Autumn, with its crisp air and pleasant climate, is typically a wonderful season. However, many men face embarrassing health issues during this time. Fall is a high-incidence season for urinary system diseases. As the weather turns colder, more people suffer from prostate problems.
Guo Jun, Director of the Andrology Department at Xiyuan Hospital of the China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences, points out that preventing prostate diseases in autumn is paramount, with protecting the prostate being the most crucial step. For patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), it is especially important to seek regular treatment early in the autumn to control symptoms and ensure a smooth winter.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) has long emphasized the principle of "three parts treatment and seven parts care." The autumn climate is dry, with low air temperature and rapid evaporation of sweat. It is advisable to increase water intake and consume more water-soluble vitamins B and C. One can regularly eat apples, bananas, and green leafy vegetables to help promote body fluids and prevent dryness.
However, one should avoid overindulging in cold fruits and melons like watermelon and pears, as this can harm the stomach and spleen. For those who have long suffered from prostate diseases, they often have symptoms of insufficient kidney qi and deficient yang. Consuming these cold foods can prevent yang from being properly protected, leading to a relapse of the "glandular disease." The use of pungent and dry-hot foods such as onions, ginger, garlic, chives, and chili peppers should also be limited, as they can exacerbate the autumn dryness when the summer heat has not yet subsided. Zinc can enhance the anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer effects of the prostate.
Therefore, consuming zinc-rich foods such as pumpkin seeds, peanuts, almonds, and sesame may be beneficial in preventing and treating prostate diseases. Additionally, as the weather cools in autumn, people tend to drink less water. This leads to less urination, and without the regular flushing of the urethra, the risk of prostate diseases can increase.
It is recommended that men develop good habits of drinking adequate amounts of water and urinating regularly. If symptoms such as frequent urination, urgent urination, painful urination, or difficulty urinating are noticed, one should seek medical attention promptly to avoid delaying treatment.