Men with benign prostatic hyperplasia — an enlarged prostate — should try manage the condition before traveling abroad, and avoid taking medication that contains first-generation antihistamines, such as Benadryl or Nyquil, to avoid acute urinary retention, said Taipei-based urologist Gu Fang-yu (顧芳瑜).
Gu made the remarks in light of an incident in which a 65-year-old Taiwanese man caught the flu during his trip to Japan with a tour group, and he began having cold-like symptoms, including a runny nose and sore throat.
He took some cold medicine purchased at a local pharmacy, but found the following day he could no longer urinate, and was taken to a local hospital by their tour guide for catheterization, which cost him more than NT$30,000, Gu said.
Photo courtesy of Tungyuan Hospital
Gu, who shared the case and treated him after he returned to Taiwan, said examination showed his prostate had swollen to about four times its regular size.
The man has a medical history of benign prostatic hyperplasia, but he did not take medicine to reduce swelling regularly, Gu added.
The cold medicine that the man took in Japan contained older antihistamines, which decreased bladder contractility, causing acute urinary retention, Gu said.
Gu said some cold medicines contain first-generation antihistamines or sympathomimetics, which relax the bladder muscle and decrease bladder contractility, leading to dysfunction.
He said some men experience difficulties voiding their bladder but are not aware of it, or some have been diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia but are not managing it by taking medication.
This can be a common result from not taking medication regularly to keep benign prostatic hyperplasia condition under control, Gu said, adding that after acute urinary retention occurred, the man experienced severe pain and had to get emergency urinary catheterization.
Gu suggested men with benign prostatic hyperplasia to see a doctor to check their condition before traveling abroad, and to remember to bring their medicine along and take them regularly during their travel.
They should avoid cold medicine with first-generation antihistamines or sympathomimetics, and tell the doctor about their relevant medical records when seeking medical attention, he said.
They should seek medical attention with a urologist for examinations as soon as possible when they experience symptoms such as difficulty urinating, reduced urine flow rate, waking up frequently to urinate at night and straining to void their bladder, Gu said.
Never wait until they cannot urinate at all to see a doctor, as taking medication and getting follow-up checkups regularly can effectively improve quality and reduce the risk of acute urinary retention.
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