Thursday, April 18, 2024

Can Drinking Alcohol Affect Your Prostate

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What Drinks To Avoid For Your Prostate Problems

Foods to Avoid with Enlarged Prostate | Reduce Symptoms and Risk of Prostate Cancer

You should avoid drinks that increase your urination. These can dehydrate you. These include caffeine-containing drinks such as coffee, green tea, black tea and soft drinks or sodas. Alcohol can also dehydrate you. Hence, limit its intake or consider avoiding it completely. People who avoid alcohol have seen improvements in their prostate problems.

More Issues Related To Cancer And Alcohol Use

Studies have shown that alcohol can cause sleep disorders, and has been linked to a lower quality of life for people living with cancer. Whether you are in remission, or still receiving treatment, decent sleep is essential for your health and well-being.

Many people, after a diagnosis of cancer, are very traumatized and may go into depression while still trying to process the news. Alcohol is a recognized depressant and may add to feelings of depression. Studies have indicated that suicide rates among people living with cancer are highest just after diagnosis, or while undergoing treatment.

You may be suffering from anxiety as a result of a prostate cancer diagnosis. This can lead to a spike in your blood pressure. Drinking alcohol to drown your sorrows will only make it worse. Bring your numbers down by giving up, or drastically cutting down your alcohol intake.

In addition to cutting out alcohol, the key to keeping healthy and for a successful remission is to follow a healthy diet which includes plenty of fruit and vegetables.

Researchers have discovered that men who eat a lot of fatty red meat and high-fat dairy products have a higher risk of prostate cancer than those who dont.

Prostate Cancer And Alcohol

Though alcohol is a risk factor for many kinds of cancers, you wonât always find prostate cancer on the list. It doesnât mean youâre in the clear where alcohol is concerned. Some research points to past drinking habits as a surer measure of risk than current alcohol consumption. Other studies conclude that current heavy or binge drinking amps up your chances of getting prostate cancer.

Reports and advice on whether to drink at all can conflict, too. For example, some doctors prescribe a no-alcohol lifestyle. Meanwhile, others think a little is OK. Your doctor is your best guide.

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Does Alcohol Induce Symptoms Of Prostate Cancer

Its unclear whether prostate cancer and alcohol abuse are related. However, regular heavy alcohol consumption can cause symptoms that overlap with those of prostate cancer.

This can be a problem for multiple reasons, including that prostate cancer symptoms can be incorrectly attributed to excessive drinking, which can delay treatment. Heavy drinking may also worsen prostate cancer symptoms.

Symptoms that overlap between the two conditions include:

  • Swelling of the feet or legs

Cheers To Your Prostate

Beer Hawk &  Prostate Cancer UK Partnership

Not only is the Austin Urology Institute one of the regions premier options for those in need of significant procedures such as prostate cancer surgery in Texas, or maybe procedures a little less profound including the middle-aged man with far too many kids seeking a vasectomy in Austin, but its where a multitude of men being plagued by prostate problems come to find a cure.

Problems including BHP, for example, and the good news to that end is its plenty curable with a minimally invasive procedure such as the da Vinci surgery.

So break out the beer, wine, or spirits, and enjoy as you schedule a quick consolation with our experts at the Austin Urology Institute. A small glass of wine , a nip of your favorite liquor or one cold beer may reduce your risks and progression of BPH. Cheers!

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Prostate Cancer: The Basics

Prostate cancer is a fairly common cancer diagnosis in older men. It occurs most often in men over the age of 50 and tends to grow slowly. However, prostate cancer can cause a number of potential complications.

Cancer in the prostate gland usually grows relatively slowly. In its early symptoms, patients may not notice any symptoms at all. As prostate cancer progresses, however, men may notice signs like:

  • Difficulty urinating
  • Erectile dysfunction
  • Weight loss despite no change in diet or exercise
  • Pain in the lower back, hips, or pelvis

Prostate cancer is often detected in its early stages through early exams. These include testing for prostate-specific antigen levels or conducting a digital rectal exam. In its early stages, prostate cancer is generally easily treatable. Some patients in the early stages of prostate cancer may not require treatment at all.

Other patients may have the prostate removed or may have radiation or hormone therapy. In some cases, patients may require chemotherapy, immunotherapy, or targeted drug therapy. Comprehensive treatment can often substantially slow or prevent the spread of prostate cancer in many patients.

Can Alcohol Increase The Risk Of Developing An Enlarged Prostate

There are a few things that put men at risk of developing an enlarged prostate. The condition is most common amongst men over the age of 50 so age has a big part to play. Hormone levels also fluctuate as we get older and this may also contribute to the problem. In addition, lifestyle factors such as lack of exercise and smoking may also increase the likelihood of developing an enlarged prostate.2

A number of studies have investigated the effects of alcohol on an enlarged prostate. Whilst there is a clear link between alcohol and worsening enlarged prostate symptoms, the evidence is less clear cut in regards to whether or not alcohol actually increases, or decreases, your risk of developing the condition.

Some studies, such as a 2009 one published in the Journal of Urology, suggest that alcohol actually decreases the risk of developing BPH.3 Despite this though, the research does admit that alcohol will not help urinary symptoms once the condition has developed, plus the work concludes that more research is still needed on the topic. As such, we cant rely on this kind of evidence to suggest that alcohol does indeed increase the likelihood of developing BPH.

In general, stick to the recommended alcohol intake. Adults are advised not to drink more than 14 units of alcohol a week and it is best to spread this intake out evenly over the course of a week.4 If you are wondering how to reduce your alcohol intake, you can find helpful resources from the NHS here.

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Ascertainment Of Prostate Cancer Occurrence

We ascertained cases of prostate cancer through self-reports on the follow-up questionnaire sent in 1993. The date of diagnosis was taken as the reported year of diagnosis. The accuracy of self-reported, physician-diagnosed prostate cancer in Harvard alumni was confirmed 91% of the time. In addition, deaths were compiled continuously by the Harvard Alumni Office, which maintains a listing of deceased alumni. We traced deaths through the end of 1993. For each death reported by the alumni office, we requested and obtained death certificates from the appropriate state. We included as prostate cancer endpoints deaths with prostate cancer listed as either the underlying or a contributing cause of death. Mortality follow-up in this cohort is over 99% complete.

What Are The Guidelines For Alcohol Use

Managing Prostate Cancer

The 20202025 Dietary Guidelines for Americansexternal icon recommends that adults of legal drinking age can choose not to drink, or to drink in moderation . If you dont drink, dont start drinking. Drinking less alcohol is better for health than drinking more.

Dont drink at all if you

  • Are under the legal drinking age.
  • Are pregnant or may be pregnant.
  • Have health problems that could be made worse by drinking.
  • Are doing things like driving that could be dangerous with alcohol.
  • Are recovering from an alcohol use disorder or find it hard to control the amount you drink.

If youre taking prescription medicine, including cancer treatment,external icon ask your doctor if its safe to drink alcohol.

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Simple Steps To Manage Urinary Urgency With Bph

Although changing your eating and drinking habits wont cure BPH, these techniques can help you lessen the symptoms, according to Bajic:

  • Cut out afternoon coffee. For many men, the most bothersome aspect of BPH is having to get up to urinate during the night. While its fine to have your morning cup of coffee, the truth is that drinking any beverage with caffeine later in the day can disrupt your sleep later on. Thats because, in addition to being a stimulant, caffeine is also a diuretic, meaning it causes an increase in the amount of urine production. Make sure to avoid caffeinated beverages like coffee and tea after noon, Bajic advises.
  • Limit artificial sweeteners and spicy foods. Artificial sweeteners and spicy foods are also bladder irritants, according Bajic. As a result, they may cause the urge to urinate. Try to avoid consuming them as much as possible. However, if you plan to eat a meal with spicy foods , plan ahead by making sure theres a bathroom nearby.
  • Reduce or eliminate alcohol. Like caffeine, alcohol is also a diuretic, so the later in the day you drink it, the more it can impact your bedtime. Drinking alcohol, particularly before bedtime, is actually going to cause the body to produce more urine that has to come out so that you may end up waking up more at nighttime, Bajic says.
  • About Dr Dan Sperling

    Dan Sperling, MD, DABR, is a board certified radiologist who is globally recognized as a leader in multiparametric MRI for the detection and diagnosis of a range of disease conditions. As Medical Director of the Sperling Prostate Center, Sperling Medical Group and Sperling Neurosurgery Associates, he and his team are on the leading edge of significant change in medical practice. He is the co-author of the new patient book Redefining Prostate Cancer, and is a contributing author on over 25 published studies. For more information, contact the Sperling Prostate Center.

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    What Happens To Cancer Risk After A Person Stops Drinking Alcohol

    Most of the studies that have examined whether cancer risk declines after a person stops drinking alcohol have focused on head and neck cancers and on esophageal cancer. In general, these studies have found that stopping alcohol consumption is not associated with immediate reductions in cancer risk. The cancer risks eventually decline, although it may take years for the risks of cancer to return to those of never drinkers.

    For example, ex-drinkers still had higher risks of oral cavity and pharyngeal cancers than never drinkers even 16 years after they stopped drinking alcohol, although it was lower than before they stopped drinking . One study estimated that it would take more than 35 years for the higher risks of laryngeal and pharyngeal cancers associated with alcohol consumption to decrease to the level of never drinkers .

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    Can I Drink Beer The Night Before Surgery

    Symptomatic treatment of an enlarged prostate usually involves a combination of medication and lifestyle changes. A diet rich in fruits and vegetables may be the best option if you suffer from chronic urination. It will help the body adjust to the increased size of the prostate. Also, taking regular urination intervals will help retrain the bladder to function properly. Inactivity also contributes to urine retention, and cold temperatures can increase the urge to urinate.

    Invasive treatment of enlarged prostate includes medication that relieves the pressure on the urethra and bladder. However, if the condition is severe, it may require surgical intervention. If treatment is not successful, the enlarged prostate can become a potentially life-threatening disease. As the hormone levels in the body change, the enlarged prostate can lead to various complications, including urinary retention and even cancer. This is why it is critical to see a doctor for further evaluation.

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    Close To 4000 Men Interviewed

    One of the unique characteristics of this study is that it is population-based, giving added relevance to the association between alcohol intake and the development of prostate cancer, particularly for men with the heaviest alcohol consumption.

    Karakiewicz and his colleagues Marie-Elise Parent and Claire Demoury first identified all the cases of men diagnosed with prostate cancer in the Greater Montreal area between 2005 and 2009. A total of 1,933 men with this type of cancer took part in the study, representing 80 per cent of the cases diagnosed in Montreal. Since this was a case-control study, another 1,994 men from Montreal who did not have cancer were selected as the control group.

    In-person interviews were conducted with each of the participants. They were asked about their lifestyle, diet, physical activity, and alcohol consumption habits, including the quantities and types of alcohol consumed over their lifetime.

    Things To Know About Alcohol And Cancer

    The American Cancer Society recently updated its guidelines for preventing cancer. Among the recommendations: Dont drink alcohol.

    While no alcohol is best for cancer prevention, women who choose to drink anyway should have no more than one drink a day, and men no more than two drinks a day.

    We spoke with Therese Bevers, M.D., medical director of MD AndersonsCancer Prevention Center, about the new alcohol guidelines and what they mean.

    What is your reaction to these updated alcohol guidelines?

    These updated guidelines bring the American Cancer Societys recommendations more in line with what we know about alcohol and cancer risk. They are also consistent with whats recommended by other organizations, including MD Anderson and the American Institute for Cancer Research.

    We know that alcohol increases the risk for several cancers, including oral cancer, pharynx and larynx cancers, colorectal and esophageal cancers, as well as liver and breast cancers. What this recommendation says is that when it comes to your cancer risk, the less you drink, the better.

    How does drinking alcohol increase a persons cancer risk?

    There are many ways in which alcohol can increase a persons risk of cancer:

    If alcohol is a carcinogen, why do you give serving recommendations?

    We recognize that most Americans are not going to abstain from drinking alcohol completely. So, if they are going to drink, at least we can offer some guidance on what moderate drinking looks like.

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    Who Should Get A Psa Test

    In the past, the only indication to receive a PSA test was the patients age. Men who reach 40 years of age usually started prostate cancer screening with PSA testing and a digital rectal exam. Nowadays, the protocol has changed dramatically, and additional factors are taken into consideration.

    The current understanding of PSA tests highlights the importance of testing patients at a high risk of prostate cancer. If your risk is low or average, you might not need this test.

    The current recommendation by health authorities can be summarized as followed :

    It is also important to highlight that patients with an elevated PSA level may require additional testing. In many cases, a confirmatory PSA test is ordered. When the results are still high, doctors may decide to keep ordering PSA tests every once in a while.

    Patients with diagnosed prostate cancer may also require frequent PSA measures. They are useful to monitor tumor growth and make clinical decisions.

    Lower PSA measures may suggest that cancer therapy is doing the work as it should. Higher levels show that the tumor is still growing. Also, a sudden increase in PSA levels in patients after surgery may suggest cancer recurrence .

    What Should You Avoid Before A Psa Test

    Urinary Frequency, Causes, Signs and Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment.

    Total PSA measures are often elevated by different reasons besides prostate cancer or BPH. If you follow the advice listed above, PSA test results will likely be accurate.

    It would be best if you avoided everything that increases PSA levels and acts like confounders.

    For example :

    All of the above can give you skewed PSA test results. But all of this will be avoided if you prepare as instructed by your doctor.

    If your PSA results are elevated, the doctor may order a second PSA test a few weeks later. They are ruling out the possibility of an accidental increase by one of the elements listed above. So, if youre doing a repeated PSA test, try to avoid known confounders.

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    Alcohol And Prostate Cancer

    A study on alcohol and cancer by the American Society of Clinical Oncology estimated that 3.5% of all cancer deaths in the US can be related back to alcohol consumption. These deaths are from many types of cancers. The study found that even moderate use of alcohol may increase the risk of many cancers heavy and long term drinkers were at a higher risk than moderate ones.

    An article dated September 2018 on Alcohol and Cancer Risk by the National Cancer Institute found that “for cancers of the ovary, prostate, stomach, uterus, and bladder, either no association with alcohol use has been found or the evidence for an association is inconsistent”.

    A more recent study published in June 2019 in the Journal of Clinical Oncology on Alcohol Intake and Risk of Lethal Prostate Cancer found that drinking alcohol may be a risk reducer for prostate cancer. Comparing cancer-free alcohol users and non-users, the study found that the risk of prostate cancer was lower in drinkers than non-drinkers. And for men who already were suffering from prostate cancer, moderate use of red wine helped slow the progression of the disease. The researchers hailed from these institutions: Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health, Boston, MA, Brigham Women’s Hospital in Boston, Harvard Medical School in Boston, and University of California in San Francisco, CA

    Does this study prove that alcohol is a risk reducer for prostate cancer? No.

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