An enlarged prostate is a medical condition that most commonly affects men over 50. This condition, often called benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH, is non-cancerous but can sometimes have similar symptoms to prostate cancer. BPH is the result of natural cell division and growth and hormone changes from testesterone.
The prostate is a very important organ in the male reproductive system because it helps to produce fluid for semen. Nearly all men experience prostate growth, with the majority developing BPH as they age but symptoms vary from patient to patient.
Common symptoms
1. frequent and urgent urination
2. troubles with urine stream
3. urinary leakage and dribbling
4. pain after urination, and urine remaining in the bladder.
Natural ways to treat an Enlarged Prostate
Even if you have an enlarged prostate, that does not mean you must live with the symptoms for the rest of your life. Your doctor might advise one of several approaches to treat BPH, including lifestyle changes, medication changes, and other treatments. The remedies and treatments available will depends on your own health situation and how disruptive the symptoms have become.
EXERCISE
It can improve with your overall fitness, as well as benefit your prostate health. Studies have shown a connection between increased physical activity and reduced risk of BPH, with exercise of any type having some degree of benefit.
Seated activities, such cycling, can put pressure on the perineum (area between the scrotum and anus) and groin. This can lead to numbness or pinched nerves. To avoid these issues, make sure you utilize a wide seat and engage in a variety of activity types.
you can also try Kegel exercises to strengthen your pelvic muscles and reduce urine dribbling. To do these exercises, squeeze the muscles that affect urine flow and then release, repeating several times to train the muscles.
Reduce Caffeine and Alcohol Consumption
Caffeine and alcoholic beverages can irritate the prostate and bladder, leading to more urgency to empty the bladder. They can weaken bladder muscles and lead to increased kidney stimulation as well. If you're experiencing BPH, reduce coffee and alcohol intake and don't drink it at all late at night.
Switch to Comparable Medications
Some general over-the-counter medications can worsen prostate symptoms, so it's important to let your doctor know what you're taking. These medications might include antidepressants, antihistamines, decongestants, and diuretics.
Herbal medicines
Saw palmetto
It is an herbal remedy that people are using for centuries to treat urinary problems. Many people using it as a natural remedy to treat enlarged prostate. It is usually safe but may cause headache or upset stomach.
Ryegrass pollen extract
It consists of three types of grass – rye, timothy and corn. It provides relief from prostate pain or swelling of the prostate. Some patients of enlarged prostate said that the frequency of urination had decreased during the night.
Pygeum
It comes from the bark of the plum tree in Africa that is a traditional medicine to treat urinary problems. It’s long-term safety is not yet known.
When to See a Doctor
If you don't see a reduction in symptoms or if your symptoms worsen, you may need to undergo a different treatment plan.
Prescription Medications
The first higher-level treatment is to begin taking prescription drugs for an enlarged prostate. One class of medication is an alpha blocker. These medications, such as Flomax, Rapaflo, and Cardura, work by relaxing the affected muscles around the prostate to encourage urine flow.
Another type of medication is a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor. Examples of these medications include Proscar and Avodart, which are long-term medications that help to block the production of dihydrotestosterone and shrink the size of the prostate.
Surgery and Minimally Invasive Procedures
For moderate to severe BPH, you may need a medical procedure to relieve your symptoms. There are a variety of procedures, including laser therapy, microwave heat, or prostate tissue compression.
Partial prostate removal and full removal are more invasive but may be necessary for extremely large prostate glands.
TURP, or transurethral resection of the prostate, is the standard procedure for symptomatic BPH. By removing prostate tissue, TURP helps to reduce symptoms like the frequent need to urinate, a feeling that the bladder hasn't fully emptied, and urinary tract infections.
It is safe and effective. TUIP, or transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP), is a series of small cuts in the prostate to reduce the gland's pressure on the urethra and make urinating easier.
TURP AND TUIP are performed under spinal anesthesia.