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Prostatitis – What are the Symptoms and Causes of Prostatitis

admin — Wed, 17 Mar 2010 00:52:03 +0000

Prostatitis

is a Blanket Term Describing a Number of Prostate Conditions. With advances in health care comes ever increasing life spans. While this is undoubtedly a good thing, having a large population of people of advanced age means that diseases that were once rarely seen are becoming more prevalent. One of these diseases is prostate cancer.

The early symptoms of prostate cancer are typically due to restrictions in the urethra that occur because prostate cancer enlarges the prostate. Therefore, any hint of prostate enlargement should be investigated. Fortunately, most prostate enlargements are not caused by cancer.

Other sources of prostate enlargement are normal enlargement of the prostate as a natural part of aging. Another cause, more common in younger men, is prostatitis. What is prostatitis? Prostatitis is a catch all term that stands for a diverse number of prostate enlargements not related to aging or prostate cancer.

Acute bacterial prostatitis is the least common form of the disease but it is very easy to diagnose and treat. The symptoms of acute bacterial prostatitis include fever, back pain, and frequent urination. The tratment for acute bacterial prostatitis is as simple as administering a round of antibiotics.

Chronic bacterial prostatitis has the same symptom suite as acute prostatitis, but the causes typically involved defects that provide a natural harbor for bacterial infection. Treatment by antibiotics is not usually effective since it does not cure the underlying defect. Surgery or ultrasonic treatments are usually necessary to first remove the defects, and then antibiotics can clear up the residual bacteria.

Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland that does not cause any pain or discomfort. It is usually only detected during prostate examinations. This form of prostatitis generally causes no problems and does not require treatment of any kind.

Clearly, enlargement of the prostate should always be taken seriously. Any symptoms should be reported to your doctor so that further tests can be run. Fortunately, most enlarged prostates are caused by non cancerous prostatitis.

John Ward

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Important Prostate Cancer Facts You Should Know

prostratehealth — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 04:55:53 +0000

Prostate Cancer Facts

- In a man’s lifetime he has an 10 percent ( 1 in 10) chance of being diagnosed as having prostate cancer. Commercials on the T. V. Make it clear that one in 3 men will experience some kind of prostate issues during their life. Two hundred thousand new occurrences of prostate cancer are being reported in the US each year.

Prostate cancer is a malicious cancer that starts to grow in the prostate gland. It can begin to spread from the prostate gland to the bones, lymph nodes, and also the other organs. This illness is the second leading reason for cancer death in men.
The survival rate for this illness has improved a large amount in the last twenty years from 67% all the way up to 99%. Age is the first hazard factor and the chance of developing this illness will increase as you get older. Most cases of prostrate cancer are found in men who are over the age of sixty five.

Just one in ten thousand men who are diagnosed as having prostate cancer are under the age of forty. A person has a hazard factor of at least eleven times much more inclined to develop prostate cancer whether their dad or brother has had it.

It ha been found that the death rate for prostate cancer in men is more that over 2 times higher in African-American men. This is going to be thanks to the variations in diet between these groups of men. Diet is recommended as something that is affecting your odds of developing prostate cancer. You may also wish to see a doctor and bear tests if you have any symptoms of prostate issues.

I do hope that these prostate cancer facts have been of use to you.

John Ward

P.S. If you found this post useful, I would appreciate if you would share it with someone else who would benefit.

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What Causes Prostate Cancer

admin — Mon, 01 Feb 2010 22:37:55 +0000

What Causes Prostate Cancer

Diet, Genetics, and Age are the primary causes of Prostate Cancer. It is one of the most prevalent types of cancer in older males. We constantly hear admonitions made in public service health announcements that all men over age fifty should receive periodic screenings.

One question that is seldom answered in the broadcasts is what causes prostate cancer. It turns out that age is the most important factor, while diet, testosterone levels, and genetics also play important roles.

Before discussing the causes of prostate cancer, it is worthwhile to provide a quick overview of the prostate and prostate cancer. The prostate is a walnut sized gland in the male reproductive system that assists in the production of seminal fluid. While the prostate is useful for complete sexual function, the truth is that males can easily live without a prostate, and removal of the prostate is a common treatment when prostate cancer is detected.

Early symptoms and warning signs of prostate cancer can mimic those of prostatitis, a benign inflammation that causes the prostate to become enlarged and swollen.

By far the most important determining factor in whether a given male will develop prostate cancer is age. While the reasons for this are not well known, the chances are better than fifty-fifty that a male of age seventy five will develop the disease. Fortunately, prostate cancer can run for years or decades before it becomes terminal, so many elderly males die of something else without ever being aware that they had prostate cancer.

In addition to age, diet and genetics are important contributing factors to the development of prostate cancer. As with most other types of cancer, research has shown that a diet rich in fruits and vegetables may help prevent the onset of prostate cancer, whereas a diet devoid of fruits and vegetables can lead to higher rates of prostate problems. Genetics also plays a large role in what causes prostate cancer. If prostate cancer runs in an individual’s family, then that individual is more likely to develop prostate cancer.

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Prostrate Surgery – Do You Know the Best Options

admin — Tue, 05 Jan 2010 02:33:15 +0000

Prostrate Surgery

can be done through the urethra tube or done with open surgery. This means actually cutting through the skin above the base of the penis. In this surgery the doctor inserts a thin tube thru the urethra and uses a loop to chop pieces of the prostate. A wire loop is employed and is directed by direct vision by trying a cystoscope. There are some cases where the prostate will keep growing and cause issues again later.

There are complications to some prostate treatments. Sometimes there are patients that never recover sexual function and plenty of times it relies on how long the person had the symptoms before he surgery. After some sorts of surgeries a person might find his semen won’t go out of the penis during intercourse but will back up into the bladder.

If you and your better half try to get pregnant a doctor who specializes in fertility can treat backward ejaculation. Generally the patient can be helped with these symptoms. If the prostate has been removed due to cancer, the complications and difficulty with sexual function may have long lasting effects. Most men can be treated with medical treatments or the doctor may decide to leave the nerves around the prostate in effect.

Thousands of men who have been treated for BPH and studying the outcome of the care each one to collect info about any complications of medicines used to treat prostate issues. New approaches to prostate surgery are also being looked at that would permit the patient to have treatment on an outpatient basis.

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Important Prostate Cancer Information

admin — Wed, 23 Dec 2009 17:19:54 +0000

Important Prostate Cancer Information

Though no man wants to hear that he has prostate cancer, the diagnosis is far less fatal than it was for past generations. In fact, only 1 in 34 males with prostate cancer will succumb to the disease. These are good odds and indicative of the advancements in cancer treatments and the medical information available.

In fact, there are now many options available to men who have been stricken with prostate cancer. The most common are radiation, surgery, and hormone therapy; however, chemotherapy may also be used in some cases.

Radiation therapy involves a surgeon aiming high energy beams at the patient’s body (either externally or internally) in an effort to “shrink” the prostate cancer. Radiation is often chosen by patients whose cancer has not spread to the surrounding tissues; thus, the beam can pinpoint the affected area(s) and leave the prostate intact.

Surgery in the form of either a radical prostatectomy or transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP) are often chosen by patients and their doctors in response to a prostate cancer diagnosis. Radical prostatectomy involves removing the prostate gland as well as tissue surrounding it. “TURP” doesn’t cure the cancer (or even remove all of it); instead, it’s focus is to relieve some of the symptoms of prostate cancer, such as urination difficulties.

Hormone therapy has been shown to have some effectiveness in prostate cancer patients. Basically, the levels of androgens (male hormones) are lowered in an effort to encourage the prostate cancer cells to shrink. However, hormone therapy has never been shown to completely eradicate the cancer; instead, it merely slows down the growth for a period of time.

Finally, chemotherapy may be used by some prostate cancer patients. Drugs which are injected into the male’s veins enter the bloodstream and attack the cancer cells. It is important to note that although chemotherapy is becoming a more viable option for those who have been diagnosed with prostate cancer, it is still not as effective as radiation or surgery in the vast majority of cases.

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Prostate Cancer Facts – Don’t Ignore Them

admin — Sun, 20 Dec 2009 16:34:15 +0000

Prostate Cancer Facts

Twenty years ago, the topic of prostate cancer was somewhat taboo. That ignorance led to many persons ignoring the early symptoms of the disease. Thus, by the time they were diagnosed, they had few treatment options available. Fortunately, those days are past. Today’s open environment allows for many facts and information to be shared about prostate cancer, which is wonderful for men and the women who love them and want them to remain healthy.

Prostate cancer only occurs in males because it affects the prostate gland, a walnut-sized organism near the bladder and anus in men. Urine is carried through a tube that goes through the prostate, and seminal fluid is affected by the prostate. Consequently, the prostrate is quite important in both the arenas of waste elimination and procreation.

Not surprisingly, prostate cancer attacks the prostate gland. Specifically, this typically slow-moving type of cancer (called adenocarcinoma) focuses on cells in the prostate. Gradually, the prostate cancer spreads and is often undetected by the victim or the doctor until it has progressed. However, it’s important to note that prostate cancer can also grow more aggressively. That’s why self-exams are critical.

Like breast self-exams, prostate gland self-exams are relatively simple, but many individuals neglect to perform them. That’s tragic for the 234,460 men who will get cancer this year. (Fortunately, only about 1 in 34 will succumb to their prostate cancer due to recognition of early symptoms or signs of the illness which are “caught” by either the patient or his physician.)

Some of the symptoms of symptoms and signs of prostate cancer include an enlarged prostate and difficulty urinating. Pain may also be present, but many prostate cancer patients have very little physical comfort in the initial stages of the cancer.

As with all cancers, the earlier you detect prostate cancer, the better. There are plenty of recent treatments and medical advances that make the odds of surviving much better than they were a generation ago. If you feel you may be at risk of developing prostate cancer, talk with your doctor. Together, you can discuss the latest and newest options available for detection and care.

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What is an Enlarged Prostate Gland

admin — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 18:14:57 +0000

Enlarged Prostate Gland.

It is a Condition Caused by Numerous Disorders. An enlarged prostate can be caused by a number of conditions, some harmless and some potentially deadly, such as prostate cancer. So just exactly is it? An enlarged prostate is an increase in size of the gland. The causes are many and various, and may include bacterial or viral infections, natural processes associated with aging, as well as cancer.

The most common causes of an enlarged prostate are usually benign. Prostatitis is a blanket term that covers a number of different disorders all of which result in an enlargement of the prostate gland. Acute bacterial prostatitis is an enlargement of the prostate caused by a bacterial infection.

The treatment for this condition is simply administering antibiotics. Chronic bacterial prostatitis is caused by a physiological defect that provides a safe harbor for bacterial growth. The treatments for this type of enlarged prostate are not as simple as for acute bacterial prostatitis since the defect must first be treated before antibiotics can prove useful. This often involves surgery to correct the original disorder.

The worst case scenario for prostate enlargement is prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is one of the most common causes of death for males over the age of fifty. Prostate cancer not only causes tumors, but also results in a general enlargement of the prostate itself. If detected early, prostate cancer is very treatable. However, if the disease is not detected before the onset of symptoms, it can be very difficult to treat.

Regardless of the causes of prostate enlargement, the symptoms are typically the same. These may include difficulties urinating, including a feeling of being unable to completely empty the bladder. Another common symptom of an enlarged prostate gland is blood in the urine. While some blood in the urine is natural, an enlarged prostate can cause excessive amounts of blood in the urine that may be visible to the naked eye.

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Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia BPH – Important Information You Should Read

admin — Mon, 07 Sep 2009 08:59:14 +0000

Benign prostatic hyperplasia BPH

is a swelling of the prostate gland that is not due to prostate cancer. Sadly, since the prostate gland grows wrapped round the higher portion of the urethra, if it swells, negative side-effects can result.

The condition can be extremely uncomfortable and negative to maintaining a properly working, healthy urinary system. What exactly causes benign prostatic hyperplasia is still not absolutely accepted by modern medication.

Across the totality of their lives, men produce both the male hormone testosterone and a little amount of the female hormone, estrogen. As a natural side-effect of aging, the amount of testosterone active in the bloodstream decreases. In nature, as most animals age, they stop producing dihydrotestosterone.

Following prostrate surgery which can correct the problem of BPH, patients are often wanted to stay in the hospital for a day or two for observation. Complications from the surgery should be gone after that time. Less significant cases of benign prostatic hyperplasia bph can be treated with certain types of drugs and even prostate care.

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Prostrate Gland – What Happens When The Prostate Gland Is Removed

admin — Fri, 07 Aug 2009 05:59:32 +0000

Prostrate Gland

- If you have had problems with your prostate gland that forced you to choose to have it removed (or consider having it removed), you need to know what the side effects of that decision are or will be. Below, we’ll look at a few of the outcomes of losing your prostate gland.

Hormonal Changes – The loss of the prostate gland results in a lowering of male hormones. Thus, if yours is or has been removed, you may wish to take some kind of male hormone supplement to ensure that your body isn’t “shocked” by the loss of androgen.

Loss of Sex Drive or Impotency – Many men report a loss of the desire for intimacy after their prostate gland has been removed. However, there are medications and natural supplements that can be taken to improve the desire for sexual contact with one’s partner. If you’re having trouble maintaining or getting an erection, that can sometimes be remedied, too. Ask your doctor for advice and don’t be shy; though it can seem embarrassing to discuss sexual activity, it’s in your best interest to feel as good as possible.

Difficulty Urinating or Having Bowel Movements – Sometimes, after the prostate gland is removed, noticeable waste elimination problems begin to occur due to nerve damage that was sustained during surgery. These problems sometimes reverse themselves after the patient has healed, but if they don’t, further surgery may be necessary to relieve the issues.

Fatigue – Finally, many men report feeling more fatigued after losing their prostates. This could be for a combination of reasons, most likely hormonal changes mixed with psychological trauma. Give it some time after your prostate gland has been taken out; often, with rest (and perhaps therapy), your energy will return to optimum levels.

Though it’s never an easy decision to have the prostrate gland removed, rest assured that if you have to make that choice, there are prostate treatments available to help you return to pre-surgery health and wellness.

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Prostrate Health – Holistic Healing For Prostrate Health

admin — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 13:07:15 +0000

Prostrate Health

- Concern over the side effects and physical trauma (not to mention the efficacy) of traditional surgical methods to heal the body has created a whole industry devoted to holistic health alternatives that don’t involve prescription medications or invasive procedures. This means that for men concerned about their prostrate health, there are plenty of natural options available to keep this walnut-sized gland functioning properly.

Diet – One of the best approaches to a healthy prostate is to maintain a good diet plan. It can be as strict as you prefer – some eschew meat and feel it is unnecessary and fouls up the bowels, thus creating stress for the prostate gland. Others simply recommend a diet high in fiber, low in fat, and generally well-rounded. Whatever you’re most comfortable with is the diet you should follow.

Exercise – There’s nothing better than a brisk walk (or jog, if you’re able) to increase the blood flow and stimulate the health of your prostate. Most holistic healers recommend a lifestyle that includes plenty of exercise; unless you’re a “gym rat” now, you’re probably not getting enough of the good stuff. Ramp up your exercise routine by getting outside and doing yard work, lifting weights, skiing, hiking, or enjoying a host of other heart-pumping activities. Even traditional physicians herald this approach to keeping all your bodily organs, including the prostate, in tip-top shape.

Supplements – Naturopathic doctors often recommend taking supplements as a way to boost your prostate health. However, there’s no one “recipe” as far as vitamins and minerals go; therefore, you’ll need to find the one that works best for you. By visiting your local healthy foods grocer, you can find some supplement packages and test them out. (And most health food stores also have a library section so you can read up on the supplements before buying them.)

Remember that there are many different ways to help your prostrate health. And in the process, you’ll probably ramp up your physical and emotional bliss, too.