Photo: Nicola Barts

How can I shrink my male prostate?

5-alpha reductase inhibitors shrink the prostate gland if it's enlarged. Finasteride and dutasteride are the two 5-alpha reductase inhibitors available.

nhs.uk - Treatment of benign prostate enlargement - NHS

Which seeds increase estrogen?

Sesame seeds are a potent source of phytoestrogens. Regularly eating sesame seeds has been shown to increase estrogen activity in postmenopausal...

Last updated Jan 22, 2019

Can a 70 year old man impregnate a woman?

Although the risks of fathering a child in one's 50s, 60s and 70s are not huge, the recent studies have shown there are sometimes significant long-...

Last updated Jan 11, 2022

Promotion

The treatment for an enlarged prostate gland will depend on how badly the symptoms are affecting your qualify of life.

Lifestyle changes

You might be able to relieve the symptoms by making some simple changes to your lifestyle.

Drink fewer fizzy drinks and less alcohol, caffeine and artificial sweeteners

Fizzy drinks and drinks that contain alcohol, caffeine (such as tea, coffee or cola) and artificial sweeteners can irritate the bladder and make urinary symptoms worse.

Drinking less fluid in the evening

Try to reduce the amount of fluids you drink in the evening and avoid drinking anything for 2 hours before you go to bed. This might help you avoid getting up in the night. Make sure you're still drinking enough fluid earlier in the day.

Remember to empty your bladder

Remember to go to the toilet before long journeys or when you know you will not be able to reach a toilet easily.

Double voiding

Double voiding involves waiting a few moments after you have finished peeing before trying to go again. It can help you empty your bladder properly. But take care not to strain or push.

Checking your medicines

Check with your doctor whether any medicines you take, such as antidepressants or decongestants, might be making your urinary symptoms worse.

Eating more fibre

Eating more fibre (which is found in fruit, vegetables and wholegrain cereals) can help you avoid constipation, which can put pressure on your bladder and make the symptoms of an enlarged prostate worse.

Using pads or a sheath

Absorbent pads and pants can be worn inside your underwear, or may replace your underwear altogether. These will soak up any leaks. Urinary sheaths can also help with dribbling. They look like condoms with a tube coming out of the end. The tube connects to a bag that you can strap to your leg under your clothing.

Bladder training

Bladder training is an exercise programme that aims to help you last longer without peeing and hold more pee in your bladder. You'll be given a target, such as waiting at least 2 hours between each time you pee. It's a good idea to use a bladder training chart to record each time you pass urine and the volume of urine passed. You can download a bladder training chart (PDF, 115KB) from Bladder Matters. You'll need a plastic jug to measure this. Your doctor should also give you a chart to take home. You'll also be taught several exercises, such as breathing, relaxation and muscle exercises, to help take your mind off the need to pee. Over time your target time will be increased, and at the end of the programme you should find you're able to last longer without peeing. Ask your doctor or specialist nurse for more information about any of these lifestyle changes.

Is a teaspoon of turmeric a day good for you?

In fact, they know that just one teaspoon per day of this “Queen of all spices,” which has been prevalent in natural medicine for some 4,000 years,...

Last updated Feb 27, 2020

How do doctors know when someone is dying?

changes in their normal breathing pattern. noisy chest secretions. mottled skin and feeling cold to the touch. Nov 25, 2022

Last updated Nov 16, 2018

Promotion

How much zinc should a man over 50 take daily?

around 10 mg On average, men and women over 50 need around 10 mg of zinc per day. You'll find zinc in lean red meat, beans, and oysters.

prevention.com - 5 Vitamins You're Probably Not Getting Enough Of If You're Over 50

The "sunshine vitamin" is important for strong bones and so much more. "If you have adequate calcium but not adequate vitamin D, you won't be able to absorb the calcium," says Sass. Vitamin D may also help reduce your risk of chronic conditions such as diabetes, cancer, and heart disease. (Take a look at these 5 signs you're not getting enough vitamin D.) The average healthy person over 50 needs at least 800 to 1,000 international units (IU) of vitamin D per day. But some experts recommend even more, and you can safely take up to 4,000 IUs daily as long your doctor gives you the OK. While it's possible to get some vitamin D from food—you'll find it in milk, salmon, eggs, and mushrooms—it's hard to get what you need from diet alone. "Few foods have enough natural vitamin D," says Sass. Getting a little sun should help, because exposing your skin to the sun for just a few minutes a day prompts your body to make D. But people who live in cloudy climates, those with dark skin, and many others are still lacking. Sass's advice: Ask your doctor for a blood test. If your levels are low, ask your doctor how much to take in a supplement. "A lot of people will get vitamin D from the health food store, but it can have toxic effects if you take too much," she says.