Many men are coping with an enlarged prostate and are trying different ways to treat it. In this article, read on about the ways to cope with an enlarged prostate.
What is an enlarged prostate?
An enlarged prostate is a prostate condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). A man suffers from this condition when the cells of the prostate gland begin to multiply. These extra cells cause your prostate gland to swell. Also, it squeezes the urethra that limits and blocks your urine flow.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia is different from prostate cancer and does not increase the risk of cancer. However, you can see symptoms that can affect your normal life.
What are the symptoms of BPH?
Men below 50 years are more likely to suffer from BPH. Men can experience the symptoms below. They are often mild, but can become serious if not treated. The symptoms include:
- Weak urinary stream
- Painful urination
- Delayed urinary stream
- Dribbling at the end of your urinary stream
- Nocturia (need to urinate twice or more per night)
- Incomplete bladder emptying
- Leakage of urine
- Blood in the urine
- A sudden urge to urinate
Talk to your doctor if you experience such symptoms. BPH is treatable and the treatments can prevent complications.
Tips that help with coping with an enlarged prostate
Men who are coping with an enlarged prostate should try these tips to manage their condition.
Consume less caffeine, alcohol, and fizzy drinks if you have enlarged prostate
This can be difficult but you have to try and limit the use of alcohol, caffeine, fizzy drinks, and artificial sweeteners. It is because they can cause irritation to the bladder and worsen your urinary symptom. It is best to drink lesser fluids in the late afternoon or evening to prevent getting up in the middle of the night to use the washroom. Frequent urination is one of the most common symptoms of BPH.
Alcohol and beverages make you use the washroom more frequently. So limit the excess usage of beverages and alcohol to prevent BPH.
Use the washroom before leaving the house
Ensure you empty your bladder before stepping out of the house. In this way, your bladder is eased and prevents situations where you urgently need to use the washroom. BPH makes you feel that you need to urinate more often as the condition doesn’t empty your bladder completely.
Urinate twice if you have BPH
Once you are done emptying your bladder, wait for a few minutes and try urinating again. In this way, you make sure that your bladder is completely empty. However, do not strain or push forcefully.
Do it every time when you use the washroom. In case you feel any discomfort, visit your doctor and discuss the issue.
Use medicines as prescribed and directed
Use medicines as prescribed by your doctor. While using any OTC medicines, ask your doctor about side effects. Some OTC drugs can worsen BPH symptoms. Moreover, these medicines can increase or decrease urinary frequency.
Therefore, ensure you are taking medical help to treat the symptoms of BPH.
Eat healthy if you have BPH
Ensure that you eat fresh fruits and vegetables that are beneficial for your prostate. You can add green leafy vegetables, fruits, green tea, and soy products in your diet. Also, you can include omega-3 fatty acid food items in your diet. Ensure you limit or avoid fatty food items.
Try including these food items in your diet to support and strengthen your prostate health.
Maintain your weight
In case you are overweight, try to lose weight to prevent BPH or any prostate-related problems. It is because being overweight can make your symptoms worse.
The best way to lose weight is by working out regularly, eating a healthy diet, and limiting or avoiding alcohol consumption and sugary foods.
Try urethral massage for enlarged prostate
This technique helps to drain out your bladder and prevents dribbling. Urethral massage is most commonly known as urethral milking. After you are done urinating, with your fingertips press gently upwards behind the base of your scrotum or the skin around the testicles. You will be able to feel your urethra. Keep pressing the region gently while moving your fingers ahead of the base of your penis towards the tip.
You can always ask your doctor about urethral massage to get proper information. Know the correct ways to perform this procedure.
Manage stress if you have BPH
Stress can make you urinate frequently. Therefore, it is best to manage your stress to lower the frequency of urination.
Try to meditate, write your thoughts in your diary, take a warm bath, talk a walk, meet a friend, or play a sport. This can help you manage stress efficiently.
When should you seek medical help?
The American Cancer Society recommends the following groups to get their prostates screened and to discuss their medical concerns with their doctors:
- Men who are over 40 with a high risk
- Those who are over 45 with a moderate risk
- Men who are over 50 with a lower risk of developing prostate cancer
The prostate screening will help the doctor to rule out if you are suffering from prostate cancer.
In general, men should visit the doctor and get medical help before coping with an enlarged prostate on their own.
Men can suffer from an enlarged prostate at any age because their gland does not stop growing throughout their life. It is recommended that men should get regular prostate screenings.
There are several treatments and remedies that will help you to cope with an enlarged prostate. Use them and ensure that your prostate health is good.
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