BP-Q: Help for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is commonly thought of as an enlarged prostate although some BPH patients can have a normal sized prostate. BPH is characterized by a collection of symptoms and diagnosis is often made after an evaluation of these symptoms by a physician. Symptoms can include urinary hesitancy, weak stream, intermittency, incomplete emptying, terminal dribbling, frequency, nocturia, urgency, urge incontinence, dysuria, hematuria, enuresis, urinary tract infection, and urinary retention. Not all patients will experience all symptoms.

Research suggests that inflammation may be an important factor in BPH and LUTS (lower urinary track symptoms) and current pharmaceutical and surgical treatments do not reduce the inflammation. Emerging science seems to show that inflammation, as expressed by cytokines, could be a potential diagnostic marker and a therapeutic target for BPH management. Frequent urination, urge to urinate and urine flow strength are some of the troublesome symptoms associated with BPH.

The unique blend of natural nutritional supplements in BP-Q was developed in collaboration with leading urologists and includes specific ingredients that have been well researched over many years. In fact, this combination of clinically proven natural dietary supplements is exclusive to the BP-Q formulation and includes quercetin, Beta Sisterol and cernilton. Quercetin is a potent anti-inflammatory and antioxidant that has been proven safe and effective in numerous clinical studies including several for prostate health. Several double-blind controlled clinical studies have found that Beta Sisterol provided especially effective symptom control for men with BPH. Another ingredient, cernilton, from a natural bee pollen extract, is also well studied and one British double-blind, placebo controlled study found that cernilton provided a significant improvement in BPH symptoms with a six-month course of treatment. This powerful combination of three efficacious all-natural supplements can only be found in BP-Q.

BP-Q can be used alone or in combination with traditional treatments including alpha-blockers in the medical treatment of BPH.

What is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)? 

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a most common non-cancerous tumor found in men, is an enlargement of the prostate. Typically, the prostate gland grows larger as men age. Unfortunately, the enlarging prostate often compresses and narrows the urethra and somewhat blocks urine flow. BPH often begins at the age of forty to forty-five. It is not nor does it lead to cancer.

What causes of BPH?

The exact reasons for prostate enlargement are unknown. However, it is believed that ageing and hormone level changes are significantly correlated to benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Diagnosis of BPH 

It is typical for physicians to first gather a detailed medical history to determine the severity of the symptoms and diagnose benign prostatic hyperplasia. A physical examination, such as a digital rectal exam (DRE) which enables physicians to asses the size and shape of the prostate, is essential for proper diagnosis. A DRE procedure involves a doctor inserting a finger into the rectum and feeling the prostate gland to detect an enlarged prostate. This procedure also helps to detect prostate cancer.

Other tests include:

• Urine Analysis – can detect infections, prostatitis, cystitis, urinary tract infection and other conditions
• Prostatic Specific Antigen (PSA) test – a blood test that examines the level of PSA in the bloodstream
• Uroflow – measures the strength and the amount of urine flow over time
• Ultrasound – the use of sound waves to estimate the size of the prostate, detect tumor and other problems such as kidney obstruction and kidney stones
• Cystoscopy – a small tube with lens is inserted through the opening of the urethra through the penis under local anesthesia

Symptoms of BPH  Listed below are the symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia separated into their causes, urethral obstruction and changes in the bladder.

Symptoms of urethral obstruction include:

• Difficulty starting a urine stream
  
• Slow and interrupted weak stream
  
• Presence of blood in the urine
  
• Urgency
  
• Dribbling

Symptoms of a decreased in bladder size include:

• Frequent urination
  
• Irritated bladder
  
• Feeling of an un-emptied bladder after urination
  
• Urgency to urinate, especially at night (nocturia)

The size of the prostate does not always determine how severe the obstruction or the symptoms will be. Some men with greatly enlarged glands have little obstruction and few symptoms while others, whose glands are less enlarged, have more blockage and greater problems.

Treatments for BPH 

If the symptoms are considered to be mild, doctors may suggest only regular checkups to watch for any changing or early problems. Studies have shown that in as many as one-third of all mild cases of BPH have had symptoms clear up without treatment.

Options if treatment is needed include:

• Medication: Alpha-blockers such as finasteride and dutasteride inhibit production of the hormone involved in prostate enlargement. In some men, finasteride may shrink the prostate.
  

Non-Surgical Invasive Treatments:

• Transurethral Microwave Thermotherapy (TUMT): A catheter is used to send computer-regulated microwaves that heat and destroy selected excess of prostate tissue.
  
• Transurethral Needle Ablation (TUNA): Two small needles are pushed into the prostate to burn away well-defined portions of the enlarged prostate by using low-level radiofrequency energy.

Surgery

• Transurethral Surgical Resection of the Prostate (TURP): Used 90% of the time, TURP procedure involves inserting an instrument through the penis to remove any obstructing tissue blocking the urethra (urinary passage).
• Transurethral Incision of the Prostate (TUIP): Instead of removing tissues like TURP, TUIP involves the use of an electrical knife or laser to create small cuts in the bladder neck to widen the urethra. This reduces the pressure on the urethra and allows urine to flow more freely.
• Open Prostatectomy: When the prostate gland is severely enlarged, an open prostatectomy is performed. The inner portion of the prostate is removed through an open incision in the lower abdomen.

Complications of a surgery may include infection, pneumonia, blood clots, excessive bleeding, impotence, and retrograde ejaculation (semen traveling backward into the bladder during orgasm).

Alternative Treatments

• Zinc (60mg a day) helps reduce the size of the prostate.
  
• Beta-sitosterol (60-130mg a day) helps reduce symptoms of BPH.
  
• Pumpkin Seeds keeps prostate healthy.
  
• Nettle has anti-inflammatory action and increases urine flow and volume.
  
• Saw palmetto (160mg twice a day) has shown to improve BPH symptoms in several clinical trials.
  
• Selenium provides antioxidant protection of the prostate.

About Farr Labs, LLC. 

In 1999, Farr Laboratories, LLC and leading Academic Urologists at the Institute for Male Urology began working together to develop a safe, effective and natural way to help prevent the symptoms and pain from Non-Bacterial Chronic Prostatitis, Interstitial Cystitis, and Vulvodynia.

These astounding results are published in prestigious medical journals such as Techniques in Urology, Urology, as well as Urology Times. All of these publications plus presentations at major medical conferences such as the annual AUA (American Urological Association) meetings have brought international recognition to our products.

Academic Urologists from major medical institutions worldwide have conducted studies on our products Prosta-Q® and Cysta-Q®, which contain bioflavonoids and other natural ingredients that demonstrated significant improvements in subjects of peer reviewed, double-blind, placebo-controlled trials for the symptoms of Non-Bacterial Chronic Prostatitis and Interstitial Cystitis as well as Vulvodynia.