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What is an Enlarged Prostate?

The prostate gland, present in all men, is located just below the bladder and surrounds the urethra. The main function of this gland is to secrete fluids that nurture the sperm. The prostate does not cause any problems in the earlier part of a man’s life; however, as men grow older their prostate glands are at a higher risk of getting infected and enlarged. There are several prostate disorders that could affect men after they enter their 40s. More than 50% of the men in their 60s and almost 90% of the men in their 70s and 80s have at least some symptoms of an enlarged prostate. Prostate enlargement, also known as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) or prostatic hypertrophy can lead to annoying urinary symptoms.

Symptoms of Enlarged Prostate

The severity of prostate enlargement may vary from one person to the other. Some of the symptoms that may be experienced due to this problem include:

• A burning sensation while urinating
• Difficulty when trying to urinate
• A discharge from the penis
• Dribbling after urinating
• Inability to empty the bladder completely
• Increased frequency of urination, especially at night
• Pain in the thigh and lower back
• Sensation of fullness in front of the rectum and behind the scrotum
• Urine retention
• A weak or a thin urine stream throughout urination

It is important to seek medical attention in case any of these symptoms are noticed.

Enlarged Prostate Tests

For an accurate diagnosis, the doctor may recommend tests like:

• Physical exam
• Digital rectal exam
• Neurological exam
• Urinalysis or a urine flow test
• Post-void residual volume test
• Trans-rectal ultrasound

Treatment of Enlarged Prostate

The cures for an enlarged prostate are varied and can include medication, surgical procedures, natural remedies and self care measures.

Medication is usually the first step in treating moderate cases of an enlarged prostate. Some of the drugs that may be prescribed in the treatment of this problem include:

• Alpha blockers
• 5 Alpha Reductase Inhibitors
• Combination drug therapy
• Tadalafil

In case medication does not control the problem and the symptoms continue or worsen, the doctor may recommend a surgery, which could include –

• Holmium laser ablation of the prostate
• Holmium laser enucleation of the prostate
• Open prostatectomy
• Photo-selective vaporization of the prostate
• Prostatic stents
• Transurethral incision of the prostate
• Transurethral microwave thermotherapy
• Transurethral needle ablation
• Transurethral resection of the prostate
• Visual laser ablation of the prostate

Natural remedies also play an important role in the treatment of prostate problems. Some of the common natural and home remedies for an enlarged prostate include:

• Pumpkin Seeds: Eat a handful of plain pumpkin seeds each day after removing the shells. Alternately, you could also prepare some tea made from these seeds and drink a pint of it every day.

• Corn Silk Tea: During the fresh corn season, take the silk of 6 ears of corn. Boil it in a quart of water and allow it to simmer for about 10 minutes. Strain the liquid and drink a cup. For best results, have about 3 cups a week.
• Watermelon Seeds: Collect all the seeds from one slice of watermelon in a cup. Place a quarter cup of the watermelon seeds in a pint of boiling water. When the water cools, strain it and drink the liquid. Have one pint of this tea each day for 10 days.
• Saw Palmetto: Add the extracts of these berries to your daily diet to alleviate prostate problems. However, make sure that you speak with your doctor about daily recommended doses before using saw palmetto
• Stinging Nettle: The extracts of these herbs are easily available in capsule form at most pharmacies and health stores. Ask your physician about the dosage most appropriate for you.

Though many men swear by natural remedies to cure prostate problems, there is no clinical evidence to support this claim. The consumption of certain foods can also help alleviate prostate problems. Make sure that you increase your intake of:

• Soybean
• Tomato
• Fish

Certain self-care measures are also very useful in treating and preventing prostate enlargement. To reduce the risks of prostate problems, most doctors advise men to:

• Drink at least 8 to 10 glasses of water during the day, but before 6:00 PM. Beverages should be strictly avoided for at least 2 hours before bed time.
• Restrict the consumption of alcohol, caffeine and fatty foods, as they increase the production of urine and irritate the bladder.
• Go to the bathroom as soon as the urge arises. Waiting for too long stretches the bladder muscle and causes damage.
• Retrain the bladder by following a fixed schedule for urination. This includes urinating at least once every 4 to 6 hours
• Exercise for at least half an hour each day, around 5 times a week. Being inactive causes the body to retain urine.

It is essential to let your doctor know about any medication which you are under. It is also important to check with your physician before trying any of the natural cures and self-care measures listed above.

References

1. Prostate enlargement: Benign prostatic hyperplasia. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://kidney.niddk.nih.gov/kudiseases/pubs/prostateenlargement/. Accessed Oct. 11, 2011.
2. Barry MJ, et al. Effect of increasing doses of saw palmetto extracts on lower urinary tract symptoms. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2011;306:1344
3. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database.