Exercises’ power in protecting the prostate

Exercises’ power in protecting the prostate 

Every so often, a man’s prostate likes to act up and not in a good way.  From painful infections, enlargement or even cancer, the prostate gland can cause a man trouble.  The best medicine for preventing little if any problems is to protect the prostate and one very effective way is with exercise. Research has exercise to be a powerful anecdote for helping to treat but better yet, prevent various prostate-related conditions.

Of the studies which have looked and physical activity and prostate health, each has found that regular exercise can be beneficial for this walnut-sized gland.  Here is a look of 3 ways that consistent exercise can one way to keep the prostate healthy: 

1. Reduces risk of BPH

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) also known as an enlarged prostate is the most common cause of prostate enlargement. As a man ages BPH becomes more common with about half of all men between the ages of 51 and 60 developing it and up to 90% of men over age 80 will have it.

Common symptoms of BPH include:

·       An urgent need to urinate

·      Having the need to urinate many times during the day and night

·      Hesitancy or troubling starting a urine flow

·      Weak or dribbling urine stream

 Men who are more physically active are less likely to suffer from benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH.  This is according to an ongoing Harvard Health Professionals Follow-up study which found low-to-moderate intensity physical activity, such as walking at a moderate pace, provided benefits.

2.  Improved treatment for prostatitis

Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland – anything word ending in “itis” means inflammation – causing more than two million men to seek help from their doctor with this painful condition annually. Unlike prostate cancer and benign prostatic hyperplasia which generally affect older men, prostatitis is an equal opportunity condition affecting men of all ages.

When the prostate gland becomes inflamed, a whole host of symptoms can result:

·      Burning or painful urination

·      Urgent need to urinate

·      Trouble voiding

·      Difficult or painful ejaculation

·      Pain in the area between the scrotum and rectum known as the perineum

·      Lower back pain

A randomized controlled trial on prostatitis conducted in Italy found that men with chronic prostatitis who walked briskly three times a week compared to men who did not walk briskly, had less prostatitis pain, less anxiety and depression, and a better quality of life.

3.  Slowed prostate cancer progression

Again, research has shown that exercise can help slow prostate cancer progression. In a study of more than 1,400 men diagnosed with early-stage prostate cancer, men who walked briskly for at least three hours a week were 57% less likely to have their cancer progress than men who walked less often and less vigorously. In a separate study, men diagnosed with localized prostate cancer who engaged in vigorous activity at least three hours each week had a 61% lower chance of dying from the illness, compared to men who engaged in vigorous activity less than one hour a week.

How to work in more exercise

Before beginning any exercise program, all men should discuss with their doctor to make sure they recommend it for them and for help in designing a fitness routine.  A well-rounded exercise program should include 30 minutes of physical activity on all or most days of the week.  This will deliver the best benefits to the prostate gland.

Every man should choose an exercise routine they will enjoy which could include swimming, walking, bicycling, jogging/running, tennis, racquetball, or whatever other sport that gets their heart elevated above resting.