How Common Is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Benign prostatic hyperplasia is the most common prostate problem for men older than age 50. In 2010, as many as 14 million men in the United States had lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostatic hyperplasia.1 Although benign prostatic hyperplasia rarely causes symptoms before age 40, the occurrence and symptoms increase with age. Benign prostatic hyperplasia affects about 50 percent of men between the ages of 51 and 60 and up to 90 percent of men older than 80.2
Pygeum Africanum Bark Root
Also referred to as African Plum tree, Pygeum Africanum is a type of evergreen tree grown in the mountains of Central and South America. The extractions that come from the bark have supposedly been used in traditional medicine to specifically treat prostate gland inflammation, urinary problems and kidney diseases among others.
A review conducted by NIH on what research has in store for this ingredient concluded that the randomized trials were small in size and only considered its effectiveness over the short-term. Nonetheless, some evidence is said to exist in relation to urinary symptoms and flow, and spermogram. For those wondering why small sample sizes are problematic, statistically speaking, it is hard to make inferences about the population, when the sample fails to capture/represent the general public. So, this is something to reflect upon while searching for prostate supplements.
How Is Prostatitis Treated
See your doctor straight away if develop sudden and severe symptoms of prostatitis. Acute prostatitis is usually treated with painkillers and a two to four-week course of antibiotics. Hospital treatment may be necessary if you are unable to pass urine.If you have symptoms of chronic prostatitis, you may be referred to a urologist who specializes in genitourinary problems and management. Treatment may include:
- Painkillers
- Alpha-blockers these help relax the muscles in the prostate gland and at the base of the bladder
- Antibiotics.
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How Prostate Supplements Help To Reduce Enlarged Prostate
Ideal Prostate plus supplements are believed to reduce an enlarged prostate by supporting prostate health with nutrients, antioxidants, minerals, and other beneficial ingredients. Shrinking the prostate gland as well as slowing down its growth rate is what conventional best prostate medication also does.
However, medication for the treatment of an enlarged prostate can cause side effects, and some men dont like the idea of taking medicine.
For this and many other reasons, men will turn to prostate supplements as a natural way to treat their enlarged prostate.
Prostate Support By Vigrx
Price: $49.95 USD each with discounts on bulk purchases available
VigRXs take on prostate support is said to combine clinically tested ingredients such as beta sitosterol, Pygeum Africanum Bark root, saw palmetto and stinging nettle. With every serving comes the added benefit of potentially experiencing bettered urine flow, being able to cut back on frequent trips to the bathroom and a rise in sexual desire and function. Men over the age of 50 might find this solution helpful, at least according to the support garnered from existing studies.
As for the entirety of VigRX, this brand appears to have been around since 2001. This small Canadian company is led by Leading Edge Health, who are on a mission to make high-quality natural supplements with the finest scientifically-studied formulations proven to help men live better, be it at work, in the bedroom or other places men want to shine. Moreover, many of their supplements are said to be designed with approval from well-respected physicians, which is reassuring.
To read more on Prostate Support by VigRX, click here > >
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What Is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Benign prostatic hyperplasiaalso called BPHis a condition in men in which the prostate gland is enlarged and not cancerous. Benign prostatic hyperplasia is also called benign prostatic hypertrophy or benign prostatic obstruction.
The prostate goes through two main growth periods as a man ages. The first occurs early in puberty, when the prostate doubles in size. The second phase of growth begins around age 25 and continues during most of a mans life. Benign prostatic hyperplasia often occurs with the second growth phase.
As the prostate enlarges, the gland presses against and pinches the urethra. The bladder wall becomes thicker. Eventually, the bladder may weaken and lose the ability to empty completely, leaving some urine in the bladder. The narrowing of the urethra and urinary retentionthe inability to empty the bladder completelycause many of the problems associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia.
Les Labs Prostate Health
LES Labs is laser-focused on only the most effective prostate supplement ingredients, but they are all delivered at fairly solid dosages.
Youll get zinc and copper for trace elements , and saw palmetto, stinging nettle, beta sitosterol, and pumpkin seed for the herbal ingredientsall proven prostate supplements.
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Men With Prostate Trouble Should Avoid Some Cold Medicines
4 Min Read
With cold and flu season in full swing, experts are warning men who have an enlarged prostate to avoid medicines containing antihistamines and decongestants.
Its very important that men with enlarged prostate avoid cold medicines with pseudoephedrine or phenylephrine. Those are ingredients in decongestants and they constrict the prostatic capsule and lead to urine retention, said Dr. Gregory T. Bales, a urologist at the University of Chicago Medical Center. Antihistamines arent quite as bad, because they work more on the bladder muscle, but they can cause bladder contractility.
Enlargement of the prostate, formally known as benign prostate hyperplasia , results from increased cell growth in and around the prostate gland. The increased growth can constrict the urethra and decrease urine flow. Men with the progressive disease often have difficulty urinating and the urge to go more frequently.
BPH is more common in older men, because as men age their prostate continues to grow. Nearly 80 percent of men age 50 and older will be diagnosed with some degree of the disease, said Dr. William Catalona, a urologist with Northwestern Universitys Feinberg School of Medicine in Chicago.
We dont know what causes benign prostatic enlargement, its one of the great mysteries, and we really wish we did because its such a prevalent condition, Catalona told Reuters Health. Sometimes men need to get up every hour at night.
How We Ranked The Best Prostate Supplements
All prostate supplements claim to target symptoms of BPH, improve urinary flow, and support overall prostate health. However, not all prostate supplements are alike.
Our editorial team used the following factors to separate good and bad prostate supplements:
Scientifically-proven Ingredients: Some ingredients are genuinely shown to help prostate issues. Ingredients like plant sterols, stinging nettle, saw palmetto extract, zinc, and selenium have been linked to prostate health in multiple studies. We preferred nutritional supplements that used proven ingredients not ingredients rumored to work.
High Dosages: You buy a prostate supplement to target prostate symptoms. When a prostate supplement has low doses, its ineffective. Many prostate supplements use the right ingredients at the wrong doses. We preferred supplements that used clinically proven doses.
Manufacturer Reputation & Transparency: The prostate supplement space is filled with shady formulas and scams. Prostate supplements, by nature, are targeted towards older men who may be less technologically savvy than younger men. Many manufacturers sell overpriced prostate formulas from China with limited transparency and poor-quality ingredients. We preferred proven manufacturers with transparent labels.
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Faqs About Prostate Supplements
Q: What is a prostate supplement?
A: A prostate supplement is a nutritional supplement that uses various ingredients to target symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia .
Q: Whats in a prostate supplement?
A: Most prostate supplements use vitamins, minerals, plant extracts, herbal extracts, and other nutrients to support prostate function.
Q: What are the best prostate supplement ingredients?
A: The best prostate supplement ingredients include zinc, saw palmetto extract, plant sterols or beta sitosterol, and pygeum extract, all of which have been connected to prostate health in various studies.
Q: How do prostate supplements work?
A: Many prostate supplements are rich with zinc, which plays a crucial role in supporting prostate health. Zinc is found in higher concentrations in the prostate than in any other soft tissue in the body. Other prostate supplements contain ingredients linked to inflammation, potentially reducing inflammation in the prostate to reduce prostate symptoms.
Q: What is BPH?
A: Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a medical term for an enlarged prostate. Its a common condition affecting 50% of American men over 50. Your prostate naturally increases in size with age, which eventually leads to symptoms like urinary flow problems.
Q: Can prostate supplements help with testosterone, hair loss, and other issues?
Q: What are the symptoms of BPH?
Q: Do prostate supplements really help?
Q: What can go wrong with my prostate?
Q: When should I visit a doctor for BPH?
What Are The Recommended Doses For Prostate Supplements
It really comes down to the ingredients found in prostate supplements. For the time being as much as 2g of saw palmetto is deemed well tolerated. As for the likes of Pygeum Africanum, nettle, cats claw and lycopene, maximum possible dose that is deemed safe are 200mg, 360mg, 100mg, and 75mg respectively.
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What Is A Psa Test
Prostate-specific antigen, or PSA, as defined by the National Cancer Institute, is a protein produced by malignant and normal, prostate cells. It supposedly measures the level of PSA in a mans blood . The benefit of having such tests done is that it can also indicate whether or not one has prostate cancer. For those wondering whether a specific number can be attached to normal or abnormal level of PSA the answer is no in most cases. This is something that should be discussed with a physician.
Types Of Sleep Aids: Otc Vs Natural Vs Prescription Drugs
Sleep aids fall into three main categories: over-the-counter, natural or herbal supplements, and prescription drugs.
- Over-the-counter sleep aids are typically antihistamines. Theyre designed to address short-term sleeplessness, not insomnia. Their side effects are typically mild, such as drowsiness the next day, which is why they can be sold over the counter. However, there are instances where these can be unsafe for people.
- Natural sleep aids include dietary and herbal supplements containing ingredients like melatonin, valerian, or chamomile. Like over-the-counter sleep aids, these have not proven effective as a treatment for long-term insomnia. Natural sleep aids may come in the form of herbal teas, pills, or ointments.
- Prescription drugs target different parts of the brain to induce sleep. Doxepin blocks histamine receptors, enabling the person to stay asleep throughout the night, while zolpidem help induce sleep by activating the neurotransmitter GABA and binding it to GABA receptors. Prescription drugs require a prescription because these are designed to help treat chronic insomnia and other sleep disorders like sleepwalking. These drugs are stronger and have stronger side effects which can cause extreme drowsiness, sleep-driving, or more if not taken as prescribed.
In this article, we are focusing on over-the-counter sleep aids. For information on other types of sleep aids, refer to our resource pages for Natural Sleep Aids, and Melatonin.
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Who Shouldnt Take Flomax
Flomax might not be right for you if:
- Youre allergic to this medicine, or to sulfa drugs. Rarely, Flomax can cause a severe allergic reaction, including swelling of the face or throat, trouble breathing, and skin blisters.
- You have low blood pressure, also known as hypotension. Flomax might make it worse.
- You have severe kidney or liver disease. Damaged kidneys or liver might not be able to clear Flomax from your body quickly enough. This can lead to increased side effects.
- Youre planning to have cataract or glaucoma surgery. Flomax has been linked to a complication called intraoperative floppy iris syndrome , which can make the surgery more difficult.
Why Take A Prostate Supplement
Preventing a disease is always superior to treating disease, especially in a complex disease such as prostate cancer.
A large body of research can be found both in vitro and in vivo of preventative prostate cancer measures.
Some of these strategies include consuming protein, carbohydrates, fats, fiber, vegetable extracts, and other solid products and combinations of these in the diet, vitamins, minerals, and biologically active substances.
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Side Effects Of Prostate Supplements
Prostate supplements have not been linked to any significant side effects when taken by healthy adults in normal dosages. Like most natural supplements, whether it’s green juice powders, probiotics, prebiotics, leaky gut support, moringa, dental hygiene, sleep aids, tinnitus relief or collagen supplements, a company who prioritizes quality, purity and potency will provide more benefit than harm.
Some studies suggest that taking an excessive amount of zinc for a long period of time increases the risk of prostate cancer. However, you would need to take a much larger dose of zinc than what is found in the prostate supplements above.
Over The Counter Cough Medications Safe With An Enlarged Prostate
There are numerous cough suppressants available over the counter, ranging from natural remedies to drug products like dextromethorphan.
Most are safe to take if you have enlarged prostate but you do need to watch out for combination ingredient drug products.
Cough suppressants are often used in combination with other drugs that may not be safe to take. For example, antihistamines can make symptoms of BPH worse and should not be taken unless your doctor recommends them.
Dextromethorphan
Dextromethorphan is the most commonly used over the counter cough suppressant.
It is the active ingredient in numerous products, including:
- Delsym
- Robitussin DM
Dextromethorphan is safe to take if you have an enlarged prostate and should not make any symptoms worse.
It is fairly well tolerated overall, but the most common side effects include:
- Drowsiness
- NSAIDs
Antihistamines
Antihistamines, like Benadryl, Claritin, and Zyrtec, have anticholinergic properties, which can worsen symptoms of an enlarged prostate. They have ‘drying’ effects and can reduce muscle contractility in the bladder which can, in turn, reduce urine flow.
Some antihistamines are certainly safer than others though.
First-generation antihistamines, like Benadryl, have the strongest anticholinergic properties, while second-generation antihistamines, like Claritin, are weaker in this regard.
Nasal Decongestants
The two nasal decongestant to avoid are:
- Sudafed
Over the counter NSAIDs include:
- Advil
- Aleve
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Who Should Buy A Prostate Supplement
Prostate supplements are specially formulated for older men who are having problems associated with their prostate, like poor urinary flow and frequent nighttime urination.
These problems become far more common among men who are over age 50, though they arent unheard of in younger men too. Still, older men are affected by far the most. Medication like Flomax and other so-called alpha blockers are commonly prescribed for benign prostate hyperplasia, but research on prostate supplements suggests that, in some cases, supplements like saw palmetto or beta sitosterol can be effective too.
If you are considering a prostate supplement, you should talk with your doctor about the potential benefits of using a supplement in addition to or instead of a prescription medication.
With any supplementation regimen, its always a good idea to talk with your doctor about potential prescription medication interactions and possible side effects, both from a supplement or from a medication. If the side effects from prescription medication for prostate problems is causing problems, youre a good candidate to talk to your doctor about whether a prostate supplement would be a good alternative.
Advanced Bionutrionals Advanced Prostate Formula
Price: $49.95 USD
Advanced Prostate Formula by Advanced Bionutritionals is formulated to support positive hormone balance, increasing circulation and antioxidant presence within prostate cells, improving inflammation response and supporting healthy urinary tract function. Much of these claims are deemed possible due to the likes of Swedish Flower Pollen Extract, Pygeum, Saw Palmetto and Stinging Nettle to name a few. The Advanced Bionutritionals company is a very prominent and well-respected supplement creator who specializes in high quality ingredients and formulas for men of all ages and health conditions.
The Vitamin D3 has 20 mcg or 50% daily value, the Zinc has 30 mg or 136% daily value, the Selenium has 100 mcg or 91% of daily value, the Copper has 1 mg , the Saw Palmetto berries, dried extract, min. 45% fatty acids and sterols has 426 mg per dose, the Pygeum , bark, dried extract min. 2.5% total sterols, calculated as B-sitosterol has 100 mg, the Pumpkin seed, 4:1 dried extract has 320 mg, the Stinging Nettle root, 4:1 dried extract has 100 mg *, the Swedish Flower Pollen dried extract has 100 mg, the Diindolylmethane has 200 mg and finally rounding out the formula has Lycopene Complex of 20 mg per serving.
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Why Is This Medication Prescribed
Tamsulosin is used in men to treat the symptoms of an enlarged prostate which include difficulty urinating , painful urination, and urinary frequency and urgency. Tamsulosin is in a class of medications called alpha blockers. It works by relaxing the muscles in the prostate and bladder so that urine can flow easily.
What Is The Prostate
The prostate is a walnut-shaped gland that is part of the male reproductive system. The main function of the prostate is to make a fluid that goes into semen. Prostate fluid is essential for a mans fertility. The gland surrounds the urethra at the neck of the bladder. The bladder neck is the area where the urethra joins the bladder. The bladder and urethra are parts of the lower urinary tract. The prostate has two or more lobes, or sections, enclosed by an outer layer of tissue, and it is in front of the rectum, just below the bladder. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. In men, the urethra also carries semen out through the penis.
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