Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Problems Relieved with Acupuncture
Benign prostatic hyperplasia refers to the non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. This occurrence is fairly common in men, with signs beginning to show as early as the 40’s. The prostate gland often increases in size with aging which leads to BPH. It has been reported that by the age of 60, 50% of men have encountered some sort of symptoms related to an enlarged prostate, with as many as 80% of men in their 80’s reporting some sort of prostate related symptom.
To better understand what BPH is, we have to understand where and what the prostate is. The prostate is a gland the size of a large walnut or small kiwi, located just below the bladder. It surrounds the beginning of the urethra which empties the bladder. This gland helps to control the flow of urine and during sexual activity, produces a protein which mixes with prostatic fluid to form semen.
The prostate has generally 2 stages of growth. The first stage is from early in life to the end of puberty. A newborn male’s prostate at this time is about the size of a grain of wheat. It remains very small until puberty where it dramatically increases in size until the end of puberty or around the age of 20. The gland then stays at generally the same size for many years.
The second stage of growth occurs in most men after age 40. The exact reason why the prostate begins to grow again is still uncertain. What is known is that the location of the prostate in the body, coupled with increased size, places pressure on the urethra making it harder to void the bladder. As a result, urine flow is greatly reduced and can give the sensation that the bladder is not fully empty.
Beyond the uncomfortable feeling this presents it can lead a host of other issues. First, the urine can crystallize which will then lead to the formation of kidney stones. This is a very painful condition wherein a small stone is forced to pass through the sensitive urethra causing much pain for the person experiencing it. In addition, too much build up in the bladder of urine can lead to nocturia (need to urinate at night) or incontinence. It is important to talk to your licensed acupuncturist if you are experiencing either of these symptoms before it leads to a more serious problem.
Age aside, there are other contributing factors to BPH. Obesity, lack of physical activity, erectile dysfunction and family history of BPH all play a role. It is important to note, however, that BPH does not cause cancer or affect a man’s ability to father children. However, if there is urinary retention it can cause a bladder infection, stones or kidney damage.
How Can Acupuncture Relieve Your Prostate Problems?
A trial was conducted in 2012 which involved 100 participants who received acupuncture treatment for prostate conditions, such as evacuation of the bladder, frequent urination, decrease urinary stream and straining to urinate. What research found was that moderate to severe prostatic hyperplasia (enlargement of the prostate) was improved significantly among their patients, effectively proving that acupuncture was an effective form of treatment in terms of reducing symptoms of prostatic hyperplasia and improving quality of life. This study took place at the Acupuncture Department of Guang An Men Hospital at the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences.
Besides emptying the bladder if it gets too full, standard medical treatments for BPH are very limited. Because doctor’s aren’t positive as to why the prostate enlarges, they aren’t sure exactly how to treat it. Many suggest talk-therapy to help cope with the discomfort and encourage patients to keep an eye on the situation.
Minneapolis Acupuncture Clinic Offers Natural Prostate Treatment
Acupuncture is one of the few treatments for prostate problems that have been shown to yield successful results. Some men even report full recovery from symptoms. Acupuncture focuses on treating the cause of the enlargement of the prostate, instead of merely dulling the symptoms. Wouldn’t it be great to sleep through the whole night without having to get up at to urinate multiple times? Plus, we offer Chinese herbal medicines that relieve prostate problems naturally.* If you are experiencing prostate problems call our Minneapolis acupuncture clinic today at 612-866-4000. Or go to our Contact page now.
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