Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy Treatment And Diet For BPHWhat is Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH)? Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy is also known as Benign Prostatic Hyperlasia.
The prostate is a male gland, located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It secretes a fluid which carries sperm from the testicles during ejaculation. The prostate gland usually begins to enlarge after we cross the middle ages.
The condition in which the prostate gets enlarged is known as BPH.
The prostate gland continues to grow during most of man’s life. This enlargement usually does not pose a threat until the later stages in life. Some symptoms of BPH are present in approximately 75% of the men over the age of 50.
Normally, when the news cells are formed in the prostate gland, the old ones die. The benign growth, however, occurs when the old cells do not die. The cell accumulation thickens the prostate, narrowing the urethra. This can result in urination problems. BPH can also damage the kidneys or cause urinary tract infections. It can also cause an inability to urinate. This requires urgent medical attention.
The exact causes of BPH are unknown. However, researches believe that the possible causes could be:
Aging phenomena
- Decrease of active testosterones in the blood
- Dihydrotestosterone, derived from testosterone in the prostate gland, can encourage the growth of the gland
- Some people believe that cells are given instructions in one’s early life to grow, as a result of which cells re-awake later on and start growing.
Symptoms of BPH - Inability or difficulty to urinate
- Weak, interrupted urine
- Blood in the urine
- Leaking of the urine
- With time, the urethra gets narrower causing:
- Irritability in the bladder
- Frequency of urination
- Urge to urinate
BPH Diet And BPH TreatmentA well-balanced diet and a healthy lifestyle can provide a lot of relief to the patients of BPH. Men should urinate regularly, even when there is no urge for it. Cold weather can increase risk of urine retention. It is, therefore, advised to keep yourself warm. Exercises are also very useful
Some improvements needed in the diet include:
- Reduce the intake of alcohol and caffeinated products
- Green tea contains chemicals called flavonoids that are beneficial for the prostate
- Eating soy products can reduce the symptoms and risk of BPH
- Increase the intake of fruits
- Zinc is useful as it protects the body from prostate cancer
|
