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What is an Enlarged Prostate Gland?
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Enlarged prostate gland, also known as BPH (benign prostatic hypertrophy), is a noncancerous condition in which the male prostate gland swells, which, in turn, exerts excessive pressure on the urethra.
The uretha is the tube that carries urine from the bladder through the prostate, and finally out of the penis.
The symptoms of BPH, are: incomplete emptying of the bladder, difficulty starting urination, reduced force of the stream, and frequent urination of small amounts.
These symptoms are very similar to another prostate problem called acute bacterial prostatitis.
It is estimated that 80% of men aged 40 and over have some degree of an enlarged prostate gland, or BPH. The condition may exist for years with little to no symptoms, but progressively worsen with age.
In more rare cases, what is believed to be BPH, or an enlarged prostate gland can, in fact, be prostate cancer or prostatitis (a more serious inflammation of the prostate), which has its own symtpoms such as prostatitis and itching.
Therefore, it's important to check with your doctor about having a PSA blood test done, which can determine whether or not your condition requires immediate medical attention.
What causes an Enlarged Prostate Gland?
The exact cause for BPH is not known. What is known, however, is that normally functioning testicles seem to be a requirement for the condition. Castrated men, or those who have had their testicles removed, do not develop an enlarged prostate gland.
In short, it appears to be, for men, a health condition that is inevitable with aging.
Although an enlarged prostate gland may be unavoidable to some degree, this does not mean nothing can be done about it. The following are some protocols to help improve your prostate health.
Dietary and Lifestyle Steps
1. Eliminate over-the-counter cold medications and decongestants, which have been known to exacerbate the symptoms of an enlarged prostate.
2. Increase consumption of tomatoes, which are rich in lycopene, an important nutrient for prostate health.
3. Reduce intake of dairy products, which have been shown in studies to appreciably raise the risk of prostate cancer.
4. Eat plenty of onions, garlic, and scallions, which recent studies have shown to be highly beneficial for the prostate. For example, Asian men, whose diets are notably high in these foods, have among the lowest rates of prostate cancer.
5. Talk to your doctor about possible meds for enlarged prostate.
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