Prostate Health
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Many guys experience urinary problems as they age and in most cases an enlarged prostate causes the problem. Symptoms of prostate enlargement can be: the urge to go frequently, inability to go, constantly stopping and starting while going, going in the middle of the night, always feeling like you have to go when you don’t and excessive dribbling after going.

 

The enlarged prostate can squeeze the urethra, which passes right through the prostate, and restrict the flow of urine. In medical terns this is called Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH).

In some instances these symptoms can also indicate the presence of cancer in the prostate, which demands more intensive care, but generally an enlarged prostate isn’t life threatening and just makes life miserable and can be treated with medications.

 

One of the most popular medications for dealing with men’s BPH is called tamsulosin, which goes by the brand name Flomax.

 

Flomax is in a class of drugs known as alpha-blockers. These drugs relax the veins and arteries in your body so that blood can more easily pass through them. It also helps to relax the muscles in the neck of the bladder and in the prostate, which makes it easier to urinate.

Since Flomax is currently available only through a prescription you’ll need to see your doctor to be sure that you do have BPH and not a cancerous condition. And if you’re allergic to sulfa drugs you may not be able to take Flomax.

Like any drug there are some side affects that have been noted with certain men who’ve taken Flomax. Most of these aren’t serious, but should be discussed with your physician if you experience:

 

• Erections that are painful or last more than 4 hours (don’t laugh, an erection when you don’t want one is a big problem.)

 

You might also experience mild sleep problems, decreased sex drive and a runny or stuffy nose.

 

Many men are turning to natural remedies for health problems as an alternative to being tied to prescription meds for long periods of time. These guys cite natural, herbal remedies as being better for the body as well as the wallet.

 

And to be fair, there are some herbal remedies that seem to work, but there simply isn’t enough data available for most western physicians to recommend them.

One herb that’s been heavily promoted as being a cure for male urinary problems is Saw Palmetto. However, the results of a European study conducted by Boehringer Ingelheim Pharmaceuticals, Inc. that included 3,322 men suffering from BPH showed that patients who switched from herbal medications to Flomax experienced considerable improvement in their conditions.

While this shouldn’t slam the door entirely on herbal treatments, the fact is that more study has to be done to determine if, and in what amounts, these natural cures are effective.

 

The facts are that most of us don’t have to worry about urinary problems until after age 40 and that an enlarging prostate is a normal part of growing older. The big questions to ask are: “Are the symptoms brought on by BPH or are they result of cancer in the prostate?”

The only way to know the answer is to make an appointment with your doctor as soon as you experience a prolonged period of urinary problems.