Introduction
Prostatic enlargement, or benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), is an enlargement of the prostate. This is the gland in men that surrounds the urethra, the tube that carries urine out the body. BPH affects almost all men as they get older. While not cancer, it can be troublesome -- though usually not seriously enough to warrant medical treatment.
When the prostate enlarges, it can put pressure on the urethra, causing problems with urination. If your symptoms cause you significant discomfort or you have other symptoms, including backed-up urine, bladder infections, or bladder stones, consult your doctor.
Symptoms
Symptoms appear gradually once the prostate reaches a size in which it interferes with the release of urine through the urethra. This causes trickling or dribbling when urinating, and a frequent urge to urinate even after having used the bathroom. Repeated urging may become most obvious at night, as those experiencing BPH must wake up several times to urinate. Urinary flow may be diminished, or start and stop. This is often most noticeable in the morning.
Urinary difficulties may mean that the bladder is only being partly emptied, which increases the risk of urinary stones and urinary tract infections. If the bladder overfills with urine, the condition can lead to kidney failure. Fever or burning pains during urination typically suggest an inflammation.
BPH does not lead to prostate cancer or inhibit your ability to father children, and is not associated with erectile dysfunction.
Causes/Risk Factors
BPH appears to be a normal part of the aging process in men, caused by changes in hormone balance and in cell growth.
A sudden, acute infection of the prostate is caused by a bacterial infection, which has spread from another urinary tract infection or from a sexually transmitted disease, such as gonorrhoea. Acute infections can recur and become chronic if not properly treated. Repeated infections, especially those due to sexually transmitted diseases, increase the risk of prostate cancer.
Although prostatic enlargement is not cancer, both may be linked to hormonal changes that occur as men get older, similar to the menopausal changes experienced by women. Hormonal imbalances may be caused by nutritional deficiencies and cholesterol abnormalities.
What can I do?
Relax before urination. Feeling stressed about the problem can make it worse.
Take breaks while urinating. Try sitting down instead of standing. Urinate as much as you can, stop and relax, and then try urinating again. Give yourself lots of time.
Focus on other things, such as reading, while you're waiting. Turn on a tap or picture a waterfall or other water source in your mind that can �suggest� urination to your body.
Limit your intake of caffeine, alcohol and other diuretics (substances that tend to increase and speed up the release of urine); however, don't limit your intake of fluids just to avoid urinating. If you wake often in the night to urinate, reduce your intake of fluids in the evening.
Avoid hydrogenated fats from processed foods such as margarine and vegetable shortening, and limit your intake of saturated fats from red meat. These fats, in contrast to beneficial essential fatty acids, exacerbate prostate enlargement. Also, limit the intake of sugar, which puts undue stress on the hormonal system.
Avoid taking antihistamines, decongestants, nasal sprays and allergy pills. Ask your doctor about alternatives to these medications, which can sometimes affect your ability to urinate.
Consult your doctor if you can't urinate at all, have a fever over 38°C (100°F), chills, or body aches and have lower back pain just below your rib cage that's not related to an injury or physical activity, or if you see blood or pus in your urine.
Your doctor may recommend surgery to remove part of the prostate if your symptoms are extremely severe. These symptoms usually stem from a persistent inability to release urine, resulting in bladder infections, bladder stones and kidney damage.
What You Can Take
Nuts and seeds contain essential fatty acids and zinc, nutrients which inhibit the hormonal process that causes swelling of the prostate. Unrefined, cold-pressed nut and seed oils such as flaxseed, walnut and sesame seed oil are excellent sources of essential fatty acids. Use them liberally on fresh fruit and vegetable salads.
Pumpkin seeds are particularly rich in zinc. Chew them throughout the day or add them to salads or cereal. Made into seed butter with added herbs, pumpkin seeds become a delicious spread. Adding nutritional yeast to the daily diet provides both zinc and vitamin B6, which the body needs to absorb zinc. Eggs and sardines also provide zinc with vitamin B6.
Soybeans and soybean products, such as tofu and miso, contain phytoestrogens, which have a beneficial effect on prostate health. Substitute tempeh for ground beef in pasta sauce or chili. Other ways to get soy into the diet are to use soy milk instead of cow�s milk with cereal and mix tofu in soups, pastas, salads and stir-fried vegetables.
Good foods for prostate health, including the prevention of cancer, are organically grown, fresh, leafy green vegetables, whole grains and raw wheat germ. Freshly pressed juices of carrots, green vegetables, citrus fruits and mangoes are a concentrated source of healthy nutrients. They also provide enzymes for digestive health.
Dietary supplements, including saw palmetto and beta-sitosterol, can help with BPH symptoms. BPH may also be treated with medicine if home treatments fail to work.
Generally, however, medications can only reduce symptoms, not eliminate them. Furthermore, the potential side effects -- decreased sex drive, fatigue, dizziness, headaches -- can be worse than the actual symptoms. Ask your doctor whether supplements or medication would be beneficial for you.
Further Resources
Contact the Canadian Prostate Health Council at www.canadian-prostate.com.
