Prostate Health » alternative treatments

Natural Treatments for Prostate Infection

admin — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 15:20:29 +0000

A prostate biopsy is required to be sure that the tissue of the prostate does not contain any cancerous cells. The procedure leaves an open sore which is highly prone to infection given its location within the body. Patients are often prescribed a course of antibiotics to prevent infection, and the area is carefully cleaned with an antiseptic solution. However, an infection will sometimes still develop.

While antibiotics are usually needed for a prostate infection to clear entirely, some natural remedies will help to speed recovery.

Fresh Herbs

There are two types of prostate infections – bacterial and nonbacterial. Bacterial prostate infections are caused by a micro-organism, such as fungi, E. coli, or parasites. Very rarely, staphylococcal and streptococcal organisms have been found to cause bacterial prostate infections. The cause of nonbacterial prostate infections is not known.

Prostate infections cause severe abdominal pain and fever. They also produce symptoms that are very similar to urinary tract infection symptoms, such as frequent and painful urination.

Standard medical treatments, such as prescribed antibiotics, may be required to clear a prostate infection. Complementary therapies (methods used along with standard medical care) and natural remedies (which focus on supporting the immune system) can also help to treat a prostate infection.

Natural remedies that may be helpful for treating the symptoms of prostate infections include:

Herbal and homeopathic remedies – can provide a safe and effective alternative to antibiotic treatments. The right remedies are gentle on the system yet highly effective. You should always check with your doctor before beginning an herbal or homeopathic remedy. Other medicinal herbs, such as garlic and goldenseal, have antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties.
Supplements – other herbal supplements to nourish the body may be helpful. Certain extracts, such as Hypoxis rooperi (African Potato), Agothosma betulina (bechu) and Mentha piperita help to strengthen the immune system and improve the body’s functioning.
Drink a lot of water to help keep your system flushed. It is recommended that you drink 50 percent of your body weight in ounces of water daily. (For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, drink 75 ounces of water each day).

Treating infection through complementary therapy is also helpful. Some complementary therapies that may be effective include:

Acupuncture
Nutritional therapy
Meditation

Natural Treatments for Prostatitis

admin — Sat, 15 Aug 2009 11:01:47 +0000

Prostatitis has many negative affects on the male reproductive system, especially when the inflammation lasts for a prolonged period of time or becomes chronic. Prostatitis reduces sperm count and stamina during sexual intercourse. Fluid may be continually secreted from the penis. A long-lasting bought with prostatitis may also cause impotence.

Although antibiotics may be needed to clear a severe case of prostatitis, many mild and moderate cases of prostatitis can be treated using natural remedies.

There are several types of prostatitis, and depending on the particular diagnosis, several standard treatments are generally relied upon. These treatments include antibiotics, alpha-blockers, pain relievers, muscle relaxants, and surgery to open the blocked ducts in bacterial prostatitis.

Although standard medical treatment is almost always required in bacterial prostatitis, alternative treatments may be just as effective as standard treatments in mild and moderate cases of nonbacterial prostatitis.

Organic Fruits and Vegetables

The key to naturally treating prostatitis is eliminating inflammatory agents from one’s diet, while supplementing the diet with anti-inflammatory nutrients.

Some effective alternative treatments for nonbacterial prostatitis include:

Eating whole, fresh, unprocessed foods, including fruits, vegetables, whole grains, seeds, nuts, soy, and cold-water fish (such as tuna, salmon, sardines and mackerel). Organic foods will reduce the exposure to pesticides and hormones.
Avoiding dairy products, processed and refined foods, fried foods, caffeine and sugar.
Eliminating foods that your body is overly sensitive to. Although this varies from person to person, many people are sensitive to spicy foods (for example).
Drink a lot of water to help keep your system flushed. It is recommended that you drink 50 percent of your body weight in ounces of water daily. (For example, if you weigh 150 pounds, drink 75 ounces of water each day).
Use medicinal herbs with antibiotic and anti-inflammatory properties. For example, garlic, goldenseal and Echinacea will help to eliminate infection and reduce inflammation.

Supplements provide additional nutritional support. Some supplements may be helpful in treating prostatitis, especially chronic and long-lasting infections. Check with your doctor before using any of the following supplements:

Bromelain – contains proteolytic enzymes which can heighten the effectiveness of antibiotics.
Probiotics – if antibiotics are taken, probiotics replenish the good bacteria found in the intestinal tract.
Quercetin – has anti-inflammatory properties.
Selenium – is an anti-oxidant.
Zinc – vital to prostate health, zinc also prevents infections.
Flaxseed meal
Vitamin C
Vitamin E

Natural Treatments for Enlarged Prostate

admin — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 15:47:30 +0000

The prostate is a small gland that sits at the base of the bladder in men. It plays an important role in the male reproductive system. The prostate is made of two lobes and is enclosed by a layer of tissue. During early puberty, the prostate doubles in size. Around the age of 25, the prostate begins to grow again. This second phase of growth often results in the condition identified as enlarged prostate.

Many natural treatments may help to ease the uncomfortable symptoms of an enlarged prostate.

It is generally believed that all men over the age of 45 experience some level of prostate enlargement. By age 60, over 80 percent of men experience problems with urination due to enlarged prostate.

When the prostate becomes enlarged, it puts pressure on the urethra. This causes many urinary complaints, including frequent or urgent urination, the need to get up at night to urinate, a reduction in the force of the urine stream, incomplete emptying of the bladder, terminal dribbling and even the inability to urinate at all. An enlarged prostate may also cause impotency.

Sources of Antioxidants

While these challenges are not life threatening, they are nuisances and can become quite bothersome. Fortunately, many natural treatments and remedies have been shown to help relieve the symptoms of enlarged prostate. These include:

Eating a healthy diet, including plenty of fruits and vegetables each day and avoiding unsaturated fats, sugars and processed foods.
Kegel exercises are performed by tightening the muscles around the scrotum and anus. Repeating this tension 10 times, 5 to 6 times daily will strengthen the kegel muscles and will help to improve symptoms of enlarged prostate.
Saw palmetto is a plant that has been shown to diminish the inflammation and enlargement of the prostate. It also inhibits the hormones that cause prostate enlargement. Another herb, called Pygeum africanum has been shown to have the same affect on the prostate.
Zinc is an essential trace element and has been shown to play an important role in regulating cell growth and building the immune response. Studies have found that zinc deficiency can result in prostate enlargement. Stress and infection also results in a lowering of the body’s zinc levels.
Antioxidants will protect the prostate’s sensitive tissues from oxidative damage.
Herbs, including nettle, pygeum, damiana and hydrangea have been shown to support the urinary system and relieve the symptoms of enlarged prostate.

Prostate Health » alternative treatments

Natural Treatments for Prostate Infection

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Natural Treatments for Prostatitis

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Natural Treatments for Enlarged Prostate

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