Prostate Health » prostate disease

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

Herbal Supplements to Promote Prostate Health and to Treat Prostate Disease

admin — Tue, 28 Jul 2009 10:16:29 +0000

An ongoing joke runs that there’s a third inevitability awaiting American men besides “death” and “taxes” – prostate disease. At least one in six men will develop a growth in their prostate, a gland that plays an important role in the male reproductive system.

Some herbal supplements may not only promote prostate health, but may even help to treat prostate disease.

Alternative remedies

Herbal supplements have gotten a bad rap over the years. Critics to the medicinal properties of herbs point out that, because herbal supplements are not regulated by the FDA, they may vary widely from the amount of active herbal extract that is listed on the label. One recent study showed that some brands contain less than 15 percent of the listed active ingredient.

Others worry that patients who use herbal supplements will neglect to see their doctors or will refuse proven treatments for an herb that only produces mixed results.

While many doctors would not go so far as to say that herbal supplements work better than traditional medicines, most doctors agree that they do have their place. Herbal supplements may work best when used in conjunction with other more traditional medical treatments.

You should always talk to your doctor before taking an herbal supplement. Herbs may produce different results in different people, and your doctor will be able to tell if a specific herb is right for you.

Herbs that promote a healthy prostate and may help to treat prostate disease include:

Saw palmetto – an herb from a small palm tree that grows along the Atlantic seaboard, saw palmetto is by far the most popular and well-researched prostate herb. It contains beta sitosterol, a powerful compound that stops testosterone from converting into DHT. Some studies also indicate that saw palmetto helps to shrink enlarged prostates and relieves urinary problems and other symptoms of an enlarged prostate.
Red clover – a member of the pea family, red clover contains antioxidants that inhibit the growth of cancerous cells. It also inhibits DHT formation, which helps to prevent the enlarging of the prostate.
Zinc – perhaps the most important of the trace minerals. Zinc deficiency predisposes the prostate to infection, which may eventually lead to enlargement and other problems.
Vitamin B6 – working in conjunction with zinc, Vitamin B6 regulates the hormone that converts testosterone into DHT. Thus, Vitamin B6 helps to prevent swelling of the prostate.
Lycopene – an extract found in tomatoes, watermelons and other fruits, lycopene is a powerful antioxidant that may inhibit the growth of cancerous cells and reduce prostate inflammation.

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.

Are Natural Prostate Health Treatments Safe?

admin — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:20:07 +0000

Holistic natural remedies, such as herbal supplements, are not regulated by the FDA. This makes many people very uneasy, and for good reason. A recent study found that some natural supplement brands contain up to 15 percent less than the listed active ingredient strength, so taking a specific dosage of a particular substance can be difficult.

When used appropriately and with permission from your doctor, natural treatments are generally safe.

Natural, Organic Ingredients

Most doctors would not say that natural treatments work better than traditional cures. However, many would agree that they can be very helpful, especially when used in conjunction with standard medical treatments.

However, natural remedies such as herbal supplements and special diets have earned an un-deserved bad reputation. Although natural remedies have been less studied than traditional medicines, they certainly have their place. As advances in holistic healing continue and more research is conducted, the benefits of natural treatments are undeniable.

Keep in mind that “natural” does not necessarily mean “safe.” Different natural treatments produce different results in different people based on the unique situation and combination of factors. Although natural treatments can certainly be beneficial, it is important to remember several key points when considering natural remedies:

- Talk to your doctor before you begin any natural remedy or treatment. Gather as much information as you can about the remedy before you see your doctor, then ask for their professional opinion. Many doctors are just beginning to learn about the benefits and risks of natural treatments, so it may be a learning process for them, too. They will be able to tell you if the remedy you are interested in is safe for you to use.

- Learn about the natural treatment you are interested in, along with the common misconceptions about using natural remedies in general. These include:

The “More Is Better” Myth – when it comes to herbal supplements, more is not necessarily better. Remember, large doses of certain vitamins and minerals can be toxic.
The “Natural is Better” Myth – many supplements, such as ginger and garlic, are manufactured as natural. However, plants contain many different chemicals, some of which are helpful and some of which are hurtful. These chemicals may also interfere with certain medications or produce harmful side effects.
The “It Can’t Hurt to Take an Herbal Supplement with Regular Medicines” Myth – some of the chemicals found in plants can block or speed up the body’s absorption of certain prescription drugs. This means that the patient will have too much or too little of the prescribed drug in their bloodstream at any given time.

- Know where and how to report any side effects you may experience while using a natural remedy. Calling 1-800-FDA-1088 to report problems will help the FDA track natural remedies for better regulation in the future.

Diet for a Healthy Prostate

admin — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 03:47:01 +0000

One in six men will develop a growth in their prostate, a small gland at the base of the urinary bladder. The prostate produces a fluid that becomes part of semen. After the age of 50, the risk of prostate cancer increases rapidly. By age 80, nearly 70 percent of men will develop prostate disease.

There are proactive steps that men can follow now to limit their likelihood of developing prostate cancer later in life.

Man eating healthy breakfast

Leading a healthy lifestyle is the most effective way of limiting prostate disease. This includes getting sufficient daily exercise and eating a carefully balanced diet.

A prostate-healthy diet can be difficult to achieve because of the vast diversity of nutrients that the prostate needs. Some daily multi vitamins have been developed to specifically promote a healthy prostate.

Anti-oxidants are another key to prostate health. Anti-oxidants prevent the oxidation of free radicals within the body and have been repeatedly shown to prevent many types of cancer, including prostate cancer. Green tea and onions are both powerful sources of anti-oxidants.

Other prostate-healthy diet considerations include:

- Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables – aim for five or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day. Fruits such as watermelon, tomatoes, pink grapefruit, guava and papaya contain lycopene, a powerful anti-oxidant. Cruciferous vegetables like cauliflower, broccoli, cabbage, kale and Brussels sprouts are also good choices

- Stick to low-fat foods – avoid red meats, especially high-fat and processed animal products. Limit eggs and full-fat dairy products

- Eat lean proteins – lean protein, such as chicken, has been shown to support a healthy prostate

- Focus on fiber – a plant-based diet with plenty of fiber is also supportive of a healthy prostate. Whole-grain breads and cereals, fruits and vegetables are all good sources of fiber

- Include soy – soy products, such as soy beans, soy milk and tofu, help to reduce the risk of prostate cancer

- Selenium – although it is toxic in high levels, selenium in moderation reduces the risk of prostate cancer. Selenium-rich foods include sunflower and sesame seeds, wheat germ, tuna, herring and other seafood and shellfish, mushrooms, beef liver, garlic and onions

- Vitamin E – Vitamin E reduces the risk of developing prostate cancer by up to 32 percent. Brown rice, vegetable oil, nuts and seeds are good sources of Vitamin E.

- Green tea – EGCG, a substance present in green tea leaves, inhibits the growth of cancer cells, thus reducing the risk of prostate cancer

Do Natural Prostate Health Treatments Work?

admin — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:18:08 +0000

Science has made great progress in the medical field. Although new treatments for serious diseases are being produced daily, some modern medicine does not always produce reliable results. Natural remedies, such as herbal supplements, are also ridiculed for their mixed results.

Combining modern medicine and natural treatments provides a more inclusive approach to healing and may produce better results than using one or the other alone.

Alternative remedies

There are many forms of and options for natural treatment. Many of these techniques, such as meditation or prayer, can be quite difficult to study. Because of the lack of hard evidence and success rates, some decide to rely only on typical Western medical practices.

Complementary care is when a patient decides to use an alternative medicine or treatment along with standard medical procedures (for example, using acupuncture to reduce the side effects of radiation treatment).

Alternative medicine is when a patient decides to use an alternative medicine or treatment instead of using standard medical treatments (for example, eating a special diet instead of receiving radiation treatment).

However, integrative medicine has been shown to be the most effective method of treating cancer. Integrative medicine is a total approach to care that addresses the patient’s body, mind and spirit by combining standard medical procedures with alternative therapies.

Integrative medicine generally works in one of several ways. The cancer may react to the combination of treatments, curing the cancer completely and directly. The natural treatment may increase the tumor’s response rate to chemotherapy treatments, allowing for greater shrinkage. In terminal and non-operable cases, integrative medicine can increase survival time by up to 64 percent.

Examples of natural treatments and remedies that can be integrated into traditional medicine include:

- Meditation, prayer and hypnosis

- Herbal supplements and special diets

- Massage therapy or chiropractic care

- Therapeutic touch, Tai Chi and yoga

- Creative outlets – like art, music and dancing

Just because the results of non-traditional treatments can be hard to measure does not mean that they do not work. However, herbal supplements and other natural cures may produce widely different results in different people based on their specific situation. Different natural treatments react differently with certain medications. It is critical that you speak to your doctor before beginning a natural treatment. Ultimately, your doctor is the only one who can decide if a specific natural treatment is safe for you.

Prostate Health » prostate disease

Natural Treatments for Prostate Infection

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Natural Treatments for Prostatitis

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Herbal Supplements to Promote Prostate Health and to Treat Prostate Disease

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Natural Treatments for Enlarged Prostate

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Are Natural Prostate Health Treatments Safe?

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Diet for a Healthy Prostate

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Do Natural Prostate Health Treatments Work?

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