Causes of enlarged prostate and natural treatments: alternatives for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)
Prostate problems affect around 50 percent of men during their lifetime, and after ruling out prostate cancer, the diagnosis is usually benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Conventionally, this common disorder is treated with medication or surgery. However, before resorting to drugs (with side effects that can be serious) or surgery (which also has obvious risks), it makes sense to first look at six possible root causes of BPH. After you identify any of these causes, you can troubleshoot those issues to see if this resolves the condition.
Although BPH appears to be largely the result of hormonal changes associated with aging, laboratory tests can identify biochemical changes that can be addressed, leading to a reduction in symptoms without resorting to drugs or surgery. If you are concerned about your prostate health, you can also reduce your risk of problems by paying attention to these factors.
Recommended Laboratory Tests for Causes of BPH
Six factors related to BPH, according to a comprehensive review of the medical literature, are:
1. Decreased testosterone levels. Recommended: Male Hormone Test
2. Deficiencies of essential minerals, such as zinc, selenium and copper. Recommended: Mineral blood test
3. Essential fatty acid deficiencies, such as an imbalance of omega 3 vs. omega 6. Recommended: Essential and Metabolic Fatty Acids Test
4. Deficiencies of the amino acids lysine, alanine and glutamic acid. Recommended: Amino Acid Test
5. Pesticides and environmental toxins, such as dioxin and benzene. Recommended: Urinary Heavy Metal Test
6. Heavy metal toxins, such as cadmium. Recommended: Urinary Heavy Metal Test
Investigation of causes prevents surgery and drug side effects
By performing the above laboratory tests, you may be able to identify biochemical causes that can be addressed, leading to a reduction in symptoms without resorting to surgery or medications. A possible life-altering side effect of prostate surgery is incontinence. Side effects of common prostate medications include decreased sexual desire, impotence, breathing problems, dizziness, nausea, drowsiness, weakness, sleep disturbances, and many more. In addition to these moderate to severe side effects, prostate symptoms may eventually return.
Also note that some prostate medications are quite expensive and must be taken for the rest of your life to prevent the original symptoms from returning.
It just makes sense to investigate the causes before embarking on surgery or medication.
where to find help
If your primary care doctor or urologist is not willing to test for the possible causes listed above, a Functional Medicine professional can help. You will find a worldwide directory of healthcare professionals who have been trained in Functional Medicine at http://www.functionalmedicinedoctors.com.