Effect of Acupuncture therapy …. A clinical trial on benign prostatic hyperplasia Dr. Hiralal Samanta (Director) Dr. Asit Halder (Medical Officer) Dr. B.K. Basu Memorial Research & Training Institute of Acupuncture Department of Health & FW, Govt. of WB

Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy A common occurrence in males above 50 Prostate, a wallnut shaped fibro- muscular-glandular organ Becomes enlarged to compress urethra near bladder neck to produce symptoms of hesitancy, prolonged thin flow, nocturia etc. Exact cause not understood. Hormonal imbalance is thought to be the cause (Dihydrotestosterone and oestrogen may have role)

Prostate

Acupuncture treatment at our institute Materials & methods : No. of cases -5 (from Feb to July 2014 at our institute ) Age – years Presenting symptoms : hesitancy, feeling of incomplete emptying, nocturia Duration of illness : 10 – 2 years under treatment of urologist,diagnosed as BPH

Acupuncture therapy Acupoints: Ren- 3 (CV-3), Ren-4 (CV-4)Zusanli (ST-36), Sanyinjiao (SP – 6)Ear Point - endrocrine Electro-acupuncture at all points (regular wave 120/min) Duration – 20 minutes each session Frequency – Every alternate day No. of sittings for assessment – 20 sittings

Treatment contd….. Drugs ( Tamsulosin & in 2 cases combined with finesteride ) were not stopped as patients were taking before In spite of Drugs the patients had symptoms of illness continued - so they came for Acupuncture

Results Assessment was done at the end of 20 sittings Symptomatic improvement : Hesitancy less Nocturia: number of micturition less Symptomatic improvement noticed after 5 to 6 sittings Patients had subjective feeling of well being

Clinical assessment of symptoms only No investigation like uroflometry or USG was done by us In future we may take up such plans

Discussion There are records of such treatment in other centres This is our observation at our institute to share with you Acupuncture therapy can give additional relief of symptoms

Discussion contd… Probable mechanism may be more relaxation of smooth muscles of prostate and bladder neck In future only acupuncture treatment (stopping drugs) may be tried

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