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Caffeine and alcohol are classified as diuretics, which means they affect the muscle tone of the bladder and stimulate the kidneys to produce urine. Since a primary symptom of BPH is increased urgency to urinate, you should avoid drinking caffeinated and alcoholic beverages, especially in the evening. Avoid alcohol and caffeine, especially after dinner. Try not to drink any beverage with caffeine or alcohol within four hours of bedtime, and stop drinking all fluids about two hours prior to heading off to bed. Caffeine is found in coffee, black tea, green tea, hot chocolate, colas, most soft drinks and virtually all energy drinks. Caffeine also increases neuron activity in your brain, which can keep you up at night and acerbate the symptoms of BPH. Many OTC cold and allergy medications, as well as sleep aids, contain antihistamines or other decongestants that can worsen BPH symptoms and trigger more trips to the bathroom. Other types of drugs can also negatively impact BPH symptoms, so review all your medications (OTC and prescriptions) with your doctor and/or pharmacist to be on the safe side. Other problematic drugs include: high blood pressure (hypertension) medication, antispasmodics, antidepressants, and neurological drugs used to treat Parkinson's disease. Your doctor might be able to adjust the dosages or change the schedule for problematic medications, or maybe prescribe different ones that cause fewer urinary problems. Be aware that some drugs also contain caffeine or other diuretics/stimulants, so research the ingredients of all medications that you take. When urinating, particularly in the evening just prior to bedtime, take the time to completely empty your bladder because it will reduce the need for subsequent trips to the bathroom during the night. This isn't always easy to do with BPH and may take five to 10 minutes, but it helps to prevent sleep disturbance from having to get up every two to three hours. To promote bladder emptying, try sitting down while urinating rather than standing up it changes the angle of the urethra and can be more relaxing. Other methods to help promote emptying your bladder include: running the water in the bathroom sink, distracting yourself with relaxing music and keeping yourself warm (by wearing slippers or a housecoat) if it's chilly. Consider using the double-voiding technique: after your initial strong stream of urine comes out, wait a moment and then try again to see if more comes out. Taking a warm salt bath in the evening can help you cope with the symptoms of BPH in a variety of ways. The magnesium-rich Epsom salt and warm water can be soothing and combat stress, promote sleep, get rid of mild aches and pains, reduce muscle tension and potentially trigger urination. If you do feel the need to go, empty your bladder while in the bath for best results don't worry, urine is sterile and great for moisturizing skin. At least two cups of Epsom salts should be added to a warm bath for noticeable therapeutic results, but don't make the water too hot (to prevent scalding). Don't soak in the bath for much more than 30 minutes because the salty water will pull fluid from your body and start to dehydrate you. Sitting around too much and being inactive is generally unhealthy, but the lack of circulation and pressure on the pelvis while sitting isn't good for the prostate gland either. Some research suggests that mild exercise, such as walking, may help reduce the symptoms of BPH. Exercising can also reduce stress and muscle tension, which are contributing factors that make it more difficult to urinate normally. Although walking, hiking and swimming are great stress-relieving exercises that can benefit BPH sufferers, avoid cycling the pressure from the seat can irritate the prostate and make BPH symptoms worse. Lifting heavy weights and straining at the gym can make the symptoms of BPH worse in some men, so focus on less strenuous exercise. Other exercises that may acerbate BPH symptoms include rowing and canoeing.
Avoid drinking caffeinated and alcoholic beverages in the evening. Avoid taking over-the-counter (OTC) antihistamines or decongestants. Try to always completely empty your bladder. Take warm Epsom salt baths in the evening. Be active and exercise more.