To treat the enlarged prostate, which is usually caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia, the urologist usually indicates the use of medicines to relax the muscles of the prostate and relieve symptoms such as difficulty urinating or sudden urge to urinate, for example.
Check for any signs that may indicate prostate enlargement.
However, in more severe cases where it is not possible to control the problem with medication or there is a risk that the prostate enlargement is being caused by cancer, it may be necessary to have surgery to remove the prostate and cure the problem.
Main remedies used
Treatment for the enlarged prostate is usually started with the use of medications that help relieve symptoms and prevent complications like urinary retention or kidney stones, for example.
Some of the most prescribed remedies by the urologist include:
- Remedies to relax the muscles of the prostate, such as alpha-blockers including tamsulosin, alfuzosin, doxazosin and silodosin;
- Remedies to reduce male hormones and decrease prostate size, such as finasteride and dutasteride;
- Antibiotics to decrease inflammation of the prostate, if any, such as ciprofloxacin.
These medications may be used separately or in combination, depending on the symptoms presented and the size of the prostate.
However, when the prostate is enlarged due to the development of cancer, it may be necessary to perform radiotherapy and chemotherapy to eliminate malignant cells from the tumor. Here's how to treat prostate cancer.
How to do natural treatment
In addition to treatment with medicines it is possible to use natural extracts to help relieve symptoms more quickly. However, this type of treatment should not replace the treatment indicated by the doctor and should only supplement it.
Some of the medicinal plants used in the natural treatment of this problem include:
1. Saw Palmetto
This plant, scientifically named Serenoa repens, has excellent anti-inflammatory and diuretic properties that help to deflate the prostate and facilitate the passage of urine.
To get the full effect it is recommended to take 1 Saw Palmetto capsule for breakfast and dinner. Another option is to take 1 teaspoon of mixed Saw Palmetto powder in a glass of water 2 times a day.
Learn more about this medicinal plant.
2. Pygeum africanum
This substance is withdrawn from the inside of the bark of the African plum tree and is often used to treat urinary and prostate problems, reducing the urge to urinate urgently.
Pygeum africanum can be bought in the form of capsules in natural products stores and must be taken in doses between 25 and 200 mg per day.
Can increased prostate cancer become cancer?
No, benign prostatic hyperplasia is a disease other than prostate adenocarcinoma, and the man who has only prostate enlargement can have prostate cancer like any other man, and one disease does not lead to the development of the other.
When surgery is needed
Surgery to treat enlarged prostate is indicated in more severe cases, especially when using a bladder catheter to get urine, large amounts of blood in the urine, bladder stone or kidney failure, for example.
Thus, a prostatectomy can be performed , which is the removal of the inner part of the prostate through normal abdominal surgery or a transurethral resection of the prostate, also known as classical prostate endoscopy, where removal of the prostate occurs through a device that is introduced by the urethra. Here's how this surgery is done.
In addition to these surgeries, in some cases, only a small cut in the prostate can be made to facilitate passage of the urethra, without the need to remove the prostate.
Watch the following video and understand why, in some cases, surgery should be done as soon as possible:
How To Relieve Increased Prostate Discomfort
To improve the discomfort caused by enlarged prostate, some tips are:
- Urinate whenever you feel like it, avoiding holding urine;
- Avoid drinking lots of liquids at one time, in the late afternoon, before bed or in places where there is no bathroom;
- Do physical exercise and physiotherapy to strengthen the pelvic muscles. Here's how to do this type of exercise;
- Urinate every 2 hours, even without a will;
- Avoid spicy foods and diuretic drinks, such as coffee and alcohol, orange, lemon, lime, pineapple, olives, chocolate or nuts;
- Do not leave dripping urine at the end of urination, tightening the urethra, to avoid infections;
- Avoid medications that cause urine retention, such as nasal decongestant;
In addition, men with ease in developing constipation should increase their intake of water and food laxatives to stimulate bowel functioning, since constipation may worsen the discomfort of the enlarged prostate.
