5 Common Male Health Issues That Comes With Ageing

Navigating the journey of ageing is a unique and personal experience, and for many men, it comes with its set of health challenges. According to TCM, ageing is linked to the weakening of the Kidney, leading to Kidney deficiency. Kidney is known as the congenital foundation (先天之本) of our body or the innate constitution that you are born with. Its essence is essential not only for its own well-being but also for nourishing the four other organs, Heart, Lungs, Spleen and Liver. Kidney deficiency results in a lack of Kidney essence, affecting the optimal functioning of other organs. Below, we’ll delve into the top 5 common health concerns men face as they age and explore TCM tips to improve quality of life at each stage.

 

1. Reduced sexual function

As men age, a natural decline in testosterone levels occurs, leading to a condition known as andropause. Testosterone plays a pivotal role in sexual desire, erectile capacity, muscle mass and overall strength in men ^[1]. TCM attributes reduced sexual function to a reduction of essence, Qi, and Blood, closely related to the Kidney and Liver. Factors such as prolonged work hours, stress, and unhealthy lifestyles are some of the reasons for reduced sexual function in ageing men as they can take a toll on the Qi and Blood essence, thereby resulting in poor nourishment of the genital area and impaired function.

 

Technology-enhanced TCM For Improved Sexual Function

1) Herbal Medication

TCM herbs such as Shu Di Huang, Shan Yao, and Shan Zhu Yu can be prescribed to help nourish Kidney essence while TCM formulas such as Ba Zhen Tang can aid in nourishing the Qi and Blood, thereby improving circulation to the genital area.

2) Acupuncture

Acupuncture can help improve circulation by stimulating the Qi and Blood and also correct Kidney deficiency. Common acupoints include He Gu, Tai Chong, Tai Xi, and San Yin Jiao.

3) Tech-enhanced Therapies

i) Electro-Lymphatic Therapy (ELT) is an FDA-registered wellness device designed to help stimulate better lymphatic drainage and flow. Improved lymphatic drainage helps the body clear inflammation more effectively, allowing for better circulation.

ii) Far-Infrared Therapy (FIR) helps revitalise cells and improves overall body circulation.

iii) Cell Pro Therapy supplies negatively charged electrons to the body to neutralise the free radicals. This will reduce the oxidative stress that can damage our cells, thereby improving circulation. Testosterone, a key hormone, is conveyed in the bloodstream by sex hormone-binding globulin^[2]. The efficient transport of testosterone facilitated by better circulation ensures its availability where needed, supporting overall reproductive health.

Our tech-enhanced TCM approach offers holistic solutions to address reduced sexual function, focusing on nourishing essential elements and optimising overall well-being for ageing men.

 

2. Prostate problems

​​Prostate issues, a common occurrence with age, present unique challenges that impact male health. The prostate, a vital sex accessory gland responsible for sperm transport, tends to enlarge as age increases, leading to conditions like benign prostatic hyperplasia. Symptoms include urgency to urinate, frequent urination, and incomplete emptying of the bladder^[3]. TCM views benign prostatic hyperplasia as a result of ageing, leading to the weakening of Kidney Qi which affects kidney and bladder function.

Another common prostate condition is Prostate cancer, a leading cancer in men amongst other cancers in Singapore and worldwide^[4]. From a TCM perspective, cancer arises when our Body Qi weakens, resulting in low immunity. Accumulation of Heat-Dampness and Blood-Qi stagnation will create blockages in the body which contributes to the formation of masses or tumours.

 

Technology-enhanced TCM For Prostate Problems

1) Herbal Medication

For benign prostatic hyperplasia, TCM herbs such as Shan Yao, Ba Ji Tian, Gou Qi Zi are commonly prescribed to help nourish the Kidney Qi and at the same time, Mu Tong, Che Qian Zi, Hua Shi are also given to help manage the bladder issues.

For prostate cancer, Ban Zhi Lian and Bai Hua She She Cao are commonly prescribed to strengthen immunity while formulae such as Ba Zheng San are prescribed to help remove Heat-Dampness and to help with bladder issues.

2) Acupuncture

For benign prostatic hyperplasia, acupoints including Tai Xi, San Yin Jiao, Guan Yuan, and Qi Hai can help nourish the Kidney Qi deficiency and alleviate urination problems.

3) Tech-enhanced Therapies

i) Electro-Lymphatic Therapy (ELT) stimulates better lymphatic drainage to help the body reduce inflammation more effectively. As the development and progression of cancer are often linked to inflammation^[5], promoting better lymphatic drainage through ELT can benefit cancer patients. This therapy also enhances the function of our lymphatic system and immunity.

ii) Cell Pro Therapy helps balance the immune system, contributing to comprehensive prostate health.

 

3. Cardiovascular Health

The decline in testosterone levels associated with ageing has been linked to adverse effects on cardiovascular health^[6]. Lower testosterone levels are linked to elevated low-density lipoprotein (LDL) and reduced high-density lipoprotein (HDL). Testosterone has also been shown to inhibit the development of plaque, thereby inhibiting the process of atherosclerosis^[7], and lowering the risk of cardiovascular disease. Therefore a lower level of testosterone will result in a higher risk of cardiovascular disease.

From a TCM perspective, ageing leads to organ degeneration, slowing internal organ functions and impeding metabolic waste removal. Furthermore, unhealthy diet, inadequate exercise and stress contribute to the increased accumulation of metabolic waste in the body. One important metabolic waste is the Phlegm, which correlates to the fats or cholesterol in our body. Phlegm impedes the blood circulation in our body by forming blockages in the blood vessels which can lead to cardiovascular issues.

 

Technology-enhanced TCM For Cardiovascular Health

1) Herbal Medication

Different concoctions of herbs will be used depending on the individual’s body constitution. Herbs commonly prescribed for dissolving Phlegm include Chen Pi, Zhi Shi and Sheng Jiang.

2) Acupuncture

Common acupoints that help reduce Phlegm or high cholesterol include Yin Ling Quan and Feng Long.

3) Tech-enhanced Therapy – Electro-Lymphatic Therapy

Inflammation plays an important role in the development of cardiovascular disease.^[8] ELT can be used to tackle inflammation by improving the drainage of the lymphatic system.

 

4. Male pattern baldness

Male pattern baldness, the predominant form of hair loss in men, typically unfolds gradually, starting with a receding hairline. Its onset is often attributed to hormonal imbalances associated with ageing, particularly involving dihydrotestosterone (DHT), which is converted from testosterone. DHT, acting on hair follicle receptors, tends to bind longer than testosterone, causing hair follicles to shrink. This results in shortened growth periods for new hair, leading to thinner and weaker strands and eventual hair thinning and baldness^[9].

TCM believes that hair loss is due to Blood deficiency. Our Blood, which contains nutrients that support healthy hair growth, is closely associated with the Liver and Spleen. The Liver stores and circulates blood, while the Spleen facilitates nutrient absorption into the blood and ensures proper blood flow in the vessels. Another organ that plays a part in hair loss is the Kidney. Kidney governs the essence of our body and kidney essence is necessary for adequate hair growth. As we age, our Kidney weaken and may result in essence deficiency, leading to inadequate hair growth.

 

TCM Approaches For Male Pattern Baldness

1) Herbal Medication

Herbs commonly used to nourish Blood include Zhi He Shou Wu and Shu Di Huang, while herbs such as Nu Zhen Zi, Tu Si Zi and Huai Niu Xi can help nourish the Liver and Kidney.

2) Acupuncture

Acupuncture can be applied to the scalp surrounding the balding spot to stimulate hair growth. Other acupoints used include Xue Hai, San Yin Jiao and Ge Shu.

Read about 5 Hair Loss Myths You Should Know

 

5. Musculoskeletal issues

As testosterone plays a major role in bone development and muscle growth, the decrease in testosterone levels due to ageing can cause men to have an increased risk of musculoskeletal conditions.^[10] TCM theory suggests that as age increases, our organs may not function as healthily as before. This is especially so for the Kidney and Spleen, which govern the bone and muscle respectively. The bone may become brittle and be prone to fractures, while the muscle may become rigid and muscular strength may decrease due to the poor nourishment from the Kidney and Spleen. Our joints are also prone to wear and tear. On top of that, poorer circulation due to ageing will lead to common problems like swelling, redness and pain in joints, also known as arthritis.

 

Technology-enhanced TCM For Musculoskeletal Issues

1) Herbal Medication

Du Zhong, Huang Qi, Sang Ji Sheng which can help to nourish Kidney and Spleen are commonly prescribed for musculoskeletal issues. Herbs used to improve circulation and reduce swelling, redness and pain include Ru Xiang, Mo Yao and Hong Hua.

2) Acupuncture

Acupoints including Tai Xi, PiShu and Shen Shu are used to strengthen the Spleen and Kidney. Acupuncture is also applied on the surrounding areas of the joints with issues to promote circulation and aid recovery.

3) Tech-enhanced Therapies

i) Electro-Lymphatic Therapy (ELT) can be used to help stimulate better lymphatic drainage and flow, thus allowing for more efficient clearing of inflammation and promoting better circulation to help relieve symptoms.

ii) Far-Infrared Therapy (FIR) enhances blood circulation to transport nutrients to injured areas, speeding up recovery.

iii) Cell Pro Therapy supplies reducing electrons into the body, which helps to reduce the oxidative stress that can damage our cells, thereby improving circulation.

4) TCM Supplement – Triple Action Joint Relief

For individuals experiencing joint pain due to wear and tear, consider trying Triple Action Joint Relief, a TCM supplement containing Ru Xiang and Mo Yao to help improve blood circulation. Additionally, it also contain ingredients such as calcium, collagen and glucosamine which are essential building blocks for healthy joints.

Your healing is the most important!

TCM can help to effectively tackle age-related male wellness concerns by aiming to restore the balance of the organs, as well as Qi and Blood through herbal medications and acupuncture, complemented with Tech-enhanced therapies such as Electro-Lymphatic Therapy (ELT), Far-Infrared Therapy and Cell Pro Therapy to boost our patients’ recovery progress.

At Oriental Remedies Group, most of our physicians are trained in both Biomedical Science and TCM at Nanyang Technological University (Singapore) and China for a minimum of 5-8 years before being certified to practise in Singapore. If you or your loved one is looking for a holistic approach to improve male wellness, consult our physicians at +65 8087 0486 for a targeted treatment plan.

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This article is written by Physician Yap Chong Sin (Oriental Remedies Group, Singapore), a registered TCM physician certified by the Traditional Chinese Medicine Practitioners Board (TCMPB).