Many different things influence sleep, and the natural ageing process tends to impact sleep quality for both sexes. In men over the age of 50 years (and their partners), issues related to the prostate, including prostate enlargement, can be a major contributor to sleep disruptions. Researchers have even found links between snoring and prostate enlargement. This is a very common health and well-being issue for older men.
KEY INSIGHTS
- Benign prostatic hypertension (BPH) is the enlargement of the prostate gland. 60% of men have symptoms of this by age 60, and this rate rises to 80% of men by age 80.
- Having an enlarged prostate causes an array of urinary symptoms, and these can be particularly troublesome at night, causing men to wake up multiple times to visit the bathroom each night.
- Scientists have found that not only do BPH symptoms disrupt sleep, but poor sleep patterns also increase the likelihood of developing BPH. Furthermore, snoring and sleep apnea can both exacerbate BPH symptoms.
- Making certain lifestyle changes, treating BPH, and using the appropriate snoring solutions and sleep apnea devices can improve both BPH symptoms and sleep quality.
What is the Prostate Gland?
The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system, and it produces most of the seminal fluid (which helps carry sperm from the testicles). It is approximately the size and shape of a walnut in younger men and is located just below the bladder, in front of the rectum. It wraps around the upper part of the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body.
Prostate Enlargement: What is BPH?
The prostate naturally becomes larger as a man gets older, with the enlargement process usually beginning between the ages of 40 and 50. The medical term for this is benign prostatic hyperplasia/hypertrophy or BPH.
BPH is an extremely common condition in males, and almost all men will be affected by it if they live long enough. It causes symptoms in:
- 50% of males aged in their 50s
- 60% of males by age 60
- 80% of males by age 80
Scientists don’t yet understand what causes BPH; however, it may be driven by changing hormone levels. Risks for BPH are higher in males who:
- have a family history of BPH
- are older than 50 years
- have male pattern baldness
- take testosterone supplements
- smoke or vape
- have metabolic syndrome/insulin resistance.
Having BPH can put pressure on the bladder and urethra. It can, if more severe, squeeze or even cause urethral blockage. This prevents smooth, comfortable passing of urine, and it can also impact ejaculation.
Symptoms of BPH include:
- Needing to urinate urgently
- Needing to urinate more often
- Needing to get up during the night to urinate (“nocturia”)
When urinating:
- Difficulty getting started
- Straining
- Having a weak or slow urine stream
- Stopping and starting involuntarily
- Dribbling at the end of urinating
- Feeling unable to fully empty the bladder
- Pain
Also:
- Loss of bladder control – incontinence/leaking
- Pain after ejaculating
More severe symptoms that indicate you need to see your doctor urgently include:
- Blood in the urine or ejaculate
- Inability to pass urine
- Fever
- Burning/stinging when urinating
BPH is not cancer, and there is no evidence that having BPH increases the risk of developing prostate cancer.
BPH does, however, share similar symptoms with prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland) and prostate cancer. It’s also possible to have BPH and prostatitis or prostate cancer at the same time. This means that it is critical to see your GP for a checkup if you have any of these symptoms to get a proper diagnosis – especially if you have ever had prostate cancer or anyone in your family (father, brother, uncle, grandfather) has had prostate cancer.
If not treated or managed properly, BPH can cause other problems, such as an overactive bladder, urinary retention, bladder stones, and urinary tract infections.
Every biological male should have regular prostate screening performed every two years (unless otherwise medically advised). For most men, this just means having a simple blood test.
The Impact of BPH on Sleep
The symptoms BPH causes can be extremely disruptive to a good night’s sleep. Most men with BPH will wake up several (and sometimes many) times each night to urinate. This can also be very disruptive to your partner’s sleep.
Poor quality, disrupted sleep is known to cause daytime fatigue, headaches, mood issues, stress, memory issues, and several chronic health conditions, including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer’s disease, and some cancers. It also increases road and workplace accident risks.
Studies have found that:
- More than 80% of men over the age of 50 wake up at least once throughout the night, every night, to urinate.
- Worse sleep quality is strongly associated with a higher incidence of BPH among men of middle age and old age.
- There appears to be a link between healthy sleep patterns and a lower risk of BPH: BPH impacts sleep quality just as sleep quality influences the development of BPH.
What About Snoring?
A study published in the European Urology Journal reported that snorers:
- had a higher tendency to be overweight
- urinated more often and with higher urine volume overnight
- demonstrated higher rates of snoring and sleep apnea episodes
Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) and moderate to severe snoring can make BPH worse, and frequently stirring due to OSA can encourage full waking to go to the bathroom. This establishes an unhealthy pattern that reduces good quality sleep and disrupts the circadian rhythm.
Tips for Surviving BPH
- Exercise regularly
- Maintain a healthy body weight and BMI
- Eat a healthy diet and include plenty of tomatoes, berries, broccoli, nuts, and turmeric
- Reduce your consumption of caffeine and alcohol
- Drink less fluid at night before bedtime
- Reduce salt intake
- Avoid acidic and spicy foods, as these can irritate the bladder
- Avoid/treat constipation
- See a physiotherapist for advice about pelvic floor exercises and bladder training
- Consider using male incontinence underwear if necessary (especially overnight) to help manage leakage and for your peace of mind
- Treat snoring and sleep apnea
What BPH Treatments Are Available?
Many men will be advised to take a “watchful waiting” approach to BPH and make some simple lifestyle changes. Some may be prescribed medications to relax the bladder and prostate and widen the urethra, or to shrink the prostate. For some men with more severe symptoms and who are medically deemed suitable, undergoing laser therapy or a surgery called transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) can be very successful.
Encourage a Better Night’s Sleep – Prevent Snoring
Using the right snoring solutions and sleep apnea devices is advisable for anyone who snores or has sleep apnea, but it can be even more beneficial for men who have symptoms caused by prostate enlargement.
ApneaRx is arguably the most accessible and effective snoring cure available in NZ, and it has been clinically tested to manage the symptoms associated with mild to moderate sleep apnea and encourage healthier breathing during sleep. This can facilitate deeper sleep and fewer waking episodes overnight.
ApneaRx comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee and a 12-month manufacturer’s warranty.
