A common condition in men who are older, Benign Prostate Hyperplasia, or BPH, may be acquired by younger men who are obese, with high levels of blood sugar, and are diabetics. This article explores the possibility of diabetes as one cause of prostate issues in men regardless of age and how Flomax could help improve enlarged prostate conditions in diabetic males.

Diabetes may be a possible cause for prostate issues. A June 2000 study published by the Journal of Urology showed that the 1,290 test subjects of diabetic men experienced more symptoms of BPH than the 8,566 men who didn’t have diabetes and were also test subjects.

Poorly-managed diabetes can have several effects on the way blood flows and circulates within and throughout the body such as damage to blood vessels. Recent research showed that diabetic men can have severe symptoms of BPH than non-diabetic men who are even ten years older than them!

What Studies Have Indicated Regarding BPH and Diabetes

Other studies have indicated that while the relationship between diabetes and BPH has not been fully established, there is also substantial information that diabetes may be influential in developing BPH as well as symptoms of the lower urinary tract for older males.

The presence in prostatic tissue of IGF or insulin-like growth factor has been known for decades and the influence of that IGF on the alteration of male hormonal activity via common pathogenic mechanisms links BPH and diabetes. BPH development may be associated as well with glucose homeostasis abnormalities and insulin effects.

Prostatis and Diabetes

Most people don’t fully understand prostatis and how diabetes be contributory to its development. Let’s start with hyperglycemia, a condition which causes damage not only to blood vessels but to nerves as well, resulting in numerous chronic conditions in the kidneys, eyes, feet, heart, and, potentially, the prostate gland.

Diabetes which is not properly managed affects the body’s resistance level against infections such urinary tract infections or UTIs. Chronic UTIs irritate the prostate or cause the entry of bacteria into the prostate and lead, eventually, to development of prostatis.

Diabetes and Prostate Cancer

Again, while there isn’t much research done on the link between diabetes and prostate cancer, there has been evidence that well-managed cases of diabetes can reduce the possibility of acquiring prostate cancer. Poorly controlled diabetes, in fact, may increase the risk of an existing aggressive state of prostate cancer.

Blood sugar control is the key to maintain optimum health for the prostate and certain interventions have been identified – using the Gleason scoring system — which may help prevent and treat diabetic conditions that could lead to aggravation of prostate conditions.

Risk Factors for Prostate Enlargement

The causes of BPH have all been theoretical and attributed to a wide range of factors including fluctuation in testosterone ratio to estrogen. Here are the other factors said to be determinants of BPH:

• Age: men who are 50 years of age and above are said to have a higher risk of acquiring BPH symptoms.
• Family history: males with immediate family members who have existing BPH conditions.
• Excessive dihydrotestosterone or DHT: DHT results when testosterone is converted by the enzyme known as 5-alpha reductase. Having an excess of this substance encourages the growth of prostate cells; a build-up of DHT could cause BPH to develop.
• Obesity: obesity increases the risk tp develop an enlarged prostate. According to Dr. Matthew Smith’s explanation in the Journal Clinical Oncology, most obese men are diabetic.
• Diabetes: elevated levels of insulin “corral” blood sugar, ushering it in cells and stimulating their growth. This, in turn, damage blood vessels throughout the body, including those found in the prostate area; when this happens, enlargement of the prostate is the likely result, hence, the need to keep the prostate healthy and the body free from excessive sugar.

Prevention and/or Treatment of Enlarged Prostate

Because existing enlarged prostate conditions and BPH are exacerbated by diabetes, taking medication to treat them is necessary. Flomax, a pharmacological preparation that belongs to the alpha-adrenergic blocker family, has tamsulosin hydrochloride for its key ingredient.

Flomax helps relax the prostate muscles and bladder neck to alleviate BPH symptoms like weak stream, the need for urgent or frequent urination, and difficulty of urine flow as it begins. Like all medications, there is the possibility of side effects such as mild dizziness, diarrhea, and headache, from taking Flomax although these are not deemed serious.

Conclusive Association of Diabetes as Risk Factor for BPH

Clinicians typically consider diabetes and BPH as two separate entities even as there are opinions that diabetes is a risk factor in BPH development and subsequent progression. As of this date, however, uncertainty remains since BPH and diabetic neuropathy are both possible culprits in the dysfunction of bladder emptying and storage.

This makes it a challenge to pinpoint the extent at which BPH and/or diabetes may be contributory to dysfunctions in voiding. Technical at it may sound, further research must be conducted on LUTS (lower urinary tract symptoms), prostatic volume, urinary flow, and concentrations of prostate specific antigens or PSAs to conclusively associate diabetes as a risk factor for BPH.