There are various diseases that men come across when getting older. One of them is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) – a condition that occurs due to the growth of the prostate gland, which leads to blockage of the lower urinary tract (“Benign prostatic hyperplasia,” 2019). A case of L.L. patient who is a 67-year-old male describes this illness. The doctor recommended him a prescription medication; however, the patient wants to try a herbal supplement to treat BPH. This essay will discuss specific questions regarding the herbal treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia, including recommendations, side effects, and outcomes of such a medication.
The patient is taking Cozaar 100 mg for his hypertension (HTN); thus, L.L.’s blood pressure is under control. There are no other prescribed drugs that a man is getting, which is good as there might occur interference with other medications if a herbal treatment is implemented. I would still not highly recommend a herbal supplement in L.L.’s case because, according to scientists, phytotherapy does not work (“What is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia,” 2019).
Herbal supplements as a form of self-treatment is not supported by doctors because their quality and dietary effects may vary. Moreover, several reliable studies showed the ineffectiveness of herbal therapy that “over-the-counter” supplements present (“What is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia,” 2019). Therefore, I would rely on doctors’ conclusion not to recommend an herbal supplement for benign prostatic hyperplasia as a primary medication.
If I need to recommend herbal supplement as an additional method for benign prostatic hyperplasia treatment, I would suggest using one of the popular herbs that are usually recommended. Saw palmetto is often mentioned when it comes to BPH discussion (“What is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia,” 2019).
Some studies showed that the mix of standard medication and saw palmetto as a supplement could benefit patients who have BPH; however, more recent studies presented controversial results on the matter (Leonard, 2018). The recommended dosage of saw palmetto would be three-hundred twenty milligrams per once daily as it is a standard dose for the saw palmetto treatment associated with urinary disorders (Leonard, 2018). However, herbal therapy is a questionable option for treatment that should be checked.
There might be various side effects of the herbal supplement. Researchers state that common issues that arise due to saw palmetto treatment include hypertension, decreased libido, and back pain (Interlandi, 2018). L.L.’s state should be tracked continuously because the patient already has HTN, and the combination of drugs against HTN and an herbal supplement may lead to unpredicted results. Despite having a few side effects, saw palmetto might cause headaches, digestive issues, and problems with liver (Leonard, 2018).
I would give L.L. several warnings before he starts the herbal supplement. Firstly, I would warn a patient about possible side effects discussed above to avoid misunderstanding that may occur due to controversial information L.L. may have. Secondly, I would tell a patient that there are no studies that proved the effectiveness of herbal supplements and their interference with prescribed medication (Leonard, 2018). Finally, I would ask a patient to tell his healthcare providers about the decision to start taking the herbal supplement for them to take necessary actions if something unexpected occurs with L.L.
To make a conclusion, one might state that there are a few regulations and rules that define herbal supplements usage. Herbal additives are not tested as usual medications and do not go under strict production guidelines that ensure high standards of safety. Therefore, all patients must be aware of the situation and know the possible consequences of herbal therapy that they choose to treat any disease.
References
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). (2019).
Interlandi, J. (2018). 5 Reasons to Skip Saw Palmetto for an Enlarged Prostate. Web.
Leonard, J. (2018). Can saw palmetto reduce enlarged prostate?