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Natural Prostatitis Treatments
This page looks at some effective natural prostatitis treatments using herbs, homeopathic remedies, and nutritional supplements. It also
looks at common prostatitis causes and symptoms.
Prostatitis is an infection or a chronic inflammation of the prostate gland, which is a walnut-sized gland found just under the bladder in men.
Up to 16% of men are diagnosed with prostatitis during their liftetime. Unlike
enlarged prostate, prostatitis strikes men of all ages.
There are different forms of prostatitis. The most common form is chronic non-bacterial prostatitis (NBP), also called chronic abacterial prostatitis. It is
caused by a fungus, a virus, or mycoplasma infections and very often is difficult to diagnose and treat. Other less common forms (about 5% of cases) are acute or
chronic prostatitis caused by bacteria (usually E coli).
Symptoms of Prostatitis
Signs and symptoms of prostatitis vary depending on the form. In general, common symptoms are related to pain or discomfort in the pelvic region, problems
with urination and ejaculations.
For acute bacterial prostatitis, specific symptoms may include:
- High fever
- Chills
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Prostate pain
- Painful ejaculation
- Difficult or painful urination
For chronic bacterial prostatitis, specific symptoms may include:
- Frequent and urgent urination
- Pain when urinating
- Blood in semen or urine
- Frequent urinary tract infections
- Pain in the lower back, pelvis, or perineum (lining of the pelvic area)
- Slight fever
For chronic nonbacterial prostatitis, the symptoms are similar to chronic bacterial prostatitis, but without fever.
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Causes of Prostatitis
Possible causes of prostatitis include:
- Bacterial infections
- Recent bladder infection or urinary tract infection
- Recent use of a urinary catheter, a tube inserted in the urethra to drain the bladder
- Diabetes
- Traumatic injury
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Natural Prostatitis Treatments
Conventional prostatitis treatments include the use of antibiotics for both acute and chronic bacterial prostatitis. In more serious acute cases, hospitalization may
be required. Chronic non-bacterial prostatitis is more difficult to treat effectively. Treatment may include the use of alpha blockers (for painful urination), pain
relievers, anti-inflammatory agents, and prostatic massage.
Natural prostatitis treatments, such as herbs, homeopathic remedies, and nutritional supplements, are effective remedies for prostatitis because they work at the root
causes of the problem.
Natural Prostatitis Treatments - Homeopathy
Choose a remedy that most closely matches your symptoms and follow the instructions of use on the label. It is also advisable to consult with a holistic
practitioner.
Common homeopathic remedies for prostatitis include:
- Chimaphila umbellata: This remedy is effective for acute prostatitis and urinary retention with an enlarged prostate.
- Clematis: This remedy is specifically useful for swelling of the prostate that leads to slow urine passage.
- Lycopodium: This remedy is for men with a painful stream of urine. There may be reddish sediment in the urine. Men who need this
remedy may be impotent and may also have digestive problems, such as gas and bloating.
- Pulsatilla: This remedy is for prostate problems that are accompanied by bladder pain at the end of urination.
- Sulphur: This remedy is for prostatitis with symptoms including burning in the urethra or the prostate. Lower back pain is also a
common symptom.
- Thuja: This remedy is for prostatitis that develops after being treated for gonorrhea or other sexually transmitted diseases.
Sometimes a forked stream of urine can be seen.
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Natural Prostatitis Treatments - Herbs
Herbal remedies are also effective natural prostatitis treatments. Specific herbs for prostatitis include:
- Saw palmetto: Saw palmetto has been used traditionally to treat chronic abacterial prostatitis. An extract standardized for
85 to 95% of fatty acids and sterols is recommended. Daily dosage is 320 mg.
- African pygeum: This herb has been used to effectively treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). It has also been shown that it can
help symptoms of both chronic bacterial and nonbacterial prostatitis. Recommended dosage is 75 to 200 mg per day.
- Thuja: This herb is effective for non-bacterial prostatitis due to its antiviral and antifungal properties. You can use a tincture of the
herb. Recommended dosage is about 10 drops three times a day.
- Echinacea: Echinacea has an excellent immune booster that can help the body to fight infection. Recommended dosage is 500 mg per day.
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Natural Prostatitis Treatments - Nutritional Supplements
Various nutritional supplements make good natural prostatitis treatments. They include:
- Quercetin: Quercetin is an antioxidant flavanoid that fights inflammation, and may be used to help to reduce pain and symptoms of
nonbacterial prostatitis. It is more effective when taken together with bromelain. Recommended dosage is 500 mg twice daily.
- Bromelain: Bromelain is a group of enzymes derived from pineapple. Bromelain is anti-inflammatory and has been shown to be helpful for
prostatitis especially when taken with vitamin C. Recommended dosage is 500 mg three times a day.
- Rye Pollen Extract: This supplement is widely used in Europe to treat nonbacterial prostatitis. Several studies have shown that it
has a contractile effect on the bladder and relaxes the urethra, thereby improving some of the symptoms of prostatitis.
- Vitamin C: This antioxidant vitamin is anti-inflammatory and an immune booster. It also makes the urine more acidic so that bacteria
cannot grow as easily. Take about 500 mg two times a day.
- Beta sitosterol: Beta sitosterol is a naturally derived chemical found in various plants. It is often used to treat prostatitis. Recommended
dosage is 20 mg per day.
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Natural Prostatitis Treatments - Diet
Base your diet on lots of whole grains and fresh vegetables, and eat fish, soy products, and beans for protein. Drink plenty of water (at least 6-8 glasses a day).
In addition, the following foods may help if you have prostatitis:
- Pumpkin seeds: Pumpkin seeds are a traditional remedy for prostate problems because they are rich in zinc which is essential for good prostate
health. Eat raw pumpkin seeds as often as you can.
- Flaxseeds: Also eat flaxseeds for the essential fatty acids which have anti-inflammatory properties.
Foods to avoid:
- Sugar and foods rich in sugar
- Saturated, hydrogenated, or partially hydrogenated fats
- Alcohol and caffeine
Also See
Natural Prostate Remedies
References
Balch and Stengler, Prescription for Natural Cures, (John Wiley & Sons, Inc., 2004).
MayoClinic.com (http://www.mayoclinic.com).
University of Maryland Medical Center (http://www.umm.edu/altmed/articles/food-poisoning-000064.htm).
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