Prostate Disease
By virtue of its location, if the prostate becomes dysfunctional, real problems invariably develop. Swelling is the most common manifestation of a malfunctioning prostate. With swelling come problem with urination and discomfort in the rectum,both painful consequences of a lifestyle that has been far less than kind to this small organ. Thus the lowly prostate looms up ever larger in the minds of men as they pass through the portals of middle age.
Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy
By age 60, about half of all men will have developed some enlargement of the prostate, by 80, almost all. Benign prostatic hypertrophy (enlargement) can force its victims to arise several times each night to urinate, and may eventually result in acute urinary retention which may result in several problems.Massage of the prostate can afford a great deal of relief and can postpone surgery, and in some cases, prevent it.
Zinc Essential to Prostate
The prostate cannot function properly without adequate zinc. The prostate gland contains more zinc than any other organ In the body.It is found in high concentration in sperm and seminal fluid. The brain must also have adequate zinc in order to keep the thoughts organized and balanced.Excessive sexual activity may lead to depletion of zinc stores which may be followed by both prostatic disease and neurologic and mental disorders, all functions which depend on adequate availability of zinc.Many prostate patients who have taken high zinc foods or zinc supplements, report improvement.
Treatment With Home Remedies
Hydrotherapy in acute prostatitis can take several forms:
1) Hot and cold sitz baths,
2) hot (115 degrees F) retention enemas with plain water;
3) a ten minute sitz bath twice daily with hot jets of water playing on the lumbosacral (lower back) region and perineum, the feet also being in hot water, finishing the treatment with a 20 second cold shower, or
4) the entire body scrubbed while dry in long strokes or small quick circles with a scrubby, brush, or luffa (takes 3-5 minutes), ending with a hot shower (under pressure if possible) at about 40-44C (104-114F).
5) Some herbal remedies are very useful in benign prostatic hypertrophy. The most significant one is an extract of the saw palmetto berry (Serenoa repens).Other herbal products used are pygeum africanum, an extract of an African plum; it is often combined with nettles for increased activity.
Causes of Cancer of the Prostate
1) Industrial exposure to cadmium,
2) sexual transmission by an infectious agent, and
3) endocrine factors.
Summary of Possible Causes of Increased Risk of Cancer of the Prostate
1. Heavy use of fats.
2. Decreased intake of zinc.
3. Decreased intake of green, leafy vegetables.
4. Use of meat, milk, eggs, and cheese.
5. Overuse of oranges or retinoids.6. Sexual over stimulation, promiscuity or producing children
7. Increase in the number of children, especially as the number gets over 5.
8. Overweight.
9. Coffee drinking, alcohol and tobacco use.
10. Selected drugs.
