Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)

western medicine:

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is a common condition that affects men as they age. It occurs when the prostate gland, which surrounds the urethra, becomes enlarged. This enlargement can cause urinary symptoms such as difficulty starting or stopping urine flow, weak urine stream, frequent urination, and urgency. While BPH is not cancerous, it can significantly impact a man’s quality of life. In this blog post, we will discuss some tips and strategies to help patients manage BPH symptoms.

Visit Your Doctor Regularly: It is important to visit your doctor regularly if you have BPH. Your doctor can monitor your symptoms and adjust your treatment plan accordingly. They may also perform tests to rule out any other conditions that could be causing your symptoms.
Lifestyle Changes: Making some simple lifestyle changes can help improve BPH symptoms. Drinking plenty of water can help flush out the bladder and reduce urinary symptoms. Avoiding caffeine and alcohol, especially in the evening, can help reduce urinary urgency and frequency. It’s also important to maintain a healthy diet and exercise regularly.
Medications: There are several medications available to treat BPH symptoms. Alpha blockers, which relax the muscles around the prostate and bladder neck, can improve urine flow and reduce symptoms. 5-alpha reductase inhibitors can also help shrink the prostate gland, reducing urinary symptoms. However, it can take several months to see the full effect of these medications.
Minimally Invasive Procedures: For patients who do not respond to medications, minimally invasive procedures can provide relief. These procedures use heat or laser energy to remove or destroy prostate tissue, improving urinary symptoms. The recovery time is usually shorter than traditional surgery.
Surgery: In severe cases, surgery may be necessary to remove prostate tissue. This is usually done through transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), where an instrument is inserted into the urethra to remove the excess tissue. This procedure requires a longer recovery time than minimally invasive procedures but can provide long-term relief of symptoms.

In conclusion, BPH can significantly impact a man’s quality of life, but there are several strategies available to help manage symptoms. Visiting your doctor regularly, making lifestyle changes, taking medications, and considering minimally invasive procedures or surgery are all options to improve your condition. Talk to your doctor about which strategy is best for you.

chinese medicine:

In Chinese medicine, Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is often referred to as “Xian Ling Guan Nai” or “Shen Nao Zheng.” According to traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) theory, BPH is caused by a disharmony between the kidney, bladder, and spleen meridians. This disharmony can lead to damp heat accumulation in the lower abdomen, which can cause the prostate to become enlarged.

TCM practitioners typically treat BPH by using a combination of acupuncture, herbal medicine, and dietary therapy. Acupuncture can be used to stimulate specific acupuncture points that are believed to help regulate the function of the bladder and prostate. Herbal medicine may be prescribed to help reduce inflammation, promote urine flow, and shrink the prostate gland. Commonly used herbs include saw palmetto, pygeum, and stinging nettle.

Dietary therapy is also an important component of TCM treatment for BPH. Foods that are thought to be beneficial for BPH include pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, soybeans, and walnuts. These foods are believed to help nourish the kidney and bladder meridians and reduce inflammation in the prostate gland.

In addition to these therapies, TCM practitioners may also recommend lifestyle changes to help manage BPH symptoms. These changes may include practicing stress-reducing techniques such as meditation or tai chi, as stress can worsen BPH symptoms. Patients may also be advised to avoid spicy or greasy foods, alcohol, and caffeine, which can exacerbate BPH symptoms.

It’s important to note that while TCM may be effective in managing BPH symptoms, it is not a substitute for conventional medical treatment. Patients with BPH should work closely with their healthcare provider to determine the best treatment approach for their individual needs.