Natural BPH (Prostate Enlargement) Tips

How was your Fourth of July weekend? Were there any fireworks going off in your neighborhood? 

As summer continues to turn up the heat, we want to see men turn up their passion for prostate care, specifically BPH (prostate enlargement commonly accompanied by uncomfortable urinary symptoms like frequent urination and slow or weak urinary stream). 

If you still pick up newspapers, you may see articles discussing health, natural remedies and tips. You may not be surprised to see some men’s health or prostate care tips, too. For those of you who like taking a natural path to better health, these may be worth a read and a talk with your doctor. If you see naturopathic physicians or nutritionists, they may help you think of meal or ingredients to incorporate for better prostate health. Ask your doctor about the consumption of soy (in foods like tofu and tempeh), tomatoes (which contain lycopene) and cranberries for bladder health. Although their efficacy in managing prostate health directly may be debated, if you are eating healthy food in moderation while also keeping your personal situation in mind (allergies, comorbidities, current medications, etc.) you may be supporting your body holistically. Eating well means your body can get the nutrition it needs to support your multitude of bodily functions including the immune system. Reducing stress of the mind will also prevent the stress from further weakening your immune system. Some people find mindfulness meditation or other forms of therapy and activities like safe exercise to be helpful. 

If the natural path to managing prostate enlargement is attractive to you, you may also consider UMOOZE, which was clinically shown to support men with BPH symptoms by improving their IPSS scores in various criteria (see the study on the Clinical Trials website). 

What other food do you eat and associate with health, nutrition, and BPH management? What foods do you avoid? Avoiding food and drinks containing an excess of salt, sugar, trans fats and high calorie count may be a start. 

Your fluid intake habits may also play a role in managing your BPH. Can’t go wrong with a glass of water if you don’t know where to start! Drinking more during the day and less at night may help reduce the thickness of urine, thereby reducing irritation to the bladder. Drinking soy milk or astragalus tea may also help, but bear in mind that even when consumed to reduce stress and produce calm or other health benefits, some teas, especially caffeinated teas, may be diuretic and produce more urinary urges.

Let’s support men on their journey to naturally managing their BPH! 

Having a Large Prostate in the Summer

Summer is hot, hot, hot! But what happens when your prostate is big, big, big? An enlarged prostate is medically known as BPH. Do you know about BPH? It is a common condition in older men, and it may be associated with frequent bathroom trips, urinary discomfort, and restless nights. 

The global pandemic has already put a hamper on many things this year, and for the men living with BPH, quality of life might be compromised. 

BPH affects not only men, but the people around them, too!

Men who share a bed with their partners and get up many times a night to urinate- this affects two people's sleep!

Men who hang out with their friends and aren't in the moment because they're focusing on the nearest bathroom- this affects friends!

Men who are travelling with family on a long needed vacation (back when it was okay to travel) aren't in the moment either- this affects family!

Men who aren't doing work as productively because they're lacking energy from lack of sleep- this affects coworkers and clients!

As our population gets older, it might not be far fetched to imagine men's bathrooms where urinals are being taken up by older men with BPH, and their slow and weak urinary flow means taking longer, and longer lines for the men's room. 

Men with BPH who want relief are feeling frustrated, and it doesn't have to be this way! This summer, you can enjoy good weather (safely and practicing social distancing).

Whether you are a proponent of natural solutions (see UMOOZE study on clinicaltrials.gov) or you're trying to modify your lifestyle with healthier nutrition, more physical activity, and voiding techniques, you can find relief, feel a sense of freedom from the bathroom, and have a better quality of life. But the first step is to identify the problem and learn more about it so you can make a decision with your doctor and weigh the best solution for you. 

BPH affects many parts of men's lives, so managing the symptoms and taking a whole body approach could help you age gracefully and enjoy more summers to come! 

BPH and TCM: A Natural Remedy in Prostate Enlargement

Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is the use and practice of plants, herbs and natural ingredients to help treat ailments and reduce symptoms, all with the goal of improving health. People who are open to natural treatments may believe that there is less risk associated and less side effects. There may also be a motivation of reduced cost when considering natural treatments. Whatever the reason may be, even before the dawn of modern medicine, herbs were used by people around the world. 

We think that TCM, if studied and given more credibility, then men who have benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), especially during the mild stages, may find good health support. BPH is another term for enlarged prostate, and it is usually associated with frequent urination, getting up many times at night for the bathroom, struggle to start and stop urinating, dribbling, sensation of urine remaining after emptying, and sexual dysfunction. In more extreme cases, kidney damage, stones, and complete inability to urinate (complete blockage of the urethra) may occur. 

The skepticism with traditional Chinese medicine stems from a number of reasons, such as lack of evidence, inconsistent formulas among different brands, lack of clinical testing, low quality control, etc. This does not apply to all companies who are in the nutraceutical/supplement business, but when some rotten apples cut corners, it gives a negative image on the industry as a whole. 

Word of mouth and established trust may motivate people to give TCM a try. Just as UMOOZE performed well in a clinical trial for BPH, we hope that more attention can be paid to ingredients like astragalus and soy to see if more men can benefit from the health properties in service to managing BPH symptoms and improving quality of life. Let's find more ways to safely consider TCM in the healthy lifestyles of men with BPH!    

You Want to Find Relief From BPH Naturally?

Although the advancement of medicine has supported us in many ways, there has always been a concern for side effects associated with certain treatments and medications. The same goes for men who have a condition called BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia), which is where the prostate is enlarged and may cause interference with urinary function (frequent urination, slow urinary flow, dribbling, sensation of remaining urine, etc.). Some medications prescribed for BPH may be associated with side effects such as dizziness, sexual dysfunction, decreased libido, and nausea. Some surgical procedures may also carry risks in urinary and sexual function. This isn't to say that medication and surgery should not be considered, especially because some forms of severe BPH may call for these treatments, and if the doctor and patient can weigh the benefits and risks, they can think of the most appropriate course of action depending on the patient's situation. 

For men with mild BPH or BPH that is just starting to occur, men may think of natural treatments to help minimize the symptoms. Natural ingredients also need to be reviewed carefully to ensure the patient is not allergic, or that the natural ingredients do not clash with current medications the patient may be taking. A safe, plant based treatment that is clinically proven to be effective may encourage more studies and more men to give it a try. For an example of natural BPH treatments out there, UMOOZE, which uses astragalus and soy, has had a study which can be reviewed on clinicaltrials.gov. 

If we can raise awareness of BPH, we can look into more solutions, especially for men who may not be able to take medications or undergo surgery for specific health related reasons. Providing more solutions for a condition that most men may deal with later in life is important. More men are living longer and having to experience urinary discomfort and reduced quality of life. Let's support men with BPH and young men who may have BPH in the future! It is possible to marry the idea of effective natural treatment with a better quality of life!   

Your Large Prostate is Disrupting Your Sleep

Did you know that May is Better Sleep Month? Did you know that some men with BPH (prostate enlargement) have to get up many times a night to go to the bathroom, and therefore are losing out on a good night's sleep? That's why if you have BPH, it's important for you to think about how to get a better night's sleep, and what better month to think about that than now? The goal of BPH treatment is to help manage and reduce symptoms that disrupt your day to day life. You may also know frequent urination as nocturia. So how can you combat nocturia associated with BPH?

If you're getting up many times a night and experiencing nocturia, make sure you've talked to your doctor to know if it's BPH. There are a few urinary and prostatic conditions that display similar symptoms, so it's important to know if what you have is BPH. 

You should drink more fluids during the day and less at night. Drinking fluids regularly will help you make the urine less thick in the bladder and help reduce irritation. However, you should avoid or reduce irritants to the bladder like caffeine, spices, and alcohol.

Here are some additional tips from Dr. Tan:
You should try to...
- Elevate your legs before going to sleep so that fluids don't accumulate in the lower body and increase urinary urges. 

- Go to the bathroom just before you go to sleep so you can sleep with an empty bladder and reduce the trips early on in your sleep cycle. 

If you'd like tips for getting back to sleep when getting up in the middle of the night for a bathroom trip, you can try these tips:
- If you have trouble getting back to sleep after getting up, try a white noise machine or ambient music to help lull you to sleep.
- Install a dim light in your toilet bowl or use a dim light setting to reduce the sensation of being awake from bright lights. 
- Keep a bed pan or pee bottle near your bed so you can relieve yourself and get back to sleep sooner.

- Ensure your mattress is still in good quality in terms of your preferred firmness or softness to help you fall asleep.   

You know that sleep is important to maintain your immune system and get through the day with less stress and more energy. Don't let BPH get in the way of your sleep or your quality of life!

Lower Incidence Rate of Prostate Enlargement (BPH) in Asian Men

The month of may is Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month. This is a time to celebrate the achievements of the Asian community as well as promote more inclusivity and diversity that openly welcomes the participation of people with Asian descent in the workplace, in our media, in our healthcare, and more. The experiences, insight, and work contributed by the Asian community has strengthened and expanded the multicultural fabric of many countries around the world. One area we want to explore in particular is the reception of traditional Chinese medicine. Many people have sought natural alternatives or complementary solutions to the management of health ailments. In Asia, herbal remedies and plant based therapies have been well received for generations to help with a variety of conditions. This includes a condition we passionately write about in our blogs, BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia). This is a condition that commonly occurs in older men where the prostate gland increases in size, which may create issues within the urinary tract, including frequent urination, slow or poor urinary flow, sensation of residual urine, urges, trouble starting and stopping urination, pushing or forcing urine, etc. 

It also just so happens that Asian men have been found to have a lower incidence rate of BPH. Some have suggested diet has a role because of soy, which is somewhat of a staple in Asian cuisine, as well as a balanced diet more inclusive of plant based nutrition. It could be that the prostate is growing at a slower rate in Asian men, or that they feel the symptoms less intensely due to an effective lifestyle management. Herbs such as astragalus, which support immune function, may also help. This was found in a clinical trial for the plant based supplement UMOOZE with astragalus and soy extracts in a study for men with BPH.  

All in all, if you have been interested in exploring natural solutions to mild BPH that can be safely implemented alongside a healthy lifestyle you may look to the Asian men's health community for potential support! 

So Your Large Prostate Embarrasses You

It's no wonder that you almost never hear men talk about it. Well, another reason could be that not many men know their condition is called BPH. Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a condition in which the prostate gland grows in size and may interfere with urinary function (frequent urination, urges, poor flow, slow flow, sensation of remaining urine, etc). 

And let's be for real, when was the last time you talked about your prostate to your friends and family? Maybe the power of online communities makes it easier to ask questions about your prostate, be it in your search browser or a forum. This is why everyone should learn about BPH, no matter if you're a young high school boy or a woman in their mid 30s, and everything under the sun. 

Maybe you're reluctant to talk about the prostate because many public conversations about the prostate involve jokes about awkward encounters with your doctor's gloved finger or comparing a senator's prostate to the size of watermelon (yes, Jimmy Kimmel joked that Mitch McConnell's prostate must have been the size of a watermelon due to his frequent request for dinner breaks during a senate hearing). These sorts of comments may discourage men from being more open to talk about their prostate at the risk of being made fun of. However, we want you to know that even if such comments were to come your way, real friends and family will realize that your health is important and they will support you in your BPH management journey. 

The more we know about BPH and how it can interfere with a man's life, the more we can make strides in our community to support BPH patients. There are many physiological conditions that may be embarrassing to bring up, so talking to your doctor, trusted circles and support groups on and offline may help. Remember to search and share information responsibly if you are looking things up online. 

This Better Sleep Month, let's get a good night's rest by managing our BPH!
This Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month, let's take the examples and contributions by the Asian community to learn more about how we may be able to manage BPH naturally! 

Immunity's Role in Prostate Enlargement (BPH)

A 2007 study suggests that BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostate enlargement) is a condition related to immunity deregulation and inflammation. Other prostate conditions including prostatitis may cause inflammation to the prostate. When the immune system is compromised due to stress or attacking itself, this could have negative consequences to many parts of the body, including the prostate. This is why it is important for men to care for their immune systems as a holistic approach to the management of prostate enlargement.

Symptoms of prostate enlargement include but are not limited to:
- frequent urination, especially at night
- sexual dysfunction
- struggle to start and stop urination
- slow urinary stream
- dribble at the end of urination

During this pandemic, talks about keeping your immune system strong have been discussed worldwide. Getting a good night's rest is important for your body to recover from a long day's work and have the strength to function at capacity the next day. When BPH patients have to get up several times a night to go to the bathroom, this could impede a good night's rest and compromise the immune system's recovery period during rest. So you see, immunity and prostate enlargement are somewhat interrelated, kind of like how dental and oral health are interrelated to heart health.

For BPH patients, it may be necessary to manage not only urinary symptoms but also their immune health as they find ways to get a longer night's rest and less frequent bathroom trips. Traditional Chinese and herbal plant therapies to boost immunity, as well as a good balanced nutrition plan and safely practiced physical activity may be of support.

Pelvic floor exercises may also support the urinary urges that are associated with BPH to support retention and ease of urinary flow. However, any decisions you make regarding herbal plant therapy, your nutrition, and exercises activities should be consulted with a medical professional to ensure you are not affecting any other existing conditions or putting yourself at unnecessary risk.

For example. astragalus or huang qi has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for benefits such as immune boosting, anti inflammation and for its anti oxidant properties. Inflammation that appears in the body could be a sign that your immune system is fighting an infection or even itself. That's why it's important for a doctor to consult with you what's happening in your specific case.

More research on how soy could benefit the immune system should also be encouraged in the prostate health sphere, because men in Asia who have soy as a staple in their nutrition could be one of the reasons why BPH has a lower incidence rate in Asian men compared to men around the world.

What do you do to boost your immunity?

Can Artificial Intelligence One Day Better Support Men With Prostate Enlargement?

Artificial intelligence is being used everywhere in our daily lives. Whether it's to track and predict the impact of the global pandemic, to recommend you a cool series to watch on your streaming service, or to drive your car, it seems artificial intelligence is all the rage these days.

That got us thinking: could artificial intelligence make its way into BPH patients? BPH, or benign prostatic hyperplasia, is a condition in men around 40 and older where the prostate grows in size and may interfere with urinary and sexual function. This could mean constantly looking for a bathroom when you're out and about, sleep deprived nights, trouble in bed with your partner, and overall lower quality of life. 

The way BPH is diagnosed is through going to the doctor. The doctor may perform a digital rectal exam to feel the size and texture of the prostate- this is important to differentiate between prostate cancer and other conditions like BPH and prostatitis. A prostate specific antigen  (PSA) blood test may also take place to check PSA levels in the blood. And, men may fill out a questionnaire called the international prostate symptom score (IPSS) to rank their symptoms and determine how mild or not the BPH is.

There may some aspects of the diagnosis which over time may be handled by artificial intelligence for the purposes of worldwide statistics, incidence rates, and recommended treatment options. Although artificial intelligence is not at the stage of completely taking over the healthcare system, it could provide more efficiency in certain areas that are currently lacking.

Artificial intelligence could also provide databases of previous anonymous patients and treatment options, quantifying the treatments' efficacy, length of time to improve the IPSS, severity of side effects, and other factors such as prostate size before and after treatment, urinary flow rate, etc.

Although we don't imagine artificial intelligence being integrated into robotics for robots to perform digital rectal exams, there may be robots who can ask and record IPSS for patients and recommend a best course of action alongside the doctor and grab from worldwide treatments, including plant based treatments as add on therapy.

Just as social media makes personalized ads for certain demographics, more men who reach older ages may start to get pushes here and there about BPH so they can have awareness.

How do you foresee artificial intelligence impacting the men's health space, including for BPH patients?

For more BPH articles, visit sunjourhc.blogspot.com!

Like the Easter Bunny, Spring into Action for Prostate Enlargement (BPH)

How was your Easter weekend? For some it is a religious celebration and for others it's a time to celebrate spring imagery with bunnies and decorated eggs. With the global pandemic, we may not have been able to spend Easter the same way as in previous years, but we hope everyone stays safe and healthy in hopes for a more eventful Easter next year!

Today's blog is (unsurprisingly) about BPH. BPH stands for benign prostatic hyerplasia, and it's a common prostate enlargement condition that may come with frequent urination, poor urinary flow, and other bladder related symptoms due to the anatomic proximity of prostate and bladder. This condition is more likely to affect men in older age, but you may not have heard of it unless you or someone you know was diagnosed by a doctor.

Now, what does Easter have to do with BPH? Easter is a spring holiday that brings about the feelings of reawakening and new beginnings. For men avoiding their yearly health checkups, for men with frequent urination who haven't gone to their doctor to get that checked out, and for men who were diagnosed with BPH but haven't made many positive lifestyle modifications to properly manage symptoms, this could be your chance to make a positive impact for your health. For those whose loved ones may have BPH, this is your chance to learn more about this condition and offer support. Although we may feel limited by the global pandemic, we can still make adjustments in the home to help BPH patients starting in the mind and home.

Playing an active role in BPH could mean more  chances to live a better quality of life by considering your options carefully and responsibly with doctors, support groups, and loved ones. Although there's not a one size fits all solution for BPH, if you can weigh the risks and benefits, there could be a way to manage mild BPH in a safe way. For those in need of surgical and medical intervention, and for those who are struggling with the side effects of stronger forms of treatment, we hope you can find ways to recover from the side effects as well with therapeutic and medical support.

BPH patients and loved ones, this year's Easter season may have passed, but your spring awakening could be around the corner!