that the dignity of the elderly is preserved at all times. For those of us who are not yet in the age group with such challenges, we need to start the conversation about the type of care we will prefer and take steps to stay healthy and independent for as long as possible. The goal should be a long Healthspan and not just a long Lifespan.
AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)
Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
Health Essentials Ltd (HE&W Group)
(dressel@healthessentialsgh.com)
*Dr. Essel is a Medical Doctor with a keen interest in Lifestyle Medicine, He holds an MBA and is an ISSA Specialist in Exercise Therapy, Fitness Nutrition and Corrective Exercise. He is the author of the award-winning book, ‘Unravelling The Essentials of Health & Wealth.’
Thought for the week – “There is no magic formula to being happy but making a conscious effort to be happy goes a long way.” – Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
By Dr. Kojo Cobba Esse
