Prostate Disorders

A large percentage of men over fifty years of age suffer from prostate troubles of one form or other. The prostate gland is a male gland, comparable in shape and size to a large chestnut It is situated at the base of the urinary bladder and around the commencement of the urethra. There are various types of prostate disorders, the more important being hypertrophy or enlargement of the prostate gland, and prostatitis or inflammation in the prostate gland.

Causes and Symptoms

There are two warning signals to indicate the possibility of prostate disorders. The first is the interference with the passage of urine, and the second is the need to void the urine frequently during the night’s sleep. Other symptoms are a dull aching pain in the lower back and pain in the hips, legs, and feet

The position of the prostate gland makes it liable to congestion and other disorders. In an erect position, pressure falls on the pelvic region just where the prostate gland is situated. With ageing, the body gets heavier and loses its flexibility. This puts greater pressure on the pelvis and increases the vulnerability of the prostate gland. Prolonged periods of sitting, as in certain occupations, also increase the pressure on the pelvic region, resulting in congestion of the tissues in and around the prostate gland. Acute prostatitis may also result from exposure to cold and chill, and from infectious diseases. Chronic prostatis is an after-effect of the acute condition. It may also be caused by continual irritation of the gland due to excessive sexual excitement. Another important cause of prostate disorders is constipation, when the faces become hardened and the rectum or lower bowel is overloaded, causing undue pressure on the prostate gland.

Remedies

Pumpkin Seeds: Pumpkin seeds are an effective home remedy for prostate problems and many patients have been helped by their use. These seeds are rich in unsaturated fatty acids which are essential to the health of the prostate. Persons beyond the age of fifty, who have any signs of prostate trouble; or those who suffer from urinary disorders of some kind, namely, burning or difficulty in passing urine freely, should take sixty to ninety grams of pumpkin seeds per day. The seeds may be taken in the form of powder sprinkled over cooked vegetables or mixed with wheat flour tc make chapatis. They can also be taken in.the form of a paste made with honey, or as a drink mixed with diluted milk and sugar to taste.

Vegetable Juices: The use of vegetable juices has been found beneficial in the treatment of prostate problems, including prostate enlargement. The juice of carrots, taken separately in a 500 ml quantity, or in combination with spinach juice, is specially valuable. In the case of combined juices, 200 ml of spinach juice should be mixed with 300 ml of carrot juice to prepare 500 ml or half a litre of combined juices.

Zinc: The use of zinc has been found valuable in cases of Prostate disorders. About thirty milligrams of this mineral should be taken daily in the treatment of these diseases.

Vitamin E: Vitamin E has proved to be an important factor for prostate health. The patient should therefore use vitamin E-rich ‘°°ds liberally or take 600 IU of this vitamin daily. Vitamin E-rich ads are wholegrain products, gTeen leafy vegetables, eggs, milk, and all raw or sprouted seeds.

Dietary Considerations

To begin with, the patient should forego all solid foods and subsist on water, mixed with a little lemon juice, for two or three days. The water may be taken cold or hot and it should be taken every hour or so during waking hours. This will greatly increase the flow of urine. After the short fast, the patient may adopt an all-fruit diet, consisting of juicy fruits, for the next three days. This should be followed by a diet consisting of two meals of fruits and one of cooked vegetables for seven days Thereafter, the patient may adopt a well-balanced diet, with emphasis on seeds, nuts, grains, vegetables, and fruits. Heavy starches, sweet stimulants, and highly seasoned foods are entirely forbidden, as they are said to cause direct irritation to the prostate gland and bladder. The diet should also exclude spices, condiments, salt in excess, sauces, red meats, cheese, asparagus, watercress, greasy or fried foods, alcohol, tobacco, and too much of tea or coffee. The patient should avoid hurried meals and must chew his food dioroughly and slowly. Water should be taken between meals and not at meal times.

Other Measures

During the initial water fast for two to three days, an enema may be taken once a day to clear the lower bowel of accumulations.

Hot and cold applications are highly beneficial in the treatment of prostate disorders. After a thorough cleansing of the bowels through a warm-water enema, hot and cold applications may be used directly on the prostate gland and its surrounding parts. The heat will relieve the tissues and a brief cold immersion will tone them up. The patient should take alternate hot and cold hip baths. These are of great value in relieving pain and reducing congestion

A wet girdle pack is another valuable remedy in the realm of hydrotherapy which provides great relief in prostatitis and prostate enlargement. For this mode of treatment, thin cotton underwear and thick or woollen underwear are required. The thin underwear should be wrung in cold water and worn by the patient. The thick dry underwear should be worn above the wet underwear. This treatment should be continued for ninety minutes regularly every night. If the patient feels chilly, he should be covered with a blanket.

The patient should avoid sexual excess, irregularities in eating and drinking, long periods of sitting, and vigorous exercise. An efforts should be made to tone up the general condition of the body.