One for the boys…
Our experienced osteopath Carlo Dore takes a look at a common condition affecting men that doesn’t get spoken about too much! Here’s what he has to say:
You might wonder why when you have your initial osteopathic assessment, you are asked during the case history whether or not you have issues passing water.
Well, here’s why.
Men were blessed or cursed depending on your point of view with a Prostate gland.
The prostate gland envelopes the urethra, which is a tube that drains urine from the bladder. The gland sits just below the bladder and its primary function is to produce the fluid that nourishes and transports sperm (seminal fluid). The prostate changes shape, which facilitates the mechanical with between urination and ejaculation.
So why the interest?
The prostate gland can sometimes become enlarged which can lead to difficulties passing water.
It can become infected with bacteria leading to Prostatitis or inflammation of the prostate. This may result painful urination and possible groin pain.
However, it can often be treated successfully with antibiotics.
The Prostate can also become enlarged with age. This is very common in older men and largely benign.
Why Osteopaths are mostly
concerned with your responses to questions about your ability to pass water is that the Prostate can enlarge due to Prostate cancer….. and one amongst many symptoms is back pain which may be the reason you came to an osteopath in the first place.
Things to look out for……
- increase in your desire/ urgency to urinate, especially at night, and then perhaps finding there is not much urine to pass.
- emptying your bladder at a urinal, doing your zip up and then having a continued desire/ urgency to pass water only to urinate very little
- having a desire/ urgency to pass water only to be standing at the urinal waiting/unable to
- really slow flow of water when you do urinate, sometimes just a dribble
Should you have any of these symptoms please don’t panic.
These symptoms show themselves with both benign or malignant prostatic enlargement and the vast majority of the time it just a natural symptom of ageing.
Your GP can get a blood test to check a prostate specific hormone called PSA, and you might need a rectal exam (unpleasant but straight forward and easier than having a baby!)
But the take home message and what is most important is to get yourself checked out at your GP….
So that explains the link between back pain and the function of your water works! If you have any concerns, discuss this with your osteopath or GP.
If you would like to visit Carlo, or one of the team at Back on Track Healthcare, feel free to contact our lovely reception team on 020 8545 0965
