A Prostate Cancer Diagnosis Can Save Your Life

By Abbie Frank
www.prostate-cancer-treatment-expert.com

If you experience certain symptoms like frequent night urination, blood in your urine or semen, pains in your lower back, in your pelvis or in your upper thighs all this could be symptoms of prostatitis, a non cancerous swelling of the prostate gland or it could be prostate cancer.

Now there's no need to panic but the fact is that many who choose to ignore signs and symptoms condemn themselves to living with the uncertainty. This has to be worse than actually being diagnosed and knowing if you have prostate cancer or not.

For those who want to continue living, you need to undergo a prostate cancer diagnosis to determine if indeed you have prostate cancer and what can be done to cure it and save your life. There are several stages to prostate cancer and the farther along you let it go without treatment, the more at risk you are of dying due to cancer.

When you discover the symptoms you shouldn't just throw in the towel but try to see what you need to do about it. First, check with your doctor to conduct screening tests of prostate cancer for you. If you've followed previous advice, you no doubt have a baseline PSA test and previous physical tests to begin your diagnosis.

Yet another digital rectal examination (DRE) to check for size and texture of your prostate through the rectal lining but you should know the drill by now. Now's also not time to get sensitive concerning the test. With this examination your doctor can tell if cancer is present in your prostate by checking to see if he can feel a nodule or other types of prostate irregularity.

Next, the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) blood test will be done and compared with previous results. This test is used to measure the levels of a protein in the blood called prostate-specific antigen. This protein is usually overproduced by prostate cancer cells. So, if prostate cancer is present, there will be an increase of PSA levels in the blood of the victim. Be aware that this isn't completely accurate though is a good indicator.

If after these screening tests cancer is suspected, a biopsy may be performed. Here, a biopsy is used to gain a tissue sample from the prostate to be examined under a microscope. This biopsy tissue analysis is performed to determine the Gleason score or if the tumor is cancerous or not.

At this point, you and your doctor have a good idea IF you have cancer and at what stage it has developed. It's at this point that a strategy for beating prostate cancer is development and options are discussed.

Be aware that in the great majority of cases, the symptoms are caused by prostatitis and are not cancerous. The point however is why anyone would want to stay in denial and think they have cancer instead of going in and getting an accurate diagnosis of the situation. Besides, there are mediations now available to treat prostatitis and help alleviate many of the most common symptomatic complaints

Prostatitis - Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment

By: Alien
www.herbal-home-remedies.org

Definition

Prostatitis is a form of inflammation of the prostate gland. Because women do not have a prostate gland, it is only found in men. It may account for up to 25 percent of all office visits by young and middle-aged men for complaints involving the genital and urinary systems.

Causes

There are 2 kinds of prostatitis are present: acute prostatitis and chronic bacterial prostatitis. Both are caused by an infection of the prostate. The bacteria that cause prostatitis may get into the prostate from the urethra by backward flow of infected urine or stool from the rectum.

If your prostatitis is caused by bacterial infection, knowing that should help your doctor treat the infection and make you better. Unfortunately, many doctors and clinics do only cursory checking for bacteria. But even doctors who do very careful checking for bacteria, and indeed find bacteria, cannot always make their patients' symptoms go away.

Symptoms

Symptoms of acute prostatitis are-

Chills
Low back pain
Abdominal pain (above the pubic bone)
Perineal pain (pelvic floor)
Urinary retention (inability to completely empty bladder)
Pain with bowel movement
Recurring bladder infections
Pain in the lower back and genital area
Blood in the urine
Difficulty urinating
Decreased force of urinary stream
Foul-smelling urine

Treatment

If you have acute infectious prostatitis, you will usually need to take antimicrobial medication for 7 to 14 days.Analgesic drugs will relieve pain and discomfort.
If you have chronic infectious prostatitis then you will require antimicrobial medication for a longer period of time usually 4 to 12 weeks. About 60 percent of all cases of chronic infectious prostatitis clear up with this
treatment.

If you have noninfectious prostatitis, you will not need antimicrobial medication. Depending on the symptoms, you may receive one of a variety of treatments. If your condition responds to muscle relaxation, you may be given an alpha blocker, a drug that can relax the muscle tissue in the prostate and reduce the difficulty in urination.
Special exercises and relaxation techniques can improve symptoms of prostatitis in some men, perhaps because tight or irritated muscles can contribute to the condition.

Common techniques include :-

1. Exercise
2. Biofeedback
3. Sitz baths
4. Prostate massage

One of the most important elements of the treatment of any kind of chronic prostatitis is a frank and open discussion between the patient and his doctor.The doctor needs to be given a detailed explanation of the patient's condition with particular emphasis on their long term health.

Food For Good Prostate Health

By: Alex Fir
www.cancer-data.com

The prostate gland has a reputation as a health destroyer. Hypertrophy of the prostate gland, which affects nearly every elderly male, strangles the urethra. This troublesome condition makes urination difficult and increases the risk of bladder infections and kidney damage.

However, there are many good foods that may already be a part of your everyday diet that can help thwart the onset of prostate problems.

Tomatoes, watermelons, red grapefruit, papaya and red berries are all great sources of lycopene, a health-promoting plant pigment known for its cancer-battling ability. It also promotes a strong immune system and helps support prostate health in men.

Though fresh are always an excellent option, the lycopene in cooked tomatoes is actually absorbed more readily by the body. It is also your ally in the battle against heart disease.

Quercetin, a flavonoid that forms the backbone of many other flavonoids, may have positive effects in combating or helping to prevent many different types of cancer, including prostate. It also acts as an antihistamine and has anti-inflammatory properties, which may be helpful in relieving the pain of an inflamed prostate.

Foods rich in quercetin include apples, black and green tea, onions, raspberries, red wine, red grapes, citrus fruits, broccoli and other leafy green vegetables, and cherries. Quercetin can also be found in honey and sap, including the type from eucalyptus and tea tree flowers.

It is vital to remember to get a healthy balance of foods to keep your prostate healthy, including antioxidants, vitamin E from nuts and seeds, and drink plenty of clear fluids to help flush the bladder.

Try to avoid caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods. Keeping your weight in check will also help maintain a healthy prostate.

Enlarged Prostate – The Cause Remains A Mystery

By Donald Saunders
www.prostatecancerexplained.com

Each day a huge number of men (something in the region of 13,000 in the US alone) call to see their doctor with a variety of problems associated with urination and come away having been told that they are suffering from an enlarged prostate.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia, benign prostatic hypertrophy or BPH, to give it its proper medical names, is an extremely common and treatable problem seen in many men over the age of 65 and is suffered by as many as half of all men in their sixties and ninety percent of men in their seventies and eighties.

But what causes this condition which is a simple part of the natural aging process and is as common as your hair turning grey with age?

The simple answer is that, despite all the advances in modern medicine, we don't know. We do, however, have enough evidence to start to unravel the mystery.

Men are more likely to suffer from BPH if their father, or a brother, has suffered from an enlarged prostate. This suggests that there is, at least in part, a genetic component to the problem.

One theory here is that genetic instructions given to the cells of the prostate to control its growth during puberty are again activated in later life and either cause further growth in their own right or make the cells of the prostate more sensitive to hormones which promote growth.

We also know that men who have their testes removed at an early age (before puberty) do not suffer from BHP. There is therefore a link between the aging of the testes and the development of an enlarged prostate.

Although the exact role played by the testes is not clear we know that men produce both the male hormone testosterone and small quantities of the female hormone estrogen throughout life. With increasing age however the quantity of testosterone present in the blood decreases although the level of estrogen does not fall in the same proportion. The theory, supported to some extent by research carried out on animals, is that the higher proportion of estrogen present in the prostate promotes the activity of other hormones which are responsible for cell growth.

Although this theory has been around for some time now researchers have found it somewhat difficult to explain satisfactorily the link between the theory and the fact that the removal of the testes before puberty results in a failure to develop the problem of an enlarged prostate.

The final, and perhaps at present most credible, theory is that an enlarged prostate is caused by the presence of a hormone known as dihydrotestosterone (DHT).

We know that DHT plays a crucial role in the development of the sex organs during pregnancy and that it is also largely responsible for the development of facial hair, the deepening of the voice and the development of the prostate during puberty.

DHT is derived from testosterone and is found in the prostate where it is believed to play a role in the growth of the prostate gland. However, as testosterone levels drop with age the body's ability to produce DHT does not appear to diminish and indeed DHT accumulates in the prostate and continues to promote growth. It is also interesting to note that men who lose their ability to produce this hormone derived from testosterone do not develop enlarged prostate glands.

Although it may be some years yet before researchers uncover the exact cause of BPH. While it is almost certainly the result of hormonal changes resulting from the aging process, the precise nature of these changes and the effects which they trigger remain something of a mystery today.

An Outline Of Enlarged Prostate Treatment

By Donald Saunders
www.prostatecancerexplained.com

The first question that you need to ask when it comes to enlarged prostate treatment is whether or not you should treat the condition at all.

Once the condition has been diagnosed by your doctor (an important step to make sure that the symptoms that you are experiencing are due to an enlarged prostate and not something else), you will need to decide whether or not the condition is bothering you. If it isn’t, then for many men, the answer is not to treat it at all but simply to let your doctor check the condition for you every few months.

If, however, you are bothered by the symptoms, or your doctor feels that there is a risk of developing complications from the problem, then enlarged prostate treatment should be sought.

The first line of defense will be drug treatment and there are a number of drugs currently in use and others under active testing and development. On the whole drug treatment will not cure the condition but it can give relief from the symptoms of a swollen prostate. You will need to discuss drug treatment with your doctor as many patients in the age group for which an enlarged prostate is common will already be on drug treatment for other conditions. Your doctor will also discuss the range of likely side effects which enlarged prostate treatment drugs carry with them.

If you are not felt suitable for drug treatment (or you doctor does not feel that drug treatment will be effective in your case) then the next step is to consider minimally invasive surgery. There are a range of procedures available today some of which can be undertaken on a day-patient basis and some of which will require a short stay in hospital. In most cases minimally invasive surgery is designed to shrink the prostate gland or to remove prostate tissue from the area around the urethra and thus ease constriction on the urethra and restore the flow of urine from the bladder.

If these forms of treatment are not suitable, or have been tried and proved ineffective, then enlarged prostate treatment will move on to surgery. Two commonly performed operations are the TURP and TUIP both of which can be carried out laparoscopically or using robot technology and require a stay in hospital of between 2 and 3 days. In other cases, and especially where the prostate is exceptionally enlarged, traditional open surgery may be performed with hospitalization typically lasting about a week.

A Surprising Truth About Enlarged Prostate Symptoms

By James Culp
www.prostaide.org

Do you know what organ in the body is the only one that continues to grow throughout life?

The male prostate gland.

The symptoms of an enlarged prostate, also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), are perhaps all too familiar to men as they move along in years. The prostate gland surrounds the tube that allows urine out of the body, and as it enlarges it can squeeze this tube. Problems with urination, especially at night, often result. The American Urological Association has a scale in the form of a quiz that allows men to rate their symptoms, giving the doctor a more accurate picture of the problem. These symptoms usually fall into one of two categories: irritative or obstructive. Surprisingly however, many men will find that their symptoms spontaneously wane over the years. This article will explore the seven primary symptoms of an enlarged prostate, and how they can seriously affect a man's quality of life.

According to the American Urological Association, BPH has seven distinct symptoms that can be rated and help assist doctors in determining the severity and hence treatment options of their patients. Rated from 0 to 5, with 5 being "almost always" and 0 being "not at all," these symptoms are: a feeling of not being able to completely empty the bladder of urine, having to pee again after having just gone, stopping and starting several times while peeing, a sense of extreme need to urinate, a weak pee stream, having to strain to pee, and getting up to urinate several times during the night. Despite the similarity and number of possible symptoms, these can all be narrowed down into two main categories.

Irritative symptoms include those that involve changes in the urination habits, such as having to go a lot, having to go very badly, and having to go frequently at night. Sometimes these can even include a sensation of burning, which is not an "official" symptom on the AUA quiz. Obstructive symptoms are those that involve having to strain to pee, or having a weak stream. In other words, something seems to be obstructing the urine flow.

Some of these conditions can be so severe as to seriously impact some men's everyday lives. Sleep is lost, time is lost, and discomfort prevails.

Fortunately, a large percentage of men's symptoms go away all by themselves. As many as 40% of men will notice their BPH symptoms improve over time, even though the prostate gland remains enlarged. In fact, only 15% of men with an enlarged prostate will have any symptoms at all. The other 45% of men will never have any symptoms at all; notably this is the most common group (N Engl J Med. 1995; 332: 99-109).

Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a major culprit in the lives of men as they move up in age, and its symptoms can directly impact a man's ability to get a good night's rest as well as be able to lead a comfortable life. Although complications from the disease can be severe, the majority of men will note constant improvement as time goes by. For the few that experience an increase in symptoms, there are quite a few methods that enable some relief.

What Causes Enlarged Prostate Conditions In Men Over The Age Of 50

By Tim Gorman
www.onlineprostatehealthguide.com

Commonly known as enlarged prostate, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is a condition routinely affecting middle aged and elderly men. More than fifty percent of American men between the ages of sixty and seventy exhibit symptoms of BPH. Having an enlarged prostate itself isn't life-threatening, in fact in many cases, BPH treatment simply involves close monitoring of the condition. But the existence of enlarged prostate can lead to more serious conditions like a bladder and kidney damage, bladder stones, urinary tract infection and even a complete halt of the urinary system, in a condition known as acute urinary retention. But what just what causes enlarged prostate hyperplasia?

What Is an Enlarged Prostate?

Here's how it happens, the prostate gland, which is ordinarily the size of a small walnut snuggly manuevers it's way right between the urethra and the pubic bone. As the onset of prostate enlargement begins to first mainfest itself, the bladder will have to work with more force to push urine through the now narrowed and somewhat "smushed" urethra. Subsequently, the muscles of the bladder become more sensitive-hence the frequent need to urinate that accompanies benign prostatic hyperplasia. The already enlarged prostate gland continues to grow and ultimately the bladder loses the ability to completely empty itself, and that is precisely what can go on to cause some of the harmful medical conditions associated with advanced enlarged prostate conditions.

What Causes Enlarged Prostate Conditions?

Just like the medical mystery of "Whatever happened to King Tut," physicans are sure definitively just what causes enlarged prostate. But of course, everyone has a theory, especially when it comes to testosterone. Many medical professionals believe that androgens, which include testosterone and similar hormones, play a direct role in the development of benign prostatic hyperplasia. The school of thought isn't that testosterone and other androgens actually cause an enlarged prostate, but studies have shown that in order for the condition to occur, androgens must be in the midst. Men who were castrated as young boys do not experience prostate troubles as adults.

Diagnosing and Enlarged Prostate

BPH can be diagnosed in three ways, through a rectal examination, via blood tests, or through an ultrasound. A digit rectal examination may be able to catch an enlarged prostate, although the condition is typically advanced by this time. In an effort to determine if a patient has prostate cancer, physicans will order an ultrasound examination of the testicles, prostate, and kidneys, it is through this process that they may find that their patient isn't suffering from prostate cancer at all, but rather an enlarged prostate. But it is through blood testing that benign prostatic hyperplasia is most often caught. Blood tests are able to pick up on high levels of prostate specific antigens (PSA) affiliated with prostate cancer, however rectal examinations have been known to elevate levels PSA levels.

An Introduction To Surgical BPH Treatment

By Donald Saunders
www.prostatecancerexplained.com

Although drug treatment and minor minimally invasive surgery can be the solution for many men suffering from BPH (a swollen or enlarged prostate), for others surgery is necessary and there are currently three main surgical procedures carried out for BPH treatment.

The first is known as a transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). This is the commonest form of surgery used in BPH treatment and involves the removal of the inner core of the prostate. The procedure is performed under general anesthetic (or using a spinal anesthetic) and a wire cutting loop is inserted through the penis and urethra to remove tissue from the prostate. Patients will normally stay in hospital for one or two days for this procedure and, following surgery, will need to uses a catheter to drain the bladder for two or three days.

In cases where the prostate is not too enlarged a more limited form of surgery known as transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP) may be used. In this procedure instead of removing tissue from the prostate a series of cuts are made in the prostate to relieve pressure on the urethra. This procedure is again carried out under anesthesia and patients will remain in hospital for between one and three days.

In the case of both TURP and TUIP patients will normally require about two to four weeks for recovery and may experience moderate levels of pain or discomfort following surgery. The most commonly seen side effects of surgery are erection difficulty, which appears in about 3% to 13% of patients, and urinary retention, which appears in about 1% to 21% of patients. Some degree of urgency and frequency of urination will also be seen in most patients.

The final form of surgery used today is the open prostatectomy. Carried out under general anesthetic, an incision is made in the lower abdomen to allow the surgeon to gain access to the prostate and the inner core of the prostate is then removed. Patients will normally remain in hospital for several days and will also be required to use a catheter for a time at home after surgery. Recovery from open surgery typically takes about three to six weeks during which time patients may experience a moderate degree of pain or discomfort. The main side effect of open surgery is incontinence which will be seen in about 6% of patients.

Surgery is an excellent form of BPH treatment and can reduce BPH symptoms considerably for most men. It is not however 100% effective and some symptoms will often remain even after surgery.

One point to remember is that BPH treatment does not act as a treatment for prostate cancer. BPH treatment involving the removal of tissue from the prostate only removes tissue from the inner core of the prostate. Prostate cancer however normally first appears on the outer tissue of the prostate from where it will often spread. It is important therefore that BPH patients continue to have regular checkups and screening for prostate cancer.