Mayo Clinic Minute: Steam Treatment For Enlarged Prostate
Prostate gland enlargement can cause uncomfortable urinary symptoms for men. And, as they age, their risk increases. Approximately 30 percent of men experience symptoms by age 60 and 50 percent of men by age 80.
There are several effective treatments for an enlarged prostate, including a relatively new treatment that uses steam to reduce the size of the prostate and alleviate symptoms.
Jason Howland has more in this Mayo Clinic Minute.
Journalists: Broadcast-quality video pkg is in the downloads. Read the script.
It’s a common problem for older men benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH.
“BPH is a fancy way of saying the prostate is getting larger, and we don’t want it to,” says Dr. Toby Kohler, a Mayo Clinic urologist.
Dr. Kohler says the enlarged prostate forces the urethra to narrow, causing a variety of urination problems. And, as men age, the symptoms occur more frequently. Treatment for BPH has long been medications and procedures, such as lasers or an electric loop, which burn the prostate from the inside out. But now a relatively new convective water therapy treatment uses steam to make the prostate smaller.
“For nine seconds, a steam ball is produced, and that kills all that prostate tissue that we don’t want or that has grown out of control,” says Dr. Kohler.
He says the procedure, performed right in the doctor’s office, has a low risk for complications or sexual side effects.
Treatments Options For High
The prostate is a walnut-sized organ that is part of the male reproductive system. It sits in front the bladder and above the rectum. The prostate is responsible for the production and supply of fluid that helps nourish sperm in the ejaculate. The urethra, where urine travels from the bladder to the penis, runs through the prostate.
As a result of family history, lifestyle, diet, and natural hormonal changes, the prostate begins to grow in size as men age, starting in their mid-30s. When the prostate becomes more enlarged over time, it might press against the urethra and block urine flow . This condition is called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH.
Enlarged prostates differ in size. The size can be estimated on digital rectal exam or prostate imaging like an ultrasound. People with very enlarged prostates have several treatment options. However, size is not the only factor used to choose a treatment.
When doctors evaluate the prostate, symptoms are just as important as size. In addition, size and symptoms don’t always correspond. For example, one person might have a mildly enlarged prostate with noticeable symptoms, while another person could have a very large prostate with no symptoms.
All of this information is the basis of a personalized treatment plan. Here are the options for patients with very enlarged prostates, with or without symptoms.
Foods To Avoid For Curing Enlarged Prostate
A diet rich in protein is found to increase a persons risk of developing an enlarged prostate, especially when sourced from red meat hence it would be helpful for such individuals if they reduce their intake if completely avoiding it is not possible. Also, the intake of poultry is not encouraged, but infrequent seafood consumption is allowed though.
Likewise, going dairy free, like cutting out on butter, cheese, milk and milk products can assist in reducing prostate enlargement symptoms.
Avoidance of sugary foods, processed and canned foods containing artificial ingredients will also help with alleviating the symptoms.
Working on stress reduction by doing yoga has also been suggested by some of the sufferers, for they have noticed a worsening of their symptoms during stressful life situations, probably due to the shift happening in their hormonal levels during stress that tend to interfere with their ability to empty bladder completely.
Being overweight, especially with excess weight being concentrated around the abdominal area, tends to increase intra-abdominal pressure, interfere with the endocrine functions, increase inflammatory process within, and cause oxidative stress all considered to provide the most favorable setting for prostate enlargement to occur. Promoting weight loss by way of exercising regularly will be beneficial for those suffering from this gland problem.
Read Also: Does Ejaculation Help With Prostate Cancer
Why The Procedure Is Performed
An enlarged prostate can make it hard for you to urinate. You may also get urinary tract infections. Removing all, or part, of the prostate gland can make these symptoms better. Before you have surgery, your doctor may tell you changes you can make in how you eat or drink. You may also try some medicines.
Your doctor may recommend prostate removal if you:
- Cannot completely empty your bladder
- Have repeat urinary tract infections
- Have bleeding from your prostate
- Have bladder stones with your enlarged prostate
- Urinate very slowly
- Took medicines and they did not help your symptoms
Symptoms And Diagnosis Of Bph
While each patient may experience different individual or combined symptoms, the most common symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia include:
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases:
Diagnosis of an enlarged prostate is sometimes found during a routine rectal examination. BPH can also be diagnosed by the use of common tests such as a urinalysis, a urine study flow, a cystoscopy or a transrectal ultrasound.
Read Also: How To Relieve Pain From Prostatitis
Less Common Side Effects Of Turp
Less common unwanted effects of surgery include:
- urinary symptoms do not change sometimes surgery does not cure your urinary problems. Even though the blockage has been cleared, the bladder irritability may continue and you may still have symptoms such as being unable to empty your bladder completely, and nocturia
- erectile dysfunction some men are unable to get or maintain an erection sufficient for sexual intercourse after surgery. This is more of a problem for men who had erectile difficulties before their operation. This problem may be treated by medication
- urethral strictures when scarring occurs in and around the urinary tract, it can cause further blockage to urine flow. Strictures may need to be dilated or need further surgery
- urinary incontinence sometimes surgery results in being unable to hold or control the flow of urine. This may be due to continuing bladder problems or, less often, to sphincter muscle damage
- infertility retrograde ejaculation is not harmful, but it can result in infertility. It causes the seminal fluid to collect with the urine and it doesn’t come out as ejaculate. This makes ‘natural’ insemination impossible. However, in vitro fertilisation may be used to achieve a pregnancy. The sperm can be removed from the urine and injected into the womans harvested eggs.
Effective Energetic Treatment For Enlarged Prostate
Enlarged prostate, also called benign prostatic hyperplasia , is a common condition as men get older. By age 60, about 30% of men show moderate to severe symptoms of BPH by age 80, it is 50%. An enlarged prostate gland can cause uncomfortable urinary symptoms, such as a weak urine stream, urine stream that starts and stops, frequently getting up at night to urinate, and inability to void the bladder.
There are many different treatment options for BPH, ranging from behavior medications to surgery. A minimally invasive option is bipolar enucleation of the prostate, or BipoLEP. If you are considering treatment, here’s what you need to know.
Prostate anatomy
The prostate is a small organ that sits at the bottom of the bladder. The urethra, the tube the drains the bladder, runs through the middle of the prostate.
Early in a mans life, the prostate is roughly the size of a walnut or a small tangerine. Often around 50, the prostate increases in size. For some men, this change closes off the urethra and makes it more difficult for the bladder to empty.
The prostate has two parts. The adenoma is the inner part that surrounds urethra. It is the part of the prostate that grows as men get older. The capsule is the outer part of the prostate and does not change in size over the course of life. A good analogy is to think of an orange. The orange peel represents the capsule, and the fruit represents the adenoma.
Removal of prostate tissue
History of transurethral enucleation
Procedure
Also Check: Does Ejaculation Reduce Size Of Prostate
Supplements That Show Promise
Other supplements show hopeful signs of helping in studies so far, but thereâs less research on these than the more common options.
Pumpkin seeds: These and pumpkin seed oil extract seem to help with BPH symptoms and may shrink the size of the prostate. It may also be helpful when used along with other supplements such as saw palmetto.
Stinging nettle: This is a type of herb, and its root may help with urine flow and waking up a lot at night to pee. Itâs sometimes used along with other supplements to treat BPH symptoms.
What Are The Types Of Prostate Surgery For Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Several minimally invasive surgeries may be used for benign prostatic hyperplasia. These include:
GreenLight laser: Photoselective vaporization of the prostate is a treatment that vaporizes prostate tissue to create a channel in the urethra for free urination. This is surgical treatment performed in the operating room under general anesthesia.
Plasma button electrovaporization: Prostate tissue is removed using low temperature plasma energy. Tissue is vaporized. This is an operating room-based therapy and requires an anesthetic.
Water vapor therapy : Water vapor is directly delivered to the prostate tissue. Over a 3-month period the tissue is destroyed and reabsorbed by the body. This is an office-based therapy and is performed under a local nerve block.
UroLift®: A mechanical approach that places implants to pin the lateral prostate lobes out of the way to reduce obstruction. This is an office-based procedure performed under a local nerve block.
Prostatic artery embolization: This approach uses catheters to deliver agents that block blood flow to the prostatic artery to reduce symptoms of BPH by shrinking tissue. This prostate procedure uses local anesthesia and doesnt require a hospital stay.
Don’t Miss: Are You Put To Sleep For A Prostate Biopsy
So Is There A Cure For Enlarged Prostate The Embarrassing Mens Problem
Yes, this can be effectively dealt with. While this gland enlargement does not actually pose a serious threat to the individuals health, if left untreated, it could possibly lead to problems with urination, infections in the urinary tract or urinary bladder, or even cause damage to the kidneys.
There are medicines and surgical options for one to choose from, and their effectiveness is largely dependent on the persons overall health status, age, symptoms, and how big the gland has enlarged.
My cousin had decided about not wanting to follow the regular treatment methods available for this though, because after consulting with many physicians, none were able to provide a clear indication of which method would work towards giving the most effective results for him.
Also, while researching, he read anecdotes about other sufferers who experienced adverse health issues after going through some of these remedial methods, and this had a major impact on his decision to follow natural methods instead.
Hence, he was on the lookout for natural remedies and ended up being successful in finding some. Some of these are
What Is The Most Common Approach
A technique called transurethral resection of the prostate is considered to be the standard surgical approach. This procedure involves inserting a thin tube called a resectoscope into the urethra and guiding it through to the prostate. The resectoscope is equipped with a tiny camera and an electrical loop that is used to mechanically remove prostate tissue. The loop produces heat at the same time, which quickly seals off the blood vessels. The resectoscope also has valves that regulate the release of fluid to flush the removed tissue out. TURP takes about 90 minutes and is done under local or general anesthetic. Men who have had this procedure usually need to have a urinary for a few days after, and generally stay in the hospital for two to seven days. They then have to rest and take it easy for a few weeks.
Some variations of TURP are also considered to be standard treatments and have similar outcomes and consequences to conventional TURP. These include transurethral electrovaporization , transurethral vaporesection and plasmakinetic enucleation of the prostate .
Don’t Miss: How Far Up The Rectum Is The Prostate
Does Having Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Increase The Risk Of Prostate Cancer
Based on research to date, having BPH does not seem to increase the risk of developing prostate cancer. However, BPH and prostate cancer have similar symptoms, and a man who has BPH may have undetected cancer at the same time.
To help detect prostate cancer in its early stages, the American Urological Association and the American Cancer Society recommend a prostate screening every year for men ages 55 to 69. They also recommend that men who are at high risk such as African-American men and men who have a family history of prostate cancer begin screening at age 40. Screening tests for prostate cancer include a blood test for a substance called prostate-specific antigen and the digital rectal exam .
Recommended Reading: What Are The Symptoms Of Prostate Cancer Mens Health
Other Forms Of Treatment For Benign Prostate Disease
Other forms of treatment may include:
- monitor symptoms the condition is monitored closely. Treatment only begins once the condition has progressed and is causing problems
- medical treatment symptoms of benign enlargement can be treated by medications that relax the muscles around the bladder or that shrink the prostate and delay the need for surgery.
Don’t Miss: Can Women Have Prostate Cancer
Drugs Can Often Help But Sometimes Surgery Is Needed
As men age, they often experience a new kind of growth spurt, known as benign prostatic hyperplasia or an enlarged prostate gland.
Your prostate is located just below the bladder. Over time, it can grow from about the size of a walnut to as large as a lemon. It weighs about 30 to 35 grams in your 50s, but can balloon to as much as 100 grams. A growing prostate can place pressure on the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder through the penis and out of the body .
To continue reading this article, you must log in.
- Research health conditions
- Prepare for a doctor’s visit or test
- Find the best treatments and procedures for you
- Explore options for better nutrition and exercise
Who Is Eligible For Pae
The PAE procedure is best for candidates who are either ineligible due to pre-existing health conditions or not interested in traditional surgery. An exam with an interventional radiologist can determine if you are a candidate for PAE. At this appointment, you may be asked how often you have urinary symptoms of BPH, how severe they are, and how much they affect your quality of life. Men who have advanced heart diseases associated with smoking or diabetes may not be candidates for PAE.
Don’t Miss: Does Medicare Cover Prostate Surgery
When To Call Your Doctor
- Fever and/or chills
- Blood in your urine after two weeks or excessively bloody urine
- Painful or swollen testicle or scrotum
- Inability to urinate
Your first follow-up visit will be around two weeks after your procedure. At this appointment, your doctor will monitor you for complications, ensure you are able to empty your bladder appropriately, and review improvements in your BPH symptoms.
Foods That Shrink The Prostate Gland
Benign prostatic hyperplasia becomes a common ailment as we age. It is an enlargement of the prostate gland and causes various urinary symptoms.
BPH is not cancer, but sometimes the prostate gland grows too much, and doctors decide to practice surgery. But if you have a slightly increased gland, you may need non-invasive treatment instead.
The normal prostate is made up of a given number of cells. In a prostate with BPH, the number of cells increases.
The exact cause is unknown, but aging and hormones are both critical factors. It is the primary cause of urinary symptoms in men, especially urinary retention and frequent urination.
Urination becomes frequent and sometimes difficult and wakes them up at night. Some patients may also have erectile dysfunction, but this symptom is usually due to other health conditions.
The majority of these problems can be solved by reducing the size of the prostate gland. But is it possible? How can you shrink the prostate gland with foods?
You May Like: Wife Gives Husband Prostate Massage
Don’t Miss: When Should You Get Tested For Prostate Cancer
Learn How To Shrink The Prostate Naturally A Personal Guide To Prostate Health
An Inflamed Swelling of the Prostate is difficult but Very Possible to Deflate. Your Prostate is also an Extremely Annoying issue among slightly older guys to older guys. So, we will discuss in detail just how to Shrink the Prostate Naturally for better Prostate Health. From the constant night-time bathroom trips to the feeling of not being able to even Go. First, I will explain what the Prostate is and Why it does what it does abnormally holding in that urine. It can become an interruption to our very Life Style. Then we will dive right into how we can approach the Natural Prostate Treatment, Possible Cures, and remedies. Lets Stop this abnormal enlargement of this organ. Caution ! Patience. It takes a while, guys. Persistence should pay off.
Why Is This Important
An enlarged prostate can cause two main symptoms of the lower urinary tract: voiding and urinary retention. Prior to this research, some experts believed surgery did not help men with urinary retention. However, the trial found both prostate procedures are effective for treating both voiding symptoms and urinary retention.
Although previous research suggested that the laser procedure would lead to fewer complications and a reduced hospital stay compared to TURP, this was not seen in the study. The new findings from Bristol suggest hospitals who already perform TURP do not necessarily need to invest in equipment and training for the ThuVARP laser procedure. Patients can be reassured that either surgical option is safe and effective. The researchers say new treatment approaches should continue to be compared with TURP, as NICE guidelines recommend.
Read Also: Can An Ultrasound Detect Prostate Cancer