The prostate is the muscular gland in the reproductive system of men, which is very small in size. Almost 50% of men who are in their 60s face prostate enlargement, and this percentage reaches 90% for those who are 85 years old or above. The first sign of prostate enlargement is frequent urination at night. This condition of an enlarged prostate is also called BPH or Benign Prostate Hyperplasia. This condition takes place when the number of cells in the prostate gland begins to multiply, and the additional cells prevent the flow of urine by squeezing the urethra. Here are some of the causes and natural remedies for prostate enlargement.
Causes of an enlarged prostate
Enlarged prostate or BPH is a common medical condition for men who are aging, and men above 80 are the most likely to face some symptoms of BPH. However, the exact cause or the reason for BPH is still unknown. One of the factors for this could be the changes that occur in the generation of the male sex hormone with aging. Sometimes, prostate problems could be hereditary as well. Also, if there are any issues with the testicles, the person might also face the risk of developing BPH. Moreover, men whose testicles have been removed previously will not be facing the problem of an enlarged prostate.
Symptoms of BPH
Before proceeding further to know the remedies for prostate enlargement, you should be aware of the symptoms that are associated with BPH. These symptoms are mild at the beginning. However, they become more and more critical as time passes by. Therefore, it is extremely important to take the required action as soon as you face the following symptoms:
- The bladder is not getting emptied properly
- Urinating more than two to three times every night
- Weakened urinary stream
- Urge for urination out of nowhere
- Dribbling toward the end of urination
- Pain while urinating
- Blood coming out while urinating
If you are continuously experiencing such serious issues, you need to seek advice from your doctor straight away. BPH is treatable; if you can treat these symptoms early, you will be able to avoid any complications arising with BPH.
Natural remedies for prostate enlargement
Foods that help treat BPH
A study conducted showed that people who consume a diet that includes leafy vegetables are less likely to face the dreadful issue of prostate enlargement. Also, fruits play a crucial role in eliminating the symptoms of BPH. Moreover, those who have a higher chance of getting affected by BPH should also increase their intake of tomatoes, because it is quite helpful in alleviating and curing the BPH symptoms. One thing that should be noted here is that a single vegetable or fruit will not be enough to treat BPH. A combination of fruits and vegetables can be considered as one of the remedies for prostate enlargement.
Stinging nettle
Stinging nettle is undoubtedly one of the best remedies for prostate enlargement. When you touch its leaves, the hair on it will cause intense pain. However, if one uses it as medicine, it can have a wondrous effect on your prostate problem. The nettle root is the part commonly used to treat BPH in Europe. However, nothing has been found in various studies conducted on stinging nettle to prove that only using it will cure prostate enlargement. Furthermore, using it in combination with saw palmetto or pygeum can be a good idea for treating BPH.
Pygeum
Pygeum is actually derived from the bark of an African plum tree. From the ancient times, it is being used in the treatment of urinal problems. Pygeum is often used to treat BPH naturally. Though there is not enough conclusive evidence that could show the efficacy of pygeum in treating BPH, some small studies conducted on pygeum showed that it could help in emptying the bladder and improving the urine flow.
Beta-Sitosterol
It is a herbal medication that is actually a combination of various plants and contains substances like cholesterol. Several studies have found that beta-sitosterol can treat many symptoms of BPH and especially, it is effective in developing the strength in urine flow. Scientists have propounded that the fatty substances found in beta-sitosterol can work wonderfully when it comes to treating BPH.
Saw palmetto
Saw palmetto is undoubtedly one of the best natural remedies for prostate enlargement. This fruit from a tree that is quite like the palm tree has been used as an alternative medicine for urinary problems for years now. Various studies conducted on saw palmetto have concluded that it can be very useful when it comes to treating BPH.
It is important to keep in mind that even if the medication is labeled “natural,” it may not be safe to use for you. Therefore, before taking any medication that is tagged as natural, ensure that you gather information about it. Also, it is important to consult your medical professional even in the case of natural remedies in order to avoid any kind of side effects and get the best results.
