Tuesday, June 24, 2008 Managing BPH the natural way
BENIGN Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), more popularly known as the abnormal enlargement of the prostate, is one of the most common prostate illnesses among males 40 years old and above. Based on reports, BPH is most likely to occur in 50 percent of men when they reach age 50 and over.
Dealing with BPH can be very difficult for men and their families. A man who has BPH is more likely to experience lack of sleep, constant low-grade anxiety or even pain. Having BPH may also lead to infections in the bladder or kidneys.
According to studies, BPH is a progressive medical condition, which is caused by the enlargement of prostate in men as they age. With this illness, the prostate growth compresses the urethral canal, which may affect the urethra, the passageway of urine from the bladder, interfering with the normal flow of urine.
Early signs of BPH include a weak urine flow, inability to urinate immediately and empty the bladder completely, intermittent urine, which stops and starts repeatedly and poor ejaculation.
Ignoring these symptoms could lead to various urinary problems with serious complications. The effects this illness could bring are not limited to the physical condition but could also substantially affect a man's relationship with his wife and family and his lifestyle in general.
The good news is that BPH, once detected early, could be managed without undergoing difficult surgeries and strict medication. Simple pointers such as managing liquid intake, urinating regularly and avoiding activities that may bruise the prostate are some effective measures to avoid BPH.
BPH patients are encouraged to limit beverages especially in the evening as these might cause unnecessary trips to the bathroom in the wee hours of the morning. It is also recommended that patients reduce or eliminate their caffeine and alcohol intake as these could irritate the bladder and worsen the symptoms.
Over the decades, the production and introduction of medications that aim to treat different kinds of diseases have continued despite the potential harm and negative effects these might cause to patients when not taken properly.
Pascual Laboratories, one of the industry's fastest growing companies that provide quality and innovative health care in the Philippines, introduced ProstActive, a natural supplement used to manage symptoms of BPH.
This phytomedicine is made of Saw Palmetto Berry Extracts, which increases urine flow, diminishes inflammation and reduces muscle spasms in the prostate gland.
In Europe and in the United States, Saw Palmetto ranks among the top ten dietary supplements.
"We recognize the need to create awareness in general prostate health among Filipinos. We believe that prostate is one of the vital organs in males that is often overlooked thus, people tend to forget to take care of it. That's when prostate problems start to affect the body," said Sheila Mangalindan, Product Manager for ProstActive, Pascual Laboratories.
Results from a number of clinical trials ranging from six months to three years have shown that 320mg of Saw Palmetto Berry Extracts is proven to be safe and effective in improving symptoms of BPH.
It also concluded that Saw Palmetto Berry Extracts is as effective as Finasteride, a compound used in the treatment of BPH in low doses and prostate cancer in higher doses, but without the side effects, such as loss of libido.
Using ProstActive will definitely help patients manage urinary symptoms of BPH and prevent further complications without affecting their lifestyle.
"With ProstActive, we are offering BPH patients an alternative way to taking care of their prostate health naturally. Unlike other traditional medicines which might contain elements that cause negative effects, ProstActive is made of pure Saw Palmetto extracts which does not affect the patient's sexual function and libido," Mangalindan added.
ProstActive, the natural supplement for prostate care, is a soft-gel, easy-to-swallow capsule, which is recommended for intake once a day. It is also a more cost-effective alternative compared to other BPH treatments. Prostactive is now available in Mercury Drug, Watson's and other leading drugstores nationwide.
