MANAGING BPH WITH AYURVEDA

About the prostate:

Prostate is the part of male reproductive system is a small muscular gland. It surrounds the part of urethra which makes the fluid in the semen. The muscles in the prostate helps in propelling the semen through penis during intercourse.

Understanding BPH:

BPH is defined as Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia which means enlargement of the prostate gland or non-cancerous growth of prostate. It occurs when the cells of the prostate multiply in numbers. Addition of these cells causes prostate gland to swell that squeezes the part of urethra passing through it. That ultimately limits the flow of urine. BPH is the benign that means it is non-spreadable as it does not increase the risk of cancer. But its symptoms can affect the quality of life. It is a very common among the men over 50 years. It is considered as normal condition of aging.

Ayurveda view point over BPH:

The condition of BPH in Ayurveda resembles “Ashtheela”. There are 13 types of “Mutraghata” (obstructive uropathies) described in ayurveda and Astheela is one of them. Astheela is elevated mobile swelling which obstruct the passage of urine. The vata dosha is vitiated in this condition. It generally happens when the food and activities  that aggravates vata dosha  with the conditions like dry, cold or light food, starvation, over exertion, suppression of urine  leads to Astheela or paurusha granthi vridhi (prostate gland enlargement).

Another explanation for BPH in Ayurveda is that human body is made of 7 dhatus (body tissues). The 7^th dhatu is Shukra dhatu which is related to the reproductive fluid of men. When there is over indulgence or over use of shukra dhatu (overindulgence in sexual activities) can lead to prostate issues.

What Causes BPH?

The exact cause of testosterone is not known, however it tend to occurs in older men. It is to be believed that Dihydrotestosterone (DTH), a hormone responsible for the development and growth of prostate gland. The drop in the level of testosterone in the older men, raises the accumulation of the DTH in the prostate. These excess of DTH promotes the growth of cells of the prostate. But it is just the theory.

People who are at risk?

• Men older than 40 years of age
• Family history is important
• Lack of physical exercise or obesity
• Medical conditions like cardiac diseases, Type -2 diabetes
• Erectile dysfunction
• Smoking

What are usual Symptoms of BPH?

The symptom of BPH is mainly due to the blockage of urethra and extra working of bladder muscles to push blocked urine. And these are as follows:

• Increased frequency of urination
• Increased urine urgency (unable to hold urine)
• Trouble in the urine stream
• Weak an interrupted urine stream
• Dribbling of urine at the end of urination
• Retention of urine
• Incontinence of urine
• Blood in the urine
• Fever with chills
• Discomfort in lower abdomen
• Painful urination or ejaculation
• Urine has unusual color or smell
• Increased frequency of urine at night (nocturia)

Complications of BPH:

• Acute or chronic urinary retention
• Bloody urine
• Bladder damage
• Kidney damage
• Bladder stones
• Urinary tract infection

How BPH is diagnosed?

• Urinalysis
• Rectal examination
• Prostate specific antigen (PSA)
• Transrectal ultrasound
• Prostate biopsy
• Cystoscopy

Lifestyle changes:

• Reducing the fluid intake particularly in the evenings
• Avoid taking alcohol and caffeinated beverages
• Avoiding medications like anti-histamines, antidepressants, diuretics
• Exercises for pelvic floor muscles
• Preventing constipation
• Training bladder to hold urine

Managing BPH with modern medicines:

• Medication: The medications are used to reduce symptoms, medicine that relaxes the muscles of the bladder and shrink the growth of prostate. The medications are:
• Alpha blockers: Relaxes the bladder and prostate to maintain the urine flow. Some alpha blockers are terazosin, tamsulosin, alfuzosin etc
• Phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitors: Relaxes the smooth muscle to reduce the urinary symptoms. For example tadalafil.
• 5-alpha reductase inhibitors: Blocks the production of DHT such as Finasteride,. Dutasteride

Side effects of medications:

• Altered sleep
• Back pain
• Allergic reactions like swelling of face, difficulty in breathing etc
• Weakness
• Diarrhea
• Pain or pressure on face

Minimal invasive procedure: It

• transurethral needle ablation
• transurethral microwave thermotherapy
• high-intensity focused ultrasound
• water-induced thermotherapy
• prostatic stent insertion

Surgery:

• Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP)
• Laser surgery
• Open prostatectomy
• Transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP)

Line of treatment in Ayurveda:

• Sodhana chikitsa (Bio-cleansing therapies): Sodhana therapy help in removal of toxin out of the body and rejuvenate the human body as a new born. These include:
• Snehan pana (oleation therapy)
• Avgahana sweda (sitz bath)
• Uttar basti or matra basti with varunadi ghrita or shatavaryadi ghrita
• Shamana chikitsa (Palliative therapy): some ancient Ayurvedic formulation for BPH are:
• Gokshuradi guggul
• Kanchnaar guggul
• Chandraprabha vati
• Shwet parpati
• Dhanvantara ghrit
• Varunadi ghrita
• Chandanasava
• Punarnavasava

Herbs in Ayurveda for BPH:

• Haridra (curcumin): Haldi reduces the metabolic toxins (ama) and is a potent anti-inflammatory agent. Thus helpful in BPH.

• Methi (fenugreek): Methi helps in reducing the enlargement of prostate gland and has anti-inflammatory properties

• Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris): It is an Ayurvedic diuretic which helps in maintaining urine flow and acts as organ cleanser. It also boost up energy.

• Varuna (Creteva nurvala): It is popular herb for the prostate infection and enlargement. It has anti-inflammatory properties and manages pain due to prostatic enlargement. It pacifies vata and kapha dosha.

• Alsi (Linum usitatissium): It is good herb to maintain overall health. It a natural herb that has anti-inflammatory properties, is antioxidant and analgesic. It is a folk medicine for enlarged prostate.

 Managing BPH with Chandigarh Ayurved Centre:

1. Detox Premium Powder:

Detox premium powder is made up of natural herbs and bhasmas like iloy satav, gandhak rasayan, tal sindoor, shankh bhasma, moti pishti, akik pishti, etc. The powder relieves the burning sensation, irritation, discomfort, and normalizes the aggravation of the pitta dosha.
Recommended Dosage – Take 1 sachet twice daily with normal water.

2. Trikatu Syrup:

Trikatu syrup is widely used to balance the aggravated Tridosha and mainly composed of Ginger (Zingiber officinale), Pippali (Piper longum), and Maricha (Piper nigrum). The ingredients used in the formation of the syrup reduce the symptoms and prevent further enlargement of the gland.
Recommended Dosage – Take 2 teaspoonfuls thrice daily.

3. UTI Care Tablets:

UTI Care Tablet is an herbal formulation of Sajjakshar (Bergenia lingulata), Gokshura (Tribulus terrestris), Punarnava (Boerhavia diffusa), etc. The capsule cures the flow of urine, relieves the burning sensation, swelling, pain, and discomfort.
Recommended Dosage – Take 1 Tablet twice daily with normal water.

4. Sheet Dhara Syrup:

This is the ayurvedic formulation of Ajwain satv, Peppermint, and Mushak kapoor that balances the vata and pitta dosha. The syrup has coolant properties thus it is very beneficial to cure abdominal pain, discomfort, and improves the metabolism of digestion.
Recommended Dosage – Take half teaspoonful of this syrup in half a cup of water. Drink this mixture twice daily on an empty stomach.

5. Panchasakar Churna:

The churna has best results in the detoxification of excess toxins from the body and maintains the proper metabolism. It is made up of a total of 5 ingredients – Shunthi (Zingiber officinale), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Svaran patri (Cassia angustifolia), Shatapushpa (Foeniculum vulgare),Sauvarchala lavana (Rock salt). The powder reduces the inflammation, redness, relieves constipation, abdominal discomfort, etc. and also prevents it from re-occurring.
Recommended Dosage – Take 1 teaspoonful at bedtime with lukewarm water.

6. Kanchnaar guggulu:

Kanchnaar guggulu has anti-bacterial, analgesic, anti-oxidant, anti-inflammatory properties that subside the symptoms of BPH quickly and is very beneficial for weight loss, any type of cyst, thyroid, etc. Each tablet consist of Amalaki (Emblica officinalis), Haritaki (Terminalia chebula), Elaichi (Elettaria cardamomum), Maricha (Piper longum), etc.
Recommended Dosage – Take 1 tablet twice daily with normal water.