Additional Treatments For Bph
When an enlarged prostate starts to impact a mans quality of life, hell likely turn to his physician for relief. There are numerous drugs on the market to treat BPH. The Prostate Cancer Foundation suggests that most men over the age of 60 are either on or considering a medication for BPH.
Surgery is also an option. Surgery for BPH is intended to remove the enlarged tissue pressing against the urethra. This surgery is possible with the use of a laser, entrance through the penis, or with an external incision.
Far less invasive are lifestyle changes that may assist in managing an enlarged prostate. Things like avoiding alcohol and coffee, avoiding certain medications that can worsen symptoms, and practicing Kegel exercises may relieve the symptoms of BPH.
Dietary Treatments For An Enlarged Prostate
A general change in diet from processed and refined foods to natural foods free of additives or pesticides can help relieve the symptoms of an enlarged prostate. Stick with organically grown produce as much as possible and plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, nuts, soy products and nuts that contain high levels of zinc. Cashews and almonds compensate for low zinc levels in BPH, prevent prostate cancer and are considered to be among nature’s best 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. A type of enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, 5-alpha reductase contributes to the symptoms of prostate enlargement.
Other ways to maintain the health of the prostate cells include substituting refined oils for olive oil, canola oil, avocado oil or other plant-based oils that contain beta-sitosterol. Scientific studies have shown that this natural substance from plants improves urinary symptoms and urine flow. Cold water fish are also said to be beneficial to prostate cells as they are rich in omega-3 fatty acids. Other foods that can help with larger prostates and prostatitis symptoms include:
- Pumpkin seeds
On the other hand, foods that have been shown to increase the risk of prostate enlargement and make its symptoms worse include red meat, alcohol, dairy products, refined carbohydrates and artificial sweeteners.
Supplemental Treatments For An Enlarged Prostate
Some of the dietary supplements that may relieve the symptoms of BPH include the amino acids glycine, alanine, and glutamic acid flaxseed meal or flaxseed oil flower pollen and zinc picolinate. Note that because zinc competes for absorption into the body with copper, a copper and zinc combination supplement should be used if you are going to be using the zinc supplement long term.
As Vitamin D receptors are present in the prostate gland, including a vitamin D supplement in your daily diet will also help maintain prostate health. Selenium is another common treatment as this essential mineral is associated with the reduced risk of BPH, prostate cancer, chronic prostatitis and other types of prostatitis.
As with herbal treatments, it is always best to get advice from a healthcare practitioner before embarking on a long term course of treatment.
Engaging in physical activity is also beneficial to men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. Walking, jogging, swimming as well as kegel exercises will help strengthen the bladder muscles.
If you have been diagnosed with BPH but refuse to consider any invasive procedures, you can find relief from your symptoms with the natural remedies discussed in this article. It would be best to discuss your choice of complementary therapy with your primary physician and how it can be integrated into your treatment plan.
Originally published on May 10, 2011
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Natural Treatments For Enlarged Prostate
The prostate gland has a direct relationship with pelvic organs such as the rectum, bladder, and pelvic muscles along with the central nervous system. If you are facing the symptoms of enlarged prostate including frequent urination, urinary leakage, and urinary tract infections, among others, then it is vital to seek different remedies. Men with enlarged prostate also suffer from symptoms of anxiety, depression, and even insomnia.
Initially, it is best to seek the opinion of a medical professional to establish the extent of the condition. In some cases, the enlargement of the prostate is indicative of an underlying health issue. Thus, it is essential to fully evaluate the treatment options for enlarged prostate before opting for natural treatments.
Natural treatments for an enlarged prostateIf your problem is at the initial stage and is not yet severe, treatment options may include acupuncture, prostate massage, herbal and nutritional supplements, medical hypnosis, and relaxation. However, if your condition is advanced, then you should depend upon the advice of an experienced health professional. Sometimes, surgeries may be required to remove excess prostate tissue. This procedure is vital to restore full urinary functioning. The traditional treatment, however, includes pharmaceutical medicines that help to alleviate the symptoms and address the root cause of the enlarged prostate.
Exploring herbal options
Rye Grass Pollen Extract
The rye grass pollen extract is an emerging natural treatment for BPH.
It is derived from three types of pollen is used for prostate diseases in Western Europe and East Asia. Two studies explored the effects of rye grass pollen extract.
They found that the grass pollen improved symptoms of prostate enlargement. These include the frequency of night-time urination and the amount of urine left in the bladder.
Another meta-analysis of 444 men showed that rye grass pollen extracts significantly improved self-rated urinary symptoms in men with enlarged prostates.
One study also showed that rye grass pollen extract decreased the size of the prostate when seen in an ultrasound. Multiple clinical studies support its effectiveness in the treatment of an enlarged prostate .
One 2017 meta-analysis consisting of 10 clinical studies actually revealed an 83% positive response rate from patients, with no side effects reported.
Further studies have also emphasized the healing properties of ryegrass, stating that flower pollen extract could significantly improve patients quality of life if suffering from prostatitis.
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Natural Home Remedies For Bph
An enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia , is a disorder that generally tends to affect men as they age. With age, the cells of the gland begin to multiply, leading to an enlarged prostate. An enlarged prostate is problematic because it presses on the urethra, creating difficulties with urination and weakening the bladder. BPH will produce symptoms such as weak or interrupted urine stream, inability to urinate, difficulty starting or holding urination, and the need to frequently urinate, especially at night.
Ignoring prostate problems, as some men tend to do, isnt a smart idea. If left untreated, an enlarged prostate can block the flow of urine out of the bladder, leading to other complications such as urinary retention and kidney damage. Below are some natural remedies you can try at home to ease symptoms of BPH.
Tomatoes As Natural Remedies For Enlarged Prostate
Can you believe that tomatoes are the cheapest and most powerful natural treatment for enlarged prostate?
Really, it seems that adding tomatoes to your daily menu is an excellent idea if you are interested in keeping your prostate healthy.
According to a prolonged Harvard study performed over forty seven thousand man in 2003 men who ate ten servings weekly of tomatoes had reduced their high risk of developing prostate cancer by fifty percent.
Scientists believe that these results are due to tomatoes rich content of lycopene . Lycopene is the most potent form of carotene actually, lycopene has ten times more antioxidant activity than -carotene. Lycopene is the most powerful known antioxidant.
Antioxidants are substances found in your diet which have the ability to inhibit or slow down the oxidative process caused by harmful substances called free radicals that will result in cellular malfunction.
Also, antioxidants can improve the body immunity system, and reduce the chances for infections and cancers as well.
Foods containing carotenes, Vitamin C, Vitamin E and selenium are powerful sources of antioxidants. In fact, if you follow an eating plan rich in fresh fruits, veggies, whole grains and nuts can effectively supply your body with its needs of the antioxidants.
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Your Quality Of Life With An Enlarged Prostate
If your enlarged prostate symptoms are mild and not bothersome, there’s likely no need for treatment. One-third of men with mild BPH find that their symptoms clear up without treatment. They may just watch and wait.
However, when enlarged prostate symptoms are bothersome or are affecting your quality of life or overall health, it’s time to talk to your doctor about the treatment options. Together you will determine if you would benefit most from medication, a minimally invasive procedure, or surgery.
It’s important to talk with a doctor when you begin noticing changes in urinary function. You need to find out what’s going on so you can be treated for enlarged prostate if necessary. For many men, especially those who are young when the prostate starts growing, getting early treatment can head off complications later on.
How To Take Back Your Life And Manage Bph Symptoms With Lifestyle Changes
Most people want to try home remedies before making the decision to go to the doctor for their BPH treatment. Anyone who is experiencing BPH symptoms should visit their doctor for a BPH test before searching prostate enlargement treatment home remedies because it is important that you make sure your BPH isnât actually prostate cancer. Once you are sure it is just BPH then you can try out these lifestyle changes to improve your symptoms.
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How Is Exercise Good For An Enlarged Prostate
Exercise helps to decrease inflammation in the body7, so could improve symptoms this way. It also helps to maintain a healthy body weight which, again, can reduce inflammation.
Being overweight is a risk factor for developing BPH in the first place, so this could give us an indication of why exercise reduces the chances of experiencing the problem.8
Want to see for yourself how exercise can influence your enlarged prostate symptoms? Visit our Get Active Hub for lots of tips and advice on how you can be more active, or follow our simple exercise video below!
When To See A Doctor
If you don’t see a reduction in symptoms or if your symptoms worsen, you may need to undergo a different treatment plan.
Prescription Medications
The first higher-level treatment is to begin taking prescription drugs for an enlarged prostate. One class of medication is an alpha blocker. These medications, such as Flomax, Rapaflo, and Cardura, work by relaxing the affected muscles around the prostate to encourage urine flow.
Another type of medication is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. Examples of these medications include Proscar and Avodart, which are long-term medications that help to block the production of dihydrotestosterone and shrink the size of the prostate.
Surgery and Minimally Invasive Procedures
For moderate to severe BPH, you may need a medical procedure to relieve your symptoms. There are a variety of procedures, including laser therapy, microwave heat, or prostate tissue compression. Partial prostate removal and full removal are more invasive but may be necessary for extremely large prostate glands.
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Why Are Pumpkin Sides Good For An Enlarged Prostate
For anyone with BPH, pumpkin seeds are a good food to snack on because they contain both zinc and essential fatty acids .
Zinc deficiency is thought to increase the chance of developing BPH3, plus it has anti-inflammatory properties that could help ease symptoms that are already present.4 EFAs are also anti-inflammatory, thus encouraging a more normal sized prostate gland.
About Half Of Men Older Than 50 Have An Enlarged Prostate Here Are Some Of The Basic Facts You Need To Know About This Common Condition
As men age, many experience prostate gland enlargement. This condition is known as benign prostatic hyperplasia .
The prostate gland surrounds the urethra, the hollow tube that carries urine out of the body. When the prostate gets bigger, it can squeeze or partially block the urethra, which leads to problems urinating.
BPH is quite common in older men. In fact, the condition impacts about 50% of men between the ages of 51 and 60. For men 80 and older, the prevalence of BPH is approximately 90%, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.
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When To Seek Medical Care For Enlarged Prostate
Before going any further, we want to make one thing clear: if youre experiencing discomfort, notice any common signs or symptoms of enlarged prostate, or if you notice any urinary problems, see your urologist right away. A lot of urologic conditions arent reason for major concern, but there could be an underlying cause thats contributing to your symptoms. To make sure that everythings being addressed, youll need to get a proper diagnosis. The longer you go without a proper diagnosis, the higher your risks are for developing serious complications and increasingly uncomfortable side effects.
Diagnosing enlarged prostate is fairly easy. Your urologist will perform a physical along with one or more of the following tests: urinalysis, prostate-specific antigen blood test, urodynamic tests, cystoscopy, transrectal ultrasound, and/or a biopsy. If you have any questions, talk to your urologist before or during your appointment.
If youre unable to pass any urine at all, seek medical attention immediately as it could be a sign that your urethra has been completely obstructed.
Prostate Health And Supplements: Know The Facts
1 ).
However, not all prostate problems are life threatening. In fact, as the prostate gland tends to grow larger with age, its not uncommon for men over 50 years old to experience some type of prostate issue .
Still, even the symptoms of noncancerous prostate issues, such as painful urination and ejaculation, can greatly affect quality of life .
Supplements are often advertised to support prostate health or help reduce symptoms that are associated with prostate conditions, but you may wonder whether these products are effective.
This article reviews the safety and efficacy of several common ingredients found in prostate supplements.
6 ):
- Acute or chronic prostatitis. This is characterized by inflammation of the prostate. In some cases, prostatitis is caused by a bacterial infection, while other times the cause is unknown.
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia . This noncancerous enlargement of the prostate often leads to lower urinary tract symptoms. Its one of the most common conditions in older men.
- Prostate cancer. This form of cancer develops in the prostate. Its the fourth leading cause of death in men worldwide.
While the early stages of prostate cancer may be asymptomatic, prostate problems are often accompanied by uncomfortable symptoms, such as (
- the frequent urge to urinate
- waking up in the middle of the night to urinate
- erectile dysfunction
- pain in the lower back, hips, or pelvic area
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Natural Remedy For Enlarged Prostate Symptoms
Thumbnail image from Pixabay
, images from writer.
Many men still young at heart face a bothersome affliction as they age. Symptoms of the lower urinary tract that plague them day and night have caused many to look for remedies to the common condition, known as benign prostatic hyperplasia . The prostate gland that continues on a growth pattern throughout life often causes urinary problems as it compresses the bladder or urethra. This compression typically results in urinary frequency during the day and especially at night, a feeling that you cannot urinate, trouble starting to urinate and a stop and go or weak stream.
Disruptive to normal daily activities, a trip to your family physician is in order. Once other related and more serious issues such as kidney damage or cancer is ruled out, a prescription for medication may be ordered. Alpha-blockers like tamsulosin , silodosin or terazosin , Finasteride and dutasteride are commonly prescribed. For others, surgical intervention, such as robotic surgery, may be indicated.
However, many are also turning to the use of natural supplements to curb symptoms and manage the condition. A diet that includes soy, seafood and tofu has also been found helpful in managing symptoms.
How To Prevent Enlarged Prostate In Dogs
Your dogs immune system is the key to good health. You need to support his immune system with a whole food, raw meat diet to prevent infections from prostate disease. When you remove processed food, you give your dogs other organs more opportunity to detox and fight bacteria instead of the chemicals and toxins from their food.
Antioxidants can assist the prostate in preventing infections along with improving the health of mucous membranes. Vitamin C is a natural anti-inflammatory and can help shrink the prostate to its original size.
Adding probiotics to your dogs diet increases the beneficial bacteria in your dogs gut, which is the foundation of 90% of his immune system.
If you notice your dog has difficulty in peeing or pooping, you can gather a urine or stool sample and have it tested for possible infection. Then you can usenatural antibiotics to eliminate the infection before it becomes serious.
If your dog has prostate problems it might not be obvious, or you might start to notice these things.
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