Prostate enlargement is a condition that could be so upsetting for a man. It could result in the inability of the man to urinate and have a good life.
The prostate is a part of the male reproductive system – the penis, prostate, seminal vesicles, and testicles (1).
The organ is located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum.
It is just about the size of a walnut and surrounds the tube that empties urine from the bladder.
Also, the prostate produces fluid that makes up a part of semen.
Unfortunately, prostate enlargement is one of those illnesses that come with ageing.
When there is an enlargement, the urethra narrows, decreasing urine flow.
You can also refer to this as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia [BPH].
Sadly prostate enlargement affects about 50% of men between the ages of 51 and 60.
It can affect up to 90% of men that are older than 80. (2).
Causes Of Prostate Enlargement
Truly, when a person knows the cause of a thing, it offers a great opportunity to eliminate it.
But in the case of prostate enlargement, the cause is not well understood.
However, one thing is factual – it happens mainly among older men.
What then is it with ageing that triggers it?
One other important thing about the cause of this condition is the fact that it does not happen to men whose testicles were removed before puberty.
Somehow, it appears prostate enlargement has something to do with age and a man’s testicles.
Throwing further light on this, researchers suggest that prostate enlargement could occur as a result of hormonal imbalance.
Men produce testosterone, a male hormone, and small amounts of estrogen, a female hormone.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, there is often a decline in the amount of active testosterone in a man’s blood as he ages (3).
This leaves a higher proportion of estrogen.
Some researchers suggest that BPH may occur because of the higher proportion of estrogen within the prostate.
They claim that this increases the activity of substances that promote prostate cell growth.
Also, some other researchers are of the opinion that dihydrotestosterone (DHT) could have a hand in the enlargement of prostate.
Dihydrotestosterone is a male hormone that plays a role in prostate development and growth.
Studies say even with a drop in blood testosterone levels, older men continue to produce and accumulate high levels of DHT in the prostate.
Basically, this accumulation of DHT may encourage prostate cells to continue to grow.
To support this assertions, scientists say men who do not produce DHT do not develop benign prostatic hyperplasia.
You see, the issue is one with many branches.
Diagnosis Of Prostate Enlargement
For a man to know his prostate is enlarging, he needs to see a physician.
The doctor will diagnose prostate enlargement based on
- A personal and family medical history: That is whether it runs in the family
- A physical exam
- Medical tests
Symptoms Of Prostate Enlargement
Some of the symptoms of this condition are:
- Frequent urination – doing over 8 or more times a day
- Trouble starting a urine stream and frequent urination during periods of sleep
- Inability to delay urination
- A weak or an interrupted urine stream
- Dribbling at the end of urination
- Not being able to urinate at all
- Urinary incontinence – the accidental loss of urine
- Pain after ejaculation or during urination
- Urine that has an unusual color or smell
Unfortunately, these symptoms occur as a result of a blocked urethra or a bladder that is overworked.
This happens because the individual tries to pass urine through the blockage.
Treatments?
There are different treatment options that a man can employ to treat prostate enlargement.
Some of the treatments a doctor could recommend is lifestyle changes, medications, minimally invasive procedures and surgery.
Also, the severity of symptoms determines the kind of treatment that a doctor will recommend.
Furthermore, some of the lifestyle adjustments you can make are:
- Reducing intake of liquids, particularly before going out in public or before periods of sleep
- Training the bladder to hold more urine for longer periods
- Exercising pelvic floor muscles.
- Preventing or treating constipation
- Avoiding or reducing intake of caffeinated beverages and alcohol
- Avoiding or monitoring the use of medications. Some medications that can raise symptoms are decongestants, antihistamines, antidepressants, and diuretics
While you are making lifestyle adjustments, it will be okay to be intentional with your diet.
We have seen that diet plays a role in slowing down the rate of enlargement.
For instance, a study highlights that while vegetables and fruits may have a favorable effect on BPH, milk and dairy products seem to be related to an increased BPH risk (4).
If you are intentional with your diet, you are sure of what you are feeding the prostate gland.
Lowering foods that boost estrogen level could be a good thing to do.
On this, a dietitian can help. They will identify the foods that are healthy for you which can slow enlargement of the prostate.
Some studies recommend that you add onions and garlic to your diet to inhibit the growth of the cancer cells.
Onion And Garlic As natural Remedy
While onions often find its way into our daily meal, Garlic does not really come in.
One has to be intentional about adding garlic, especially when your parents never used it as part of their recipe.
Interestingly, researchers found something unique about allium vegetables – onion (Allium cepa) and garlic
(A. sativum).
A study of 1369 patients aged less than 75 years, showed impressive benefits of these allium vegetables (5).
The study says allium vegetables contain compounds that can inhibits growth of cancer cells. It also helps in preventing other diseases that are associated with ageing.
For instance, consumption of garlic could help the body inhibit key enzymes involved in the production of cholesterol and fatty acid.
This is important because the levels of endogenous cholesterol produces steroid hormones that contribute to prostate enlargement..
Indeed, the interesting thing about these allium vegetables is that they lower the chances of prostate enlargement.
They work as a preventive measure.
See Other Helpful Resources
- Prostate Enlargement: Garlic, Onions Remedy
- 6 Reasons Your Ulcer Is Not Responding To Treatment | #5 Is Major
- Honey For Boosting Sexual Drive | Side Effect And How To Use
- Burantashi [Yohimbe]: Health Benefits And Risks
- Erectile Dysfunction: Natural Remedies For Men Sexual Health
- Men’s Sexual Health: How Not To Be A 2-Minute Man
According to the study, allium vegetables on BPH suggests that a diet rich in onion and garlic may have a favourable effect on the odds of developing BPH.
If you do not like garlic because it produces an offensive odour as an after-effect, you can do a few things.
Take the powder form. This you do by adding a teaspoon to a glass of water and take in the morning.
Also, you can take with honey, but that is if you are not already having raised sugar level.
You can also eat an apple after taking to suppress the odour.
Bottom Line
As a man ages, the food he eats should change to be in line with what his body needs.
Not being particular about what you eat, could result in avoidable health conditions.
Therefore, adding garlic to your meal should not be a thing about the after-effect odour, but whether it increases your health markers.
Also ensure that you add onions to your diet as much as possible.
You can increase the quantity you add to your tomato stew or other meals to ensure you get enough nutrients from it.
As a man, your prostate needs them.