As one that closely follows health information on platforms like ours, you already know how aging makes people more susceptible to certain health conditions. At the very least, aging people have to deal with wrinkles, eye bags, crowfeet, forehead lines, and all sorts. This is why skincare products like Plexaderm are sought by such people.
But while the aforementioned only tell on skin appearance, other aging health problems affect the body system in certain ways. For men, prostate enlargement or BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) is one such.
Here on this welfare page of the International Health Alliance website, we will discuss how possible it is to decrease prostate size. And by the way, this article is born out of studies by reliable sources like Mayo Clinic.
What Is Prostate Enlargement?
As the name implies, it is a condition in which the prostate gland (situated lower than the bladder and one that surrounds the urethra) is enlarged. For the most part, this is because the tissue contained in the prostate gland gets enlarged. Because of the effects on the urethra, this natural pipe that allows urine flow is affected as it becomes narrower.
As a consequence, urinary health problems are one of the major symptoms and risk factors involved. BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) is a more technical name for the enlarged prostate. By the way, enlarged prostate or BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) should not be mistaken for prostate cancer. This is even though they share lots of symptoms. This is why diagnosis by a doctor is important before treatment.
Treatment for Enlarged Prostate or BPH
Judging from all the options available, there are three treatment options for patients with BPH. These are:
- Lifestyle changes
- Medications
- Surgery
For the record, there are situations in which all three will be considered. Besides this, the severity of the condition, personal preferences, and the doctor’s recommendation; determines the treatment approach. One after the other, let’s shed some light on the treatment alternatives:
Lifestyle Changes
There is no doubting the fact that aging men are more susceptible to an enlarged prostate or BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia). But in addition, men with certain lifestyle habits are more susceptible to these health conditions that compromise healthy living.
So, it would help if you made the right lifestyle changes. To this end, some of the things that would help prevent, manage, and reduce enlarged prostate include:
- Frequent exercise – A study from our end, as well as from the likes of Mayo Clinic stresses this.
- Periodic Medical Test – BPH does not become very chronic and severe overnight. The severity of its adverse effects happens gradually. This is why you should schedule and go for your periodic medical tests. It could be a blood and/or urine test, depending on the recommendations of the doctor.
- Proper Diet – You need to consume more of certain foods and less of certain foods. Against this backdrop, you should consume fewer amounts of high-fat foods. On the other hand, lots of foods in the class of veggies and fruits should be consumed. Some studies claim eating foods high in (especially) lean protein will help. A proper diet also implies that such men need to lessen their intake of alcohol and caffeine-rich foods.
All these lifestyle changes should be made to avoid, manage, and reduce the size of the prostate.
Medications
For the most part, this has been the treatment approach many men have taken. Some of the BPH treatment medications include:
- Drugs in the class of Alpha Blockers – Medications like doxazosin, alfuzosin, silodosin, terazosin, and tamsulosin are good examples. These Alpha blockers help in two major ways. This is by curbing the urge to urinate more often and increasing the flow of urine.
- Tadalafil – It hasn’t been too long ago that this medication was approved for BPH treatment. This is as it is primarily for treating erectile dysfunction.
- 5-Alpha-Reductase Enzyme Inhibitors – These drugs reduce the size of the tissue in the prostate gland. Drugs such as dutasteride and finasteride are good examples of 5-Alpha-Reductase Enzyme Inhibitors.
The use of any of these drugs, as well as dosage, should be subject to the doctor’s recommendation.
Surgery
Surgical procedures for the treatment of BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) range from minor to major surgeries. By and large, surgeries for treating BPH include:
- Minimally Invasive Therapy Alternatives – Steam therapy is one of the newly discovered, quickest, and minor options available
- TURP (Transurethral Resection of the Prostate)
- Simple Prostatectomy (Open Prostate Removal)
As stressed several times in this study, treatment must be suggested and overseen by a doctor. For example, it is claimed that palmetto can help treat BPH. But studies are still ongoing. So, caution is of the essence.
Do you want other relevant and interesting articles? Then, check other articles in the welfare section. For example, you can discover vitamins that give you an energy boost.
