Enlarged prostate symptoms are of concern to many men
Although some consider the condition a natural part of the aging process, there are enlarged prostate treatments that can relieve symptoms and are often recommended for any man over the age of 50.
Many of these are herbal treatments, not prescription drugs, and the two should, in most cases not be combined. And certainly not before speaking with your doctor.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia is the medical term for non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. Located below the bladder and surrounding the urethra, which carries urine from the bladder through the penis, the gland is about the size of a walnut in young men.
As men age, it is common for the gland to become enlarged, although the reasons for the increase in size are unclear.
The current theory is that an enlarged prostate is part of the aging process caused by changes in hormone levels.
Since only about half of all men over the age of 50 experience enlarged prostate symptoms, this theory is debatable.
Even though the cause of the condition is basically unknown, the cause of enlarged prostate symptoms is easy to understand. As the gland becomes larger, it narrows the urethra, while increasing pressure on the bladder, leading to discomfort and, in some cases, other complications.
Recommendations for enlarged prostate treatments vary among health care professionals.
Based upon the theory that this is part of the natural aging process, some health care professionals suggest that treatment is unnecessary, unless symptoms are severe or causing complications.
Other doctors prescribe drugs that have additional risks and side effects. Practitioners of Alternative Medicine, traditional healers and many other professionals suggest herbal enlarged prostate products and treatments.
Some research has shown that herbal enlarged prostate treatments are just as effective as the available prescription drugs and carry no unwanted side effects. In fact the most common herbal remedy (Saw Palmetto) for enlarged prostate symptoms is also believed by some to be a prostate cancer preventative.
Symptoms and Complications
The common symptoms include:
difficulty starting and stopping the urine stream or a weak stream, frequent urge to urinate, awakening at night to urinate or a sense that the bladder is not completely empty after urination.
In some cases, the increased size of the prostate blocks the bladder outlet, making urination impossible or extremely difficult.
The more severe symptoms, when urination is difficult or impossible, can lead to infections, stones, kidney damage, irritation of the bladder muscles and sometimes erectile dysfunctions. In the most severe cases, surgery is required to relieve blockage of the bladder outlet.
Prescription Drugs
The most common pharmaceutical enlarged prostate treatments include the name brands Proscar, Propecia and Fincar or the generic equivalent Finasteride.
These drugs inhibit the production of an enzyme that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone in the human body.
Finasteride is prescribed in low doses to treat enlarged prostate and male pattern baldness and in high doses to treat prostate cancer. Side effects may include depression, allergic reactions, testicular pain and sexual dysfunction.
The drug is currently being investigated in Sweden for possibly causing irreversible sexual side effects.
Gynecomastia or enlargement of the male breasts, which can be accompanied by tenderness and discharge from the nipples, has been seen in some men using Finasteride.
This is caused by the reduction of dihydrotestosterone, which protects a man's body from the effects of estrogen produced in his adrenal glands.
In addition, some scientists believe that use of Finasteride by younger men may actually increase the likelihood of developing enlarged prostate symptoms.
This additional warning is added primarily for those men who choose the drug as a treatment for male pattern baldness.
Finasteride should not be used by women and women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should not handle the drug, as it can cause birth defects.
Herbal Enlarged Prostate Treatments
The most common herbal enlarged prostate treatments include saw palmetto, African potato and other natural anti-inflammatories.
A natural inflammatory is a plant compound that has been shown to reduce swelling in the human body. There is a long list of natural inflammatories used by traditional healers.
African potato or hypoxis rooperi has a long history as a natural treatment for testicular tumors, enlarged prostate, urinary infections and to strengthen the immune system.
The active compound has been identified as beta-sitosterol, which as a molecular structure similar to cholesterol, and is used as a dietary supplement to lower blood cholesterol levels, reduced the risk of colon cancer and to relieve enlarged prostate symptoms
Clinical studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association support Saw Palmetto as one of the more effective enlarged prostate treatments.
It may work in a somewhat similar way as Finasteride, in that it interferes with dihydrotestosterone, but it does not block production of the enzyme that converts testosterone to the other hormone.
Some clinical trials have shown that Saw Palmetto is beneficial in the treatment of male pattern baldness, but side effects are far less common than those associated with Propecia (Finasteride).
In addition, the plant contains beta-sitosterol, as does the African potato, so other health benefits may be seen. Historical use supports the safety and effectiveness of this natural remedy. Recorded documents show that it has been used for at least 200 years for urinary and genital problems.
Consumers should choose carefully when purchasing any of the herbal enlarged prostate treatments, follow directions carefully and never combine the herbal remedies with prescription remedies for the same condition. This could result in an increased incidence of side effects.
Also, some dietary supplements containing Saw Palmetto extract focus only on one compound found in the plant, but it is likely that the components of the whole plant work together to bring about the relief of enlarged prostate symptoms.
Although some consider the condition a natural part of the aging process, there are enlarged prostate treatments that can relieve symptoms and are often recommended for any man over the age of 50.
Many of these are herbal treatments, not prescription drugs, and the two should, in most cases not be combined. And certainly not before speaking with your doctor.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia is the medical term for non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. Located below the bladder and surrounding the urethra, which carries urine from the bladder through the penis, the gland is about the size of a walnut in young men.
As men age, it is common for the gland to become enlarged, although the reasons for the increase in size are unclear.
The current theory is that an enlarged prostate is part of the aging process caused by changes in hormone levels.
Since only about half of all men over the age of 50 experience enlarged prostate symptoms, this theory is debatable.
Even though the cause of the condition is basically unknown, the cause of enlarged prostate symptoms is easy to understand. As the gland becomes larger, it narrows the urethra, while increasing pressure on the bladder, leading to discomfort and, in some cases, other complications.
Recommendations for enlarged prostate treatments vary among health care professionals.
Based upon the theory that this is part of the natural aging process, some health care professionals suggest that treatment is unnecessary, unless symptoms are severe or causing complications.
Other doctors prescribe drugs that have additional risks and side effects. Practitioners of Alternative Medicine, traditional healers and many other professionals suggest herbal enlarged prostate products and treatments.
Some research has shown that herbal enlarged prostate treatments are just as effective as the available prescription drugs and carry no unwanted side effects. In fact the most common herbal remedy (Saw Palmetto) for enlarged prostate symptoms is also believed by some to be a prostate cancer preventative.
Symptoms and Complications
The common symptoms include:
difficulty starting and stopping the urine stream or a weak stream, frequent urge to urinate, awakening at night to urinate or a sense that the bladder is not completely empty after urination.
In some cases, the increased size of the prostate blocks the bladder outlet, making urination impossible or extremely difficult.
The more severe symptoms, when urination is difficult or impossible, can lead to infections, stones, kidney damage, irritation of the bladder muscles and sometimes erectile dysfunctions. In the most severe cases, surgery is required to relieve blockage of the bladder outlet.
Prescription Drugs
The most common pharmaceutical enlarged prostate treatments include the name brands Proscar, Propecia and Fincar or the generic equivalent Finasteride.
These drugs inhibit the production of an enzyme that converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone in the human body.
Finasteride is prescribed in low doses to treat enlarged prostate and male pattern baldness and in high doses to treat prostate cancer. Side effects may include depression, allergic reactions, testicular pain and sexual dysfunction.
The drug is currently being investigated in Sweden for possibly causing irreversible sexual side effects.
Gynecomastia or enlargement of the male breasts, which can be accompanied by tenderness and discharge from the nipples, has been seen in some men using Finasteride.
This is caused by the reduction of dihydrotestosterone, which protects a man's body from the effects of estrogen produced in his adrenal glands.
In addition, some scientists believe that use of Finasteride by younger men may actually increase the likelihood of developing enlarged prostate symptoms.
This additional warning is added primarily for those men who choose the drug as a treatment for male pattern baldness.
Finasteride should not be used by women and women who are pregnant or may become pregnant should not handle the drug, as it can cause birth defects.
Herbal Enlarged Prostate Treatments
The most common herbal enlarged prostate treatments include saw palmetto, African potato and other natural anti-inflammatories.
A natural inflammatory is a plant compound that has been shown to reduce swelling in the human body. There is a long list of natural inflammatories used by traditional healers.
African potato or hypoxis rooperi has a long history as a natural treatment for testicular tumors, enlarged prostate, urinary infections and to strengthen the immune system.
The active compound has been identified as beta-sitosterol, which as a molecular structure similar to cholesterol, and is used as a dietary supplement to lower blood cholesterol levels, reduced the risk of colon cancer and to relieve enlarged prostate symptoms
Clinical studies published in the Journal of the American Medical Association support Saw Palmetto as one of the more effective enlarged prostate treatments.
It may work in a somewhat similar way as Finasteride, in that it interferes with dihydrotestosterone, but it does not block production of the enzyme that converts testosterone to the other hormone.
Some clinical trials have shown that Saw Palmetto is beneficial in the treatment of male pattern baldness, but side effects are far less common than those associated with Propecia (Finasteride).
In addition, the plant contains beta-sitosterol, as does the African potato, so other health benefits may be seen. Historical use supports the safety and effectiveness of this natural remedy. Recorded documents show that it has been used for at least 200 years for urinary and genital problems.
Consumers should choose carefully when purchasing any of the herbal enlarged prostate treatments, follow directions carefully and never combine the herbal remedies with prescription remedies for the same condition. This could result in an increased incidence of side effects.
Also, some dietary supplements containing Saw Palmetto extract focus only on one compound found in the plant, but it is likely that the components of the whole plant work together to bring about the relief of enlarged prostate symptoms.
Author: Mila Sabido is an editor of quality articles online. Visit http://www.nutritional-supplements-guides.com now for more quality articles about health and nutritional supplements.
by: Mila Sabido
Author, http://www.nutritional-supplements-guides.com
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Mila_T_Sabido
by: Mila Sabido
Author, http://www.nutritional-supplements-guides.com
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