By Lynn Allison From Newsmax

When a man reaches age 25, his prostate begins to grow. The process known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, is the most common form of prostate enlargement.  It happens when cells in the prostate abnormally divide and multiply, causing the organ to grow.

BHP is a benign condition that doesn’t lead to prostate cancer, but it can make life miserable for the 50% of men over age 50 who are affected by this condition.

Dr. David B. Samadi, a board-certified urologist, a Newsmax contributor, the director of Men’s Health and Urologic Oncology at St. Francis Hospital in Roslyn, New York, and author of the recently released  book, The Ultimate MANual: Dr. Samadi’s Guide to Men’s Health and Wellness, tells Newsmax:

“As men age, the walnut-sized prostate situated below the bladder begins to grow. As the prostate gland grows larger, this constricts the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder outside the body. That’s when men experience annoying symptoms of frequent urination along with excessive urination at night, dribbling after urination, urinary urgency, urinary leaking, and a sense of not emptying the bladder completely after urinating.”

The growth is what leads to the symptoms of BPH making life unbearable at times for some men. The symptoms of BPH can vary from man to man, and those who experience particularly annoying symptoms, will seek out what treatment methods are available, says Samadi.

The expert says there are plenty of supplements for “men’s health” often referring to care of an enlarged prostate.

“One remedy for BPH has been herbs to treat the urinary symptoms. Chinese and Japanese medicine has resorted to the use of herbs for an enlarged prostate for centuries. Even some European countries have turned to herbs as a first-line treatment for mild to moderate urinary symptoms of BPH,” he says. However, most scientific studies on herbs used for BPH have insufficient evidence.

“Healthy lifestyle changes can be a good method of reducing symptoms of BPH,” Dr. Samadi adds. “Before automatically believing the symptoms are due only to BPH, all men should have a yearly prostate exam to rule out the possibility of prostate cancer.”

Here are simple lifestyle changes to help manage the symptoms and bring relief to men who have BPH, according to Samadi:

1. Being tensed up or nervous can cause a man to urinate more frequently. Regular exercise, practicing yoga, or meditation can relive stress that may help reduce the urge to urinate.
2. Each time a man urinates, he needs to empty the bladder completely to reduce the need for several trips to the bathroom. Sometimes this may take time, but it will be time well spent as it will help reduce the need for additional trips to the bathroom. Also, practice “double voiding” by urinating as much as possible, relaxing for a few moments, and then urinating again.
3. Sometimes prescription or over-the-counter medications may be contributing to the problem. A doctor should review all medication checking to see if they can adjust dosages, change the schedule of when medications are taken, or prescribe different medications that cause fewer urinary issues.
4. Avoid drinking fluids at least three hours before bedtime. Beverages containing caffeine or alcohol are diuretics which stimulate the kidneys to make urine, increasing the likelihood of nighttime urination. They also can affect the bladder’s muscle tone.  

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