Most men in their 50's and up have a common experience and share a common problem. No, I'm not referring to having gray hairs or much worse, getting bald. It is something more serious than that. At this age, most men have interrupted night sleep due to frequent trips to the comfort room, groan in agony and feeling so heavy as if dribbling more than the other players in a basketball game. These are signs of a prostate problem.
To begin with, you may ask, what is prostate? Well, certainly not someone in favor of the state. Prostate is actually a chestnut gland located below the bladder. It is shaped like a donut and it surrounds the urethra (a tube to which the urine flows from the bladder). Once the prostate is inflamed, it can push the urethra, pinch it and cause it to narrow and as a result the muscular wall of the bladder contracts more strongly to expel urine. The bladder will hold less and less urine resulting to having to urinate more and more.
The most common prostate disorders are: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and Prostatitis. BPH which is traditionally known as the “old man's disease” because reports state that about 50% to 60% of men over 50 years of age have some indication of BPH; Prostatitis is the inflammation of the prostate gland caused by bacteria or have unknown cause.
BPH and Prostatitis exhibit almost the same symptoms like frequent and urgent urination, increased nighttime urination and a urine stream that is weak and thin. However, in Prostastitis, men feel pain between the rectum and back of the scrotum, in the lower abdominals, above the pubic bone or, in and around the groin and the testicles.
Another condition affecting prostate is the Prostatodynia which occurs if there are prostatitis-like symptoms that appear to originate in the prostate but there is no evidence of the presence of bacteria or inflammation. Here, the prostate is generally normal or slightly tender. Tension headache is likely to occur.
What to do when you have prostate disorder?
- Proper Diet. Soy rich diets are helpful as these help eliminate DHT (5-Alpha-Dihydrotestosterone), a hormone which promote continued prostate growth. Refrain from ingesting beer, caffeine, spicy or acidic foods and alcohol since these may irritate prostate.
-
- Exercise. This helps relieve symptoms of prostate.
- Water. Drink plenty of water to reduce risk of dehydration and infection in the bladder. Water dilutes fairly the urine retained in the bladder.
- Avoid Decongestants and Antihistamines. These indications seem to cause the prostate to contract which causes decrease in urine flow.
- Stay in love. Making love can help prevent prostate problems.
- Take Food Supplements. Having sufficient intake of zinc and B vitamins regulate the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT. Essential fatty acids may help control prostate inflammation.
