Swollen Prostate: Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia which is commonly known as BPH and it is the medical term for a swollen prostate. It is very common in men and can cause a great deal of discomfort.
It is estimated that 50% of men residing in western countries suffer from this health problem. In countries like the United States, about 4.5 millions cases were reported to have visited physicians with prostate problems in the year 2000.
The male prostate glands are located under the bladder which wraps around the urethra. It is a small organ which controls the sexual functions and that also aids in the bladder control. Usually there are no signs of a problem if the prostate is growing naturally. However, quite a significant number of men have prostate disorders.
Swollen Prostate Symptoms
In an enlarged prostate, the layer of the tissue surrounding it restricts it from expanding due to which the prostate presses urethra. This choking of the urethra causes uncomfortable urinary symptoms. It creates a lot of discomfort like frequent urge for urination, slowness in the flow of urine, minimized pressure, difficulty in emptying the bladder etc.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia may cause serious problems if not taken care in the early stage. Retention of urine may cause severe urinary tract infections. It may also damage the kidney or bladder due to the strain caused while holding urine for longer period of time.
Swollen Prostate Remedies
Many researches and studies indicate that zinc deficiency is one of the major causes of BPH. So intake of zinc will prove to be helpful, especially for enlarged prostates or the inflamed ones. Experts suggest taking supplements of 50 to 100mg zinc daily. It may help you to reduce or shrink a swollen prostate.
It has also been found through researches that vitamin C’s diuretic effect makes the process of urination easier. Vitamin C is also considered to be highly beneficial for preventing infection in enlarged prostate. Another beneficial nutrient for BPH is the lycopene which is present in all colored fruits and vegetables.
In a recent study, the effect of lycopene on BPH showed positive results because it slows down the growth and even stops it. However, it is important to visit a doctor who can diagnose the root cause and decide on the treatment.
Antibiotics are commonly used for the treatment of BPH. The doctor may prescribe medications to shrink an enlarged prostate and relax the prostate gland. The effect of an antibiotic however may differ from person to person. Warm water may give immediate relief to people having prostate problems.
Fill in a tub with warm water and soak yourself for 15 to 20 minutes. The warm water will relax the muscles and will help the prostate to shrink. It will also helps in relieving the urinary symptoms. There are natural herbs that may prove to be beneficial for BPH.
The tendency for BPH is high in elderly males and they experience difficulty in urination. Other than medicines, surgery is the best option to treat this problem. The surgery is termed as transurethral resection of the prostate. Swollen prostate if treated on time will prevent many complications.
