Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia

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• Definition
• Introduction
• Signs & Symptoms
• Research Summary

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Executive Summary

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Write an executive summary in the form of a blog article on the topic of "Research into Chinese medicine treatment for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia" summarising the research below and using language that can be easily understood by patients and avoiding medical jargon using a professional and caring tone of voice.

Write an executive summary in the form of a blog article on the topic of "Researched Chinese medicine treatments for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia" summarising the research below in an objective and easy to understand way, and using language that can be easily understood by patients. Group the article into Chinese medicine treatments first, followed by nutrition and other treatments. Avoid using medical jargon and use a professional and caring tone of voice.

Write me a concise but easy to understand executive summary on the topic of "Chinese medicine treatments for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia" based on the following research that I will give you. Your summary should be 2 paragraphs long in Australian English spelling and include references to the studies.

A Meta-Analysis published in 2022 in the journal Clinical Phytoscience found that Pumpkin seed extract treatment could potentially offer symptomatic relief for patients experiencing moderate lower urinary tract symptoms suggestive of benign prostate hyperplasia. The study methodology involved a meta-analysis of two separate studies that were randomized and placebo-controlled, focusing on the effectiveness of pumpkin seed extract in addressing urinary tract symptoms indicative of benign prostate hyperplasia. The participants included in these studies were those patients whose International Prostate Symptom Score was 13 points or higher at the baseline. The method of analysis involved assessing the response rates of patients and the improvement in prostate symptom scores at a 12-month follow-up. The discussion of results revealed that the response rates in the group receiving pumpkin seed extract were marginally higher than that of the placebo group, giving pumpkin seed extract a slight edge. Additionally, there was a minor difference observed in the change from the baseline to 12-month Prostate Symptom Score in favour of pumpkin seed extract. The meta-analysis in general indicates that a treatment involving pumpkin seed extract may result in symptomatic relief for patients suffering from moderate urinary tract symptoms associated with benign prostate hyperplasia.

A Cohort Study published in 2022 in the journal International Journal of Urology found that Chinese herbal medicine can significantly reduce the risks of complications and need for surgery associated with benign prostatic hyperplasia. The methodology of the retrospective cohort study involved analyzing data from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database, covering the period between 2001 to 2013. 4142 patients newly diagnosed as having benign prostatic hyperplasia were divided into Chinese herbal medicine users and non-users. To compare these groups, they employed 1:1 propensity score matching, and the risk of complications related to benign prostatic hyperplasia was evaluated using the Cox proportional hazard model. The results showed that during the study period, the risk of complications related to benign prostatic hyperplasia was considerably lower in the Chinese herbal medicine group compared to the non-Chinese herbal medicine group, even when other variables were controlled for. The Chinese herbal medicine users had a significantly lower risk of urinary tract infection and urine retention. Plus, the Chinese herbal medicine users experienced a lower incidence rate of surgery related to benign prostatic hyperplasia and enjoyed a longer surgery-free interval than non-Chinese herbal medicine users. Among the Chinese herbal medicine, Salviae miltiorrhizae and Ji-Sheng-Shen-Qi-Wan were prescribed the most by traditional Chinese medicine practitioners.

A Randomised Controlled Trial published in 2021 in the journal BMC Urology found that Pumpkin seed oil can alleviate symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia with no side effects, though not as efficiently as tamsulosin. In this single-blind randomized clinical trial, patients aged 50 years or above suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia were included. These patients were divided into two groups, with one group being administered tamsulosin nightly and the other receiving pumpkin seed oil twice a day. Variables such as age, weight, height and body mass index of the patients were taken into account. The international prostate symptom score was noted for each patient at the start, then after one and three months into the treatment. Other factors recorded include the quality of life associated with BPH, prostate-specific antigen serum, prostate and postvoid residual volume and maximum urine flow. Information regarding any drug side effects was also recorded. Following a comparison of the two groups, it was observed that there was no significant difference in principal variables at any point during the trial. However, both groups saw a notable reduction in the international prostate symptom score and an improvement in quality of life. The decrease was comparatively more significant in the tamsulosin group after one and three months. Patients administered pumpkin seed oil experienced no side effects, unlike those in the tamsulosin group who experienced dizziness, headaches, retrograde ejaculation and erythema with pruritus.

A Cohort Study published in 2021 in the journal Scientific Reports found that Lower testosterone levels in aging men correlate with a larger prostate volume. The study analysed the relationship between testosterone levels and prostate size in aging, overtly healthy males. Data was collected from 416 men who underwent routine health exams and these individuals were revisited after a span of four years. Variables not only included testosterone levels and prostate size, but also examined associated obesity-related factors such as waist circumference, body mass index, and insulin levels. The analysis focused on drawing correlations between various factors. Specifically, comparisons were made between men with lower testosterone levels and larger prostate sizes, and those with normal testosterone levels. Both initial prostate sizes and the change in size over the four-year period were evaluated in conjunction with testosterone levels. The role of testosterone levels was further intricately reviewed by adjusting for the age factor, to understand how this relationship may change over time. In investigating the results, it was observed that men with lower testosterone did tend to have significantly larger prostates, and higher levels of obesity-related factors compared to those with normal testosterone levels. It was also found that there was a negative correlation between testosterone levels and prostate size, that is, as testosterone increased, prostate size showed a substantial decreasing trend.

A Clinical Study published in 2020 in the journal Journal of the Chinese Medical Association found that Chinese herbal medicine might improve lower urinary tract symptoms in patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia. In the conducted single-arm pilot study, twenty patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia were instructed to take the investigated Chinese herbal medicine three times a day for 8 weeks, coupled with their ongoing Western medicine treatment. Scheduled follow-ups were completed, with patients completing questionnaires such as the international prostate symptoms scores, aging male symptoms score, and international index of erectile function, along with a questionnaire of traditional Chinese medicine body constitution. Diagnostic tools like uroflowmetry and sonography were utilized to measure changes in urine flow velocity and post-voiding residual urine volume over the study span. The results of the study showed a significant decrease in the total prostate symptoms scores post 8 weeks of Chinese herbal medicine treatment, indicating an improvement in the patients' condition. Additionally, this study found a decrease in specific subscores measuring voiding and incomplete emptying. Further to this, a declining trend was also observed in post-voiding residual urine volume, suggesting positive impacts of Chinese herbal medicine on the patients' urinary symptoms.

A Systematic Review published in 2018 in the journal The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine found that Moxibustion was found to be an effective and safe treatment improving symptoms and quality of life in patients with Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. The study used a randomized controlled trial method, comparing the effects of moxibustion and placebo treatment on Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. Participants were divided into two groups: one that received the moxibustion treatment on specific acupuncture points, and another placebo group that received a sham treatment mimicking moxibustion without therapeutic effect. Outcome measures assessed were International Prostate Symptom Score, maximum urinary flow rate, quality of life index, and occurrence of adverse events. The study found significant improvements in the moxibustion group in regards to the measured prostate symptom score and urinary flow rate when compared to the placebo group. The quality of life index was also significantly higher for the moxibustion group. Moreover, adverse events were rare and mild in both participant groups.

A Review Article published in 2018 in the journal Food Reviews International found that Pumpkin seed oil appears effective for improving men's health conditions such as enlarged prostate, overactive bladder, and hair loss due to its anti-inflammatory properties and radical scavenging. The study methodology entailed the review of various clinical trials that examined the impacts of pumpkin seed oil on different health conditions common in men. These conditions included Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland), overactive bladder, and androgenic alopecia (a hair loss condition). The decision to focus on these conditions was based on the potential therapeutic value of the biochemical components of the oil, such as its rich contents of essential, highly unsaturated fatty acids and phytosterols. In discussing the results, it was observed that the beneficial effects of pumpkin seed oil in treating the examined health conditions are potentially linked to the oil's contents of phytoestrogens and unsaturated fatty acids. It was suggested that these compounds may inhibit the enzyme 5-alpha reductase, which is an important factor in the enlargement of the prostate and hair loss. Additionally, the oil's anti-inflammatory properties and its capacity to scavenge free radicals might contribute to its therapeutic advantages. Furthermore, it is postulated that the oil may also have a relaxation effect on the bladder sphincter, thereby aiding patients with urination difficulties.

A Randomised Controlled Trial published in 2018 in the journal Evidence-Based Practice found that Pumpkin seed oil and pumpkin seeds can effectively reduce obstructive urinary symptoms in patients dealing with symptomatic benign prostatic hypertrophy, performing as well as saw palmetto and prazosin. In the methodology of this research, the scientists observed and compared the effects of pumpkin seed oil, pumpkin seeds, pumpkin seed extract, saw palmetto and prazosin on patients suffering from symptomatic benign prostatic hypertrophy. The main purpose of the experiment was to determine which substances could alleviate obstructive urinary symptoms to the greatest extent. Effects of these substances were noted on a consistent basis to accurately gauge their efficacy. In the discussion of results, it was found that both pumpkin seed oil and pumpkin seeds exhibited a notable reduction in obstructive urinary symptoms among the patients. Pumpkin seed extract was observed to not perform better than placebo, implying it didn't contribute significantly to symptom relief. Interestingly, pumpkin seed oil was found to be on par with saw palmetto and prazosin in terms of alleviating BPH-related symptoms. This discovery positions pumpkin seed oil and pumpkin seeds as potential natural solutions for addressing urinary symptoms linked to benign prostatic hypertrophy.

A Systematic Review published in 2017 in the journal PLOS One found that Acupuncture can significantly improve urological symptoms in the short term for men with benign prostatic hyperplasia. The comprehensive study used a systematic review and a meta-analysis to measure both the therapeutic and adverse effects of acupuncture on benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) through randomized controlled trials. Independent reviewers analyzed and extracted data from various renowned databases including MEDLINE, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, and several Chinese knowledge resources. The trials focused on BPH symptomatic men and reviewed the extent to which acupuncture treatment altered urological symptoms. The results from eight separate randomized controlled trials involving 661 men were combined, showing statistical short-term (4-6 weeks) improvement in urological symptoms for BPH patients through the use of acupuncture. However, the medium-term follow-up (12-18 weeks) analysis did not indicate any significant effect. The beneficial effects were considerably noticeable in cases of moderate to severe BPH on the short-term follow-up endpoints. Nonetheless, the clinical significance of these changes necessitates rigorous and long-term follow-ups for validation.

A Experimental Study published in 2015 in the journal The Prostate found that Pomegranate Fruit Extract (PFE) can potentially mitigate testosterone-induced Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia in rats due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and pro-apoptotic properties. The study was carried out using 48 rats, which were randomly distributed into six groups. The Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), a disease that affects men over 50, was induced in these rats using testosterone, except for one group which served as the control. Four groups of the induced rats, thereafter, were treated with diverse daily dosages of Pomegranate Fruit Extract (PFE), while one group received a regular dosage of PFE without BPH induction. Regarding the investigation outcomes, the most significant effect was observed in rats treated with the largest (100mg/kg) dosage of PFE. This treatment substantially reduced testosterone-induced increase in prostate weight and other related levels. Additionally, PFE significantly decreased Malondialdehyde (a marker for oxidative stress) and increased Glutathione, Superoxide dismutase, and Catalase, all of which work as antioxidants. The PFE also demonstrated an ability to decrease the expression of COX-II, iNOS and Ki-67 (indicators of inflammation and cell proliferation) while enhancing the rate of apoptosis (programmed cell death), contributing to the prevention of BPH development.

A Randomised Controlled Trial published in 2014 in the journal Urologia Internationalis found that Pumpkin seed treatment can potentially cause a significant reduction in symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia in men aged 50 to 80. In the GRANU study, 1,431 men aged 50-80 years, exhibiting symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia, were assigned randomly to one of three groups: those receiving pumpkin seeds, capsules filled with pumpkin seed extract, and a placebo group. The primary criterion for response was measured by a reduction in the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) after 12 months. The secondary outcomes were focused around the quality of life in relation to the IPSS, individual items on the IPSS and diary-recorded nocturia. After a year, there was no statistical difference observed between the group taking pumpkin seed extract and the placebo group. However, the group treated with pumpkin seed showed a significant descriptive difference when compared with the placebo group. The treatment was well tolerated overall and showed a clinically relevant reduction in the IPSS among the men with benign prostatic hyperplasia who were treated with pumpkin seed for 12 months.

A Systematic Review published in 2013 in the journal Asian Journal of Andrology found that Chinese herbal medicine appears to be more effective than Western medication in improving quality of life and reducing prostate volume in benign prostatic hyperplasia patients. The method utilized in this research involved the systematic review of randomized controlled trials from diverse electronic databases. These trials were focused on comparing Chinese herbal medicine, in standalone or supplementary use with Western medication, against placebo or solely Western medication. All trials reviewed pertained to benign prostatic hyperplasia. Outcomes measured included changes in patients' urological symptoms, urodynamic measures, prostate volume and the occurrence of adverse events. The analysis revealed that Chinese herbal medicine was superior to Western medicines in terms of improving patients' quality of life as well as reducing the size of the prostate. Furthermore, the occurrence and frequency of adverse events in patients treated with Chinese herbal medicines were found to be similar to those observed in placebo groups and lesser compared to groups treated with Western medication. However, due to the limited number of trials and their methodological quality, the evidence supporting the efficacy of Chinese herbal medicine remains weak.

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