Prostate Health

Good prostate health is one of the most important concerns for any man of any age.

The prostate is a walnut-shaped gland found only in men. It lies in front of the rectum, sits just below the bladder where urine is stored, and surrounds the tube that carries urine from the body (urethra). The gland functions as part of the male reproductive system by making a fluid that becomes part of semen, the white fluid that contains sperm.

Three main problems can occur in the prostate gland: inflammation or infection, called prostatitis; enlargement, called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH); and cancer.

Prostatitis is a clinical term used to describe a wide spectrum of disorders ranging from acute bacterial infection to chronic pain syndromes affecting the prostate.

There are four main types of prostate syndromes. Acute bacterial prostatitis, although the least common of the four types, is the easiest to diagnose and treat. This form is caused by bacteria and comes on suddenly. Symptoms include chills and fever, pain in the lower back and genital area, and burning or painful urination.

Chronic bacterial prostatitis is also caused by bacteria, but does not come on suddenly. The only symptom a man may have is bladder infections with the same bacteria that come back. The cause may be a defect in the prostate gland that allows bacteria to collect in the urinary tract. Usually, the prostate is normal or  a little tender on exam.

Chronic prostatitis-chronic pelvic pain syndrome (non-bacterial)  is the most common, but least understood, form of prostatitis. Found in men of any age from the late teens on up, the symptoms go away and then return without warning, and may be inflammatory or non-inflammatory. In the inflammatory form, urine, semen, and other fluids from the prostate show no evidence of a known infecting organism, but do contain the kinds of cells the body usually produces to fight infection. In the non-inflammatory form, no evidence of inflammation, including infection-fighting cells, is evident.

Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis is the diagnosis when there are no symptoms, but the patient has infection-fighting cells in the semen. It's often found when a doctor is looking for causes of infertility or is testing for prostate cancer.

Prostatitis is not contagious, and the vast majority of cases are not spread through sexual contact. Only a doctor can tell one form of prostatitis from another though.

BPH, or benign prostatic hyperplasia, is the second main problem that can occur in the prostate gland. "Benign" means "not cancerous"; "hyperplasia" means "too much growth." The result is that the prostate gland becomes enlarged (enlarged prostate.) The gland tends to expand in an area that doesn't expand with it, causing pressure on the urethra, which can lead to urinary problems.

The urge to urinate frequently, a weak urine flow, breaks in urine stream, and dribbling are all symptoms of an enlarged prostate. Because the prostate gland normally continues to grow as a boy matures to manhood, BPH is the most common prostate problem for men older than 50. Older men are at risk for prostate cancer tool, but it's not very common than BPH.

A doctor will do a digital rectal exam (DRE) to check the size and condition of the prostate gland by inserting a gloved finger into the rectum. The doctor  may need to do special X-rays or scans to check the urethra, prostate, and bladder. BPH can lead to urinary problems like those indicative of prostatitis. By age 60, many men have signs of BPH. By age 70, almost all men have some prostate gland enlargement.  BPH can lead to a weak bladder, bladder or kidney infections, complete blockage in the flow of urine, and kidney failure.

Some men with prostate cancer also have BPH, but the two conditions are not automatically linked. Most men with BPH don't develop prostate cancer. But because the early symptoms for prostate cancer and an enlarged prostate could be the same, a doctor needs to evaluate these symptoms.

Different prostate problems can have similar symptoms. One man with prostatitis and another with BPH may both have a frequent, urgent need to urinate. A man with BPH may have trouble beginning a stream of urine; another may have to urinate frequently at night. Or, a man in the early stages of prostate cancer may have no symptoms.

One prostate change does not  necessarily lead to another. Having prostatitis or an enlarged prostate does not increase the chance for prostate cancer. It's also possible to have more than one condition at a time. So this is a good reason for men, especially after age 45, to have a thorough medical exam that includes the PSA test and DRE every year.

Prostate Health

Prostate Cancer Treatment, Enlarged Prostate Treatment, Prostatitis Treatment - Infection or Inflammation

It's important to be informed and continue to research the Internet for both conventional and alternative natural treatments for good prostate health - prostate cancer- enlarged prostate  and prostate infection or inflammation symptoms and treatment.  Read all the latest books and ebooks you can find.  Read everything you can get your hands on and mull it all over.  Then try what you think will be best for you.  As new research comes out adjust your treatment options accordingly.  If you do choose the invasive conventional route, you can always change your diet and do non-invasive natural treatments too.  

This site is meant to be an educational site only; providing tips, signs, help, information on prostate health, the prostate gland, prostate cancer, prostate cancer symptoms, prostate cancer treatments,  prostate cancer facts,  prostate cancer tests, prostate cancer ebooks, and natural alternative treatments.