Prostate Health

You must have heard about men suffering from problems related to prostate. But many a times you must be wondering what prostate is and what problems develop related to it. So here is some basic and relevant information regarding prostate health.

Prostate Gland
Prostate gland, a walnut sized gland, is a part of the male reproductive system. It surrounds the upper portion of the male urethra. The function of this gland is to secrete a slightly alkaline milky or whitish fluid that usually constitutes 25-30% of the volume of the semen along with sperms and seminal vesicle fluid. This alkalinity of semen helps in neutralizing the acidity of the vaginal tract which prolongs the lifespan of sperm. The smooth muscles of this gland help in the expulsion of semen during ejaculation.

The common problems related to prostate glands are:

BPH-Benign Prostate Hyperplasia
This condition arises due to enlargement of the prostate. It is also known as benign enlargement of the prostate (BEP). This enlargement usually occurs in middle-aged and elderly men. When sufficiently large then the gland due to its anatomical location will compress the urethra causing partial or sometimes complete obstruction of the urethra which interferes with the normal flow of urine. This leads to symptoms of urinary hesitancy, frequent urination, painful urination, straining during urination, dribbling or leaking of urine after urination, increased risk of urinary tract infections and urinary retention. Some men may get these symptoms while some may have a BPH without any symptom.
As the prostate slowly continues to enlarge, the symptoms may gradually worsen. It may then interfere with sleep, physical comfort and routine activities. In rare cases, if not treated, BPH may lead to incontinence, inability to urinate, bladder stones, kidney infections or damage to the bladder, kidneys and urethra.
By 50 years of age, about half of all the men have begun to develop enlarged prostate. By the age 80, 90% of all men suffer from this condition. The symptoms of BEP are similar to that of prostate cancer. So it is essential to check up with your doctor to rule out the any cancerous lesion.

Prostatitis
Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate that may be caused by an infection. The infection can be bacterial or non-bacterial in origin. This condition may develop suddenly (acute) or may develop gradually over years (chronic). The symptoms of prostatitis can be fever, frequent painful urination, discharge from urethra, blood or urine in ejaculate, low sperm count, sexual difficulties and discomfort in the testicles, urethra, lower abdomen and back.

Certain activities increase your risk of developing prostatitis like:

• Bladder infection
• BPH/BEP
• Any sexually transmitted disease like gonorrhoea, chlamydia, etc.
• Frequent sex or unprotected sex with multiple partners
• Excessive alcohol consumption
• Having lot of spicy foods
• Injuries to the lower pelvis

It is the most common prostate problem in men under 50 years. To take adequate precautions will save you from a lot of discomfort caused by prostatitis.

Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer tends to develop in men over the age of fifty. Although it is one of the most prevalent types of cancer in men, many never have any symptoms, undergo no therapy, and eventually die of other causes. This is because prostate cancer, in most cases, is slow-growing and symptom free and men with the condition often die of causes unrelated to the prostate cancer such as heart disease, other unconnected cancers or old age.
Cancer of prostate gland in men may spread (metastasize) to other parts of the body particularly bones and lymph nodes. Prostate cancer may cause pain, difficulty in urination, problems during sexual intercourse or erectile dysfunction. In later stages other symptoms relating to the organ of metastasis could also develop.
There are many factors including genetics and dietary patterns that have been related with the development of prostate cancer. Therefore, essential tests like prostate specific antigen (PSA), biopsy and or scans should be done for the accurate diagnosis, as required. The treatment can be single or combination of hormonal therapy, chemotherapy, high intensity focused ultrasound, radiotherapy or surgery, depending on the clinical condition. The age, underlying health status of the man, the extent of metastasis, appearance under the microscope and response of the cancer to initial treatment are important in determining the outcome of the disease.

Some Tips To Have A Healthy Prostate?

• Limit the intake of large amounts of saturated fats and processed foods. Include fruits and fresh vegetables in your diet as this will keep your immune system strong. Avoid overly spicy foods that may irritate your prostate.
• Drink plenty of water even if you have BPH as prostate swelling can lead to bladder infections.
• Limit the consumption of coffee, tea, soda and alcohol as they are known to be prostate irritants.
• Smoking cigarettes or consumption of any nicotine containing product can also seriously affect your overall health as well as the health of your prostate gland. Nicotine is a known carcinogenic (cancer-causing chemical).
• Regular exercise is a good way to keep your weight in a normal range as obesity is one of the reasons to cause prostate irritation.
• Researches suggest that regular ejaculation helps in flushing the carcinogen built up in the gland and hence save prostate.
• To have healthy sexual practices will help you in a longer run
• If you and/or your partner is suffering from any sexually transmitted infection, then both of you may need treatment. So, it is advisable to discuss this with your doctor.
• It is important that you get aware of the signs and symptoms commonly associated with bad prostate health as by knowing what to look for you can recognize the disease at early stages when there is more scope for treatment.
• If you are experiencing a symptom then it is essential to discuss it with your doctor. Do not be embarrassed as it a matter of saving your life here. Regular medical check ups, especially after the age of 50, will help in saving you from the discomforts that a bad prostate cause.

This was a brief outlook on the common problems of the prostate gland and some tips to take care of this gland. Prostate disorders usually begin after 35 years of age and gradually worsen as the age advances. So, to take the essential care is very important. Are all men listening?