Enlarged Prostate Treatment - There Is Light At The End Of The Tunnel
We have already established that there are two types of common enlarged prostate problem: bacterial and non-bacterial. Bacterial infection is always treated with antibiotics: ofloxacin, norfloxacin, levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin and trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazone, or herbs that have antibacterial and antiviral properties. Non-bacterial type of swollen prostate (BPH – benign prostate hyperptrophy) on the other hand is a bit of an enigma to the medical community of conventional medicine. The enlarged prostate treatment includes: • Antibiotics. The attempts to treat it long term with antibiotics even though there is no trace of bacteria present, is the proof of how little is known about the root cause of the problem and therefore treatment. 
• Alpha-blockers (alfuzosin – recepto antagonist –Uroxatral, tamsulosin – Flomax, terazosin – anti-hypertensive - Hytrin, doxazosin – Cardura, prazosin – Hypovase, and others). They work on blocking the production of certain hormones to relax the muscles of the prostate and make the symptoms more comfortable. Side effects include dizziness, tiredness, headaches, fainting. Side effects tend to diminish in time. Long term use of alpha-blockers have been linked to increased risk of heart failure. • 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors – finasteride and ditasteride - interfere with the male hormones, androgens, in order to slow down the swelling of the prostate. Normally there is 50% improvement with the medication but once it is stopped, the symptoms return. Side effects include lowered libido, breast enlargement, and problems with erection, but they seem to gradually subside. There is suspected possibility of birth defects in children fathered by men taking 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors. • Surgery, which involves scraping off the enlarged prostate. There are three kinds of surgery depending on how big the prostate is. As with all invasive surgeries there are risks involved. Some of the more common complications include incontinence, problems with passing urine, retrograde ejaculation (or ‘dry orgasm’, where the semen goes into the bladder instead of the penis during orgasm), impotence. • Prostate massage – can it be considered an enlarged prostate treatment? There seem to be some contradictory views on the massage. For some men it seems to be of benefit, for some not. • Warm sitz baths are very effective in allowing for more circulation in the groin area and reduction of pain. The pain just melts away while you’re sitting in hot bath (as hot as you can stand without being uncomfortable). The idea is to have your derrier inserted in the tub or bath, or big bucket (be creative) but not your whole body. Take your legs out of the bathtub so the heat can penetrate the prostate area only. Relax and enjoy the heat for at least 20 minutes. You will need to add more hot water when it cools down. When you’re finished, either sit in a cold water tub or have a cold shower, paying special attention to spraying cold water (as cold as you can stand) on the prostate area. One minute is sufficient, don’t shock the system. The idea of taking alternating hot and cold baths to improve circulation is very old. It’s natural and it’s safe and most importantly it works. • Strengthening and boosting immune system with herbal formulas. According to Chinese medicine enlarged prostate treatment should concentrate on strengthening and boosting the immune system with herbal formulas. That’s because this type of swollen prostate is due to underlying depleted energies of spleen/pancreas or/and deficiency of Kidney adrenals. These deficiencies can be caused by many factors: incorrect diet, over work, stress, aging process and excessive indulgence in sex. As the concepts of Chinese medicine are very different to Western medicine, it’s not always possible to translate them into Western terms. To give some understanding of “Kidney energies” though, it would be helpful to say here that Chinese medicine's definition of Kidneys cover endocrine system, reproductive system, nervous system and urinary system. As the Kidneys, or Kidney-adrenals are said to be our life batteries, weak Kidney energies denote depletion of our reserves. In any language sooner or later it translates into trouble. Symptoms of lower back pain/ache, weak knees, diminished hearing, tinnitus, unless caused by trauma, are all signs of weakening Kidney energies. Supplementing your Kidney energies can prevent further deterioration or even reverse the symptoms altogether.
|