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Awakening to the pains of prostate
By WO A.J. Freame
Volume 50, No. 10, June 14, 2007 |
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While this article comes to you under the title of men’s health, it is aimed towards all members of our naval community.
As a reader, be it a male over the age of 40, or someone with a friend, partner, boyfriend, husband, son, brother, father or grandfather in the over 40 age group, you may be affected. Almost one man in five will need surgery for prostate obstruction by the time he reaches 70.
The prostate gland is found only in men. It is located immediately under the bladder and surrounds the urethra. Due to its position around the urethra, enlargement of the prostate interferes with the normal passage of urine from the bladder.
The only function of the prostate gland is to produce a fluid which nourishes and carries sperm cells.
The prostate gland begins to enlarge in all men at about the age of 40. This growth is called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The enlargement continues through the rest of the man’s life. At least 50 per cent of men will have symptoms which interfere with urine flow.
I woke up one morning unable to urinate or move my bowels. My water works had always been fine.
I’d come to work that morning via HMAS Kuttabul Medical Centre as a member of “sick parade”, and by day’s end I was an inpatient; attached to a urinary catheter.
At the time I had no idea I’d be having a relationship with my leg bag for the next few months.
However a catheter on Anzac Day did have its advantages when excluding myself from real life relief.
After a number of specialist appointments it was decided that corrective surgery was the only way forward.
The aim of the operation, called transurethral resection of the prostate, was to remove the bulk of the prostate gland that was causing my symptoms. This tissue is removed through the urinary passage (urethra) via the penis, leaving a raw cavity that will heal in four to six weeks. Your stay in hospital will be approximately five days.
In my case the surgeon also preformed a bladder neck extension. This procedure required the removal of tissue either side of the urethra as well as a shave of the prostate gland. My sudden loss of urine flow had been caused by an obstruction compressing on the urethra from a collapsed prostate on one side.
After sending two hours in the recovery area and five hours of surgery, I awoke back in my room to find myself attached to a new friend and the old faithful – an intravenous infusion (IV) drip in my arm providing fluids, and a urinary catheter and bladder irrigation system in place.
The aim of the bladder irrigation system is to flush out any blood clots that may be gathering in your bladder. I was also wearing TED (anti- embolism) stockings. Tubes every where, leg bag, TED stockings and a hospital grown – what a look!
Day one post surgery and one tube is removed. Unfortunately it is only the IV drip. The bladder irrigation continues until day two.
The nursing staff removed the irrigation and urinary catheter early in the morning, and passing urine into the bottle provided for the first time in 12 weeks was luxury.
However, when the catheter is removed you may experience some of the following symptoms:
- Stinging when you pass urine (medication is prescribed to assist);
- Passing urine frequently;
- Urgent urination;
- Occasional dribbling; and
- Passing blood-stained urine, possibly with a few clots.
With me; all of the above, however passing urine well and with continued improvement with my recovery I was able to go home by day five, post surgery.
By maintaining generous fluid intake, eating roughage in the form of cereal, fruit and vegetables and avoiding strenuous activities, you will be returning to work on normal duties three weeks after surgery. By the way, avoid alcohol for three weeks after the operation as it may cause bleeding and increase your urgency and frequency. You also need to continue to wear your TED stockings for four to six weeks – glad that we are in winter uniform.
Did I have any warning symptoms? No, I didn’t and to be honest if I did, I would never have accepted it. Away from hospital just days after the surgery it is important to me, it is a matter of asking: Who will this column affect? Please do not hesitate to ask your doctor or medical staff about any concerns that you have regarding difficulty such as starting, maintaining and stopping urination.
Remember enlargement of the prostate gland is a common complaint in men over 40. Don’t forego your over 40 medicals and if you know someone who may suffer urination discharge, give him this to read. |
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