How to Help Prostate Health
The prostate is a gland found only in men. The prostate's two jobs are 1) to carry urine from the bladder during urination; and 2) to carry semen during sex, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK). (See Reference 1.) However, the prostate can be prone to problems that can affect a man's health and his quality of life.
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Things You'll Need
- Take these steps to help keep the prostate healthy and prevent medical conditions that may affect the prostate:
- Eat fruits and vegetables
- Consume nonalcoholic beverages
- Wear exercise clothes //?/Auth: Please specify what you mean by "exercise clothes." Do you mean "loose exercise clothes"?//
Instructions
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Steps
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Eat a healthy diet. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), you may be able to lower your likelihood of getting prostate cancer by changing your eating patterns. Start by eating fruits high in lycopene, a phytochemical that may lower prostate cancer risk. Watermelons, tomatoes and pink grapefruit are rich in lycopene. (See Reference 2.) The Mayo Clinic indicated that eating cruciferous vegetables, such as broccoli, kale and cabbage, may also protect against prostate cancer. (See Reference 3.) Additionally, the ACS recommended limiting red meat and fats to help ward off prostate cancer. (See Reference 2.)
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Avoid heavy drinking and smoking. Studies showed that regular heavy drinking raises the risk of aggressive prostate cancer. (See Reference 3.) According to the Mayo Clinic, this means you should consume no more than two drinks per day. Drinking alcohol can substantially raise the risk of a noncancerous condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostate enlargement, according to a University of California, San Diego study published in the August 2007 issue of the "Journal of Urology." It is recommended to quit smoking. At least one study has linked smoking to an increased risk of death from prostate cancer. (See Reference 4.)
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Get moving. Some studies suggested that high levels of physical activity, especially in older men, may lower the risk of advanced prostate cancer. (See Reference 4.) Running, speed-walking, swimming or bicycling five or more days per week should do the trick, but any exercise is better than no exercise because inactivity increases the risk of excess weight. Obesity may affect the levels of hormones related to prostate cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic. (See Reference 3.) Obesity may also raise the risk of dying from the disease.
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Be aware of symptoms. A burning sensation while urinating can signal prostatitis, an inflammation of the prostate that is sometimes caused by a bacterial infection. (See Reference 1.) The symptoms of an enlarged prostate include a frequent and urgent need to urinate, incomplete emptying of the bladder, a weak urine stream and difficulty starting urination. (See References 1, 5.) Talk to your doctor if you notice any of these symptoms. Both of these noncancerous prostate problems are treatable with medicines or nonsurgical procedures, according to the NIDDK.
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Talk to your doctor about getting a prostate cancer screening. Prostate cancer is the second most common cause of cancer death in men, exceeded only by lung cancer, according to the Mayo Clinic. (See Reference 3.) However, prostate cancer affects many more men than it kills, because prostate cancer advances very slowly. (See Reference 3.) The ACS recommended talking to your physician about the pros and cons of testing for prostate cancer starting at the age of 50 years. If prostate cancer does develop, a digital rectal examination and a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test can detect the disease at its earliest, most treatable stage.
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Tips & Warnings
Limit caffeine, alcohol and beverages in the evening if you suffer from an enlarged prostate. These changes may help control symptoms or keep your condition from worsening, according to the Mayo Clinic. (See Reference 5.) Keeping warm may also help, as colder temperatures can cause urine retention and increase the urge to urinate.
Consider herbal treatments. Some evidence suggested saw palmetto, stinging nettle and rye grass extract may help relieve urinary urgency associated with an enlarged prostate, according to the Mayo Clinic. If you take herbs, tell your doctor. Some herbs can increase your risk of bleeding or interfere with other medicines you are taking. (See Reference 5.)
Talk to your doctor about preventive medicines. Studies have shown that several prescription drugs may be effective in reducing the risk of prostate cancer. //?/Author: Please provide reference citations.// Aspirin and ibuprofen may also help reduce the risk of developing prostate cancer and other prostate problems.
Prostate cancer is more common in African-American men than in men of other races, and it is more likely to be advanced when it is found. It is crucial that African-American men talk to their doctors about starting prostate cancer screening at the age of 50 years. (See Reference 4.)
Prostate cancer can run in families. Men with a brother or father who developed prostate cancer are more likely to get it themselves, especially if the family member developed prostate cancer at a young age. These men should also talk to their doctors about screenings and tell their physicians about their family history of prostate cancer. (See Reference 4.)
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