How to Improve Overall Prostate Condition

How to Improve your Overall Prostate Condition

The condition called Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is also known as an Enlarged Prostate. This is an internal gland condition where its size increases overtime due to several factors. BHP is most common with men in their 50s and up. Prostates can already become enlarged even if the symptoms have not yet appeared. Nevertheless, the most common enlarged prostate symptoms include the presence of blood in the urine, painful urination, and frequent urination.

One way to minimize the effects of prostate enlargement is by changing the lifestyle, or better yet the diet. Foods rich in essential nutrients are extremely beneficial to the health condition of the prostate by reducing the fats surrounding the prostate or the entire urinary tract. This also reduces the effects of the Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in the long run.

Use Natural Products to Improve the Prostate

By consuming at least two servings of fruits or vegetables everyday, you can improve the overall health of the prostate. Fruits or vegetables filled with lycopene such as: tomato, guava, rosehip, red chilies, grapefruit, and watermelon help this type of diet. The bright color of lycopene in these fruits and vegetables indicates that they are rich in antioxidants, which flushes out toxins. These are the toxins that accumulate and settle in the body and cause the weakening of the internal organs.

Men are urged to reduce their consumption of cholesterol and fats such as those found in dairy products like: whole milk, butter or margarine, cheese, ice cream, etc. Doctors also encourage minimizing red meat consumption as well as all other fatty foods. Studies show that these kinds of food can increase the level of hormone in men to fluctuate, which may cause BPH.

On the other hand, other type of fats called omega-3 contain fatty acids that can reduce the bad cholesterol, which may develop as fat covering on the prostate. Fresh water fish like sardines, mackerel, and salmon have substantial amounts of omega-3. This also neutralizes the hormone level in the body as well as reduces inflammation.

Some medical experts also suggest that consuming flaxseed oil everyday can also help when omega-3 is scarce, since fresh water fish are not very economical. Also, raw pumpkin seeds with high levels of zinc can also help improve the condition of the prostate as well as the overall health of the body. All these are great additions to the daily menu.

Can a Vegetarian Diet Help Improve the Prostate?

Studies suggest that a lot of soy improves the prostate as well as the overall health of the body. This means that tofu, tempe, and soy milk are great for you in this matter. Soy is rich in isoflavones, a type of phytoestrogen, helpful in balancing the level of hormones in the body. This substance also improves cholesterol levels in the body, minimizing the risk of heart conditions, arthritis, and certain cancers.

By increasing the amount of fiber in the diet, especially from fruits and vegetables, you can flush out toxins and fats from the body. The fiber enhances bowel movement, thus, reducing pressure on the prostate as well.

There many supplement selections in the market today conveniently available to consumers. These supplements also reduce the symptoms of an enlarged prostate in the long run. Progressive Health Inc. has some of these products, beneficial for cases where nutrients are not absorbed properly due to prostate enlargement.

Surgical Procedures For Enlarged Prostate

Surgery for an Enlarged Prostate

Science knows a few reasons why people experience some problems with their prostate or some symptoms of BPH or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia that require surgical procedures. Some of them are:

The patient cannot urinate. At least half of males not physically well enough to urinate require catheterization. In catheterization, a tube is inserted into the urethra down to the bladder in order to flush out urine. The other half of males experiencing trouble will require some invasive surgical procedure.
There can be a blockage to the urethra, which may also cause urinary tract infection, stones in the bladder, and damage to the bladder.
There is blood in the urine, and it does not improve through simple medications.
The kidney is damaged.

Sometimes, although the BPH or Benign Prostatic Hyperlasia symptoms are absent, the doctor may still order surgical procedures in order to eliminate uncomfortable effects, or if other treatments failed to resolve the problem.

In such a case, consider the following:

Will the procedure(s) really help in minimizing the effects of prostate problems, or completely resolve the problem?
How extent is the prostate enlargement or any other prostate problem?
What are the post surgery effects or complications?

The most common surgical procedures administered for BPH are usually less invasive, such as when tools designed specially to penetrate the urethra down to the prostate are used, also known as “transurethral surgical procedures”.

Transurethral Resection

The most widely used surgical procedure is called “transurethral resection” or TURP when part of the prostate is removed.
Other surgical procedures being administered to treat prostate problems are rarely used compared to TURP such as:

The TUIP or Transurethral Incision of the Prostate where the prostrate is cut to minimize or release the pressure to the urethra.
The Transurethral Laser Vaporization or Transurethral Laser Coagulation where a laser technology cuts the prostate to relieve pressure in the urethra.
The TUMT or Transurethral Microwave Therapy where a microwave kills tissues in the prostate and some surrounding areas.
The TUNA or Transurethral Needle Ablation where a warm or hot needle kills the tissues in the prostate or some surrounding area.

These surgical procedures are very recent, and their effectiveness has not yet been established.

The open prostatectomy is a more common type of procedure where the surgeon accesses the prostate through a surgical cut in order to minimize and/or eliminate BPH Benign Prostatic Hyperlasia and its uncomfortable effects.

This particular procedure is commonly used for patients with severe cases.

Things that Need to be Considered

While there are many ways to resolve prostate enlargement and other prostate problems, the existing surgical procedures still provide the highest rates of success. Yet even these cannot guarantee 100% success since there is still the possibility of persistent symptoms.

Also, surgical procedures can cause post-surgical effects such as: incontinence, impotence, and retrograde ejaculation (where semen goes straight to the bladder rather than the penis.) At least, most of the time, the patients who have undergone surgical procedures experience relief.

If the physical condition of the prostate calls for a surgical procedure, the patient must consider which procedure to undergo, depending on the extent of the prostate enlargement. Doctors commonly recommend TURP and TUIP under such conditions. TURP is recommended for patients with a higher level of prostate enlargement, while TUIP is for those patients who have minor prostate conditions. The procedures are performed differently; both of them give the same relief for patients.

Alternative Treatments For Enlarged Prostate

Prostate Alternative Treatments

It is true that enlarged prostate symptoms can be uncomfortable. Luckily science has provided several things that can help minimize the effects or even eliminate the possibility of developing a prostate problem such as the Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia or enlarged prostate. Logically speaking, simple changes in lifestyle can play a big role in sealing the enlarged prostate.

On the other hand, some medications and natural remedies can also make sure that the symptoms are eliminated or enhance the overall health of the prostate and the rest of the urinary tract. The right combination of herbs and proper nutrients help in the entire process of improving the health of the prostate condition.

Some Alternative Steps in Improving the Prostate Condition

A patient or person with BPH or enlarged prostate notices that he needs to cut his sleep short and go to the restroom to urinate, he should reduce the amount of water or any liquid intake before bedtime. Another idea is to reduce the amount of caffeinated and alcoholic drink consumption.
One suffering from the enlarged prostate or BPH should also get some relaxation because this can also help reduce the amount of fats in the prostate and the rest of the urinary system. It can be hard to relax if you have lived most of life with a very busy schedule. Luckily, there are some guides and professionals who can help and teach the person how to get some ideal relaxation.
It is better for men to avoid medications that contain antihistamines, decongestants, and all other medications that contain common substances that can contribute to prostate enlargement or BPH. These over-the-counter medications can damage the muscle groups in the bladder, which can later cause prostate irritation and enlargement. You can minimize the effects and promote faster healing by taking several warm baths in a day. Avoid stagnant positions, take a quick walk if you must sit the whole day at work or better yet, get some daily simple exercises.
Consider taking supplements that contain zinc or eat food rich in zinc. According to some studies, 30 to 60 mg of zinc each day can greatly help minimize the effects or even eliminate the risk of prostate enlargement. Although this suggestion has not been medically proven, it will do no harm if a person tries this.
Most Europeans believe that Saw Palmetto is especially effective to improve problems with prostate conditions. Studies have determined the effectiveness of saw palmetto and concluded that the substances in this natural wonder can help reduce the effects of enlarged prostate or BPH symptoms, if not totally eliminate the development of BPH.

Causes, Diagnosis And Treatment

BPH: Causes, Diagnosis, & Treatment

Having an enlarged prostate is different from having prostate cancer. The development of an enlarged prostate differs from the development of prostate cancer. Enlarged prostate is also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and its development is not lethal, making its prognosis good. Despite its good prognosis, having BPH could still become uncomfortable for the person. Bladder and kidney failure, urinary tract infections (UTIs), stones of the bladder, damages of the bladder, and other medical concerns may arise if BPH is left untreated.

The medical condition BPH is found more prevalent in men over the age of over 40. Structurally, the prostate gland is a walnut-sized mass of gland located between the bladder and the penis.

When the prostate gland becomes enlarged, it becomes difficult for the bladder to work. The bladder stores urine, and it is responsible for passing urine through the thinner linings of the urethra.

Difficulty experienced by the bladder muscles causes it to work more than usual, thus making the bladder more sensitive. The more a bladder is sensitive, the more a person urinates.

In the long run, the bladder becomes severely stressed and before it gets empty, more urine gets stored causing an excess.

Causes of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

There has been no one reason why BPH occurs, but some claim that it is because of bodily hormones. Professionals believe that male body hormones such as testosterones and other androgens lead to BPH. Testosterone is an essential hormone in the male body. Through the conversion of testosterone into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) by the prostate gland, the tissues surrounding the prostate grow. Excessive production of androgens and excessive conversion of testosterones into DHTs cause thick tissue lining.

Other researchers believe that older men have weaker blood vessels. These weaker blood vessels decrease the blood flow and amount of oxygen passing through the prostate causing it to become enlarged.

Diagnosis and Assessment Of BPH

There are three methods to assess and diagnose the presence or absence of BPH. The first of the three methods is the rectal exam. However, physicians often verify the presence of the prostate enlargement. The second method is with the use of blood tests, and the last is ultrasound. Ultrasounds performed during assessments must be taken on the urinary tract and prostate. Urine samples may also be used to detect infections and if these infections cause BPH symptoms.

In differential diagnoses, prostate cancers are ruled-out in order to diagnose the presence of an enlarged prostate.

Treatment of BPH

Knowing the presence of an enlarged prostate greatly aids in knowing what process will be used for treatment as well as to avoid a worsening of the condition. The patient may be asked to take oral medication or be asked to undergo surgery.

Seek medical consultation if you feel any of the symptoms of BPH. Should prescribed medications fail, medical surgery would be best to remedy the condition.

Talking About Enlarged Prostate

The Facts about Enlarged Prostrates

Most men don’t realize they have problems with their prostates until they are in their late thirties or early forties. During these years the walnut-sized gland begins to grow. Since the prostate gland encircles the urethra and is located just below the bladder, it causes frequent or uncontrolled urination especially at night time. The primary function of the prostate gland is to secrete seminal fluid which aids in the ejaculatory process of semen.

An assistant professor of urology has stated that prostate enlargement has been found to be related to the development of prostate cancer. James Smolev, MD stated that this is a reason why men ages 45 and older must undergo a yearly prostate exam.

Usually, an enlarged prostate will not develop into prostate cancer but will result in a condition known as benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH).

Signs and Symptoms of an Enlarged Prostate

As the prostate gland grows larger, pressure on the urethra increases. More pressure results from the tightening of the muscles surrounding the urethra. Oftentimes, this pressure does not hurt but it may lead to problems with urination such as dysuria.

Men with an enlarged prostate might have to urinate as soon as they feel pressure in their bladder, or else they might have trouble with the flow, maintenance of strong flow, and ending of the flow of urine. Someone with this problem also tends to get up repeatedly due to bladder pressure and would also tend towards nocturia.

Causes of Enlarged Prostate

Certain hormones are directly related to prostate growth in men, especially older ones. During the 40s, testosterone and other hormonal levels of older men begin to drop while other hormones like prolactin increase.

Bastyr University President Joseph Pizzorno, N.D. has stated that the ultimate effect of hormonal changes is an increase in the male sex hormone dihydrotestosterone (DHT), a converted testosterone. DHT is a hormone responsible for the growth of tissues surrounding the prostate gland, which in turn causes BPH.

An enzyme known as 5-alphha-reductase converts testosterone into DHTs. Current BPH remedies, to be effective, must be able to inhibit the enzyme in converting testosterone.

Enlarged Prostate Treatment

Fifty percent of men over the age of 50 get to notice the signs and symptoms of BPH. The percentage of men with BPH symptoms increases as age increases. Generally, BPH symptoms worsens if proper treatment is not given however it varies with the person’s vulnerability.

According to Dr. Richard Macchia, some men experience a significant worsening of symptoms in a span of six years, while others experience this change after more years. While others notice the symptoms in the early years, some might not notice changes for 15 years or more. Some men don’t even experience the worsening of symptoms.

Seeking consultation depends on the person. According to Dr. Smolev, prostate consultation is an individual’s decision. Most of the physicians that treat prostate enlargement prescribe oral medications or even surgery, while others consider natural remedies to treat BPH.