One of the first signs of having an enlarged prostate is the frequent usage of the bathroom at night. The trouble starts off slowly but soon it becomes more frequent making it difficult to adjust to. This is usually when men usually book a doctor’s appointment.
Enlarged prostates occur due to aging. It can get so frequent that it may become difficult to go through the day to day activities. In this article, we have covered the most common symptoms and discussed the various enlarged prostate remedies that can be adopted to help alleviate them.
What are enlarged prostates?
The condition is referred to by several terms. Benign prostate hyperplasia or BPH is one of its common references. This condition generally occurs in men that are over the age of 50. By the time they are 60, almost 50% of men have this condition. As age progresses, the number also increases.
The condition occurs when the prostate has cells that multiply and divide abnormally. This causes the organ to increase in size. When the person has the condition, the flow of the urine through the urethra is blocked. The cells multiply over time putting more pressure on the urethra. This causes the frequent urination. Over time, the bladder may become more sensitive and thicker. It then contracts and so cannot contain even small amounts of urine at a time. The muscles along the bladder become ineffective in even emptying the bladder completely.
It can be very frustrating and uncomfortable to deal with. It comes with a long list of symptoms as well. The problems that come up can also have a negative impact on the quality of life and needs enlarged prostate remedies. It is, however, not a severe health threat.
Symptoms of enlarged prostates
There are some signs that show you may have enlarged prostates. Here are a few signs that you need to look out for.
- The feeling of having an incomplete bladder all the time
- Slow or weak urination
- Frequent urination
- The constant urge to urinate
- Trouble starting the urination
- Waking up too many times at night to urinate
- Urinary stream that stops and starts constantly
- Difficulty in urination
- Dribbling of urine all the time
- Visiting the restroom to urinate even after you are done
These symptoms also bring about an array of bigger problems. The most common one is the urinary tract infection. This is caused because the bladder does not completely empty itself. Other related issues include blood in the urine, acute urinary retention, bladder stones, and incontinence. If the person is not able to urinate at all, it is a medical emergency for which you will have to get admitted to the hospital. In some severe cases, damage to the bladder or the kidney leads to BPH.
Natural remedies for enlarged prostate
The best way to treat enlarged prostates is through natural remedies that can be made and used at home itself. These are effective methods that can provide relief.
Saw Palmetto
This is a herbal component that comes from the fruit of a palm tree. It is used to relieve urinary symptoms for several centuries now.
Beta-Sitosterol
This is a medication that is a mixture derived from several plants which contain plant-based fats. It can help relieve the symptoms of BPH.
Pygeum
This is a remedy that comes from the African plum tree bark. It has been used to treat urinary problems since ancient times. It can also help with enlarged prostate symptoms. You can also find it being used in medications in Europe. It is safe to use and can be very effective for some patients.
Ryegrass pollen
This is an extract that is made from 3 different types of pollen. It contains pollen from Timothy, corn, and rye. Men who take this extract on a daily basis show an improvement in the frequency of urination at night.
Other medications for enlarged prostate
There are several FDA approved medications that can relieve the symptoms of the condition. Each of these medications works differently. You can also find a decline in the symptoms as you keep using the medication. The side effects from these medications are also very rare.
Alpha Blockers: These are drugs that effectively relieve the symptoms from the BPH.
5 Alpha Reductase Inhibitors: They work on shrinking the size of the prostate by decreasing the levels of the hormone dihydrotestosterone. This drug takes longer to work than the alpha blockers.
TUMT: This is a therapy that is generally suggested for moderate blockages. The transurethral microwave thermotherapy is where a selected tissue that is causing the issue is destroyed. A cooling system that is in place protects the urethra.
Among all the enlarged prostate remedies, surgery is considered only in certain rare cases. Only when the condition has become unmanageable do doctors suggest surgery. The risk is very high and there is no guarantee that the condition can be cured.
A doctor will recommend which enlarged prostate remedies will be most suitable based on the extent of the condition and the health of the patient.
