Acupuncture treatment for prostatitis is a recommended type of alternative treatment for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). This ancient Chinese medicine practice is based on the theory that qi (chi), or life energy, flows through the body in invisible channels called meridians. When energy becomes blocked, this disruption of the energy flow can lead…
A large, retrospective population study suggests that prostate cancer treatments that lower male sex hormones may increase the risk of colorectal cancer. Men treated with gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) agonists or surgical removal of their testicles (orchiectomy) to lower their testosterone and PSA levels experienced an increased risk of colorectal cancer of about 20 to 40…
At first, the United States government said there was no connection between the Agent Orange sprayed during the Vietnam War and the increased appearance of prostate cancer among veterans. Then, in 1996, the Institute of Medicine concluded its report, “Veterans and Agent Orange: Update 1996,” and admitted there was credible evidence of a positive association…
Heart healthy foods, such as healthy fats, can help men with prostate cancer live longer. A diet rich in nuts, seeds, avocados, and unsaturated fats such as virgin olive oil helps men with both early stage and advanced prostate cancer. These heart healthy foods may slow the progression of prostate cancer as well as increase survival….
You may be familiar with finasteride (Proscar) and dutasteride (Avodart) as drugs used to treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), but studies have also looked at whether these two 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors could help prevent prostate cancer. Experts from the Food and Drug Administration’s Oncologic Drugs Advisory Committee evaluated this idea recently, and their conclusions appear in…
The “NPAT” Treatment Program for Prostatitis is a system that looks at a patient’s whole-body health and employs several natural and alternative therapies for both diagnosing and treating chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). This holistic approach recognizes that pain and chronic pelvic discomfort are grounded in factors that lie outside the prostate (such as…
Pelvic trauma refers to any type of injury or insult to the pelvic region. There are a number of different types of pelvic trauma that can cause chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS). Examples of pelvic trauma can include: A sports injury (e.g., a ball, kick, or hockey stick impact to the groin area); Excessive or…
Avodart side effects are something that may concern men who take this medication for BPH symptoms. Avodart (dutasteride) is a 5-alpha-reductase inhibitor that treats symptoms of BPH by slowing the growth of the prostate. The drug also can help reduce the size of the prostate by blocking the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotesterone (DHT), a…
Are you climbing the corporate ladder, struggling to maintain your social status, and experiencing lots of stress as a result? A new study in monkeys suggests a link between improvement in social status and changes in gene expression involved in immune response, suggesting a change in social status may affect your health. It’s well accepted…
Generally, one major difference between bee pollen benefits and benefits from other pollen extracts is that bee pollen is collected by bees from a variety of flowering plants. Along with bee pollen it also consists of nectar and saliva from the bees, and so the product is not standardized. Pollen extracts contain pollen from specific…
First, the good news: the number of cases of prostate cancer overall does not appear to be increasing. However, new research from Northwestern University indicates that new cases of metastatic prostate cancer (the type that has spread beyond the prostate) has risen 72 percent between 2004 and 2013. Men between the ages of 55 and…
Researchers have uncovered evidence that suggests using neem for prostate cancer treatment may be helpful. Specifically, neem (Azadirachta indica), which has a long history of use in Ayurvedic medicine, contains a compound called nimbolide, found in its leaves, seeds, roots, bark, and fruits. Nimbolide is a terpenoid lactone that has been credited with various attributes,…
Pygeum, an herbal remedy derived from the bark of the Pygeum africanum tree, has been used since ancient times to treat bladder problems. Pygeum contains a variety of active components, including the phytosterols beta-sitosterol and campesterol. Phytosterols have anti-inflammatory effects, which make them helpful in prostate biopsy recovery. Pygeum also has two other components–ursolic acid…
You may be familiar with the idea that some men, when they develop the flu, tend to exaggerate or embellish upon their symptoms, perhaps in an attempt to garner sympathy and lots of extra attention. This tendency has also been referred to as man flu or “wimpy man” syndrome. However, what if men actually do…
Experts report a significant decline in prostate cancer incidence and deaths, according to study results presented at the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting held in Atlanta March 29 to April 3, 2019. Of the 44 countries evaluated for incidence data, the United States showed the largest decline in cancer rates among the seven…
Green light laser for enlarged prostate is one option available to men to treat urinary tract symptoms associated with BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) that requires medical intervention. The procedure involves the use of a scope and laser combination device that is inserted into the urethra through the tip of the penis. Once the device reaches…
One of the common ways to treat advanced prostate cancer is by significantly reducing the levels of sex hormones, especially testosterone, using hormone therapy. However, this approach is associated with some troubling adverse effects, which may be successfully addressed if men choose some natural ways to reduce hormone therapy side effects. What are the side…
Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) is a perennial plant that is native to Europe, western North America, Asia, and northern Africa. The plant gets its name from the fact it has hollow stinging hairs on its stems and leaves that inject histamine and other chemicals into people and animals that make contact with it. The plant…
Chemotherapy refers to the use of anti-cancer drugs to treat cancer. These drugs may be administered intravenously or orally. Chemotherapy works by causing the death of rapidly dividing cells. Since cancer cells tend to divide more quickly than normal cells, this means that the drugs target the cancer. However, these drugs can also kill normal…
You’ll hear about inflammation a lot when talking about chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). Inflammation is a major contributor to many of the causes of CPPS and its symptoms. There are a number of health conditions that cause inflammation, including: stress, allergies, autoimmune responses, neutrophil dysfunction, pelvic trauma, and others. Because inflammation is a…
