HEALTHY LIVING Fix Your. . . Aging Prostate
CAUSES OF PROSTATE PROBLEMS Age. Prostates grow
with age, a condition known as an enlarged prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The gland can grow from the size of a walnut to the size of a lemon. By the age of 60, half of men have an enlarged prostate, and that fi gure rises to 90% by the age of 85. Overweight. Extra
pounds can lead to BPH, or exacerbate the symptoms. Medications. Medications, such as antihistamines and decongestants, can worsen BPH symptoms. Inflammation.
Prostatitis, an infection or infl ammation of the prostate, can cause enlargement. Testosterone therapy.
Treating a decline in testosterone levels can cause an enlarged prostate. Cancer. About 1 in
8 American men will develop prostate cancer during their lifetime. It is the second leading cause of cancer deaths, with about 1 in 41 dying from the disease. Having an enlarged prostate does not increase the risk of prostate cancer.
SYMPTOMS OF AN ENLARGED PROSTATE Urge to urinate
frequently. Frequent urges can interrupt daily activities as well as sleep. Dif iculty urinating.
You may feel the need to 88 NEWSMAX MAXLIFE | FEBRUARY 2024
urinate, but be unable to go or unable to empty your bladder completely. Incontinence. An
enlarged prostate can push the neck of the bladder out of position, which can cause leakage and dribbling. Urinary tract infections. Incomplete emptying of the bladder increases the risk of infection.
WHAT TO DO Take vitamin D. Low
levels of vitamin D have been linked with enlarged prostates as well as prostate cancer, so get frequent sunlight or take supplements.
Eat a healthy diet. Diets
should be rich in fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats. Salmon, tomatoes, nuts, berries, and broccoli are particularly benefi cial. Studies have found that diets high in meat or dairy products can increase the risk of BPH and cancer. Run water. If you are
having problems urinating, whether you are straining or have a weak stream, run some water. Use heat. Placing a
heating pad or hot water bottle on the lower abdomen relaxes muscles and makes it easier to urinate. Move. Sitting for too long can worsen BPH
symptoms, so stand and move around frequently. Drink less in the evening.
Don’t drink anything, including water, for at least two hours before bedtime. Consider beta-sitosterol.
Beta-sitosterol is a chemical called a plant sterol found in fruits, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Although it does not shrink the prostate, it improves urinary fl ow and decreases the amount of urine remaining in the bladder. As a bonus, beta-sitosterol may reduce cholesterol levels. Try saw palmetto. This
herbal remedy has been used for centuries to treat symptoms of an enlarged prostate, and modern studies have suggested it’s eff ective.
IF ALL ELSE FAILS If you continue to suff er from an enlarged prostate, see your physician, who may prescribe medicines like fi nasteride (Proscar) and dutasteride (Avodart) to help control symptoms. An antibiotic may be
prescribed if you have an infection. If you suff er from recurrent urinary tract infections, your doctor may recommend surgery to remove part of the prostate. Be sure to undergo
Prostate Drugs May Protect Against Cancer
M
en with enlarged prostates are often treated with drugs that lower levels of male sex hormones
(dihydrotestosterone or DHT), which may be a factor in the development of prostate cancer. The drugs finasteride and dutasteride block the enzyme that changes testosterone into DHT. Studies suggest these medications may reduce cancer risk by 25%.
screening for prostate cancer every two years. If your levels of prostate- specifi c antigen (PSA) are higher than normal, you may need further tests and/or more frequent screening.
SOURCES:
Harvard.edu; American Cancer Society; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Mayo Clinic;
healthline.com;
cancer.gov; UCLA Health;
medicalnewstoday.com; and Johns Hopkins Medicine
AZZURRI©ISTOCK
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