HEALTHY LIVING
How urinary symptoms may lead men to avoid activities
(Family Features) Men with urinary symptoms common with an enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH, may anticipate and plan for urgent and frequent bathroom needs and even avoid events and activities they enjoy because of their urinary symptoms. Whether they rearrange their morning schedules in anticipation of interrupted sleep, limit the amount they drink or purposefully seek out and stay close to the bathroom, this is known as extreme bathroom planning and can disrupt normal daily activities.
In men with BPH, the enlarged prostate presses on and blocks the urethra, causing bothersome urinary symptoms, such as an urgent or frequent need to urinate or the sensation that the bladder is not empty after urinating. These symptoms can significantly impact a man’s quality of life, leading to interrupted sleep and even a loss of productivity and depression, according to research published in “British Journal of Urology International.”1
As part of a survey sponsored by Teleflex Incorporated of approximately 1,000 men in the United States, 45 years and older, who have experienced at least one bothersome urinary symptom, nearly half (45.49%) reported they have avoided events or activities they enjoy because of their bothersome urinary symptom.2
When they do attend an event or perform an activity, a significant number of men surveyed make plans or take action to accommodate their bathroom needs. In fact, more than 40% have chosen certain routes on road trips because they have more or better availability of restroom facilities. Additionally, about 1 in 5 said locating the closest bathroom is the first thing they do when they go somewhere new, and about 43% selected seats when purchasing tickets to an event based on proximity to the restroom.2
These “extreme” bathroom planning habits are not just limited to daytime activities. Many men with urinary problems, including BPH patients, experience frequent nighttime waking to urinate.
The majority of those surveyed (more than 70%) said their energy levels have been impacted during the day because they get up frequently at night to urinate. To avoid this, about 3 in 4 men (74.8%) limit the amount they drink in the evening. Some men (about 22%) have even slept in another bed or room than their spouse, partner or significant other to avoid waking him or her when getting up to urinate.2
“It’s important for men to be aware of symptoms of BPH, including frequent trips to the bathroom during both daytime and nighttime,” said Ana Fadich, vice president of the nonprofit Men’s Health Network. “While not all urinary symptoms are caused by BPH, men over the age of 45 who are experiencing urgent or frequent urinary symptoms should consider speaking with their doctor about their prostate health.”
More than 12 million men in the U.S. seek treatment for BPH.3 BPH is unrelated to, but more common than, prostate cancer, according to the American Cancer Society,4,5 and if left untreated can lead to permanent bladder damage.6
Medications are a common treatment option for men diagnosed with BPH. Among those surveyed, more than 65% have taken medication to treat their condition. However, nearly 1 in 4 said their medication was “not very effective” or “not effective at all” at helping reduce their need to plan their next bathroom trip.2
BPH relief through medication can be inadequate with potential side effects such as sexual dysfunction, dizziness and headaches, prompting many men to quit using their BPH treatment medications.7 A study published in the “Journal of Urology” also found commonly prescribed BPH medications are linked to an increased risk of new instances of heart failure in some men.8 Among men participating in the Teleflex survey, those men taking BPH medication and who have never had a medical procedure or surgery to treat their condition, more than two-thirds (66.81%) said they are extremely, very or somewhat interested in a minimally invasive procedure that could help reduce their bathroom visits and planning needs.2
An option like the UroLift® System is a minimally invasive treatment for lower urinary tract symptoms due to BPH. It is indicated for the treatment of symptoms of an enlarged prostate up to 100 cubic centimeters in men 45 years or older. The UroLift System permanent implants, in many cases can be delivered during an outpatient procedure and is a proved approach to treating prostate obstruction without heating, cutting, destroying or removing prostate tissue.9,12
The UroLift System is the only leading BPH procedure shown to not cause sexual dysfunction (no instances of new, sustained erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction) as shown in the LIFT pivotal study.10,11 Most common side effects are temporary and include pain or burning with urination, blood in the urine, pelvic pain, urgent need to urinate and/or the inability to control the urge.9 Rare side effects, including bleeding and infection, may lead to a serious outcome and may require intervention. Speak with your doctor to determine if you may be a candidate.
To talk to a doctor about safe and effective treatments for BPH, visit UroLift.com to find a urologist in your area.
1. Speakman, BJUI 2014
2. Data on file: Men’s Health Survey 2021, n=1,000 conducted by Teleflex l NeoTract 2021
3. NeoTract US Market Model estimates for 2020, data on file
4. American Cancer Society Key Statistics for Prostate Cancer http://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostatecancer/detailedguide/prostate-cancer-key-statistics
5. Berry, J Urol 1984
6. Tubaro, Drugs Aging 2003
7. AUA BPH Guidelines 2003, 2010, 2018
8. Lusty A, J Urol 2021
9. Roehrborn, J Urology 2013 LIFT Study
10. AUA BPH Guidelines 2003, 2020
(Family Features) The holidays are coming up, and many people will be celebrating with family and friends. The start of colder months also means flu, COVID-19 and RSV can surge. That can be dangerous for older adults.
“Holidays are a time to gather with family and friends,” said Charlene Wong, MD, MSHP, senior advisor for health strategy at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “but for older people, this can come with risk of serious respiratory illness. Get your updated flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines to reduce your risk and do more together.”
Before heading to holiday gatherings, check out these tips from the Risk Less. Do More. vaccine education campaign. They can help you and your older loved ones enjoy a happy holiday season while lowering the risk of serious illness from flu, COVID-19 and RSV.
Get Vaccinated Against Respiratory Illnesses
Older adults are at higher risk of getting seriously ill, ending up in the hospital or dying from flu, COVID-19 or RSV. Vaccines are the best protection against severe disease from these common respiratory illnesses. The CDC recommends that all adults ages 65 and older get the updated flu and COVID-19 vaccines. An RSV vaccine is also available to help protect older people from severe RSV. It is recommended for all people 75 and older, and for those ages 60-74 with certain health conditions, like heart or lung disease or diabetes, or who live in a nursing home. If you are a caregiver or help an older adult with their medical decisions, encourage them to talk to their doctor about the vaccines that are right for them.
Gather Safely
Respiratory illnesses often thrive in indoor spaces where people are in close contact. If the weather permits, try hosting holiday gatherings outside. When gatherings are inside, think about keeping windows open or using fans for ventilation. If you are going to a large indoor gathering, consider wearing a mask. Washing your hands frequently, or using hand sanitizer, also helps reduce the spread of germs. Encourage your older loved ones to take these precautions as well.
Stay Home If You’re Sick
No one wants to miss out on festivities, but it’s important to stay home if you are not feeling well. Encourage your family and friends to do the same. Remind them about the impact flu, COVID-19 and RSV can have, especially on older adults. If you’re a caregiver of an older adult, monitor any respiratory symptoms that may develop. Testing for flu and COVID-19 can also help inform your plans. All U.S. households can now receive four free COVID tests. Order them for your family and your loved ones at COVIDTests.gov.
For many older people, the fall and winter holidays are an important time to connect with others. Be sure to include vaccinations in your holiday planning. Go to vaccines.gov to get started today.
You can also learn more about flu, COVID-19 and RSV at cdc.gov/RiskLessDoMore or by talking to your doctor about which vaccines are right for you this season.
Photo courtesy of Shutterstock
SOURCE:
United States Department of Health and Human Services
(Family Features) Respiratory viruses are common in the fall and winter months. Flu, COVID-19 and RSV can surge during the cooler weather and keep people from gathering with family and friends. They cause many people to get very sick or even to be hospitalized.
“We know that getting vaccinated is the best defense against severe illness and death caused by flu, COVID-19 and RSV,” said Nirav D. Shah, MD, JD, principal deputy director of the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. “Respiratory virus season is here and now is the time to get your updated vaccines so you can focus on what matters most: spending quality time with friends and family.”
Vaccines help people risk less serious illness, so they can do more of what they enjoy. Everyone 6 months old and older should get this season’s flu and COVID-19 vaccines. Adults ages 75 and older, adults 60-74 years old who have certain health conditions and adults age 60 and older who live in nursing homes should get an RSV vaccine if they have never been vaccinated against RSV. Pregnant people should also get an RSV vaccine to protect their babies from severe RSV disease in their first six months.
Getting vaccinated can be easy, and in many cases, it’s free. Here’s what you need to know.
Where Can You Get Vaccinated?
There are many places to get vaccines against flu and COVID-19, as well as RSV if you’re eligible. It’s OK to get all of these vaccines in one visit.
You can get vaccinated at some doctor’s offices, local health centers or most pharmacies. To find pharmacies near you, visit vaccines.gov. Your state or local health department may also be able to tell you where you can get vaccinated in your area.
Are the Vaccines Free?
If you have insurance: If you’re covered by Medicaid, or if you qualify for it, you can get the vaccines at no cost. People with Medicare (Parts B and D) or Medicare Advantage can also get the vaccines for free.
If you have private insurance through your job or your state’s marketplace, most plans fully cover the flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines through in-network doctors.
If you are uninsured: If you don’t have health coverage, your state or local health department or a local community health center may offer the flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines at no cost. Companies that make these vaccines may also offer them for free or at a lower cost through their patient assistance programs. Look for information on their websites.
To explore insurance options and affordable health plans, visit HealthCare.gov or see if you can get covered through Medicare or your state’s Medicaid program.
Get Vaccinated Now
Vaccines give you the best protection against getting very sick from flu, COVID-19 and RSV. Getting vaccinated soon means you’ll be ready for upcoming winter gatherings.
Visit cdc.gov/RiskLessDoMore to learn more about the flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccines. Also, you can order free COVID-19 test kits (four per household) at COVIDTests.gov. Talk to your doctor about which vaccines are right for you or visit vaccines.gov to get started today.
Photos courtesy of Shutterstock
SOURCE:
United States Department of Health and Human Services
(Family Features) Four and a half years after the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, people are once again enjoying time with friends and family and doing their favorite things. However, the virus that causes COVID-19 keeps changing, so it’s still important to stay up to date on your vaccinations. Respiratory viruses, including COVID-19, are common during the fall and winter months. That’s why now is a good time to take care of yourself and your loved ones by getting the facts on the updated COVID-19 vaccines.
“As the virus changes, we are learning more and more about how to protect people from COVID-19,” said Namandjé N. Bumpus, Ph.D., principal deputy commissioner at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). “Getting the latest COVID-19 vaccine means your protection is as up to date as possible.”
Here is information about this season’s COVID-19 vaccines from the Risk Less. Do More. public education campaign:
Vaccines are the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones from COVID-19. Getting vaccinated against COVID-19 lowers your chances of getting very sick or being hospitalized. Some people who get the vaccines still get sick, but vaccination can make symptoms milder. This is important if you are over age 65 or have certain health conditions. Both can put you at a higher risk for serious or long-lasting health problems, such as Long COVID or even death from COVID-19. If you do get COVID-19, ask your doctor about treatment options to reduce your risk of severe illness.
COVID-19 vaccines are regularly updated to keep up with the changing virus. The COVID-19 vaccines are updated based on the latest variants of the virus. The updated vaccines offer the best protection against the changing virus that causes COVID-19. Getting the latest vaccine boosts your immunity and lowers your risk of severe sickness.
Side effects for COVID-19 vaccines are usually mild and go away on their own in a few days. The most common side effects are soreness or redness at the injection site, headache or body aches, or fever. Severe side effects like anaphylaxis are rare, with about five adverse events per 1 million doses given.
Staying informed and getting this season’s COVID-19 vaccine – and encouraging loved ones to do the same – is one of the best things you can do to protect yourself and others this fall and winter. Knowing the facts about COVID-19 vaccinations can give you peace of mind and support a safer, healthier future for all. For more information, visit cdc.gov/RiskLessDoMore or talk to your doctor.
If you think you have COVID-19, testing can help. All U.S. households are now eligible to receive four free COVID-19 test kits. Order them today at COVIDTests.gov.
The Impact of COVID-19 In Black and Hispanic Communities
For the first two years of the COVID-19 pandemic, people in Black and Hispanic communities were consistently more likely to get COVID-19, need medical or hospital care, and die from COVID-19 than people in other communities. That gap has narrowed over time, but this past summer, Black people were still more likely to be hospitalized for COVID-19 compared to the average across all races and ethnicities combined. Hispanic people had lower than average rates of hospitalization. For everyone, getting the latest COVID-19 vaccine offers the best protection against severe disease and hospitalization.
Photos courtesy of Shutterstock
SOURCE:
United States Department of Health and Human Services
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