Prostara Tips to Shrink that Prostate

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one of the most common conditions that affect men aged 50 and above. Any doctor would tell you that BPH is generally not harmful, but there are unlucky individuals who experience symptoms that create a big negative impact on their daily lives. Are you or anyone you know suffering the symptoms of an enlarged prostate? Read on and find out how you can manage your condition with these tips brought to you by Prostara, the best prostate health supplement of today.

Lifestyle Modification

It does not matter whether you are 50 or 65. If you have minor symptoms, you can make certain adjustments in your daily activities to accommodate your condition. These would also be helpful if you wish to forego traditional medication and/ or surgery.

1. Eat a healthy diet. Make sure to eat a heart-healthy diet full of fruits and vegetables that are rich in vitamins C and beta-carotene that help protect against BPH symptoms. Also include in your diet healthy fatty acids.


2. Limit your liquid intake. If possible, drink less than 2000 mL of fluids during the day. Also, make sure not to drink too much at one time; space out your intake.


3. Avoid drinking fluids two hours before bedtime. This helps in lessening your night time trips to the toilet and enable you to get more sleep in between awakenings.


4. Go slow on the caffeine. Avoid coffee, tea, soft drinks. These drinks have diuretic ingredients that irritate the bladder, increasing your urge to urinate.


5. Limit alcohol in your diet. It is not necessary to stop drinking alcohol altogether, as a small glass of wine or a glass of beer taken as much as six times a week can even help in regulating urine flow. However, limit your intake so as not to aggravate your other symptoms.


6. Visit the toilet often. Urinate every chance you can, or at least once every three hours.


7. Do double-voiding. Lessen your dribbling and leaking accidents by waiting a few seconds after urinating and trying to urinate again.


8. Keep warm and exercise. Inactivity and cold temperatures have the tendency to increase the risk of urine retention.


9. Watch your medicine intake. Avoid antihistamines and decongestants. These drugs cause tension in the prostate and bladder muscles, hindering and slowing the flow of urine.


10. Perform Kegel exercises. Also known as pelvic floor exercises, these exercises strengthen the muscles supporting the bladder and the sphincter. They also help you gain back control of your bladder to prevent incontinence.

Practice these exercises during your toilet trip done by using the muscles that stop the flow of urine. Make sure not to tense your buttock, leg or abdominal muscles, as these are not the muscles you need to focus on. Once you have located the muscles needed, you can perform the exercises discreetly by contracting them for five counts, releasing them for five counts and making ten repetitions. Do a set of ten Kegel exercises daily three times a day.

Taking a Prostate Supplement

Be more proactive in taking care of your prostate health by taking Prostara, a clinical formulation of ten all-natural ingredients proven to provide relief from BPH symptoms. It also enhances sexual function while maintaining hormonal balance. Why suffer in silence? Get rid of your symptoms and take control of your life. Try Prostara now!

Risk Factors for Testosterone Deficiency

Testosterone deficiency, or male hypogonadism, occurs when the male body does not produce enough of the male sex hormone testosterone. Testosterone deficiency can occur at birth, called “congenital”, during puberty or during adulthood. Millions of American men experience this condition, often after age 50, when testosterone production declines. Testosterone is produced by the testes and regulated by hormones in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. This hormone is a key player in male sexual health, male physical development and testosterone also provides better energy levels, fertility, sex drive and denser bone health in adult men. Male gonads are the organs of sexual health, located in the testes. They are controlled by the pituitary gland and gonads also direct the adolescent maturation of sex organs into their adult form. They also maintain the health of other sexual organs and their function throughout the reproductive years. Gonad fuel comes from estrogen and testosterone which helps men to maintain bone mass and strength and may protect the cardiovascular system. 

Risk Factors

Respectfully below are some risk factors for primary and secondary testosterone deficiency, which includes: Injury to the testicle: Injuries can result from trauma, testicular cancer, radiation or chemotherapy to treat testicular cancer.

•  Klinefelter Syndrom:
  
  Klinefelter syndrome: Men should have one X chromosome and one Y chromosomes, which are sex chromosomes that determine gender. In Klinefelter syndrome, there are 2 or more X chromosomes in addition to the Y chromosome, which can lead to abnormal testicle development and that also affects testosterone cell production.
  
  
• Pituitary or Hypothalamus Glands:
  
  These glands gives signals to the testicles to make testosterone. Therefore when conditions affects the glands, then testosterone production can be affected. Certain conditions that can cause secondary hypogonadism include pituitary disorders.
  
  
• Osteoporosis:
  
  The most common cause of male osteoporosis is testosterone deficiency. Men also need a small amount of estrogen. Estrogen helps to preserve male and female bone density.
  
  
• Diseases:
  
  Risk factors for testosterone deficiency can be caused by obesity, type 2 diabetes, sarcopenia, mobility limitations, cognitive impairment, depression, cardiovascular disease, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, dyslipidemia, various bone and muscle inflammations, endothelial dysfunction, and hypertension.
  
  
• Sleep Apnea:
  
  There are many dangers of sleep disorders for men, that includes an increased risk for heart attack, stroke, diabetes, and psychological problems, can all decrease a man's testosterone levels. If you don't get at least 7 to 8 hours of sleep, men are at risk for a 10% reduction in testosterone levels.
  
  
•  Endocrine Disruptors:
  
  There are certain foods, chemicals, and environmental contaminants that can cause testosterone deficiency in men. Harmful chemicals are found in food packaging, plastic, soaps, shampoos, and lawn insecticides. Phthalates, bisphenol-A (BPA), fluoride, unfermented soy, Teflon pots/pans, canned foods and others, are also factors in low testosterone levels. Eating organic produce, dairy, meat, drinking from plastic containers that contain BPA, and avoiding food additives can help men avoid conditions that can decrease testosterone levels.
  
  
• Drugs:
  
  Clinical studies have proven that long-term use of marijuana or any opiates, can cause decreased interest in sex and can even lower testosterone levels. However, when people stop using certain anabolic steriods, it results in low testosterone, which might be irreversible.
  
  
• Stress:
  
  Clinical researchers are testing the theory that continued anxiety or stress can cause low testosterone or hypogonadism. Stress and testosterone deficiency shares the same symptoms and are linked to the stress hormone cortisol. High levels of cortisol has been proven to reduce testosterone cells. Symptoms that are common to stress and hypogonadism are fatigue, lack of interest in sex, mood swings, lack of energy and interest in sex, and plain irritability. Stress and low testosterone share many symptoms and may be linked by the stress hormone cortisol. There is some reported evidence that high levels of cortisol depress testosterone, but not much evidence that taking testosterone will reduce stress or that reducing stress will elevate testosterone. But reducing stress with healthy lifestyle changes is always a good idea, and it may even improve your sex life.

Conclusion

Testosterone deficiency was once thought to be mainly caused by sexual dysfunctions, however, testosterone has been found to play a larger role in hypogonadism. Research has established a link between low testosterone levels and multiple risk factors for testosterone deficiency. Seeing a doctor can prevent or reverse testosterone deficiency symptoms. Testosterone replacement therapy can be applied to young boys, young men, and older males to decrease the chance of social or emotional problems. Also, there are many medical and social help if you are having trouble realizing that you have testosterone deficiency, just remember that thanks to research, physicians have a number of solutions in their arsenal to help men of all ages.

Low Testosterone: Symptoms, Causes and Treatments

Testosterone is a male and female sex hormone that is vital in the development of sexual and reproductive processes. Male testosterone is part of a class of hormones that are known as androgens. Testosterone cells produced mainly in the testes, with minuscule amounts made in the adrenal glands. Its production and functions are controlled by the hypothalamus system in the brain and the body's pituitary gland. This partnership is communicated through chemicals and hormones in the body's blood stream system. Testosterone hormone for men helps with their sex drive, sperm production, distribution of fat, red blood cell production, and muscle strength and mass maintenance. For men who may have low testosterone, this is only revealed by physicians, who can administer a blood test to measure the testosterone ranges. Low testosterone is considered to be below 300 nanogrms per deciliter.

Symptoms of Low Testosterone

The National Institutes of Health identifies the following conditions, as possible symptoms of low male testosterone:

• Bones becoming prone to fracture

• Depression, irritability and inability to concentrate

• Erectile dysfunction or impotence

• Hot flashes

• Increased breast size

• Loss of muscle mass

• Lowered sperm count

• Reduced sex drive

• Shrunken and softened testes

Even though low testosterone symptoms can stem from other conditions, only a doctor's exam can truly determine this condition. The symptoms of low testosterone have a tendency to develop gradually, which is why many men tend to ignore them. Additional low testosterone symptoms include:

• Mental fogginess/fuzziness

• Difficulty concentrating

• Anxiety

• Weight gain

• Decreased facial hair

• Decreased pubic hair

• A general feeling of not caring about anything from day to day

• Poor sleep quality (leading to sleep deprivation)

Causes of Low Testosterone

Urologists understand that the causes of low testosterone is a part of a three tier category, known as primary, secondary, and tertiary. The primary causes involve the testicles; the secondary tier occurs in the pituitary gland; and the tertiary cause affects the hypothalamus. Congenital disorders (a disease or physical abnormality present from birth) are among the more prominent causes of low testosterone. This includes the Klinefelter's Syndrom involving the X and Y chromosomes at birth, where conditions are formed called anorchism and cryptorchidism. Low testosterone conditions that occur after birth can also cause low testosterone. This involves the possibility of the removal of the testes and any conditions that affect the hypothalamic, pituitary, and gonadal glands. Chemotherapy, radiation treatment, surgical damage, head trauma, brain infections, testicular tumors are all conditions that can cause low T. Low testosterone is not an aberrated condition, there are 4 to 5 million American men who suffer from this condition. Additional causes of low testosterone, includes:

• physical injury to the testicles

• mumps orchitis

• pituitary disorders caused by drugs, kidney failure, or small tumors

• Kallmann syndrome, a condition connected to abnormal hypothalamus function

• inflammatory diseases, such as tuberculosis, sarcoidosis, and histiocytosis, which can impact the pituitary gland and the hypothalamus

• HIV/AIDS

• normal aging

• diseases like sickle-cell, alcoholism, thalassemia

• obesity: High body fat can affect hormone production and response.

• medications: Opioid pain meds and steroids can affect function of the pituitary gland and hypothalamus.

Treatments for Low Testosterone

Any treatments for possible low testosterone problems, should be a carefully formulated treatment plan to evaluate the options that are right for you. Testosterone replacement therapy is the key treatment for low T in young men and adult males. Replacement therapies are available in many different forms:

• Transdermal: this is a skin patch that is applied onto the skin once a day

• Gels: popular brand clear testosterone gel is absorbed into the skin when applied once a day. Some brand named gels are applied in different ways like a brand that is applied inside the nose.

• Pumps: pumps are used to deliver a certain amount for your condition, by your doctor.

• Mouth Patch: the dissolving mouth patch is to be applied to the upper gums near the incisor, twice a day, where it releases testosterone into the blood system through the oral tissues.

• Injections and Implants: Testosterone hormones are injected into the muscles or implanted as pellets beneath the skin's soft tissues, as it is absorbed into the bloodstream.

You will notice that testosterone pills are not recognized by urologists or researchers. This is because many medical specialists believe that pills would have too much of a negative effect on the liver. The methods identified above are the safest and the more direct route for testosterone to enter the bloodstream for a more immediate healing of symptoms caused by low T.

Complications of Low Testosterone

Any complications of low Testosterone will vary among men. The more common complications include depression, low sex drive, less muscle mass, less bone density, infertility, erectile dysfunction, and losing the desire to even engage in sexual activity. Low or decreased testosterone levels also has a profound effect on insulin resistance which great affects men with diabetes. Current research has shown that men with diabetes, who have low T levels are more prone to develop hardening of the arteries (atherosclerosis) which is a key factor to heart attacks. The mood swings that can occur due to low T in men, can also contribute to improper fat distribution, mainly in the abdomen area.

Can Low Testosterone Be Prevented?

Age is a contributing natural factor for low testosterone, but right now we can't prevent aging. Also, there are illnesses and diseases that cause low T and this can't be prevented. However, incorporating exercise into your daily life, plays a key role in diminishing many symptoms associated with low testosterone levels. There is no one particular type of exercise that men need to focus on, because every type of exercise has its advantages in combating low testosterone symptoms. Exercise can help reduce obesity, even in men with diabetes. Keeping the body moving also helps to alleviate mood swing, heart disease, reduced sex drive, low energy levels, and it can increase muscle mass.

Summary

There was a t-shirt worn by a middle aged man that read “don't fear the low-T.” This a great philosophy for men, no matter what the causes are of low testosterone. Men who feel fine, still need to have annual checkups to avoid surprises that could cause anxiety. Men over 34 should be checked for low testosterone and heart disease every five years. There is nothing better than a preventive health check every two years until age 50, and then once a year for a healthy long sex life and a healthy physical and mental life span.

What are the Causes of Testosterone Deficiency?

Introduction: The Stats on Testosterone Deficiency

Male health clinical associations and research centers report that male testosterone levels decline at varying degrees in men. About 30% of men over the age of 50, have a hormonal level that is lower than what is considered in regular ranges. It is reported that nearly 5 million American men have low levels of testosterone hormones, which is necessary for muscle mass, bone strength, sperm production, regulates fat distribution, increases the production of red blood cells, and improves male sex drive. Male testosterone hormones can even improve mood changes, memory capabilities, and energy levels.

Hypogonadism Deficiency

Testosterone deficiency is also known as “hypogonadism,” which means that testes aren't producing enough hormones. There are two types of hypogonadism:

• Primary: This category of hormonal irregularity originates from a problem in testicles.
• Secondary: This type of testosterone hypogonadism indicates a problem in the hypothalamus parts of the brain that stimulates testicles to produce testosterone.

The hypothalamus gland releases gonadotropin hormones, which triggers the pituitary glands to make FSH or follicle stimulating hormone and LH ("luteinizing hormones"). Luteinizing hormones then signals the testicles to produce hormonal cells. Both primary and secondary hypogonadism may be triggered by a congenital trait, including an injury or an infection. Both of these deficiencies can happen at the same time.

Causes of Primary Hypogonadism  

• Testicle Injury: Any injuries to the testes can come from a variety of causes because of their physical location, which is outside of the abdomen. Damage or injury to both testicles can impair testosterone hormonal production, but if an injury occurred to just one, then there is no danger of sperm or hormonal production.
  
• Klinefelter syndrome: The Klinefelter condition stems from a congenital abnormality of the X and Y sex chromosomes. Men generally has one X and one Y chromosome, but in the Klinefelter syndrome, two or more X chromosomes are present, as well as one Y chromosome. The Y chromosome contains the genetic material that determines the sex of a child and its development. The extra X chromosome in this syndrome causes abnormal development of the testicles, which results in the underproduction of testosterone.
  
• Undescended testicles: Prior to birth, the developing testes are inside the abdomen and then they begin to move down into their permanent place in the scrotum. Sometimes one or both of the male testicles may not descended at birth. This premature condition can correct itself, within the first few years of life without any treatment. However, if it does not corrected itself normally, then it can cause a malfunction of the testicles and lessens production of hormonal testosterone cells.
  
• Mumps orchitis: When there is a mumps infection around the testicles, as well as to the salivary glands during adolescence or even in adulthood, then long term testicular damage may happen. Mumps orchitis conditions will affect regular testicular functions and testosterone production.
  
• Hemochromatosis: This condition becomes evident when there is too much iron in the blood. This causes testes dysfunctions, which affects testosterone productive cells.
  
• Cancer treatments: Chemotherapy or radiation therapy for the treatment of cancer will interfere with testosterone and sperm production. The effects of these cancer treatments can be temporary, but permanent infertility may occur.
  
  
  

Causes for Secondary Hypogonadism

Many different conditions can cause secondary hypogonadism, some including:

• Kallmann syndrome: Abnormal genetic condition of the hypothalamus, which is part of the brain that controls pituitary hormonal secretions. It is also associated with impaired development of the ability to smell (“anosmia”) and red-green color blindness.
  
• Pituitary disorders: A pituitary tumor or a brain tumor that is located near the pituitary gland may cause hormonal deficiency and the loss of testosterone cells. Surgery as a treatment for these disorders or radiation therapy can cause glandular dysfunctions, as well as hypogonadism.
  
• Inflammatory disease: Inflammatory diseases, like sarcoidosis, histiocytosis and tuberculosis, affects the hypothalamus gland, as well as and pituitary gland, which in turn has a major impact on testosterone production, causing deficiencies.
  
• HIV/AIDS: HIV/AIDS can cause low levels of testosterone cells by affecting the hypothalamus, the pituitary gland and the testes.
  
• Medications: Certain drugs that contain some form of opiate and some hormones, can have a negative affect on testosterone production.
  
• Obesity: Obesity is never good, especially around the mid section. Being overweight at any age can and has been linked to hormonal deficiencies or hypogonadism.
  
• Aging: Older men (over age 50) generally experience lower testosterone levels, because as men age there's a slowing down process and a gradual decrease in testosterone cells.

Lifestyle Causes

Lifestyle habits can also cause testosterone deficiencies, such as:

• Stress: when stress is part of your lifestyle, the human body goes through various changes, such as the release of hormones like cortisol and epinephrine or adrenaline. These hormones have a negative effect on the male hormone and if stress is not controlled, it will cause low libido and testosterone deficiency.
  
• Alcoholism: an over consumption of alcoholism has been proven to have a negative impact on testostermone hormonal levels. For instance, beer contains plant estrogens that is toxic to the male testes system.
  
• Chemicals: chemicals are a key factor in age related decrease of male testosterone production. Phthalates are chemicals that are found in everyday food wrappers and water bottles. Air fresheners are also a source of change in hormonal cells. Phthalates for all men is a study that is continuing in the clinical research community because of its link to altering or interfering with hormonal metabolism leading to low male hormone levels.

Conclusion

Due to age and other conditions, men throughout the world experience decreased testosterone levels. Symptoms are evident in decreased sex drive, ED, loss of muscle mass, fatigue, and mood swings. Men should seek help from their physicians who have many different treatments for male hormonal deficiencies. Treatments can improve some symptoms that have exhibited themselves, such as pubic and facial hair loss, a deep voice, and loss of a sex drive. Doctors are better informed about testosterone deficiency and can provide help that many men deserve.