Winter has arrived, and the weather has turned cold. Studies have shown that the cold can significantly impact men's prostates. Cold is a form of stimulation for the body, which responds by increasing the excitability of the sympathetic nervous system to counteract this stimulation. This is originally a protective mechanism of the body, which is generally a good thing, but it isn't so beneficial for an enlarged prostate. The cold weather causes the prostate gland to contract, while the ducts and blood vessels expand, leading to chronic congestion and increasing the pressure within the urethra. This can cause urine reflux and exacerbate the stagnation of prostate fluid, resulting in symptoms such as frequent urination, urgency, nocturia, dysuria, perineal pain, and testicular pain.
To protect the prostate, one should follow the three "good" principles, which can effectively alleviate prostate symptoms:
**First Good: Eat Well**
- Supplement with trace elements like zinc and antioxidants (both are beneficial for prostate health).
- Men should include more seafood, lean meat, legumes, pumpkin seeds, peanuts, sesame seeds, and other foods rich in zinc to meet the body's zinc needs.
- Include more whole grains, nuts, vegetable oils, fresh vegetables, and fruits to supplement various antioxidants.
- Avoid alcohol, spicy foods, and smoking. While these won't directly cause prostate diseases, they irritate the prostate and urethra, potentially causing temporary discomfort in the perineum, as well as congestion and swelling of the prostate and bladder neck, leading to urinary obstruction. Therefore, it’s best to minimize contact with these substances. A special reminder: food cannot replace medicine. Even when busy, don’t forget to take your medication. Most medications for benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) need to be taken daily without missing any doses.
**Second Good: Drink Well**
- Even in the cold season, it is recommended to drink plenty of water and urinate frequently. Urine helps thoroughly flush the urethra, facilitating the discharge of prostate secretions and preventing urinary tract infections. Even patients with prostate disease should drink plenty of water.
- Drink more during the day. To avoid frequent nighttime trips to the bathroom, reduce water intake 2-3 hours before bedtime. A special reminder: drinking more water means more urination. However, holding urine when you feel the urge to go is not advisable. Holding urine allows the bladder to become overly full, putting pressure on the prostate. For patients with prostate disease, this can easily cause urine reflux, harming the kidneys and ureters, and even lead to kidney failure or acute urinary retention. So, remember to urinate immediately when you feel the urge.
**Third Good: Have Fun**
- Activities like walking, practicing martial arts, playing mahjong, or poker can be beneficial.
- Many patients with prostate enlargement are retired and have ample free time, often enjoying games like mahjong or poker. There’s nothing inherently wrong with this, but these activities can lead to prolonged sitting. Given the location of the prostate, men are essentially "sitting" on their prostates, so prolonged sitting can increase the burden on the prostate. Therefore, if you're playing mahjong or poker, make sure to get up and move around periodically. It's best not to play for extended periods and consider other activities, such as walking, practicing martial arts, or carrying grandchildren around.
Special Reminder: If you plan to go outside for activities like walking or practicing martial arts, don’t forget to dress warmly. Keeping the local environment warm can help maintain smooth drainage of the prostate and relieve congestion and swelling; conversely, getting chilled can worsen prostate symptoms.
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