Can an Enlarged Prostate Be Cured? For most patients, BPH (enlarged prostate) is curable. Some people see a significant reduction in symptoms with medication alone. If medicine does not work, or your prostate is too large, surgery will often remove enough of the prostate to provide you with relief.
5-alpha-reductase inhibitors usually take at least six months to work fully, but they are effective at improving symptoms in the long term. Studies show that men's symptoms may continue to improve up to four years after starting treatment. They also help to prevent acute acute urine retention and the need for surgery.
Prescription Medications
The first higher-level treatment is to begin taking prescription drugs for an enlarged prostate. One class of medication is an alpha blocker. These medications, such as Flomax, Rapaflo, and Cardura, work by relaxing the affected muscles around the prostate to encourage urine flow.
While there's no one magic bullet, research suggests that these measures may lessen BPH symptoms: Avoid liquids a few hours before bedtime or before going out. Limit caffeine and alcohol as these may stimulate the urge to urinate.
Drinking water is essential for prostate and overall health. On average, it is recommended to consume at least eight cups of water daily.
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.
BPH might be life-disrupting, but with the right care and the correct approach to fluids, it's possible for most men to minimize their symptoms and live comfortably with an enlarged prostate.
Exercise that is good for your heart is also good for prostate and sexual health. Do 30 minutes of aerobic exercise, like swimming, biking, speed walking, or hiking on most days of the week. You can also add in strength training exercises like working with free weights or weight machines on alternating days.
Research suggests that lycopene may help lower prostate cancer risk. Lycopene can be found in foods like tomatoes, apricots, pink grapefruit, guava, and papaya. There's about 9 to 13 milligrams of lycopene in a cup and a half of watermelon.
An enlarged prostate does not lead to prostate cancer or testicular cancer. However, BPH won't go away on its own, and it can have a major effect on your quality of life and health if left untreated. This condition can interrupt your sleep and disrupt your work and social life.
Left untreated, an enlarged prostate can lead to a sudden inability to urinate, cause urinary tract infections and bladder or kidney damage.
An enlarged prostate may improve with medication. The urologist may prescribe Alpha-blockers to relax the bladder and prostate muscles, and ease urinary symptoms. Finasteride and Dutasteride (5-alpha reductase inhibitors) may also be prescribed by the urologist to help shrink the prostate.
Can you take Viagra with an enlarged prostate? There's no harm in taking Viagra or other erectile dysfunction medications if you have an enlarged prostate. In fact, studies have shown that taking erectile dysfunction medication can actually ease the symptoms of BPH.
BPH prevention – In a Harvard led Health Professionals Follow-up Study on 3,743 men, men who were more physically active were less likely to suffer from BPH. Even low- to moderate-intensity physical activity, such as walking regularly at a moderate pace, yielded benefits.
Symptoms of an enlarged prostate include: finding it difficult to start peeing. straining to pee. having a weak flow of urine.
Benign prostate enlargement can sometimes lead to complications such as a urinary tract infection (UTI) or acute urinary retention. Serious complications are rare.
Research on black coffee and prostate cancer has shown that men who consumed six or more cups of coffee per day had a nearly 20% lower risk of developing prostate cancer. The protective benefit is even higher for more aggressive forms of prostate cancer, with a 60% lower risk.
Reduce the amount of dairy products you eat each day.
In studies, men who ate the most dairy products — such as milk, cheese and yogurt — each day had the highest risk of prostate cancer.
According to research carried out in the US, and published in the June issue of the Journal of Agriculture and Food Chemistry, a natural chemical found in citrus pectin may help prevent prostate and other cancers.
Yes, bananas can be good for men with enlarged prostate. Clinical studies have shown that consuming a certain type of banana, known as plantains, has been linked to lower levels of an enzyme produced by the prostate gland called 5-alpha reductase (5AR).