All About Enlarged Prostate Gland

Enlarged prostate gland, also known as BPH (benign prostatic hypertrophy), is a noncancerous condition in which the male prostate gland swells, which, in turn, exerts excessive pressure on the urethra.

The uretha is the tube that carries urine from the bladder through the prostate, and finally out of the penis.

The symptoms of BPH, are: incomplete emptying of the bladder, dribbling, difficulty starting urination, reduced force of the stream, and frequent urination of small amounts.

These symptoms are very similar to another prostate problem called acute bacterial prostatitis.

It is estimated that 80% of men aged 40 and over have some degree of an enlarged prostate gland, or BPH. The condition may exist for years with little to no symptoms, but progressively worsen with age.

In more rare cases, what is believed to be BPH, or an enlarged prostate gland can, in fact, be prostate cancer or prostatitis (a more serious inflammation of the prostate), which has its own symtpoms such as prostatitis and itching.

Therefore, it's important to check with your doctor about having a PSA blood test done, which can determine whether or not your condition requires immediate medical attention.

The exact cause for BPH is not known. What is known, however, is that normally functioning testicles seem to be a requirement for the condition. Castrated men, or those who have had their testicles removed, do not develop an enlarged prostate gland.

In short, it appears to be, for men, a health condition that is inevitable with aging.

Although an enlarged prostate gland may be unavoidable to some degree, this does not mean nothing can be done about it. The following are some protocols to help improve your prostate health.

1. Eliminate over-the-counter cold medications and decongestants, which have been known to exacerbate the symptoms of an enlarged prostate.

2. Increase consumption of tomatoes, which are rich in lycopene, an important nutrient for prostate health.

3. Reduce intake of dairy products, which have been shown in studies to appreciably raise the risk of prostate cancer.

4. Eat plenty of onions, garlic, and scallions, which recent studies have shown to be highly beneficial for the prostate. For example, Asian men, whose diets are notably high in these foods, have among the lowest rates of prostate cancer.

5. Talk to your doctor about possible meds for enlarged prostate.

1. Beta Sitosterol -- Everywhere you go, supplements for prostate health or enlarged prostate gland contain Saw Palmetto. You've probably even heard of Saw Palmetto. However, what most people do not know is that beta sitosterol is thousands of times more potent and effective than saw palmetto. Here's the reason: even the best saw palmetto supplements are comprised of 99% fatty acids and 1% sterols. The sterol component is where the therapeutic benefit lies (hence the name beta sitosterol.

Taking saw palmetto supplements for enlarged prostate gland simply makes no sense when you can take beta sitosterol and get thousands of times the efficacy. Beta Sitosterol acts as an anti-inflammatory and diminishes the swelling of tissues, such as an enlarged prostate gland.

2. Zinc -- an important mineral that has been shown to help shrink an enlarged prostate. Zinc should be supplemented in a formula with copper because zinc can reduce the absorption of copper in the body.

3. Lycopene -- as mentioned before, an important nutrient for prostate health found in high concentrations in tomatoes (ketchup is not a good source, however, as it contains too much sugar). It can also be consumed in supplement form.

4. Vitamin E -- is a strong antioxidant that can neutralize damage caused by free radicals, which are highly reactive chemical substances that are believed to lead to a host of diseases. It also has anti-inflammatory properties.

One product specifically for men that contains all of these nutrients for an enlarged prostate -- and many more -- is Xtend-Life's Total Balance. We here at Beat-Your-Health-Condition personally take Total Balance as part of our own health regimen.

Another excellent product for prostate health is called Prostate Dr.

Get More Info on Prostate Dr. for Prostatitis, BPH, and Enlarged Prostate Problems

Prostate Dr. may also help with prostatitis relief if you're suffering from prostatitis symptoms.