Urinary Health After Prostate Surgery
Men’s Health|May 24, 2017| Author: Naturopath
prostate, men
Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in Australian men. This form of cancer occurs when abnormal cells develop in the prostate in an uncontrolled way. They can also spread outside the prostate into nearby or distant parts of the body. Unfortunately for some males they may need to have their prostate partly or fully removedreferred to medically as a prostatectomy. Its important that males look after themselves after such a surgery to reduce any complications and to speed up recovery.
Things You Can Change: Diet And Lifestyle
Men in western countries have much higher rates of prostate cancer than men in Asia. While no one can definitively explain this phenomenon, experts suspect differences in eastern and western diets are to blame. Poor eating habits and diets that heavily rely on fats and animal proteins can cause DNA damage and lead to cancer.
Even men who are already at greater risk due to age, race or genetics can reduce their chances of developing prostate cancer by adopting healthy diets and lifestyles.
Bowel Problems When To Seek Help
Radiotherapy to the prostate gland can change the way your bowel works. Bowel motions may be more frequent and loose. Changing what you eat can help with this.
Radiotherapy to the prostate gland can affect tissue and other organs in the pelvic area, causing more long term side effects. Speak to your doctor if you:
- need to poo at night
- need to rush to the loo to have a bowel movement, or you dont make it in time
- have bleeding from your back passage
- have other bowel symptoms that interfere with you living an active full life
You may not be able to follow a healthy balanced diet completely if you have these types of changes. Speak to your doctor or dietitian for help and advice about how to adapt your diet.
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Eat Fruits And Vegetables
A plate filled with colorful fruits and vegetables raises your fiber and antioxidant levels. Both benefit your cancer care.
The high fiber content in fruits and vegetables may help lower your testosterone levels. That may be useful because testosterone helps stimulate tumor growth. Fiber may also bind to cancer-causing substances and move them out of your body.
Antioxidants help rid your body of free radicals — molecules that damage your cells. They can affect the growth of cancer. A diet full of antioxidant-rich fruits and vegetables helps keep free radicals at bay.
Pomerantz says researchers are checking to see if certain antioxidants in supplement form, like vitamin E and selenium, could actually raise the chances of getting prostate cancer for some people.
“There are hints that there are a subset of people with prostate cancer who benefit considerably from antioxidants, and there are others with a rare specific genetic variant who don’t,” Pomerantz says. “There are studies ongoing to see if we can figure out exactly who fits in each category.”
Always check with your doctor before taking supplements.
Maintaining Good Nutrition During And After Treatment
Maintaining a healthy diet can help you prepare for and recover after cancer treatment. It may also help to prevent the prostate cancer from coming back.Watching your weight may also reduce your risk of dying from prostate cancer. Recent studies have indicated that the risk of dying from prostate cancer is more than double in obese men diagnosed with the disease compared with men of normal weight at the time of diagnosis. Obese men with local or regional disease have been shown to have nearly four times the risk of their cancer spreading beyond the prostate or metastasizing.
Prostate cancer treatment may affect your appetite, eating habits, and weight, but it is important for you to maintain a healthy weight, get essential nutrients, and remain as physically active as possible.If you have difficulty eating due to side effects from treatment, there are ways to make eating more comfortable. Working with a registered dietitian/nutritionist can help make sure you are getting the nutrition you need.
Unfortunately it is possible for the side effects of surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy to cause you to lose your appetite, eat less and lose weight. On the other hand, some treatments, such as androgen deprivation therapy may cause weight gain for some men.
, Prostate Cancer and Nutrition featuring Margaret Martin, RD, MS, LDN, a nutrition educator from PearlPoint Nutrition Services.
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Increase Your Vitamin D
Most people dont get enough vitamin D. It can help protect against prostate cancer and many other conditions. Vitamin D-rich foods include cod liver oil, wild salmon and dried shitake mushrooms. Since the sun is a better, more readily available source of vitamin D, many experts recommend getting 10 minutes of sun exposure every day. Doctors often recommend vitamin D supplements. However, you should talk to your doctor before taking any vitamin or supplement.
Considerations For Your Diet After Surgery
Prostate surgery is major surgery, so youll likely feel quite sore during your recovery. Youll want to make adjustments to your diet that help aid in recovery and reduce discomfort.
The best foods to eat after prostate surgery should be those that dont cause bloating, promote bowel regularity, and support your immune system. Protein is also important since it aids in wound healing and muscle growth after major surgery.
If you can, try to get help with meals or make some before your surgery. Standing for prolonged periods to prepare a meal can put stress on your pelvic floor, which needs rest after prostate surgery.
Unlike oral surgery or surgeries impacting your digestive system, you dont necessarily need a soft diet after prostate surgery. Soft diets can be low in fiber, which increases your risk of constipation. If you strain to have a bowel movement due to constipation, it can increase pressure near your incision site and cause discomfort.
That being said, you should eat soft food in your post surgery diet if your healthcare provider recommends it for other reasons. Otherwise, youll likely do well with solid food that is higher in fiber. Be sure to take pain medication with food to reduce stomach upset as well.
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Foods To Avoid After Prostate Surgery
Prostate surgery can affect your weight, appetite, and eating habits.
Many patients start consuming processed and unhealthy foods right after their surgery, which may lead to urinary incontinence, bladder irritation, and delayed recovery from the surgical procedure.
This article discusses seven foods to avoid after prostate surgery.
Stay Active To Support Prostate Health
In addition to eating a healthy diet, you should stay active. Regular exercise pares down your risk of developing some deadly problems, including heart disease, stroke, and certain types of cancer. And although relatively few studies have directly assessed the impact of exercise on prostate health, those that have been done have concluded, for the most part, that exercise is beneficial. For example:
Get more information and the latest news about prostate health at www.HarvardProstateKnowledge.org.
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Day Before Your Surgery
Follow a light diet
Follow a light diet, such as a small sandwich, eggs, toast, crackers, or soup. Limit the amount of dairy products you eat and drink, and avoid fried foods and foods with a lot of seasoning.
Note the time of your surgery
A staff member from the Admitting Office will call you after 2:00 pm the day before your surgery. If your surgery is scheduled for a Monday, theyll call you on the Friday before. If you dont get a call by 7:00 pm, call .
The staff member will tell you what time to arrive at the hospital for your surgery. Theyll also remind you where to go.
Do your bowel preparation
The night before your surgery, use a saline enema as instructed on the box.
Shower with a 4% CHG solution antiseptic skin cleanser
The night before your surgery, shower using a 4% CHG solution antiseptic skin cleanser.
Sleep
What To Eat After Surgery And What To Avoid
If you’ve had surgery, the foods you eat in the days, weeks, and months after your procedure can significantly impact your healing and recovery. Eating the right foods can also help prevent post-surgical complications, such as constipation and high blood glucose.
The type of surgery you have had, as well as any underlying health conditions, can also affect which foods you can haveand which foods are more likely to cause complications.
This article explains which foods to eat and which ones to avoid after surgery. It also offers tips for eating when you don’t have an appetite.
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Red Meat And Processed Meat
A diet high in meat, particularly if its cooked well-done, may be associated with an increased risk of developing prostate cancer. This may be due to heterocyclic amines . These are carcinogens found in cooked meat. HCAs have been linked to the development of several cancers.
HCAs are compounds formed during high temperature cooking such as broiling or grilling. The suggests that both red and processed meats may be associated with increased risk of developing prostate cancer. Examples include:
- beef
Instead of red or processed meats, try these protein sources instead:
- lean poultry, like skinless turkey or chicken
- fresh or canned fish, such as tuna, salmon, or sardines
- beans and legumes, like split peas, chickpeas, lentils, pinto beans, and kidney beans
- nuts and nut butters
If youre a fan of cold cut sandwiches, try making a chicken salad sandwich instead. You can also experiment with meat alternatives, like tofu or tempeh, which can be marinated and sautéed to create a flavorful sandwich filling.
You may also experiment with eating meat-free for some meals or days of the week. Here are some ideas to try:
- Replace the meat in your favorite chili or stew with beans.
- Grill up fish fillets instead of steaks.
- Make a black bean burger instead of a hamburger.
- Dice up tofu and marinate it in your favorite sauce, then stir fry it and mix it with veggies and a side of rice.
How To Add More Fish To Your Diet
Adding more omega-3s to your diet can be as easy as cracking open a can of sardines or tuna. Not everyone is so enthusiastic about fish, though. Plus, it can also be expensive.
If you havent enjoyed fish in the past, try a different type. Each one has a unique flavor. The flavor is also milder if the fish is fresh, so you may enjoy fish more if you buy it from a fish counter and make it that day.
Cod, flounder, and trout have milder flavors. Try topping your fish with a lemon sauce or adding it to another prostate-friendly food. For example, you could try baked cod in a tomato sauce.
To stretch your dollar, you can also add fish to dishes like pasta, soup, salad, or sandwiches. That way you wont need as much fish to make a complete meal.
You can also ask your healthcare provider about taking omega-3 supplements.
Summary
Fatty fish, such as salmon and mackerel, contain healthful omega-3 fatty acids. These compounds may help keep the prostate healthy, though more studies are needed.
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Guidelines For A Healthy Diet
Your diet should be:
- Include plenty of fruits and vegetables
- High in fiber
- Low in fat
- Limited in the amount of simple sugars
In addition, drink adequate fluids and be physically active to help achieve and maintain a healthy weight.
A diet that is primarily plant-based includes the following:
- Fruits and vegetables
- Other plant protein sources
What Can I Eat After Prostate Surgery
Patients who have undergone prostate surgery can return to their usual dietary habits after a few days of light meals . Nonetheless, there should be integrated a few changes in order to speed up relief and pain management.
Once the surgery is over, patients are dealing with a raw surface at the level of the bladder. To avert any pain or complications, the diet at this point should be free of alcohol, spicy foods , or acidic foods
Nonetheless, in case patients consume these foods with no visible health degradations, then they can continue doing so in moderation. It is important to reach out to a dietitian and consult with specialists about the kind of dietary plans that lead to a swift recovery.
Moreover, there may linger a sense of discomfort after prostate surgery. However, in case one or several of the following symptoms relating to the digestive system occur, then patients should contact their general doctors immediately:
- Vomiting
- Blood in the stool.
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How To Add More Legumes And Soybeans To Your Diet
To add more legumes and soybeans to your diet, consider swapping meat for plant protein in at least some meals. This could mean trying Meatless Mondays or moving toward a plant-based diet.
Try making a black bean burger with lots of veggies. Alternatively, homemade hummus made with blended chickpeas makes a delicious dip for vegetables or whole grain bread.
Finally, tofu is an excellent source of soy. Try flavoring tofu with sauces and baking it or browning it on the stove, or adding it to stir-fries.
Summary
Easy Ways To Add Calories To Your Diet
If you are having difficulty getting enough calories in your diet after surgery, you may need to pay special attention to eating foods that are high in calories.
Follow these tips to sneak extra calories into your diet after surgery:
- Eat the highest calorie items on your plate first.
- Choose full-calorie options if possible when eating prepared foods, such as frozen meals. For example, choose a full-calorie meal rather than Weight Watchers.
- Keep a full-calorie beverage nearby, and drink from it whenever possible.
- Add a dietary supplement, such as Ensure or protein bars, to your diet.
- Snack between meals.
- Eat high-calorie snacks, such as nuts and seeds.
- Think of eating as your job, and do it frequently. Consider commercial breaks on television to be a reminder to have a nibble.
- Choose vegetables with more calories, such as avocados and potatoes over lettuce.
- Add a bedtime snack to your schedule.
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Side Effects And Nutrition
Cancer treatment often causes side effects, such as nausea, mouth sores, and taste changes that may make it difficult to eat or drink. Follow these tips to help you get the nutrition you need:
- If water tastes unpleasant to you, take in more liquid though items such as soup, tea, milk or milk substitutes such as almond milk, or a sports drink. Or, flavor your water by adding fresh cut fruit.
- If food tastes bland, try seasoning it with flavorful spices such as garlic, cayenne, dill, and rosemary.
- Eat several small meals throughout the day instead of trying to eat large amounts of food at one time.
- Enhance your protein intake with protein from foods such as fish, egg whites, cheese, beans, or high protein smoothies.
- Suck on mints, chew on gum, or try fresh citrus fruits if you have a metallic taste in your mouth. Brushing your teeth before eating, using plastic utensils, and cooking in glassware can also help.
- If you have mouth sores or a gum infection, use a blender to make vegetables and meats smooth. Try juicing or making smoothies.Some side effects are often treated with medication, so talk with your doctor or another member of your health care team for more information.
Why Is A Healthy Diet Important After Surgery
After surgery, eating nutritious and healthy foods becomes that much more important. But adhering to a healthy diet can sometimes be difficult for patients during their recovery phase.
Choosing a diet that comprises fresh fruits and vegetables and is devoid of processed food items can play a tremendous role in regaining strength after surgery. Eating the right foods ensures the synthesis of necessary building blocks of proteins that your body needs to prioritize recovery.
Consuming unhealthy foods like spices, high-fat, carbonated beverages, and alcohol right after surgery can offer numerous side effects and may sap your appetite and drain your energy.
For instance, eating spicy food can cause constipation, irritate your bladder, and result in urinary incontinence leading to pain and difficulty in urination. Therefore, eating a whole food diet is crucial for recovery and preventing complications like high blood glucose and constipation.
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