Many men have a bad habit of only thinking about their health or seeing a doctor when something starts to go terribly wrong. But a lot of pain, stress, and expense can be avoided by simply being more aware about the potential issues that affect men and knowing the early warning signs of a problem.
Since September is Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, here are the key facts to know about prostate health and natural ways to address this common men’s health issue.
The Basics of Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is one of the most common types of cancer diagnosed in men and a leading cause of men’s cancer deaths. Most prostate cancers begin in cells that release fluids, yet there are often no noticeable early symptoms of the disease. This is why it’s so important for men to be screened for prostate cancer before it spreads and to improve the likelihood of successfully beating the cancer.
Other Prostate Issues Besides Cancer
However, men can experience other types of problems with their prostates besides just cancer. As men get older, they can suffer from a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate that puts pressure on the bladder and can block the flow of urine. This condition can be very painful and even cause kidney damage if the condition is chronic and causes high bladder pressure. Nearly all men have at least some prostate enlargement after the age of 70.
Prostatitis is another prostate condition that is non-cancerous. It is very common among men of all ages and is often caused by a bacterial infection that makes the prostate swollen and inflamed. Common symptoms prostate disease are difficulty urinating, painful urination, the need to urinate often at night, and blood in the urine.
Natural Approaches to Prostate Health
The good news about prostate health is that prostate cancer is highly treatable if it is caught early, which can allow you to avoid the invasive, painful, and costly treatments of radiation, surgery, and medication. But if your prostate condition is not cancerous, there are simple and natural ways that you can support prostate health after discussing the options with your doctor.
For example, an herbal remedy called saw palmetto is used in alternative medicine to relieve urinary symptoms. Derived from the African plum tree, pygeum is a traditional medicine also used for urinary issues, as well as beta-sitosterol, which is a mixture of several plant used for medicinal purposes. Other natural treatments to discuss with your healthcare provider to see if they are right for you are rye grass pollen, stinging nettle, lycopene, zinc, and cranberry.
Men can also focus their diets on supporting natural prostate health by eating dark green and leafy vegetables. To support a healthy prostate and better overall health, incorporate more spinach, kale, broccoli, and tomatoes into your meals. Foods that are rich in phytoestrogens, such chickpeas and alfalfa, are also recommended for men who are prone to prostate issues.
Read more about prostate health on the Seagate blog.