Typical Symptoms Of Bph
An enlarged prostate typically causes a change in normal urinary habits. It may also introduce some sexual issues such as erectile dysfunction or inability to have an orgasm, regardless of stimulation. Typical symptoms include:
- Feeling that the bladder is full, even right after urinating
- A weak urine stream
- A urinary stream that starts and stops several times
- Delay in starting the urine stream, especially in early morning hours
- Feeling that the bladder is not completely emptied
- Erectile or orgasmic dysfunction
While BPH is not life-threatening, it can cause lower urinary tract symptoms that are uncomfortable, and can eventually lead to chronic urinary retention and kidney damage.
For some men, BPH reduces urinary output significantly and can result in an inability to empty the bladder completely on a regular basis. This condition, known as chronic urinary retention, can cause kidney damage.
BPH can also result in a complete blockage and inability to urinate. This acute urinary retention is a medical emergency that usually results in a visit to the ER to manually empty the bladder. Long term inability to completely empty the bladder is known to contribute to recurrent urinary tract infections.
For younger men, the complete urinary blockage is rare, but men over the age of 80 might be more likely to encounter it. Often, a trip to the ER and subsequent catheterization results in a recommendation for surgery or other treatment.
Other Points To Consider With Enlarged Prostate
Need for repeat procedures: With minimally invasive procedures for an enlarged prostate, there is a chance you will need to have a repeat procedure later on. Having the procedure when you’re young makes that a near certainty. However, that may be a risk you’re willing to take — to avoid surgery in the short term.
Side effects of treatments: Some BPH treatments cause erection problems, although that risk is low. Men who have normal erections before surgery will not likely have trouble afterward. Some treatments cause retrograde ejaculation . Fertility can also be affected, but is still possible with newer assisted reproductive techniques.
Multiple health problems: If you have other health problems, especially if you are on an anticoagulant and cannot stop taking this medication, your treatment options for enlarged prostate may be affected. For example, if you have had surgery for obstructive sleep apnea or pulmonary surgery in the past, having surgery with general anesthesia may be too risky. However, spinal anesthesia may be an option for you. Or you may wish to have a minimally invasive office procedure that doesn’t require anesthesia at all.
Talk to your doctor about your BPH symptom score, your concerns, and about the plan of treatment that works best for you.
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How To Naturally Reduce Prostate Size
An increasing number of studies have shown how important the role of good nutrition is when it comes to maintaining a healthy prostate.
A diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats may to protect the prostate by maintaining hormone balance, thereby reducing the risk of developing prostate disease.
There are even some foods and natural remedies for an enlarged prostate which have been shown to help with reducing prostate size naturally which we will now look at below.
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How Does Prostate Growth Occur
One of the central and important body organs in the male reproductive system is the prostate. It is located below the bladder and borders the urethra. The prostate takes urine from the bladder. Its function is to assist in making fluid in the semen, which bears sperm from the testicles. After men age, the size of the prostate goes from a walnut to an apricot.
The prostate gland goes through two stages of growth. The first is when you are in your teen years. During this time, it grows bigger by two sizes than it is. After twenty-five years, it grows more, although it turns out to be a complication if the growth continues. It is termed prostate enlargement, which exhibits negative implications on prostate functions.
Prostate growing is a noncancerous disease. The tissue layer that borders the prostate stops it from external growth. It results in the prostate gland thrusting the urethra. But, there are natural remedies for enlarged prostate.
Questions To Ask Yourself About Enlarged Prostate Treatment
When you discuss the treatment options for an enlarged prostate with your doctor, keep these points in mind:
- How much are my symptoms bothering me?
- Do they keep me from doing things I enjoy?
- How long do I want to deal with them?
- Am I willing to accept small risks to improve my symptoms?
- Do I understand the risks?
- Am I ready to do something about this problem?
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Natural Remedies That Can Help
Many natural remedies are available for men with BPH, and certain natural plants help keep the prostate healthy.
The most studied natural herbs used for general prostate health are extracts of saw palmetto, a palm-like shrub that grows primarily in South Florida, and extracts of the bark of the prunus Africanus tree that grow all over Africa and other similar locals.
However, many other herbs and nutrients can also be used to strengthen the prostate and relieve some of the symptoms of prostate enlargement. Many dietary nutrients may become deficient in a standard American diet . Some of the recommendations in books and on websites list foods such as pumpkin seeds as a prostate nutrient. Pumpkin seeds are extremely high in the mineral zinc, which is critical for prostate health. For more information on herbals that can help maintain prostate health see 6
Two elements that are critical for a man with BPH to consider are listed below:
Zinc A zinc deficiency can cause the prostate to become enlarged. Zinc is a necessary element for many cellular processes and an element of particular importance to the prostate, which has the highest concentration of zinc of any organ in the body. A unique metabolic capability gives the prostate the ability to accumulate zinc, and long-term zinc deficiencies can be significant. One effect of this zinc accumulation is the inhibition of abnormal growth of the prostate, primarily by increasing the rate of normal programmed cell death . 7
Techniques To Overcoming Urination Issues
Men with BPH can relieve some of the urinary symptoms of BPH and make urination easier with natural techniques such as
- Stress management Stress has many effects on the body. Most significantly, it negatively affects hormone levels and oxidative inflammation, both of which can exacerbate BPH. Stress can have several effects on an enlarged prostate, making symptoms like painful urination, urinary frequency, and urgency associated with BPH more bothersome. In addition, men should also be aware of the strong relationship between oxidative inflammation, obesity, and zinc deficiency in the prostate and BPH. 3
- Kegel exercises Muscles around the bladder and pelvic region become weaker with age. Kegel exercises can strengthen these muscles to help improve control of urination. They can be done at almost any time and do not require any special equipment. 4
- Double voiding A technique whereby the man waits a few minutes after normal urination and then attempts to urinate again. The second voiding and bladder contraction may produce more urine and help to empty the bladder more effectively.
- Excessive consumption of caffeine or alcoholCaffeine is a diuretic. It can increase the production of urine as well as the urge to urinate. Like caffeine, alcohol can stimulate urine production. While neither item has been associated with causing or worsening BPH, both tend to add to the symptoms and effect a mans quality of life.
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How About Giving A Prostate Massage With A Toy
If youre using a sex toy, only opt for one that is specifically made for anal play, meaning it has a flared base or some other feature that makes it so that nothing can go in that cannot come back out. You might try something like the Booty Bling Plug , but there are also toys made specifically for prostate play. The Hugo Prostate Massager is a sleek toy with two motors for pressure and vibration, and the Duke Vibrating Prostate Massager has a unique shape that targets prostate stimulation along with perineum pressure and is meant to create a real feeling of fullness. Even if you dont grab a toy specifically for prostate play, please dont use random things lying around your house to explore prostate pleasure. Every physician whos ever worked in the ER has a story of a household anal sex toy gone awry, Hong warns. If you can imagine it, its probably been up the rectum.
If this is all feeling good to your partner, they may orgasm from the stimulation. Dont be nervous if theres a climax that doesnt involve ejaculationaccording to Brown-James, that can happen during prostate play. As long as you and your partner are enjoying yourselves, the journey is way more important.
What Is Baking Soda
Baking soda is a white crystalline solid that appears as a fine powder. It is also called cooking soda, bread soda, and bicarbonate of soda. Its chemical name is sodium bicarbonate or sodium hydrogen carbonate.
Baking soda is different from washing soda although they share the same slightly salty and alkaline taste.
This widely used soda is commonly dissolved in mineral water and used as a leavening agent in baking. It works as a leavening agent by neutralizing the acidic components of batter. The neutralization releases carbon dioxide and leads to the raising or expansion of baked foods.
Baking soda has also been used to soften vegetables and to tenderize meat.
As a household chemical, baking soda is used as a cleaning agent. It is included in toothpaste for similar reasons where it serves as an antiseptic, acid-neutralizer, whitening agent and plaque-removing agent as well as a cleaning agent.
Other common personal hygiene products in which baking soda can be found include deodorants and shampoos.
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How Is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Treated
Treatment options for benign prostatic hyperplasia may include
- lifestyle changes
- minimally invasive procedures
- surgery
A health care provider treats benign prostatic hyperplasia based on the severity of symptoms, how much the symptoms affect a mans daily life, and a mans preferences.
Men may not need treatment for a mildly enlarged prostate unless their symptoms are bothersome and affecting their quality of life. In these cases, instead of treatment, a urologist may recommend regular checkups. If benign prostatic hyperplasia symptoms become bothersome or present a health risk, a urologist most often recommends treatment.
The Path To Better Prostate Health
Because the PAE procedure does not involve surgery or physical removal of part of the prostate, patients will not see results immediately. The first changes are seen most commonly one to two months after the procedure, with continued improvement until about four months.
The most common side effects of PAE immediately after the procedure include urethral burning and increased urinary frequency. These side effects usually stop within a week.
The good news? According to Dr. Isaacson, about 75 to 80 percent of men treated with PAE experience a significant and lasting improvement.
UNC Medical Center is one of just a few hospitals in the U.S. that offers PAE to patients who are not enrolled in a clinical trial. Appointments for evaluation are available in Chapel Hill, Raleigh, Hillsborough and Siler City. You can make an appointment or .
Read Also: Function Of The Prostate Gland And Seminal Vesicles
It Can Help Improve Urine Flow
Urine should come out in a steady steam, but if a man has a swollen prostate or an inflammation, the prostate can irritate the bladder, causing the urine flow from the bladder through the urethra to be slow or even cut off.
“The improvements seen in urine flow from prostate massage again can be the result of decreasing inflammation in the prostate, which may be contributing to a man’s urinary problems,” says Gonzalez. Men can also try Kegel exercises if they’re experiencing issues with urine flow.
What Does The Recovery Process Involve
Your surgeon will likely advise you to stay in the hospital for one to three days following your surgery. During this time, you will be given intravenous fluids to promote urine flow. And you can expect some blood and blood clots to appear in your urine.
It usually takes three to six weeks to recover. During this time, you should refrain from strenuous activity. And notify your physician if you experience:
- persistent bleeding
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Surgical Treatment For Enlarged Prostate
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Transurethral resection of the prostate . In this surgery, the inner portion of the prostate is removed. Used 90% of the time, this is the most commonly used surgical procedure for BPH.
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Open prostatectomy .The surgeon makes an incision and removes the enlarged tissue from the prostate.
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Laser surgery –Laser surgery uses laser energy to destroy prostate tissue and shrink the prostate.
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Transurethral incision of the prostate .This surgery does not involve removing prostate tissue. A few small cuts are made in the prostate gland to reduce the prostate’s pressure on the urethra, making urination easier.
Medications For An Enlarged Prostate
Several drugs are FDA-approved to relieve common symptoms of an enlarged prostate. Each works differently, says Westney. They either shrink the enlarged prostate or stop the prostate cell growth, she explains. “For many men, medications are very effective,” Westney tells WebMD. “They have a significant change in symptoms, and side effects are very uncommon ⦠so medications are an attractive treatment.”
Doctors use the BPH Index to gauge how the patient responds to medication, Westney adds. “We see how symptoms are progressing ⦠if they’ve stabilized or not.”
Alpha blockers: These drugs don’t reduce the size of the prostate, but they are very effective at relieving symptoms. They work by relaxing the muscles around the prostate and bladder neck, so urine can flow more easily. These drugs work quickly, so symptoms improve within a day or two. They are most effective for men with normal to moderately enlarged prostate glands.
The drugs: Flomax , Uroxatral , Hytrin , Cardura , and Rapaflo .
Alpha blockers were originally created to treat high blood pressure dizziness is the most common side effect other side effects are generally mild and controllable. Possible side effects include headache, stomach irritation, and stuffy nose. These drugs are not for men with significant urine retention and frequent urinary tract infections.
The drugs: Proscar and Avodart .
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Causes Of Prostate Enlargement
There are various reasons why a prostate gland may become enlarged. Here are some of them:
- The primary cause of an enlarged prostate is called benign prostatic hyperplasia . This occurs when the cells of the prostate begin to multiply. The extra cells cause the prostate to increase in size and squeeze the urethra, limiting the flow of urine. BPH is considered a normal condition of male aging and is common in many men over the age of 50.Without treatment, the symptoms of BPH can negatively impact your quality of life.
- Prostatitis, an infection of the prostate, is another condition that causes prostate enlargement. This is not related to BPH, which is not an infection. Bacteria often cause prostatitis. It can start suddenly or gradually and is characterized by fever, chills, and nausea.
- Prostate cancer is the most dangerous condition that will cause the prostate to be enlarged. This cancer is usually slow-growing, but in some cases, it has been known to be aggressive. In this instance, it can spread to the rest of the body before it is diagnosed. Research by the US Prostate Cancer Foundation reported that 1 in 14 men between the ages of 60 and 69 are diagnosed with prostate cancer, with the majority being over the age of 65.
If Youre The Giving Partner
Cleanliness and safety are a must, even for the giver.
Cut and file your nails smooth to help avoid scratching or tearing the delicate skin in and around the anus.
Wash your hands thoroughly, even if youre planning to use a condom over your finger to penetrate your partner. For extra comfort, stuff cotton balls inside the condom or glove.
You can also get the party started in the shower together, which serves as foreplay and gets you both all nice and clean for the big show.
Youll probably need to try a few different moves and experiment with speed and pressure to find what feels best.
Here are some techniques to try, whether youre using fingers or toys.
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Maintain A Healthy Weight
Being overweight can cause and worsen BPH symptoms so if necessary take some steps to reduce your weight. You can do this by incorporating moderate exercise and good dietary choices into your daily routine. This might seem easier said than done but it can make a big difference.
If youd like more advice on good nutrition Id recommend you have a look at our food hub. Also, our get active hub is a good place to find information and advice on incorporating more exercise into your routine. Some of my favourite blogs here include:
How To Reduce Prostate Enlargement Naturally
If you are suffering from the symptoms of an enlarged prostate, then you are more than likely looking for ways to reduce the size of your prostate.
The best way to promote good prostate health is by all-natural methods. Taking simple can have a significant impact on any symptoms of BPH and other prostate problems.
This article will discuss the best ways to help prevent an enlarged prostate and how to reduce prostate swelling and enlargement naturally.
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