Causes of Prostate Enlargement and tips to maintain Prostate Health

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BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia) is the most common benign neoplasm of old age men which is caused by excessive growth of prostatic tissue. In modern medicine, the management of enlarged prostate gland is either by conservative treatment using various drugs (e.g. hormonal therapy, chemotherapy) etc. or through a surgical approach like- transurethral resection of prostate(TURP), cryotherapy, prostatectomy etc but in old age the surgery is associated with various complications like—retrograde ejaculation, postoperative morbidity, impotency etc. Similarly, in the treatment by hormonal therapy, there are various complications like—impotency, loss of libido, gynaecomastia etc and these treatments are very costly and are not result oriented also. So, there is a need of alternative treatment which is safe and result oriented.

The concept of nodular hyperplasia in the pathology of BPH has been established but its exact cause is not known. The development of BPH is a multi-factorial phenomenon as there are no strong evidences of lifestyle disorders like—smoking, alcohol, obesity with this disease. The only true factor related to the development of disease is age as well as changes in hormones as in old age, serum estrogen level is increased which ultimately acts on hypothalamus thus decreasing the secretion of Luteinizing hormone realizing hormone (LHRH) and hence there is a decrease in serum testosterone level. In Ayurveda, Vata is the root cause in its manifestation.

Ayurvedic Treatment for Prostate Enlargement

Causes of Prostate Enlargement According to Ayurveda

  • As per etiopathogenesis of “mootraghata” as described in Ayurvedic classics, there is a deranged fuction of Vayu or Vata dosha, particularly Apana Vayu. The symptoms of BPH alongwith the increase in size of the gland and hardness in the middle aged and elderly men are almost related to the description of “Vatashteela”as mentioned in Ayurvedic texts, one among the varieties of a major disease called “Mutraghata”. According to Ayurveda, The Dosha’s especially Vata on getting vitiated due to the consumption of dry foods and withholding the natural reflexes of the body etc are the reasons on getting lodged in the urinary bladder.
  • Ayurvedic treatment focusses on providing relief by ensuring significant reduction in residual urine volume, frequency of urine, relieves pain associated with urination, increase force of detrusor contraction, relieves bothersome urinary tract symptoms and thus improves quality of life.

What are the symptoms of Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia(BPH)

  • Increased frequency of urination at night(nocturia)
  • Difficulty starting urination
  • Weak urine stream or a stream that stops
  • Dribbling at the end of urination
  • Frequent or urgent to urinate
  • Inability to completely empty the bladder.

Less common sign and symptoms include:

  • Inability to urinate
  • Urinary tract infection
  • Blood in urine
  • Narrowing of urethra
  • Bladder or kidney stones
  • Cancer of the prostate or bladder

What are the Causes of Prostate Enlargement?

  • Controlling the urge of urination/defecation
  • Consuming foods that are dry in nature
  • Consuming alcohol
  • Indigestion which leads to the formation of “Ama” (toxins) in the body.
  • Old age
  • Over-indulgence in sexual activities.

Tips to prevent/manage BPH:

  • Drink plenty of fluids- flushes the urinary tract.
  • Not holding the urge of urine for an excessive amount of time.
  • Maintain good hygiene.

Tips to maintain Prostate Health:

  • Gokshura kwatha—The decoction of whole plant of Tribulus terrestris should be taken mixed with honey or sugar. This remedy is very useful and provides relief.
  • Jaggery mixed with hot milk and taken 2 times a day helps in providing relief.
  • Powder prepared by mixing equal quantity of Gokshura(Tribulus terristris) and cardamom must be taken with honey.
  • Varuna twak churna(Powder of the bark of Crataeva nurvula) and Gokshura churna(Powder of Tribulus terrestris) must be taken in equal quantity and mixed properly. Take 1 spoon of this mixture with water daily. This mixture increases detrusor contraction, helps in reducing urine volume, blocking alpha receptor as well as relaxing smooth muscles of prostate.
  • Take a lot of buttermilk in the diet. It must be noted that it must not be sour. Remove its fat contents and dilute it with twice the quantity of water before taking. It should be noted that buttermilk must not be refrigerated or brought to room temperature before use. 1 glass of buttermilk with pinch of black pepper or cumin seeds powder must be included in diet and drink it at regular intervals.

Diet for Prostate Enlargement

  • Soup prepared from green gram, old red rice, buttermilk, milk, ash gourd, dates, tender coconut, Amla (Indian gooseberry), clarified butter must be included in diet and alcohol, exertion, over-indulgence in sexual activities, incompatible foods, uncomfortable sitting, fried foods, holding the urge for urination, foods which are intense and irritating in nature, produces burning on consumption, dry and stale and having sour taste must be avoided.

Herbs for Prostate Enlargement

  • Herbs used in Ayurvedic medicines for BPH are—Punarnava, Guduchi, Haridra, Lajjalu, Varuna, Gokshura, Indian gooseberry, Shilajit etc.

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