Homeopathy for enlarged prostate

The prostate gland, located below the urinary bladder, is necessary for the nourishment of sperms. Prostate enlargement or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) is often caused by hormonal imbalances, although infections, inflammation and cancer could also be responsible.

The enlarged prostate presses upwards into the urinary bladder and also narrows the urethra, the tube through which urine passes out from the bladder. This causes the retention of some residual urine in the bladder even after urination, which becomes a breeding ground for bacteria, giving rise to recurrent infections. Such patients may have to wake up often at night to urinate, thereby disturbing their sleep. In severe cases, there may be complete obstruction to urinary flow. In this case, hospitalisation may be needed and a catheter may have to be inserted to drain the urine.

Usually diagnosed by a rectal examination and an ultrasonography, it is also wise to test the Prostatic Specific Antigen (PSA) level every six months in patients with BPH to rule out the development of prostate cancer. If abnormal values are detected, surgery is advisable. In advanced cases, renal function tests may also be needed to assess the amount of damage to the kidneys.

Patients with BPH should restrict their fluid intake a few hours before going to sleep so that they dont need to wake up frequently to pass urine at night. Homeopathy manages the symptoms of BPH, avoiding surgery in many cases. BPH is caused by an increase in the levels of a hormone DHT (dihydrotestosterone). Homeopathic remedies like Thuja and Sabal serrulata have been proved to act as DHT-inhibitors and have therefore been found to be very effective in the treatment of prostatic enlargement.

Article by Dr Mukesh Batra
L.C.E.H., F.H.M.A. (U.K.), F.R.S.H. (Med) P.(Lon), M.D.H. (U.S.A.), F.B.I.H.(U.K.)
Published in Hindustan Times on 3 October 2009