Prostate Health, a Concern for all Genders

When it comes to prostate health, most women don’t care, or simply have no knowledge of what it is and how its effect on men affects them as well. In this article, I would want us to learn a little bit about prostate enlargement and its associated conditions.

What is the prostate?

The prostate is a gland, hence the need for prostate health to be taken seriously. The prostate aids in the production of semen, the fluid that carries sperm. It encircles the urethra, which is the tube that transports pee (urine) from the bladder to the penis.

How does prostate compare in young men and adult men?

The prostate of a young person is roughly the size of a walnut. With time, it becomes larger. It can cause issues if it grows too large. The longer a man lives, the more probable he is to develop prostate issues. Prostatitis, prostate enlargement, and prostate cancer are the three most frequent prostate issues.

Prostate cancer affects many men, despite the fact that the majority of prostate symptoms aren’t cancerous.

What is prostatitis, and why does it affect the prostate health of men?

Prostatitis is a prostate infection or inflammation that causes pain and discomfort. The pain could originate in the rectum, the penis, or the pelvic area. It might happen when urinating or ejaculating. For men under the age of 50, prostatitis is the most prevalent prostate issue.

Prostatitis can appear suddenly or return after a period of time. Prostatitis comes in a variety of forms. Symptoms of an unexpected infection include:

• Fever, chills, and nausea.

• Pain and, or burning sensation when urinating, and or ejaculating.

• When the urge to urinate is strong and frequent, however, you can only pass little volumes of urine.

• Pain in the lower back or abdomen.

• Urine with blood in it.

If you have any of the above symptoms, see your doctor straight away.

Acute infections can be deadly, but they’re usually simple to diagnose and cure. Chronic prostatitis is the most frequent type of prostatitis, yet it is also the least understood. Chronic pelvic pain syndrome is another name for it. It’s tricky to diagnose since the symptoms aren’t the same for everyone, and many of them, like painful or scorching urination and incomplete bladder emptying, could be signals of something else.

Although there is no cure for chronic pelvic pain, medication can help many men manage their symptoms. It is critical to maintaining good prostate health.

Enlargement of the prostate

Prostate enlargement, commonly known as benign prostatic hyperplasia, is the most prevalent prostate condition in males over 50. The urethra is squeezed when the prostate swells, creating urine issues. The following are a few of these issues:

• The need to urinate frequently and urgently.

• Difficulty initiating a urine stream, despite the fact that you are in a hurry to use the restroom.

• A sluggish flow of pee.

• Each time you go, a small bit of urine is excreted.

• The sensation that you still need to go, despite the fact that you have just finished urinating.

• Waking up more than once or twice a night to urinate.

• Urine dribbling or leaking.

If you’re experiencing signs of prostate enlargement, it’s a good idea to consult your doctor. If your symptoms aren’t too bothersome, your doctor may advise you to “wait and see.”

Alternatively, if your symptoms are, or have become so annoying that you are unable to enjoy life, you can consider therapy choices.

The importance of prostate health should not be overlooked.

Prostate cancer is a disease that affects men.

One of the biggest causes of cancer death among males is prostate cancer. Researchers are attempting to determine what factors may increase a man’s risk of prostate cancer. Eating a high-fat diet and being exposed to certain chemicals, such as pesticides, are two possibilities.

Prostate cancer prevention drugs, prescribed by your doctor, may assist to minimize the risk. However, certain medications are not for everyone. Ask your doctor about the dangers and benefits of whichever medications you’re given if you have regular prostate screenings and there are no symptoms of prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is linked to the following risk factors:

• Age: you’re 50 years old and above.

• Prostate cancer in the family: having a brother, son, or father who has had prostate cancer raises your risk (and a family history of breast or ovarian cancer may also increase your risk).

• Being of African-American race.

• Genes: certain genes can increase your risk of developing prostate cancer.

Early detection of prostate cancer may save lives. However, specialists disagree on whether all men should be checked for prostate cancer on a frequent basis. Some prostate tumors grow very slowly and are not harmful, according to experts who oppose routine screening.

They also claim that if a man is examined, he may end up receiving treatment for cancer he doesn’t need, which might have negative consequences. Every man must decide whether or not screening is appropriate for him. Discuss the benefits and drawbacks of routine screening with your doctor.

Your age, overall health, family medical history, and whether or not you are comfortable “watching and waiting” if testing reveals cancer are all topics to explore. If you opt for screening, you may encounter:

• A digital rectal exam (DRE), in which a doctor or nurse feels your prostate with a gloved finger inserted into your rectum.

• A blood test called a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test. Men with prostate cancer may have elevated PSA levels in their blood.

In the early stages of prostate cancer, there are usually no symptoms. Blood in the urine, discomfort or burning while peeing, inability to urinate, and continuous pain in the lower back are all possible signs. These symptoms could be an indication of something else, but if you experience any of them, you should see your doctor as soon as possible.

More information on prostate health

Look into different magazines and websites.

• Prostate Problems: Age Page – This booklet gives a quick review of common prostate disorders in older men, as well as reasons to consult your doctor about your prostate health.

• In Control: The Facts About Male Urine Incontinence (Copyright Men’s Health Network) – This pamphlet provides information on how to cope with male urinary incontinence as well as treatment choices. It also explains the link between prostate cancer and urinary incontinence.

• Nutrition, Exercise, and Prostate Cancer (Prostate Cancer Foundation, Copyright) – This paper discusses research on how a healthy lifestyle, including nutritious meals and physical activity, may improve prostate cancer prevention and therapy.

• Prostate Cancer: MedlinePlus has a collection of Web resources on prostate cancer. It contains details on diagnosis, symptoms, therapy, and prevention, among other things.

• Prostate Cancer and Bone Loss (Copyright The Hormone Foundation) – This fact sheet on prostate cancer detection and treatment, as well as bone loss prevention, is straightforward to read. There are further materials available.

• Intravenous Pyelogram (Copyright Radiological Society of North America) – This paper covers intravenous pyelogram, including popular uses, how to prepare for the procedure, and its risks and advantages.

• Ultrasound Imaging of the Pelvis (Copyright Radiological Society of North America) – This paper discusses pelvic ultrasound imaging, including common applications, how to prepare for the process, and the risks, benefits, and limitations of the operation.

Sources:

• National Cancer Institute
• National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse, NIDDK, NIH, HHS
• Prostate Cancer Foundation
• Prostate Cancer Institute
• Prostate Cancer Research Institute
• Zero — The Project to End Prostate Cancer