Why do I have to worry about my prostate, anyway?
April 12, 2009
Yep, that’s me waterskiing! Today, I would like to take a few moments to discuss the prostate. The prostate is a small gland that encircles the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder). Found only in men, the prostate produces a fluid that comprises a part of the semen. About 60% of men over 50 have an enlarged prostate. This condition is referred to as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and the exact cause is not known. While a normal, healthy prostate is the size of a walnut, with BPH, the prostate can swell to the size of an orange. When this happens, the flow of urine is restricted causing problems which include: increased frequency, increased urgency, incomplete emptying of the bladder, and occasionally, pain.
Prostate cancer is another major concern for men. More than 30% of men over age 50 may have it. It is usually very slow growing, however all men over 40 should have an annual rectal exam performed by a physician to check for signs of enlargement and/or cancer. Natural supplements containing saw palmetto, stinging nettle, pumpkin seed, pygeum bark, ginger, Maca, Vitamin E, selenium, zinc, and green tea have been clinically shown to help alleviate the symptoms associated with BPH, and may be particularly helpful to overall prostate health, especially when combined with routine examinations from a qualified physician.
If you have not already done so, please take a few moments and read by post from March 11, 2009 entitled: “Is prostate cancer overdiagnosed and overtreated?” For more information about the prostate, visit our Natural Remedies resource library and, until next time, have a naturally healthy day!
Dr. Joe Mix
NaturalHealthMix.com