Managing your Prostate Condition

Having a prostate disease may affect your life, but it doesn't have to control it. Not all men with prostate disease experience symptoms that are bothersome enough to require treatment. However, if prostate disease is interfering with your everyday life, the information in this section may help you stay on track.

Talk to your doctor or a registered dietician about what kind of diet you should follow. Here are some tips to get you started:

• Eat when you feel hungry. Don't be constrained by how close you are to a regular meal time.
• Follow your nose. You will be more likely to enjoy foods that smell good to you. Some treatments may change your food preferences in surprising ways.
• Distract yourself while eating watch TV, read, or talk to friends or family.
• Use dairy products as a source of protein and calories.
• Drink high-calorie beverages (milk, flavored drinks, nutritional drinks) rather than tea or coffee.

How much you can exercise depends on your general health and where you are in your prostate disease treatment. In general, smooth exercises (like swimming and walking) are better than exercises with jarring motions (running) or ones that put pressure on the affected area (riding a bike or a horse). However, you should always consult your doctor before beginning an exercise program.

Various forms of meditation provide mental, and sometimes physical, relief for people. Meditation is not an inherently religious practice and can take the form of anything from simple mind-clearing and breathing exercises to formal practices and techniques. Most bookstores carry a range of books on meditation.

Remember that prostate disease is just a part of your life. Don't let it interfere with many of the things you enjoy doing. Read the newspaper in the morning in your favorite chair or call friends about last night's game. Take a trip with your family. Work or volunteer part time. Exercise as much as you can (based on your doctor's advice).