How To Treat Prostate Enlargement In Men

Prostate enlargement, or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), is a very common condition among aging men that affects the prostate gland. As men age, the enlarged prostate may cause urinary symptoms such as a frequent urge to urinate, difficulty starting and stopping the urinary stream, and dribbling after urination. Fortunately, there are treatments available that can help improve these symptoms.

Prostate enlargement is usually caused by a noncancerous (benign) condition. As men age, their prostate often begins to increase in size due to an increase in the number of cells that make up the gland. Additionally, hormones produced by the body can stimulate prostate enlargement. The exact cause is unknown but it may be related to aging or other factors such as diet and weight.

The prostate is a walnut-sized muscular gland located in the male reproductive system, that is, between the bladder and the penis. The prostate encircles all sides of your urethra, helps make the fluid in your semen and makes your urine flow out of your body.

 

The prostate secretes fluids that are necessary for the nourishment and protection of the sperm. During sexual climax, the muscular action of the prostate drives the fluid and semen.

 

Let's discuss all that there is to prostate enlargement for men, and we shall look at the causes, the cure, and some foods that will help in its treatment.

 

Prostate Enlargement

 

Imagine having the urge to urinate, but you aren't able to, or it's difficult for urine to flow. If you haven't experienced it before, there may not be a better way to explain it.

 

For most men, there can be prostate enlargement which can result in severe complications. Nevertheless, it can be treated.

 

Prostate enlargement is otherwise known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Prostate enlargement occurs when the prostate gland starts multiplying as a result of additional cells, which compresses the urethra, thereby hindering the flow of urine.

 

Prostate enlargement is common in men over 50 years, vastly different from prostate cancer.

 

Causes of Prostate Enlargement

 

Before we look at the causes of prostate enlargement, let's quickly look at how the prostate is. The prostate gland comprises glandular and muscular tissue and goes through two main stages of growth.

 

The first stage of prostate growth is during puberty, when it doubles in size, while the second stage is around 25 years and is continuous for most persons. Prostate Enlargement usually occurs at the second stage of prostate growth for most persons at the age of 50

 

The causes of Prostate Enlargement are not fully known, however many medical researchers believe it can be a result of the following;

Aging effect on the testicles.

Hormonal changes in older men

Inflammation

Fibrosis

 

Signs and symptoms of prostate Enlargement

 

Some of the signs and symptoms of prostate enlargement include:

 

• Difficult in peeing
• Frequent urge to pee
• Excessive urination at night
• Having urine with a different color or an abysmal smell.
• Lower urinary tract system
• Sexual dysfunction

 

How To Treat Prostate Enlargement In Men

 

Medication can cure an enlarged prostate or undergo a surgical operation. Some persons get to receive a cure for prostate enlargement just by medication, while some will have to take a surgical operation to remove excess prostate.

However, the main treatments include; lifestyle changes, medicine, catheters, surgery, and other procedures.

 

• Lifestyle changes

 

You can treat enlarged prostate by engaging in lifestyle changes to help you get relief from the symptoms and risk of prostate enlargement. These lifestyle changes include drinking fewer fizzy drinks and less alcohol, caffeine, and artificial sweeteners, which can irritate the bladder and worsen urinary symptoms—emptying your bladder, eating more fiber, double voiding, using pads, and engaging in bladder training exercises.

 

• Medicine

 

If lifestyle changes are not effective in relieving prostate enlargement symptoms, then you can take some medicines.

Certain medicines can help relieve you of the symptoms of prostate enlargement or reduce the risk of having it. Some of which include Alpha-blockers, Anticholinergics which help the muscle in your prostate gland relax.

 

The 5-alpha reductase inhibitor is another medicine that can help treat prostate enlargement. It shrinks the prostate gland if it enlarges. Diuretics also help speed up urine, while Desmopressin helps slow down urine production, and both are good for the treatment of prostate enlargement.

It is best if you see medical personnel to know how to go about with the drugs and try herbal treatment or acupuncture to treat prostate enlargement.

 

• Catheters

 

A catheter is a soft tube that carries urine out of the body from the bladder. If you have continuous trouble peeing, you can get a catheter to help you drain your bladder.

It can be a removable catheter or one that stays in your bladder for a long time.

 

• Surgical Operation

 

A surgical operation is another way of treating prostate cancer. There are different forms of surgical operation that you can undergo, but that should be in the description of medical personnel.

 

Some of these include;Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) involves the removal of part of the prostate gland using a resectoscope passed through the urethra.

 

Open prostatectomy is another type of surgical operation that is helpful in the treatment of prostate. It involves the removal of a prostate gland through a cut in the body.

 

Other types of surgical operation that will help in the treatment of prostate enlargement include Prostatic urethral lift (PUL) implants, Cystoplasty, Prostate artery embolization, Botulinum toxin, Urinary diversion, Water ablation, etc.

 

Always seek the help of a professional medical practitioner before applying any of the listed treatments.

Best Food To Eat To Treat Enlarged Prostate

 

Certain types of foods can also help in the reduction of an enlarged prostate or help you reduce the risk of having an enlarged prostate. Let's take a good look at some of these types of food.

 

• Lycopene foods

 

One of the foods you should consider eating if you have an enlarged prostate is foods containing lycopene. It helps inhibit the growth of normal human prostate in epithelial cells in vitro.

 

Lycopene is a red pigment commonly found in various fruits, such as tomatoes, watermelon, grapefruit, papaya, apricots, fish, and fish oil, mainly fish containing omega-3 fatty acids. It helps reduce prostate size and the risk of prostate enlargement and cancer.

 

• Citrus Foods

 

Foods containing Citrus are essential for the proper functioning of the prostate.

Citrus Fruits help prostate health due to their high level of vitamin C, which reduces the risk of  prostate cancer. Foods containing vitamin C include oranges, grapefruits, and lemons.

 

• Nuts containing Zinc

 

Another food group that has been associated with improving prostate health is nuts containing Zinc. Medical research reveals that the prostate contains a very high level of Zinc itself and that there is a reduction in Zinc levels for individuals with prostate enlargement. Zinc intake also reduces the chances of having prostate cancer. Some foods that contain high levels of Zinc include; cashews, peanuts, almonds, etc.

Brazil Nuts

Another group of food that helps prostate health is Brazil nuts. It contains high levels of selenium which helps reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

 

• Vitamin D

 

Vitamin D is another essential food supplement needed to maintain good prostate health. It is present in the prostate, and its primary function is to maintain the size of the prostate. Food that contains vitamin D includes fish and other supplements.

 

• Foods containing Beta-sitosterol

 

Foods containing Beta Sitosterol can help urine flow in prostate. It is found in most dietary sources. Foods containing Beta Sitosterol include canola oil, avocados, nuts, dark chocolates, and other dietary sources.

Allium Vegetables

 

Another food that can help you improve the health of your prostate is allium Vegetables. They can be found in food supplements such as garlic, onions, etc. It also helps reduce the risk of prostate cancer.

 

Some common foods to avoid if you have prostate Enlargement include; Red Meat, Eggs & Poultry, Processed foods & sugar, Caffeine, Spicy foods, Dairy, Alcohol, etc. These foods increase inflammation and the urge to urinate frequently.

Conclusion

 

Health is wealth. The amount spent on treating prostate enlargement and cancer can be avoided if we properly check our health.

However, suppose you notice prostate enlargement symptoms, rather than checking social media handles to get information or seek prescriptions from friends. In that case, it is better to seek advice from medical personnel.

By Kingkentus