The Prostate is a walnut-sized gland that surrounds the urethra, which carrier urine away from the bladder. The prostate is the most common site of disorders in the male Genito-urinary System. Generally speaking, there are three conditions that cdan cause problems with the prostate:
i)
Prostatitis , which is inflammation of the prostate gland;
ii)
Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) , which is an enlarged prostate with no signs of cancer
iii)
Prostate cancer .
The first condition i.e.
Prostatitis , or inflammation of gland, is mot common in young men. There are three types of prostatitis: Acute infectious prostatitis , Chronic infectious prostatitis , and non-infectious prostatitis . The acute and chronic infectious prostatitis occurs due to infection and the symptoms include a bladeer infection resulting in discomfort & burning micturition etc. and the cause of non-infectious prostatitis is not known, which is experienced by difficult urination/ ejaculation and lower abdominal pain. All types of prostatitis, if untreated can lead to impotency and difficulty in urination.
The second condition i.e Benign hypertrophy of Prostate is the gradual enlargement of the prostate. It occurs in approximately half of all men over the age of fifty and three quarters of men over seventy years of age and is largely attributable to hormonal change as associated with aging. A hormone called
dihydrotestosterone (DHT) tends to accumulate in the prostate causing cells to harden and enlarge and thereby creating resistance to the flow of urine from bladder. This conditions is known as
Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) . This is a non-cancerous condition.
The main symptom in BPH is the inability to completely and freely urinate. Typically the afflicted man needs to get out of bed several times at night to urinate but finds his urine is minimal and often returns to bed with a full bladder. The long term effects can lead to kidney, bladder, and urinary tract infections and in severe cases lead to permanent kidney damage.
Testing for prostatitis and enlarge prostate usually involves a digital rectal exam plus a blood test that screens for levels of
prostate-specific antigen (PSA), a protein secreted by the prostate.
The third condition that is
Prostate Cancer is the most common cancer diagnosed in Canadian men and the 2 nd leading cause of Cancer death. This disease is mot common on older men, with 80% of cases of prostate cancer occurring in men over age 65. The possible symptoms of prostate cancer can include pain or a burning sensation during urination, frequent urination, a decrease in the size and force of urine, and continuing lower back, pelvic or (supra) public discomfort. However, the disease often causes no symptoms al all until it reaches an advanced stage and/or spreads outside the gland. In addition, these symptoms most often are caused not by cancer, but by an enlarged prostate,
benign prostatic hyperplasia. Early detection can make it possible to catch the cancer before it spreads to other sites of the body. It is recommended that every man should have an annual rectal exam beginning at age fifty. A blood test to detect elevated levels of a protein called prostate-specific antigen (PSA) is an excellent screening test for prostate cancer. A PSA test result between 0 and 4 is considered to be within the normal range. A level between 4 and 10 may raise a doctor's suspicion and scores above 50 may indicate a tumor that has spread to elsewhere in the body.
Now I would like to give some tips for prevention of prostate troubles which include diet and lifestyle changes:-
(i). LOW FAT/HIGH PROTEIN DIET: A healthy diet plays an important role in prostate health. Aim for a diet that is moderately high in proteins (44% of your calories should be protein) since a high protein diet may inhibit the production of (5-alpha-reductase) the enzyme that converts testosterone to DHT. Also look for a diet that is low in carbohydrates, low in animal fats, and high in essential fatty acids. Look for whole, unprocessed foods, and eat plenty of sunflower or pumpkin seeds each day. Add raw tomatoes to your diet.
(ii) PUSH THE FLUIDS: Drink plenty of fluids. Adequate fluid intake can help prevent bladder infections, cystitis, and kidney problems that are often associated with an enlarged prostate.
(iii) INCREASE YOUR FIBER: More fiber in the diet may reduce the risk of prostate cancer by lowering the levels of reproductive hormones in the body.
(iv) INCLUDE SOY IN YOUR DIET: Soy may decrease the chance of getting prostate cancer by reducing troublesome cholesterol levels.
Lifestyle Changes:
1. SCHEDULE AN ANNUAL PROSTATE EXAM: Annual prostate exams from your family doctors can help catch problems early and diagnosis and treat pre-existing problems such as an enlarged prostate, prostatitis and prostate cancer.
2. MAINTAIN YOUR IDEAL WEIGHT: If you need to lose weight do it. Studies show that men with 43 inch waist or greater were 50% more likely than normal weight men to suffer from prostate enlargement.
3. ABSTAIN FROM ALCOHOL: Studies have shown that higher the alcohol intake the more likely a man suffers from prostate enlargement. So abstain from Beer & Alcohol. Caffeine and sugar should also be avoided or moderated.
4. KEEP YOUR CHOLESTEROL DOWN: Free radical damaged cholesterol may play a role in stimulating the prostate cell formation that may cause an enlarged prostate so it is important to keep your cholesterol level within a healthy range.
With regard to the Herbal treatment for prostate troubles, the Herbal approach is essentially a constitutional and individualistic treatment. The Herbal treatment is determined after evaluation of the patient's case in detail. Various aspects of patient's life style, personality, food habits, emotional make up, personal and family history are evaluated appropriately to decide correct medicines to treat Prostate troubles.
Sphaeranthus indicus +
Physalis Alkekengi
12-14 gram / dose/day
How To Use
Take one cup of water, add 6-7 gm of Sphaeranthus indicus +Physalis Alkekengi herbs and boil on low flame for 15-20 minutes. Cool and take before breakfast and before going to bed at night.
Sphaeranthus indicus, Physalis Alkekengi availability at
Th JK Mediicnal Plants Itroductio Centre
POB: 667 GPO Srinagar SGR JK 190001
Ph: 09858986794/01933-223705
e-mail: jkmpic@gmail.com
home:
http://jkmpic.blogspot.in
Tags :
Physalis Alkekengi seeds
Sphaeranthus indicus
Prostate Problems
Prostate Troubles
Prostatitis
Chronic Prostatitis
Benign prostatic hypertrophy-BPH
Enlarged prostate
Prostate cancer
Inflammation of Prostate gland
Acute infectious prostatitis
Chronic infectious prostatitis
Non-infectious prostatitis
Dihydrotestosterone (DHT)
Prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
Sphaeranthus indicuslinn
