Prostate Problems

The prostate, the male sex gland, is roughly the shape and size of a chestnut and weighs about three-quarters of an ounce in a 30-year-old man. It is normally elastic and flexible, easily allowing the neck of the bladder to open for urination purposes. However, over time, the prostate grows larger, loses its elasticity and begins to obstruct the bladder, which marks the beginning of the urinary difficulties.

Adenoma (or benign hypertrophy) is almost inevitable in the older male, affecting 80 per cent of men. A longer life expectancy, and the ageing of the lopulation in general, are transforming this condition into a public health problem, particularly as cancer of the prostate is the second most common form of cancer among men.

The prostate's secretions, a milky, slightly acidic fluid due to the presence of citrates, form the first approximately 30 per cent of the ejaculate.

The role of the prostate

The prostate has numerous functions:
- it plays a part in the production of sperm by improving its quality, and therefore its fertility
- it acts on the viability and the motility of the sperm cells
- it supplies a liquid environment for the sperm, providing immune protection
- it allows the bladder to empty by relaxing its muscular area, something it does less and less well over time
- prostate fluid also seems to provide some protection against infection, perhaps due to its zinc content

There is a marked contrast between the diminished function of the prostate after the age of 60, and the increased risk of disease in the organ.

Symptoms

Although the symptoms vary from one patient to the next, the normal progression of the adenoma takes place in stages, starting generally after the age of 50:

- the first phase is marked by the frequent need to urinate (pollakiuria), especially at night, a need that may become urgent and cause considerable inconvenience

- this is followed by difficulties with micturition itself: trouble with the first stage of urination, with the need to push or strain, a diminished urine stream, requiring more time to finish emptying the bladder, with occasional signs of a few drops of post-urination incontinence
- a slow, but steady worsening of these symptoms
- the possible occurrence of acute episodes of urinary retention, requiring hospital treatment

These clinical symptoms are likely due to hormonal influences, since men who have been castrated before puberty (fortunately, there are very few nowadays) do not develop adenoma.

Monitoring

This is done by means of questions, a clinical exam, and ultrasound and biological indications.

• The types of questions the doctor asks are a reflection of the difficulties you may be having: Do you feel you have to strain when you urinate? Is there a delay before the urine starts to flow? Do you feel any burning sensation as you pass urine? Does your urine stream seem weaker than in the past? Does it take longer to urinate now? Do you feel your bladder is completely emptied when you finish? How many times do you have to get up in the night to go? Do you ever feel the need to urinate when you cannot hold it in? In what circumstances?
• The three standard tests for the monitoring and diagnosis of prostate problems are a rectal examination, a PSA (prostatic specific antigen) blood test, and an ultrasound scan
• Medical treatment is enough in most cases, over a number of years. If the discomfort the prostate causes becomes too severe, the possibility of surgery may be discussed

A few tips

• Keep up moderate physical activity
• Avoid fizzy drinks, alcohol, or other liquids in the evening
• Cut out spicy food so as to help limit prostate enlargement

Homeopathy

Sabal serrulata is the standard remedy, which you can take for life
- Four 5c tablets to be sucked slowly like sweets twice a day for months

You could also try Lehning @ 6 Juniperus Complex I , whose ingredients include Sabal 2x, Thuja 3x and Bel, ladonna 3x:
- Available in 30ml bottles of oral drops
-Twenty drops to be taken in a little water, three times a day

Or you can take Sabal-Homaccord@ eel) which contains tincture and tencies of Sabal serrulatum as well Hepar sulfur in various potencies: -available in drop bottles containing and 100ml
-In general, 10 drops 3 times daily. In acute disorders, initially 10 drops every 15 minutes.

Sabal or saw palmetto

Ie hazelnut-scented berries of this small North American palm tree are said to have some hormonal effects that increase prostatic health, cleanse the urine and stimulate the libido.

Herbal remedies

Onion, nettle, and saw palmetto

The onion bulbs from our kitchen gardens contain anti-infective agents, and have been used for this purpose since Greek and Roman times. During the middle Ages, onions were hung beside cloves of garlic in the doorway of the house to ward off the plague. The onion's decongestive, diuretic, and anti­inflammatory properties recommend it for prostatitis.

Neetle

The roots of the stinging nettle were in country remedies to cure bed­ wetting in children. In adults, nettle can help prostatitis and revive sexuality. The young shoots can be eaten like vegetables or in soups for their nutritional, depurative (blood purifying) and tonic value.

Possible Prescription: Ask your herbalist to prepare a 125ml bottle of nettle in a whole fresh-plant suspension. Take half a teaspoonful in a little water morning and night.

You could also try Nature's plus Pygeum, which contains 100mg of pygeum, an African plant:
- Available in containers of 30 softgels
- One softgel to be taken daily

• Alternatively you could take Prostanol@ (Sional) which is a combination of vitamin E, magnesium, zinc, pumpkin seeds, saw palmetto and extract of nettle:
  - Available in containers of 40 capsules
  - Take 1 capsule 3 times daily for a month, then 1 capsule daily as maintenance.

Pygeum africanum

The wood from this African plum tree is extremely hard, and is used for making carts. The bark is the source of the extract that is helpful in prostate conditions.

Oligotherapy

Magnesium

This trace element usually comes from the diet, which should be varied and of high quality. In cases of deficiency, which often occurs with magnesium, it can be given as a medicinal supplement.

Magnesium treatment: this is available in various brands and formats, such as Organic Minerals (Colloidals) which contains 70+ trace minerals:
- Available in 946ml bottles
- Take 1-3 caps just before breakfast and/or evening meal
- Children 1 teaspoon daily for each 20lbs of body weight

Or Maximol (Ionized coJloidals)

- Available in 500ml bottles
- Take 1/2 capful once or twice daily on an empty stomach.