The prostate is an important gland to reproduction. This gland produces secretions that nourish the sperm cells and make the pH of seminal fluid optimal for survival of these cells. Unfortunately, the gland is prone to many diseases that range from, inflammatory conditions to infections to tumors. The risk increases as we grow older. It is important to learn about these conditions that affect prostate health if you are to handle them effectively.
Prostatitis is one of the common conditions that affect the gland. It is a condition in which the gland is inflamed for one reason or another. Bacterial infections are the most frequent cause but in some cases no organism has been isolated in urine specimens. In the severe forms of the condition, intravenous drugs are needed. These include intravenous metronidazole and ceftriaxone. The less severe cases will usually respond to oral medication such as oral metronidazole, ciprofloxacin and doxycycline.
Prostatic cancer and benign prostatic enlargement (or simply, BPE) are some of the major causes of hospital visits among men aged 40 to 70 years. In the early stages, it is quite challenging to differentiate the two on clinical assessment only. Only histological examination of biopsy specimens would do that. Predisposing factors include, among others, prolonged use of alcohol, smoking and a positive family history. Being less invasive, BPE tends to have better prognosis after treatment.
The early cancer symptoms are mainly related to voiding of urine. Patients will typically complain of having urgency, frequency of urination, a weak stream and a feeling of incomplete bladder emptying. These are the same symptoms seen with BPE. As the condition progresses, other organs in close proximity such as the bladder and the rectum are affected. Involvement of the rectum leads to frequent bouts of constipation.
The spine and the pelvic bone are the common distant metastatic sites and these will result in severe bone pain. Severe disease causes paraplegia and patients will more often than not be confined to wheelchairs for their entire lives. Radiological images are needed to determine whether or not there is bone involvement.
The good news about both prostatic cancer and benign prostatic hypertrophy is that they can be diagnosed fairly early. This can only be achieved if men at risk go for constant medical checkups. This includes all men above the age of forty years and a little younger for those that have a positive family history. At least one checkup annually is sufficient.
A number of things will be done during the checkup. A medical history will be taken as relates to your micturition habits and this will be followed by a comprehensive physical examination. The main focus here will be the digital rectal examination that is aimed at determining the size, shape and consistency of your prostate.
Investigations that aid in making a definitive diagnosis include PSA level determination and ultrasound evaluation. Modest increases in PSA suggest BPE and marked increases are a feature of cancer. The levels have to be correlated with clinical findings. The doctor will formulate a management plan that may involve pharmacotherapy or surgery or both as determined by the results.
Prostatitis is one of the common conditions that affect the gland. It is a condition in which the gland is inflamed for one reason or another. Bacterial infections are the most frequent cause but in some cases no organism has been isolated in urine specimens. In the severe forms of the condition, intravenous drugs are needed. These include intravenous metronidazole and ceftriaxone. The less severe cases will usually respond to oral medication such as oral metronidazole, ciprofloxacin and doxycycline.
Prostatic cancer and benign prostatic enlargement (or simply, BPE) are some of the major causes of hospital visits among men aged 40 to 70 years. In the early stages, it is quite challenging to differentiate the two on clinical assessment only. Only histological examination of biopsy specimens would do that. Predisposing factors include, among others, prolonged use of alcohol, smoking and a positive family history. Being less invasive, BPE tends to have better prognosis after treatment.
The early cancer symptoms are mainly related to voiding of urine. Patients will typically complain of having urgency, frequency of urination, a weak stream and a feeling of incomplete bladder emptying. These are the same symptoms seen with BPE. As the condition progresses, other organs in close proximity such as the bladder and the rectum are affected. Involvement of the rectum leads to frequent bouts of constipation.
The spine and the pelvic bone are the common distant metastatic sites and these will result in severe bone pain. Severe disease causes paraplegia and patients will more often than not be confined to wheelchairs for their entire lives. Radiological images are needed to determine whether or not there is bone involvement.
The good news about both prostatic cancer and benign prostatic hypertrophy is that they can be diagnosed fairly early. This can only be achieved if men at risk go for constant medical checkups. This includes all men above the age of forty years and a little younger for those that have a positive family history. At least one checkup annually is sufficient.
A number of things will be done during the checkup. A medical history will be taken as relates to your micturition habits and this will be followed by a comprehensive physical examination. The main focus here will be the digital rectal examination that is aimed at determining the size, shape and consistency of your prostate.
Investigations that aid in making a definitive diagnosis include PSA level determination and ultrasound evaluation. Modest increases in PSA suggest BPE and marked increases are a feature of cancer. The levels have to be correlated with clinical findings. The doctor will formulate a management plan that may involve pharmacotherapy or surgery or both as determined by the results.
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