Why Does A Prostate Grow
- The prostate is a walnut-shaped gland that wraps around the urethra, the tube that
urine flows out of. - The prostate is part of the male reproductive system.
- One of its main jobs, along with other organs is to add fluid to semen.
- This is the fluid that carries sperm.
- The prostate gland starts out small & has two main phases of growth.
- It doubles in size during the teenage years, then continues to grow again after age 25 throughout the rest of a man’s life.
An excessively enlarged prostate results in a disease known as benign
Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
- Eventually, an enlarged prostate can clamp down on the urethra & restrict the flow of
urine from the bladder. - This leads to problems such as:
1. Frequent urination
2. Difficulty in voiding
3. Urinary leakage
4. Urinary tract infections. - Read about natural remedies that may improve some BPH symptoms.
Enlarged Prostate Treatments
- There are several treatment options for an enlarged prostate.
- You can take alpha-blockers such a sterazosin (Hytrin) or tamsulosin Flomax) to help
relax the prostate & bladder muscles. - You can also take dutasteride (Avodart) or finasteride (Proscar), a different kind of
medication for reducing BPH symptoms. - These block the hormones that cause the prostate to grow.
- Combinations of these two different types of medications may also be recommended.
- Your doctor might also recommend surgery to remove the extra prostate tissue.
- One common surgical procedure for BPH is known as transurethral resection of the
prostate (TURP).
There are also natural remedies that may work
to combat enlarged prostate symptoms.
- However, the evidence is debatable on whether these treatments actually work.
- TheAmerican Urological Association currently doesn’t recommend any herbal therapy
for managing BPH. - If you do want to try any of these natural remedies, talk to your doctor first.
- Some herbal treatments can interact with prescription medications.
- The U.S. Food & Drug Administration (FDA) doesn’t regulate the quality or purity of herbal supplements.
- This means there can be a lack of consistent ingredients
- Saw palmetto is an herbal remedy that comes from the fruit of a type of palm tree.
- It’s been used in alternative medicine for centuries to relieve urinary symptoms, including
those caused by an enlarged prostate. - According to the National Institutes of Health (NIH) a few small-scale studies have suggested that saw palmetto might be effective for relieving BPH symptoms.
- However, the NIH reports that when larger studies were conducted, they didn’t find saw
palmetto any more effective than a placebo. - Research continues to look into the anti-inflammatory & hormone-blocking properties that
saw palmetto may have & its possible use in combination with other medications. - Saw palmetto is safe to use, but minor side effects can be upset stomach & headache.
Beta-Sitosterol
- This herbal medication is a mixture taken from different plants that contain cholesterol
-like substances called sitosterols or phytosterols (plant-based fats) - Several studies have suggested that beta-sitosterol can relieve urinary symptoms of
BPH, including the strength of urine flow. - Some scientists have also suggested that it’s these fatty substances like beta-sitosterol,
which is also found in saw palmetto, that are actually doing the work. - There haven’t been any major side effects reported with the use of beta-sitosterol.
- However, doctors still don’t know all the long-term effects of this natural therapy.
Going The Natural Route
- It’s important to remember that just because a supplement is labeled 'natural' doesn’t
always mean it’s safe, healthy or effective. - Remember that the FDA doesn’t regulate herbal remedies like it does prescription &
over-the-counter drugs. - That means you can’t be totally sure that what’s listed on the label is inside the bottle.
- Herbal remedies can also cause side effects & interact with other medications you take.
- Check with your doctor before trying any natural supplement.
Overview
- Prostate cancer rates are on the rise, but by adding some healthy, prostate-friendly foods
to your diet, you may be able to reduce your risk. - According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the most common cancer
among men, affecting 1 in 7 men in the United States. - It’s believed that the high-fat, high-sugar Western diet may contribute to increased rates of prostate cancer.
- You’ll still need to see your doctor for regular prostate cancer screenings, but you can
start boosting your prostate health by trying the foods on Natural Remedies for An
Enlarged Prostate
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Prostate Health
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