The prostate plays a vital role in reproduction. It produces secretions that alter the PH of seminal fluid as well as providing nourishment for sperm cells. There are a number of important aspects on prostate health that you should know. The organ is affected by a wide range of diseases that include infections, inflammatory conditions and tumors. The prevalence of all these conditions is higher among the older generation.
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.
Benign prostatic enlargement, BPE and Prostatic cancer are a common cause for hospital visits in men. The symptoms for both conditions are similar and it may be difficult to differentiate the two except in advanced cases. Both conditions affect men between the ages of 40 and 70 but cases affecting younger men have been documented. . Predisposing factors include smoking, prolonged alcohol consumption and genetic factors. Prostatic cancer is invasive and tends to have worse outcomes.
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.
Distant organs may also be affected due to metastatic. The common areas in which these metastases will be found include the pelvis and the spine. As a result, bone pain in later stages of prostatic cancer is a common complaint. When a significant proportion of vertebral bodies is involved, paraplegia may ensue. X-ray and CT scan images of the spine and pelvis will help confirm these complications.
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.
The main investigations that are requested for are an ultrasound of the organ either through the abdominal or rectal route and a determination of PSA levels. PSA levels are proportional to the activity (and by extension, the size) of the prostate. When the levels are moderately elevated, BPE is suspected and when markedly raised, cancer is probable. Treatments will be guided by these findings.
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.
Benign prostatic enlargement, BPE and Prostatic cancer are a common cause for hospital visits in men. The symptoms for both conditions are similar and it may be difficult to differentiate the two except in advanced cases. Both conditions affect men between the ages of 40 and 70 but cases affecting younger men have been documented. . Predisposing factors include smoking, prolonged alcohol consumption and genetic factors. Prostatic cancer is invasive and tends to have worse outcomes.
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.
Distant organs may also be affected due to metastatic. The common areas in which these metastases will be found include the pelvis and the spine. As a result, bone pain in later stages of prostatic cancer is a common complaint. When a significant proportion of vertebral bodies is involved, paraplegia may ensue. X-ray and CT scan images of the spine and pelvis will help confirm these complications.
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.
The main investigations that are requested for are an ultrasound of the organ either through the abdominal or rectal route and a determination of PSA levels. PSA levels are proportional to the activity (and by extension, the size) of the prostate. When the levels are moderately elevated, BPE is suspected and when markedly raised, cancer is probable. Treatments will be guided by these findings.
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