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Listen up Men: Getting to the Root of Prostate Issues


Weekly Article 4/08/2019
by Mikele K. @ The Olive Branch

Listen up Men: Getting to the Root of Prostate Issues

Greetings Olive Branch Customers! Today is 4/8/2019, and we are in the second week of the second quarter of the year. Time sure is flying isn’t it? We’re not that far from grilling out and summer vacations for Summer 2019. In this week’s article, we will focus on a specific men’s issue that is common in the medical community. Prostate issues with men are not talked about much in the store, and even men are for some odd reason embarrassed to talk about it until it becomes a big issue. Today, we will talk about men’s prostate health, the three prostate issues men encounter in their lives, and what alternatives are out there to assist in the healing of prostate issues.

To begin, this is a topic that is seen frequently in the store weekly, but the number of cases vary. Many men who come in asking or assistance in this area are unaware of what exactly a prostate issue is. Firstly, the prostate is a walnut sized gland that sits below the urethra which produces seminal fluid, and contains a big part of sperm, which makes up the components of semen in men during sexual activity namely ejaculation.

A visual on a normal and enlarged prostate in detail

Now that we have the basics out of the way, let’s see what the three types of prostate issues men can encounter:

  1. BPH namely known as benign prostatic hyperplasia this is basic prostate enlargement. BPH blocks the flow of urine out of the bladder. This causes uncomfortable urinary symptoms, and can also cause bladder, urinary tract, or kidney problems. A condensed list of symptoms according to the Mayo Clinic:
  • Frequent or urgent need to urinate
  • Increased frequency of urination at night (nocturia)
  • Difficulty starting urination
  • Weak urine stream or a stream that stops and starts
  • Dribbling at the end of urination
  • Inability to completely empty the bladder
  1. Prostatitis -This is swelling and inflammation of the prostate gland, and is common, but not always associated with, a bacterial infection. Prostatitis causes painful and/or difficult urination, and can include pain in the groin, pelvic area or genitals, and flu-like symptoms. Mayo Clinic states the symptoms of prostatitis can be: Prostatitis signs and symptoms depend on the cause. They can include:
  • Pain or burning sensation when urinating (dysuria)
  • Difficulty urinating, such as dribbling or hesitant urination
  • Frequent urination, particularly at night (nocturia)
  • Urgent need to urinate
  • Cloudy urine
  • Blood in the urine
  • Pain in the abdomen, groin or lower back
  • Pain in the area between the scrotum and rectum (perineum)
  • Pain or discomfort of the penis or testicles
  • Painful ejaculation
  • Flu-like signs and symptoms (with bacterial prostatitis)

Now, this is where things get interesting. Stick with me. Most men who come in to the store have no idea what their swollen prostate means, or how to deal with it. Conventional medicine says that many times the prostate will heal itself, while other times an antibiotic is needed for bacterial infections. However, many men do the wait-and-see method to see if they get better before heading to the doctor. Matter of fact, many spouses and significant others notice the signs mentioned above which warrants the trip to the doctor. Alpha blockers are the most commonly used medications for an enlarged prostate in most situations. Common names of alpha blockers are:

  • Flomax
  • Uroxatral
  • Rapaflo

Now, many are asking, So what is the issue? According to AskMD, Well, common side effects of alpha blockers, while they do work, can cause some harsh side effects such as: Side effects may include headaches, drowsiness, weakness, fainting, nasal congestion, and nausea. Other side effects may include frequent urination or loss of bladder control, and a rapid, strong, or irregular heartbeat. Alpha blockers can make it dangerous to drive or to operate machinery. The whole point around alpha blockers for prostate issues is to help urine flow more easily. These drugs change the behavior of the hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline. These help relax the muscles in the urinary tract, making it easier to urinate.

As always with any topic we talk about, we do not advise our customers go against the advice of their doctors or health professionals. However, we do ask that you educate yourself on all options that are available for any condition to have a more informed talk with your doctor to come up with the best treatment plan for you or a loved one. Now, if one is looking for alternative options, please consider coming into the Olive Branch store and talk with one of our staff members to see what alternative options that may be a fit for you for prostate health:

  • Saw Palmetto
  • Beta Sitosterol
  • Pygeum
  • stinging nettle

The Olive Branch carries the following products that may be beneficial for men’s prostate health

NOW Prostate Health

The Olive Branch Prostate Support

Pure Essence Prostate Essence

NOW Saw Palmetto Extract

Source Naturals Prosta-Response

Source Naturals Saw Palmetto

Solaray Saw Palmetto/Berries

Solaray Pygeum & Saw Palmetto

NOW Pumpkin Seed Oil

Jarrow Formulas Prostate Optimizer

In summary, at some point in every male’s life they will experience a form of prostate issue that we have discussed. The goal of treatment for prostate issues is to first get a confirmed diagnosis of the actual issue, and then reduce the swelling to bring urinary flow back to normal. Stop in today to talk with one of our knowledgeable team members to see if any of our prostate products would be a good fit for your prostate health needs. Join the discussion on Facebook and our website: theolivebranchnutrition.com to tell us a success story, or if you have any questions about any of our products!

~In Good Health

Mikele K.