Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
(BPH)

Enlarged prostate

What is BPH?

Benign prostatic hypertrophy or (BPH) is the gradual enlargement of the prostate which occurs in most men as they age. This seems to be a natural process and is very common affecting over 10 million American men; half of all men over the age of 50 and nearly 80% of men over the age of 70.  Why the prostate starts to enlarge is not specifically known but is thought to be related to the effect of male hormones, including testosterone, on the aging gland. Family history of prostate enlargement can also increase the odds of developing BPH.

Testosterone Levels and BPH

After the age of fifty or so, a man's testosterone and free testosterone levels decrease while the levels of other hormones, such as prolactin and estradiol, increase. This creates an increase in the amount of dihydrotestosterone - a very potent form of testosterone within the prostate. This causes a hyperplasia (overproduction) of prostate cells, which ultimately results in prostate enlargement. While not cancerous, as the gland gets bigger, it tends to squeeze the urethra causing urinary problems. If it becomes too large, it obstructs the urethral canal, interfering with urination and the ability to empty the bladder completely.

Enlarged Prostate Effects your Kidneys

Bladder infections are associated with both prostatitis and enlarged prostate. An enlarged prostate gland is not a serious problem unless urination becomes extremely difficult, or backed-up urine causes bladder infections or kidney damage. Because the bladder cannot empty completely, the kidneys also may not empty as they should. Unwanted pressure on the kidneys can result in severe damage and possible kidney failure.

Number One Symptom of Prostate Enlargement (BPH)

The major symptom of enlargement of the prostate is the need to pass urine frequently, with frequency increasing as time goes on. A man may find himself rising several times during the night to urinate. There can also be pain, burning and difficulty in starting and stopping urination. The presence of blood in the urine is not uncommon. Some dribbling is very common and not necessarily a sign of prostate problems.

Is Prostate Surgery Necessary?

While prostate surgery is an option, it is normally not necessary for enlarged prostate issues. Prostate surgery used to be a common treatment for an enlarged prostate (BPH) however recent research and studies show that most cases of prostate enlargement do not get worse over time and can be treated naturally. Many men find that their symptoms are stable and some even clear up on their own. In these cases, the best treatment is no treatment at all. Prescription drugs are available that can help to improve symptoms however, they are very expensive and many of them can cause serious side effects.  Natural supplements and a change in your daily lifestyle have proven to be very effective in most cases. For additional ways to prevent or cure prostate enlargement (BPH), we advise you to check with your doctor or health care practitioner.

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Prostate Enlargement: Prevention and Treatment Options

Effective Ways to Prevent and Avoid BPH

• Avoid antihistamines and decongestants, which can make urinary problems worse.
• If you are bothered by a frequent urge to urinate at night, cut down on beverages, especially alcohol and caffeine, before bedtime
• Don´t postpone urinating, and take plenty of time. Try sitting on the toilet instead of standing.
• If dribbling after urination is a problem, wash your penis once a day to prevent infection.
• Consider daily supplementation of natural nutritional products which contain Saw Palmetto, or better yet Beta Sitosterol which is a derivative of Saw Palmetto only many hundred times the potency.
• Avoid exposure to very cold weather.
• Get regular exercise. Do not ride a bicycle, however; this may put pressure on the prostate. Walking is good exercise.
• Use hydrotherapy to increase circulation in the prostate region.
• Eat 1 to 4 ounces of raw pumpkin seeds every day. Pumpkin seeds are helpful for almost all prostate troubles because they are rich in zinc. As an alternative, pumpkin seed oil can be taken in capsule form.
• Eliminate from your lifestyle such items as tobacco, alcoholic beverages (especially beer and wine), caffeine (especially coffee and tea), chlorinated and fluoridated water, spicy and junk foods, and tomato and tomato products. Limit your exposure to pesticides and other environmental contaminants.
• Take steps to reduce your blood cholesterol level. Studies have shown a connection between high cholesterol and prostate disorders.
• Add more Zinc to your diet. Zinc deficiency is linked to enlargement of the prostate. Soil used for farming is often deficient in zinc, and unless you eat bulks of cereals or brewer´s yeast, it is difficult to get enough zinc in the diet. Be careful, too much zinc (over 100 milligrams a day) can depress immune function. Many prostate supplements add zinc; look for one with about 15mg, which is the recommended daily requirement.

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Medical Treatment and Drug Options

• All men aged forty or over should have a semi annual rectal examination, during which the prostate gland is checked.
  
• Enlarged prostate may be treated surgically with a procedure called transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP).This should be your last consideration only after all other methods have failed. About 350,000 TURPs were done in the United States in 1990. Side effects of the procedure include retrograde ejaculation (in which the semen is pumped back up into the bladder) and in some cases caused impotence or incontinence. About 15 percent of men who have the procedure need another operation within eight years. Note: many natural treatment advocates suggest that 60 to 80% of the surgical procedures performed in the U.S are unnecessary, so be sure to get a second opinion before you go under the knife.
  
• A rather expensive drug finasteride (Proscar) is sometimes used to treat moderate prostate enlargement. It blocks an enzyme that converts the male hormone testosterone into dihydrotestosterone, which promotes the growth of prostate tissue. Be careful, because it also reduces the amount of prostate tissue, and can skew the results of the blood test used to detect prostate cancer.
  
• The injectable drug leuprolide (Lupron) may shrink an enlarged prostate but carries with it rather serious side effects. The common side effects that can occur include impotence, decreased libido and even hot flashes. You should take this drug only if you are not concerned with potency. It is available by a doctor´s prescription only.

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How to Treat Enlarged Prostate (BPH) Naturally

• Alternative treatments may be employed by herbalists. Research now shows that this safe, simple preparation may equal widely prescribed pharmaceutical preparations in treating BPH, without the side effects. Other herbs that contribute to prostate health are also reviewed in Christopher Hobbs book: Saw Palmetto: The herb for prostate health, and are explained in detail.
• One method involves sitting in a tub that contains the hottest water tolerable for fifteen to thirty minutes once or twice a day. Another form of hydrotherapy involves spraying the lower abdomen and pelvic area with warm and cold water, alternating between three minutes of hot water and one minute of cold. Still another technique involves sitting in hot water while immersing the feet in cold water for three minutes, and then sitting in cold water while immersing the feet in hot water for one minute.
• Increase fluid intake. Drink two to three quarts of spring or distilled water daily to stimulate urine flow. This helps to prevent cystitis and kidney infection as well as dehydration.
• If your prostate is enlarged, be cautious about using over-the-counter cold and allergy remedies. Many of these products
  contain ingredients that can inflame the condition and cause urinary retention.
• Engaging in sexual intercourse while the prostate is infected and irritated may further irritate the prostate and delay recovery.
• Consider daily supplementation of a natural nutritional product which contains Beta-Sitosterol, a derivative of Saw Palmetto with 3000 times the potency.

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