Bhubaneswar: With lifestyle changes among youngsters, several diseases which are usually attributed to old age have started afflicting the younger generation, thanks to the sedentary lifestyles.
Many health professionals believe that inactive lifestyle makes the young prone to diabetes and obesity. Prostate ailments are now evident in certain sections of youths, experts said.
“Prostatic diseases are common among aging men causing significant morbidity. Many self-diagnose the medical condition relating to prostate to the current circumstances; some blame aging, weather change, travel-related stress, quality of water at different places, among others. However, due to the sedentary lifestyle, the age factor is blurring the line,” said Manas Ranjan Pradhan, an urologist from the city. He was speaking at a health awareness programme organised here.
Normally, the threat of such diseases cascades with increase in age. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is defined as microscopic excessive growth which, over a period, translates into gross enlargement of the gland visible to the naked eye. It begins before the age of 30 and approximately 8 per cent of men are affected by microscopic BPH by 40 years, 50 per cent by 60 years and 90 per cent by 90 years of age.
Doctors believe that prostate enlargements potentially affect the quality of life of people. In many cases it also increases the threat of lower urinary tract infection. Doctors believe that such conditions affect the behaviour and concerns of the patients at workplace.
“While they do not articulate it, their behaviour reveals that they protect themselves by always remaining accessible to a bathroom. This is especially true for patients who have not been treated. Those who are treated also have a similar lifestyle but are more open and confident to move out of this perimeter,” Pradhan added.
The event was organised keeping in mind the ‘Prostate Health Month’, observed in September and considered as a movement to create awareness about men’s health.
Prasanjeet Mohanty, OP
