Prostate diseases
The prostate is a gland. It helps make semen, the fluid that contains sperm. The prostate surrounds the tube that carries urine away from the bladder and out of the body. A young man's prostate is about the size of a walnut. It slowly grows larger with age. If it gets too large, it can cause problems. This is common after age 50. The older men get, the more likely they are to have prostate trouble, including: - Prostatitis, an infection usually caused by bacteria. - Benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. BPH is an enlarged prostate, which may cause dribbling after urination or a need to go often, especially at night. - Prostate cancer is a common cancer that responds best to treatment when detected early.
Introduction
The prostate is a gland that is found in men. It helps make semen, the fluid that contains sperm. A young man's prostate is about the size of a walnut. It slowly grows larger with age. If the prostate gets too large, it can cause problems. This is common after age 50. The older men get, the more likely they are to have prostate trouble. This health information explains a few of the most common diseases that affect the prostate. It also discusses the anatomy of the gland.
Anatomy of the Prostate
The prostate is one of the male sex glands. It is located just below the bladder, the organ that collects and empties urine. The prostate surrounds the urethra. The urethra is the tube that carries urine from the bladder to the outside of the body. The prostate makes the fluid that makes up most of the semen. Semen is the white fluid in which sperm travel. The prostate is affected by male sex hormones. Hormones are substances that control functions of the body. The most important male hormone is testosterone, which is made by the testicles. The prostate is located in front of the rectum. The rectum is the lower part of the intestine.
Prostatitis
Prostatitis is the swelling, inflammation and possible infection of the prostate gland. Prostatitis symptoms vary depending on the cause. They may include:
• Difficulty urinating, such as dribbling or hesitant urination.
• Pain or burning sensation when urinating.
• Pain during ejaculation.
Prostatitis may also cause pain in the:
• Abdomen.
• Area between the scrotum and rectum.
• Groin.
• Lower back.
• Penis.
• Testicles
Based on your symptoms and laboratory tests, your health care provider may diagnose one of the following types of prostatitis:
• Acute bacterial prostatitis.
• Chronic bacterial prostatitis.
• Chronic abacterial prostatitis.
Acute bacterial prostatitis is an infection of the prostate by bacteria. It may cause flu-like symptoms associated with the sudden onset of infection. These symptoms may include:
• Chills.
• Fever.
• Nausea.
• Vomiting.
Chronic bacterial prostatitis is bacterial prostatitis that lasts for at least three months. This can happen if the infection is recurring or it is hard to treat. Bacterial prostatitis may not cause symptoms or may cause minor symptoms that become severe when the infection flares up. Another type of chronic prostatitis is not caused by bacteria. This condition is known as chronic abacterial prostatitis or chronic pelvic pain syndrome. It lasts for at least three months. This is the most common type of prostatitis. For some men, symptoms of chronic prostatitis remain about the same over time. For others, the symptoms go through cycles of being more and less severe. Symptoms sometimes improve over time without treatment. Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis does not cause any symptoms. It is found only by chance when you are undergoing tests for other conditions. It does not require treatment. Risk factors for prostatitis include:
• Being a young or middle-aged man.
• Dehydration.
• Pelvic trauma, such as injury from bicycling or horseback riding.
• Using a urinary catheter, a tube inserted into the urethra to drain the bladder.
Other risk factors for prostatitis are having:
• A bladder infection.
• HIV/AIDS.
• Unprotected sex.
Antibiotics are a commonly prescribed treatment for prostatitis caused by bacteria. Your health care provider will base the choice of medicine on the type of bacteria that may be causing your infection. Treatment for chronic abacterial prostatitis focuses on relieving symptoms. Muscle relaxers or pain relievers may be recommended.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
A man's prostate gland usually starts to enlarge after he reaches 40 years of age. This condition is called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. It is a normal part of the aging process. It is caused by changes in hormone balance and cell growth. BPH is common. It affects about one third of men over 50. Many men with an enlarged prostate have no symptoms. Symptoms of BPH include:
• A feeling of not fully being able to empty the bladder.
• A weak urine stream.
• Blood in the urine.
• Difficulty starting urination.
• Dribbling or leaking urine.
• More frequent urination and a strong, sudden need to urinate.
Your health care provider can diagnose BPH by asking questions about your symptoms and past health. A physical exam will also be performed. Tests may include a:
• Blood test.
• Digital rectal exam.
• Urine test.
You do not need treatment for BPH unless the symptoms bother you or you have other problems. Complications of BPH include backed-up urine, bladder infections or bladder stones. To help reduce your symptoms, practice "double voiding." Urinate as much as you can, relax for a few moments and then urinate again Avoid caffeine and alcohol. If possible, avoid medicines that can make urination difficult, such as over-the-counter antihistamines and decongestants BPH can be treated with medicine. Medicine can reduce the symptoms, but it rarely gets rid of them. If you stop taking the medicine, symptoms return. If your symptoms are severe, your health care provider may suggest surgery to remove part of your prostate.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer that affects men. The earlier prostate cancer is detected, the better the chances for its successful management. The body is made of small cells. Normal cells in the body grow and die in a controlled way. Sometimes cells keep dividing and growing in an uncontrolled way. This causes an abnormal growth called a tumor. If the tumor does not invade nearby tissues and body parts, it is called a benign tumor. A benign tumor is a non-cancerous growth. They are usually not life threatening. If the tumor invades nearby tissues and body parts, it is called a malignant tumor or cancer. Cancer cells spread to different parts of the body through blood vessels and lymph channels. Cancers in the body are given names, depending on where the cancer started. Cancer that begins in the prostate will always be called prostate cancer, even if it spreads to other places. Early prostate cancer usually has no symptoms. The first sign of prostate cancer is usually difficulty urinating. Treatment of prostate cancer depends on the type of prostate cancer and its stage. People with prostate cancer may have:
• Active surveillance, or watchful waiting.
• Surgery.
• Hormone therapy.
• Radiation therapy.
• Immunotherapy
• Chemotherapy.
A combination of treatments may also be used.
Summary
The prostate is a gland that is found in men. It helps make semen, the fluid that contains sperm. The prostate is affected by male sex hormones. Hormones are substances that control functions of the body. The most important male hormone is testosterone, which is made by the testicles. Prostatitis is the swelling, inflammation and possible infection of the prostate gland. Prostatitis symptoms vary depending on the cause. They may include:
• Difficulty urinating, such as dribbling or hesitant urination.
• Pain or burning sensation when urinating.
• Pain during ejaculation.
For some men, symptoms of chronic prostatitis remain about the same over time. For others, the symptoms go through cycles of being more and less severe. Symptoms sometimes improve over time without treatment. A man's prostate gland usually starts to enlarge after he reaches 40 years of age. This condition is called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. It is a normal part of the aging process. It is caused by changes in hormone balance and cell growth. Symptoms of BPH include:
• A feeling of not fully being able to empty the bladder.
• A weak urine stream.
• Blood in the urine.
• Difficulty starting urination.
• Dribbling or leaking urine.
• More frequent urination and a strong, sudden need to urinate.
Prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer that affects men. The earlier prostate cancer is detected, the better the chances for its successful management.
Medications associated
