The prostate is a single, doughnut-shaped gland about the size of a walnut that lies below the bladder and surrounds the urethra. The prostate secretes a thin, milky, alkaline fluid that increases sperm motility and lubricates the urethra to prevent infection. Prostate secretions are extremely important to successful fertilization of the egg.

Benign (nonmalignant) enlargement of the prostate gland is known medically as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH for short. Because an enlarged prostate can pinch off the flow of urine, BPH is characterized by symptoms of bladder obstruction, such as increased urinary frequency, nighttime awakening to empty the bladder, and reduced force and caliber (speed of flow) of urination.

BPH is an extremely common condition. Current estimates are that it affects more than 50 percent of men during their lifetime. The actual frequency increases with advancing age from approximately five to ten percent at age 30 to more than 90 percent in men older than 85 years of age.

The key symptoms relate to blockage of the bladder outlet and include progressive urinary frequency, urgency, increased nighttime urination, hesitancy and intermittency with reduced force and caliber (speed of flow) of urine.

Please note: Prostate disorders can be diagnosed only by a physician. Do not self-diagnose. If you are experiencing any symptoms associated with BPH, see your physician immediately for proper diagnosis.

Causes of prostate enlargement

BPH is largely the result of hormonal changes associated with aging. It is clearly dependent on the actions of male hormones (androgens) within the prostate gland. These changes within the prostate reflect the many significant changes in both male (androgen), female (estrogen), and pituitary hormone levels in aging men. The ultimate effect of these changes is that there is an increased concentration of testosterone within the prostate gland and an increased conversion of this testosterone to an even more potent form known as dihydrotestosterone (DHT). The increase in levels of testosterone and DHT is largely due to a decreased rate of removal combined with an increase in the activity of the enzyme 5-alpha-reductase, which converts testosterone to DHT.

Begin with diet

Diet appears to play a critical role in the health of the prostate. In trying to treat or prevent BPH, the diet should be as free as possible from pesticides and other contaminants (e.g., dioxin, polyhalogenated biphenyls, hexachlorobenzene, and dibenzofurans). It is quite possible that the tremendous increase in the occurrence of BPH in the last few decades reflects the ever-increasing effect that toxic chemicals have on our health. BPH is perhaps just one of many health problems that may be due to these toxic substances. A diet rich in natural, whole foods may offer some protection against these toxins.

In particular, focus on whole, unprocessed foods, including whole grains, legumes, vegetables, fruits, nuts, and seeds in your diet. Eat on fourth cup of raw sunflower seeds or pumpkin seeds each day for the zinc—an important mineral for prostate health. Consuming soy foods helps balance testosterone metabolism and has been shown to help prevent prostate cancer. Also, lycopene-rich fruits and vegetables, such as tomatoes, spinach, kale, mangos, broccoli, and berries, when consumed daily promote prostate health and play a role in preventing prostate cancer. It is also important to reduce the intake of alcohol (especially beer), caffeine, and sugar, all of which have an adverse effect on the way testosterone is metabolized by the prostate.

Herbal relief

Several herbs have been shown to be effective in relieving symptoms of enlarged prostate. These herbs can be used individually or taken in combinations as they have different yet synergistic effects. The following are listed in order of greatest benefit as noted in clinical trials:

Saw palmetto (Serenoa repens) extract has the most scientifically documented benefits of any natural treatment for BPH. Numerous clinical studies have shown that saw palmetto extract significantly diminishes the signs and symptoms of BPH. Roughly 90 percent of men who have mild to moderate BPH experience some improvement in symptoms during the first four to six weeks of therapy. All major symptoms of BPH have been relieved, especially nighttime urinary frequency. The recommended dosage of the extract, standardized to contain 85 to 95 percent fatty acids and sterols, is 320 to 640 mg daily.

Cernilton, an extract of flower pollen, has been used in Europe to treat BPH for more than 35 years, and its effects have been confirmed in double-blind clinical studies. The overall success rate of Cernilton in patients with BPH is about 70 percent. The typical dosage of is 63 to 126 mg two to three times per day.

Pygeum africanum is an evergreen tree native to Africa. Numerous clinical trials in more than 600 patients have demonstrated pygeum extract to be effective in reducing the symptoms and clinical signs of BPH, especially in early cases. However, in a double-blind study that compared the pygeum extract with the extract of saw palmetto, the saw palmetto extract produced a greater reduction of symptoms and was better tolerated. There may be circumstances in which pygeum is more effective than saw palmetto, and as the two extracts have somewhat overlapping mechanisms of action, they can be used in combination. The typical dosage of pygeum extract is 50 to 100 mg twice per day.

Stinging nettle (Urtica dioica) root extract also have been shown to be effective in the treatment of BPH. Two double-blind studies have shown it to be more effective than a placebo. However, it may work best when combined with saw palmetto extract. A large double-blind study in 431 patients using both the extracts of saw palmetto and stinging nettle found clinical benefit equal to that of finasteride (Proscar). The typical dosage is 120 to 150 mg twice daily.

Final thoughts

Even if symptoms of BPH are quite mild, it is important to treat. Early treatment, especially with natural approaches, will produce better results. If left untreated, BPH can eventually obstruct the bladder outlet, resulting in the retention of urine and eventually kidney damage. As this situation is potentially life-threatening, proper treatment is crucial.

The chance of clinical success with any of the botanical treatments of BPH appears to be determined by the degree of obstruction as indicated by how much urine is left after attempting to void the bladder (the residual urine content) as determined by an ultrasound exam. For mild cases of BPH (residual urine levels less than 50 ml), the results are usually excellent and quite noticeable within the first month of therapy. For moderate cases (residual urine levels between 50 and 100 ml), the results are usually quite good within the first four to six weeks. For example, roughly 90 percent of men with mild-to-moderate BPH experience some improvement in symptoms during the first four to six weeks after beginning to take saw palmetto extract.

If the residual urine level is between 100 ml and 150 ml it may take two to three months before significant improvements are noted. If the residual urine content is greater than 150 ml, saw palmetto extract and other herbal medicines are not likely to produce any significant improvement on their own. In these cases, it may be necessary to use the herb in combination with drug therapy, and in very severe cases, a surgical procedure to open up the passage way known as transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) may be necessary.

Decreased nighttime awakenings to empty the bladder are usually the first signs of improvement, followed by a reduced sense of urinary urgency and increased caliber and flow of urine.

Bronchitis refers to an infection or irritation of the bronchi—the passageway from the windpipe (trachea) to the lungs. This illness is much more common in the winter, as it usually follows an upper respiratory infection such as a cold. Chest, the official journal of the American College of Chest Physicians, reported in 2006 that “acute bronchitis is one of the most common diagnoses made by primary care clinicians and emergency department physicians.”

While you may be tempted to ask your doctor about an antibiotic treatment for bronchitis, it’s important to note that antibiotics are not a good option for this illness. According to a 2006 review in Chest, “the widespread use of antibiotics for the treatment of acute bronchitis is not justified, and vigorous efforts to curtail their use should be encouraged.”

Fortunately, there are several natural remedies you can use to alleviate bronchitis and other respiratory tract disorders.

Bronchitis symptoms

Signs of bronchitis include bouts of coughing, shaking, chills, fever and chest pain that are usually preceded by a cold. Although pneumonia also includes a persistent cough, it differs from bronchitis in that it has the classic signs of lung involvement, such as shallow breathing and abnormal breath sounds. In addition, a chest Xray will show fluid and lymph in the lungs. It is difficult to distinguish between bronchitis and pneumonia, so consult your physician if you have lung issues suggestive of pneumonia or if your cough persists for more than one week, it recurs, or it’s accompanied by a high fever, rash or persistent headache.

Bronchitis can be caused by a variety of microorganisms, especially viruses and bacteria. In healthy people, bronchitis most often follows an insult to the immune system, such as cold or flu, cigarette smoke and other noxious fumes, or cancer.

Tried and true home remedy

One of the main treatment goals in cases of bronchitis, sinusitis and pneumonia is to help the lungs and air passages get rid of excessive mucus. There’s an old-time therapy called postural drainage that works absolute wonders. I recommend that my patients with bronchitis do it twice daily until the bronchitis has resolved.

Apply a heating pad, hot water bottle or mustard poultice to your chest for up to 20 minutes. To make a mustard poultice, mix one part dry mustard with three parts flour, then add enough water to make a paste. Spread the paste on thin cotton (an old pillowcase works well) or cheesecloth, fold it, and place it on your chest. Check the poultice often, as mustard can cause blisters if it’s left on too long.

After the hot pack or poultice, perform postural drainage by lying face down on a bed with the top half of your body off the bed, using your forearms as support. This position should be maintained for five to 15 minutes while you try to cough and expectorate into a basin or newspaper on the floor.

Bottle blowing and salt pipes

A Swedish study published in 1997 in the Scandinavian Journal of Infectious Diseases investigated 145 adults who were hospitalized for pneumonia. The patients who were instructed to sit up 10 times a day and blow 20 bubbles each time through a plastic tube into a bottle containing 10 ml of water had shorter hospital stays. Another study also found that this technique helped decrease impairment of pulmonary function and increase total lung capacity in patients who had undergone coronary artery bypass surgery. Bottle blowing or another similar activity, like a playing a wind instrument, may well prove useful as a means of decreasing the frequency and duration of bronchitis or pneumonia in patients who are vulnerable to respiratory infections.

An alternative to bubble blowing is the use of a salt pipe. These pipes are inhaler-type devices containing tiny salt particles that are said to ease breathing. The practice originated in central Europe, where individuals with respiratory complaints would spend time in salt caves or mines to help relieve their breathing problems.

Mucolytics

If you have bronchitis, it is important to use a mucolytic agent to improve the quality of your mucus secretions and promote expectoration. Two of the best are described below.

• Guaifenesin (also known as glycerol guiacolate) is a derivative of a compound originally isolated from beech wood. It is available in many over-the-counter products.

• N-acetylcysteine (NAC) has an extensive history of use as a mucolytic in the treatment of acute and chronic lung conditions. NAC is helpful in all lung and respiratory tract disorders, especially chronic bronchitis and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Studies show it improves bronchial and lung function, reduces cough and improves oxygen saturation in the blood. In detailed analyses of 39 trials, it has been concluded that oral NAC reduces the risk that chronic bronchitis will worsen and improves patients’ symptoms compared with a placebo. The typical dosage for NAC is 200 mg three times daily.

Expectorants and immune system support

Herbal medicine is one of the best ways to support your body to help prevent and alleviate the symptoms of bronchitis. Herbs can also act as expectorants to increase the quantity of mucus, decrease its viscosity and promote its expulsion. Commonly used expectorants include Glycyrrhiza glabra (licorice), Pelargonium sidoides (South African geranium), Hedera helix (ivy) and wild cherry bark.

Remember, optimal immune function also relies on a healthy diet that includes whole, unprocessed foods such as fruits, vegetables, grains, beans, seeds and nuts. Reduce your consumption of fats and refined sugars, and be sure to drink five or six 8-ounce glasses of water every day (preferably pure, filtered water), to boost your immune system.

With any of these bronchitis remedies, a lessening in the severity of symptoms, such as coughing, should be apparent within the first 48 hours. If not, please check with your physician.