The Facts about Enlarged Prostate: What To Do If And When It Happens

We can’t stop it…like gray hair and wrinkles. If it is going to happen… then it happens…

No clever metaphors. No sugar coating. This is what you need to know if you’re concerned about an enlarged prostate, or the threat of prostate cancer.

Today, we are going to talk about a topic that no one really wants to talk about…prostate health.

Admittedly, I was a bit…uncomfortable…when Cheryl – my good friend and editor – presented this hush-hush, yet all-too-common health concern for boys as this month’s Home Cures That Work topic. But after I began researching and breaking down the skinny, my discomfort transformed into curiosity. My curiosity blossomed into interest (and then fright), which set me on the path toward uncovering the best natural methods for keeping your prostate (or one belonging to someone you know and love) healthy and functioning to a “T”…or is it a “P”?

What I am going to share with you today is the fruit of my investigative labor. Today, I have some terrific all-natural foods and beverages to keep Mr. Prostate the right size and cancer-free – for life!

But, I must warn you up front. This is a mature discussion and you may find some of the information here a little “off color,” but only because of the subject matter: where the prostate is and what it does. So, if you are okay with that – then let’s get started…

What is a prostate…Where is it…Why does my dad call it “prostrate?”

If you know all there is to know about the prostate gland, then by all means skip to the next section. If not, let’s roll up our sleeves and dig in. Okay? Bad choice of words…

First, the word prostate comes from the Greek “prostates,” which translates exactly to “protector.” Simply put, the modern prostate is a gland found in most mammals. But today, we will focus on the male prostate and how to keep it from going from protector to widow-maker.

The prostate is an exocrine gland in the reproductive system, which is roughly the size of a golf ball and resides at the neck of the urethra and bladder. If it becomes enlarged with age or through neglect, it can make urination problematic by interrupting the flow. This can be discouraging and painful at best – and life-threatening at worst – but more on that in just a moment.

The sole responsibility of the prostate is to secrete the liquid that transports sperm. It is the fluid part of semen. In fact, it accounts for about 25% of the total volume of semen. The rest is spermatozoa and seminal vesicle fluid.

It is sometimes incorrectly referred to as “prostrate,” which means to throw oneself down in “submission or adoration.” So, if you or someone you know says “prostrate cancer” or “enlarged prostrate”  – stop them!

The problem with the prostate is not its function, nor its mere presence. The problem is that it can become enlarged and effect its owner very negatively. As it grows, it puts pressure on the bladder – making you feel like you have to urinate – as well as undue pressure on the urethra, preventing you from effectively answering the “call.” Urination becomes a dreaded task, sporadic, often painful and in extreme cases – downright impossible. An enlarged prostate also dramatically increases the risk of cancer in the gland… and that is where it gets ugly.

Now that I know what it is and what it does (and how to pronounce it), why does the prostate enlarge and how does it become a health threat?

The prostate needs adequate supplies of testosterone to work and regulate. As men age, their testosterone levels drop and they then jump into the higher risk category for enlarged prostate and prostatic cancer. In other words, if testosterone is not there to regulate and “babysit” the prostate, it runs amok and becomes like the honey badger – it just doesn’t care. Cells in the prostate gland begin to multiply causing it to grow and when it does, it causes stress on the surrounding organs. This is where the problems begin – as you will soon see.

Other effects of lowered testosterone levels are fatigue, lack of confidence and diminishing libido. If you experience any of these symptoms, then you are on your way to “growing” your prostate.

Although a growing prostate is a natural occurrence as men get older, the National Kidney and Urological Disease Information Clearinghouse says the problem becomes all too common in men over 50. “By age 60, over one-half men have [it]; by age 85, the number climbs to 90%.”

Not all enlarged prostates lead to cancer – some are benign. However, the risk of cancer skyrockets because what causes the prostate to enlarge is a blow-out in cell production. Whenever there’s increased cell production in tissues, our old enemy “Big C” likes to step in and take over. When that happens, your life takes a downturn from which you may not recover.

Here are a few symptoms of an enlarged prostate. If you have them, then