Prostate Health Information

Prevent Prostate Gland Symptoms by Promoting Prostate Health

Prostate gland symptoms will affect fifty percent or more of the male population at some point in their lives. This small gland, about the size of a walnut, is located below the bladder and actually surrounds the urethra which allows urine to pass from the bladder out the penis. The gland has a function in the transmission of sperm during ejaculation during sexual activity.

As a man ages, the prostate gland grows larger, frequently leading signs and symptoms enlarged prostates cause such as frequent urination at night, the urge to urinate but difficulty starting urine flow and other symptoms which can be explained by your physician. Usually men begin experiencing some of these symptoms of enlarged prostate about age 50 to 60 but each man is different and some may experience symptoms sooner or much later in life.

When any signs or symptoms of enlarged prostates appear, cancer must first be ruled out. Your doctor can perform a physical examination, including a prostate exam and blood work that will ensure that cancer is not the cause of the problem. Even if cancer is found, prostate cancer is very treatable when discovered early.

Some of the most common prostate problems include:

• Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (BPH): The enlargement of the prostate gland in BPH is caused by small tumors that are not cancerous nor are likely to become cancerous. It is, however, a cause of incontinence and frequent bladder infections. If untreated, it can potentially lead to kidney damage. Prostate support via a dietary supplement along with following the advice of a qualified doctor can help you live with the signs and symptoms of enlarged prostate caused by BPH.

• Prostatitis: This is an actual infection of the prostate gland that can occur one time or can become chronic, which means on-going. It can be difficult to treat and should be treated immediately by a urologist or other doctor specializing in men’s health. Avoiding the onset of prostatitis by maintaining a healthy lifestyle that includes men’s health dietary supplements can help you prevent this serious illness.

• Prostate Cancer: The most serious prostate disease is, of course, cancer. If not treated early and in an aggressive manner, the cancer can spread, resulting in death. However, with modern treatments, millions of lives have been saved and quality of life maintained for years after a man’s encounter with prostate cancer. Regular checkups by your physician coupled with a healthy lifestyle may play a part in reducing your chances of developing the disease, but regular checkups will certainly provide early detection. Beginning at age 40, or before if there is a history of cancer in the family, a yearly rectal prostate examination should be perform.

What are some signs and symptoms enlarged prostates cause? While these are not all the symptoms and this website is not a provider of medical information, commonly known signs of prostate enlargement include painful or difficult urination, pain during erection or ejaculation, lower back or groin pain, weaned urine stream, frequent urges to urinate, often with difficulty beginning a urine flow. Of course, any changes of any kind in your regular urination pattern or any changes in physical conditions, especially including unexplained pain, should be checked by a doctor immediately.

Treatments for enlarged prostate gland include prescription medications, prostate massage to release fluid build up, and surgery. Some surgery options are quite common while others are used in cases of cancer or radial prostate problems.

The most common surgery for enlarged prostate gland problems is the transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP). In this surgical procedure, an instrument is passed into the penis which trims away excess tissue that has built up around the urethra. The excess tissue is flushed out through the penis and no incision is required. Recovery from TURP surgery is very quick and the surgery is very effective for many men with enlarged prostate gland and may relieve all the associated symptoms. This type of surgery does not result in impotence and sexual activity remains possible and can even be improved because of the removed tissue. However, in some cases semen may flow into the bladder instead of out the penis.

Another type of surgery for enlarged prostate is the simple prostatectomy in which the parts of the prostate gland which are blocking the urethra are removed. Unlike removal of the entire prostate gland, sexual activity is not impacted although semen may drain into the bladder instead of being released through the penis.

The most radical type of surgery for prostate gland problems is the radical prostatectomy which means that the entire prostate gland is removed. This is the most common surgery used to treat cancerous prostate glands to ensure the cancer does not have the chance to spread.

The best way to avoid having to undergo any of these surgeries is to maintain a healthy lifestyle that includes avoiding carcinogens, eating a healthy diet that includes a balance of vitamins, minerals, fiber, protein and carbohydrates as well as all essential fatty acids. Exercise on a regular basis, incorporating both aerobic training and strength training in your routine. To ensure that you obtain the optimal mixture of nutrients for prostate gland health, incorporate a dietary supplement developed by a profession urologist to help ensure your prostate functions well for your entire lifetime.