Enlarged Prostate- Treatment Options You Should Know About

Prostate health is a major concern for older men, particularly because the problem of enlarged prostate is widely prevalent. Although the condition is not cancerous and urgent interventions are not required, it can be quite a troublemaker. You will need to use the restroom repeatedly and wake up several times during the night, which can make life uncomfortable.

So exploring your treatment options makes sense and fortunately you have several of them. The option you choose greatly depends on your age and health, the severity of your symptoms, and your personal preference. Moreover, not all men even require it. Still, here are the treatment options you should know about.

Watchful waiting

The signs and symptoms of an enlarged prostate are often bothersome but you may not require treatment right away because it is not a life-threatening condition. In a majority of cases, doctors recommend watchful waiting for the patients. The idea is to self-monitor your symptoms and get yearly checks for any changes in the prostate. However, you need to understand that an enlarged prostate is progressive in nature and can get worse over time. In fact, it can lead to issues like urinary tract infections and bladder problems if left unchecked.

Positive lifestyle changes

Apart from watchful waiting, some positive lifestyle changes can help you cope with the minor symptoms to a significant extent. Cutting back on alcohol and coffee, avoiding fluids in the evening, maintaining a healthy weight, and staying off medicines such as decongestants and antihistamines can help. Make it a habit to urinate as soon as you feel the urge. Practice Kegel exercises for strengthening the bladder muscles.

Supplements and herbs

Supplements and herbal treatments have shown effective results in terms of symptom relief in many people. Saw palmetto extract, in particular, has emerged as a promising supplement you can rely on. You can go through ProstaGenix reviews to understand how these have actually helped people with prostate issues live a healthier life. It is best to consult a practitioner before starting a supplement or herbal therapy.

Medication

Another treatment option for people suffering from enlarged prostate is medication. Essentially, this will be a prescription medicine written by your doctor. The therapy is indicated for patients who cannot experience much relief with lifestyle changes and supplements. The medications for the condition include alpha-blockers and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors. While alpha-blockers are effective for helping the urine flow by relaxing the muscles in the prostate area, 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors are capable of shrinking the prostate and slowing their growth.

Minimally Invasive Treatments

In some patients, minimally invasive procedures may be recommended for providing symptom relief. The best thing about these procedures is that they do not carry the risks of conventional surgery. The minimally invasive procedures for an enlarged prostate include transurethral needle ablation (TUNA), transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT), and water-induced thermotherapy. The doctor performs them in the office only using local anesthesia.

These options are safe and effective though you cannot follow a one-size-fits-all approach for them; just because one has worked for someone doesn’t mean that it would be right for you as well. The choice of the best treatment that works for you is to be made in consultation with the doctor.