Prostate Health - Why Do I Need To Go To The Toilet At Night So Much? by Eamon Greville

Prostate Health issues can be an area of great concern for men. "I have to get up several times at night to go to the toilet" is a frequent complaint that doctors hear.

That is of course, if men who are notoriously reticent to seek medical help, ever consult a doctor in the first place!

After the age of 40 years, the prostate gland starts to enlarge naturally in most men. This is a condition described as benign prostatic hyperplasia ( BPH).

This can cause the urethra to narrow, which in turn can lead to problems such as passing urine, stopping and starting urinary flow, and wanting to goo more often.

It is not known why this happens, but it is believed to be connected with hormonal changes that occur as men get older.

The term benign is utilised because the cells that cause the enlargement are neither malignant, nor cancerous and therefore do not spread.

What can you do?

The following are some positive measures that you can take to assist with this condition.

*Consult with a Doctor

It is important to get regular night time visits to the loo checked out, so as to hopefully rule out prostate cancer.

Your doctor will have heard similar concerns many times, so do put aside your embarrassment and seek help.

*Adopt Active Surveillance

If your problem is assessed as mild and doesn’t affect your quality of life, your Doctor may advise what is known as 'active surveillance'.

Sometimes this is also termed 'watchful waiting'

This will also mean making certain lifestyle changes such as cutting back on tea and coffee

* Consider a bladder drill

Going on a bladder drill to help retrain your bladder can also help. Your Doctor should be able to advise on such a routine.

* Consider Herbal Supplements

Many men have found that adopting a herbal supplement routine and a change in diet can help in this area. Research has indicated for example that the herbal remedy saw palmetto, is of particular benefit.

Other herbs that could be considered within such a regime include Lycopene, stinging nettle and rye pollen.

*Surgery or Medication may be needed

If your case is more severe, then you may in consolation with your doctor have to consider a surgical option.

It is essential to realise that early intervention is highly advised, so do not delay making an appointment with your medical specialist.

Do not let embarrassment stop you from seeking help and advice. This article has only scratched the surface of this topic - there is so much more to be discovered about this important topic