Exercise and BPH Improving your fitness through activities such as walking and swimming may help reduce your risk of developing BPH, but may also help to manage symptoms and reduce their severity.
What may come as a surprise is that regular physical activity may actually help prevent some prostate disorders and improve prostate health. Emerging scientific evidence suggests that engaging in a few hours of exercise a week may help keep prostate enlargement in check.
One study found men who exercise the equivalent of only one to three hours of walking each week have an 86% lower risk of aggressive prostate cancer. Further research has demonstrated three or more hours of vigorous exercise lowered the risk of prostate cancer death by 61%.
The Cobbler Pose is one of the many exercises to reduce prostate enlargement. To do this pose: Sit down upright with your legs extended in front of you. Bend your knees to your sides and place the soles of your feet together as close to your pelvis as possible.
5-alpha reductase inhibitors.
These medicines shrink the prostate. They do this by preventing hormone changes that cause the prostate to grow. Examples include finasteride (Proscar) and dutasteride (Avodart).
When you sit for long periods, it puts pressure on your prostate gland and inflames it over time. Try to avoid long bike rides and sitting down for too long. Get moving. Make time to exercise at least three times a week.
Drinking water is essential for prostate and overall health. On average, it is recommended to consume at least eight cups of water daily. Be sure to drink water during and after exercise.
Drinking green tea regularly can ease inflammation in the prostate gland. This, in turn, reduces pressure on the urethra, thus easing common enlarged prostate symptoms such as needing to use the loo at night.
Although Kegel exercises can help alleviate some symptoms, they do not address the issue of having an enlarged prostate. For many men with BPH, the best way forward to reduce the prostate's size is with medication, surgery or minimally invasive treatments such as prostatic artery embolization (PAE).
What foods are good for an enlarged prostate? A healthy diet for people with an enlarged prostate should be rich in fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats. Certain foods, such as salmon, tomatoes, and berries, may be especially beneficial.
5-alpha reductase inhibitors are used to treat larger prostate glands. They shrink the prostate gland if it's enlarged. Finasteride and dutasteride are the two 5-alpha reductase inhibitors available.
Treatments. Because BPH cannot be cured, the treatment focuses on reducing the symptoms. The treatment is based on how severe the symptoms are, how much they bother the patient and whether there are complications. The more irritating the symptoms are, the more aggressive treatment should be.
The actual cause of prostate enlargement is unknown. Factors linked to aging and changes in the cells of the testicles may have a role in the growth of the gland, as well as testosterone levels. Men who have had their testicles removed at a young age (for example, as a result of testicular cancer) do not develop BPH.
It is important to note that masturbation does not appear to be a direct cause of prostatitis. However, it may contribute to an increased risk in individuals who engage in this activity excessively or without caution.
'Sitting down is a better option for men with prostate conditions or men who just can't stand up for a long time,' Dr Jesse N. Mills, Associate Clinical Professor at the UCLA Department of Urology previously told Thrillist. 'A lot of guys sit to pee if they can't fully evacuate their bladder.
Additionally, if the bowel becomes packed with stool, this can put pressure on the prostate gland and may result in the typical obstructive symptoms of BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia), including weaker urine flow and dribbling at the end of urination. It can also make it difficult to fully empty the bladder.
Cranberry juice is rich in phytonutrients which are known to be good for bladder health. This may be one of the reasons it is helpful for those with an enlarged prostate.
Laser surgery.
With this surgery, a urologist uses a high-energy laser to destroy prostate tissue. The urologist uses a cystoscope to pass a laser fiber through the urethra into the prostate. The laser destroys the enlarged tissue.
Vitamin D binds to specific receptors in the prostate and bladder, and reduces inflammation and prostate growth [14]. It has been reported that a 6000 IU dose red day of Vitamin D analogs can reduce the prostate volume in BPH patients [17,26].
Both green tea and hibiscus tea are among the top drinks for prostate health.
Stinging Nettle extract is a natural remedy for enlarged prostate. Stinging nettle leaves may cause sharp, intense pain, but its extract has benefits for the prostate. The root contains essential bioactive phytochemicals that help shrink prostate tissue.