ENLARGED PROSTATE

A man's prostate gland usually starts to enlarge after he reaches age 40 years or middle age. This condition is called Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH).

The prostate gland, which is normally about the size and shape of a walnut, wraps around the urethra between the pubic bone and the rectum, below the bladder. In the early stage of prostate enlargement, the bladder muscle forces urine through the narrowed urethra by contracting more powerfully. As a result, the bladder muscle becomes thicker and more sensitive, causing a need to urinate more often.

The prostate gland secretes a fluid that is discharged with sperm. The gland itself surrounds the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine from the bladder out through the tip of the penis. As the prostate grows larger, it may press on the urethra. This narrowing of the urethra can cause some men with prostate enlargement to have trouble with urination. Prostate enlargement may be the most common health problem in men older than 60 years.

Function of Prostate Gland:

The main function of the prostate gland is to store and produce seminal fluid. Seminal fluid is a milky liquid that nourishes sperm.

Causes of Enlarged Prostate:

Prostate enlargement is caused by an imbalance in Vata dosha, it’s important to avoid Vata-aggravating foods. These include dry, cold, and light foods and bitter, astringent, and pungent tastes. Instead, favor the Vata-pacifying diet, which includes sweet, sour, and salty tastes and warm, oily foods.

The specific cause of most of these problems is unknown although they may be related to hormonal changes brought on by aging. As a man ages an increased amount of hormones such as estrogen and prolactin decrease the rate at which testosterone and the dihydrotestosterone (DHT) into which testosterone is converted by 5-alpha-reductase are eliminated from the prostate. This excessive accumulation of DHT is thought to be responsible for the problems of the prostate gland.

As the prostate grows larger and the urethra is squeezed more tightly, the bladder might not be able to fully compensate for the problem and completely empty. Rarely, blockage from prostate enlargement may cause repeated urinary tract infections and gradually result in bladder or kidney damage.

Symptoms of Enlarged Prostate:

Many men with an enlarged prostate have no symptoms. Common symptoms may include the following:

• Difficulty starting urination

• Dribbling of urine, especially after urinating

• A sense of not emptying the bladder

• Leaking of urine

• More frequent urination and a strong and sudden desire to urinate, especially at night

• Blood in the urine

Treatment of Enlarged Prostate:

Once the diagnosis of prostate enlargement is made, your doctor may not recommend immediate treatment if symptoms are mild. Likely, one or more exams will be conducted per year to be sure that you are not developing any complications from prostate enlargement. Should your symptoms become more severe, both medical and surgical treatments are advisable.

Self-Care at Home:

• Avoid drinking more liquids after 6 pm to reduce the need to urinate frequently during the night.
   
• Drink 8 glasses of water a day to help prevent bacteria from accumulating in the bladder.

• Drink cranberry juice 4 times a day to increase the acidity of the urine, especially if you feel a urinary tract infection coming on.

Herbs & Minerals which is useful :

Shilajeet (Asphaltum):

Purified exsudate of mineral origin, Shilajeet is a balanced general tonic comprising useful mineral and organic constituents. It is taken to help digestion and with the assimilation of foods. Shilajeet is often used in combination with other specific plant decoctions to support various functions. Traditionally it has been used in genitourinary infections, diabetes, enlarge prostate, bronchial asthma, stomach problems, stress anxiety and convalescence indication.

Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris):

Gokshura is one of Ayurveda's best herbs for the Enlarge prostate.

Indravadhi (Mutilla occidentalis):

It is nervine, tonic, antispasmodic and used in paralysis.

Kabab Chini (Piper Cubeba):


Composite herbal drugs containing Piper cubeba as one of the ingredients are clinically effective in the treatment of cough and enlarge prostate. Alcoholic extract of the drug shows antibacterial activity against Micrococcus pyrogens var. aureus. Oil of cubeb is effective against influenza virus and Bacillus typhosus.

Ushira (Vetiveria zizanioides):

Ushira is popularly known as Khas, Khas or Khus grass in India. It is a densely tufted grass, found throughout the plains and lower hills of India, particularly on the riverbanks. Different parts of this grass is used for many diseases such as mouth ulcer, fever, boil, epilepsy, burn,
snakebite, scorpion string, fever, headache, enlarge prostate etc.

Swet Chandan (Santalum album):


Indiglenous to Mysore in southern part of India. If grown in other places than its natural habitat, it looses quality and quantity of its essential oil. It is a parasitic tree, bury's its roots in surrounding trees and takes nutrition. Useful in the state of anxiety, mental tension, headaches, enlarge prostate, anger negativity and depression. Good for urinary track infections, due to too much heat or due to too much drinking of alcohol, respiratory disorders, cystitis and gonorrhea. It produce freshness in body and mind. Useful in gonorrhea, cystitis, pimples acne, biliousness.

Ayurvedic Supplements :