Prostate Problems?? Common sign of old age in males!!

This is for the male friends out there..

For some days do you  feel the urge to get up and go to toilet more often?

Getting problems with the normal urination?

Can't urinate fully?

Well this can be a sign to prostate problems.. and you need to consult your doctor soon!!

Here are some Quickbites for some general information about prostate you must be curious about!!

What is prostate?

Prostate is a walnut sized gland present in males.  It is located beneath the Urinary Bladder in front of rectum. It sorrounds the Urethra (the urinary tube carrying urine from the urinary bladder to the penis). The activity of prostate gland is stimulated by male hormones mainly testosterone secreated by the testicles.

What are the functions of prostate?

Prostate gland together with the seminal vesicles (present just behind the prostate) secretes prostatic fluid in semen which provides nourishment to the sperm cells.

Why do I need to know about prostate?

A Normal male doesn’t feel any problem with normally functioning prostate.  Studies have shown after 40 years of age the prostate increases by 2.4cm³ each year(Walker, Colledge 2014).   Abnormal enlargement of prostate place pressure on the bladder and urethra. The most common prostatic problems include BHP, Prostatic cancer and prostatitis.

What is BHP?

BHP or Bening Prostatic Hyperplasia (BHP) commonly called as prostatic enlargement is a common condition affecting men over 50 years of age. It is not usually a serious life threatening problem if occuring alone.

Do I need to consult a physician for prostate problem?

You may think of having a prostatic enlargement and should consult a physician if you have:

•      Difficulty in intiating urination
•         Poor prolonged or weak or intermittent urine flow
•         Have to strain to pass urine
•        There is frequent need to urinate
•        Difficulty in full emptying of bladder
•        Wake up frequently at night to urinate
•        Develop sudden urge to urinate which may lead to urinary incontinence
•         In later stages the prostatic enlargement can lead to urine retention. It may occur as a sudden inability to micturate, bladder painfully distended. Chronic retention may lead to hydroureter, hydronephrosis, and renal failure. 
•       Other complications may include bladder stones and urinary tract infections (UTIs). UTI may manifest as fever, chills, pains while urination, blood in urine.

How do I know if I have BHP?

The physicians may do the following tests to diagnose prostatic problems:

§  Serum PSA test

§     Trans-rectal Ultrasound. The physician may also do MRI and CECT of abdomen and pelvis to rule out serious disorder.

What is PSA test?

PSA refers to prostatic specific antigen PSA is produced in the prostate gland and released in small amount in blood. During prostatic problem the secreation of PSA increases markedly. PSA testing is done mainly to rule out prostatic problems such as Prostatic enlargement, prostate cancer and prostatitis.

What are the other related conditions to prostatic enlargement?

Symptoms of prostatic enlargement may be confused with prostatitis, prostatic cancer. You must consult the physician as soon as possible in case you have following symptoms:

•        Blood in urine/ semen
•        Painful ejaculation
•        Decrease in amount of fluid ejaculating
•         Difficulty in having erection
•      Associated pain and stiffness in lower back, hips, pelvis or thighs accompanying blood in urine

How can I reduce the risk of prostatic enlargement?

The risk of prostatic enlargement can be reduced by following ways:

§  Maintain a healthy nutritious diet rich in brightly coloured fruits and vegetables.

§  Exercise daily

§  Reduce fat  and salt intake

What is the treatment for BHP?

 If you have a prostatic problem, consult a doctor always. In case the symptoms are not yet clear the doctor may advise a period of watchful waiting.

After the symptoms are cleared and investigations show prostatic hypertrophy the physician may prescribe medications to shrink prostate or help relax muscles near prostate so that symptoms can be relieved.

Surgery – in cases of advanced pathology if patient cant get relief from anything the urologist may refer to surgery. 

                                                                    What can I do so that symptoms of prostatic enlargement don’t worsen?

Taking care of the following points may help to reduce and control symptoms of prostatic enlargement:

•        Reduce fluid intake in evening.
•        Avoid caffeinated beverages and alcohol.
•       Take your time while urinating.
•      Maintain a habit of going to the washroom frequently and avoid getting the bladder full.

Are there any Homeopathic medicines for treating prostatic enlargement?

Sabal serrulata, one of the homeopathic medicines is a specific remedy for prostatic enlargement and having an unquestioned value in prostatic enlargement and urinary difficulties. It acts on membrano-prostatic portion of urethra. It can be taken in cases of constant desire to pass urine at night, difficult urination and incontinence of urine.   

Other medicines having a great action in prostatic problems include Thuja, Pulsatillla, Chimaphilla umbellata, Conium maculatum, Sabal serrulata and Solidago.

Homeopathy is a system of medicine based on individualistic symptoms. It has a wide scope in treatment of prostatic disorders. It is advised to take the help of homeopathic physician for proper treatment. The physician after careful assessment of the system totality of the patient can select the most suited remedy.

What are the symptoms and risk factors of Prostatic cancer?

Prostatic cancer is the second most common cancer among men after skin cancer. Prostatic cancer is usually asymptomtic and progresses slowly.  Symptoms usually develop in later stages and may include Blood in urine/ semen, Painful ejaculation, Decrease in amount of fluid ejaculating, Difficulty in having erection, Associated pain and stiffness in lower back, hips, pelvis or thighs accompanying blood in urine

The major risk factors for prostate cancer include:

•   Age over 65 years
•   Family history of prostate cancer
•   Gentically most commonly seen among african american
• Prostatic cancer is diagnosed by tissue biopsy.

References

American Cancer Society, Inc. (2017). Retrieved from http://www.cancer.org/cancer/prostatecancer/

Boericke W., (1999) Homoeopthic materia Medica,  Sabal serrulata accesed online http://www.homeoint.org/books/boericmm/s/sabal.htm

Clarke J H, (2000) A Dictionary of practical Materia Medica, ,  Sabal serrulata accesed online http://www.homeoint.org/clarke/s/sbl.htm

In Walker, B. R., In Colledge, N. R., & In Ralston, S. (2014). Kidney and Urinary Tract Diseases. In Davidson's principles and practice of medicine (21st ed., p. 512).

Munjal, Y. P., & Association of Physicians of India. (2012). Genitourinary Cancer. In API textbook of medicine (p. 1603). Mumbai: Association of Physicians of India.

NHS Choices. (2015, March 3). Benign prostate enlargement - NHS Choices. Retrieved from http://www.nhs.uk/conditions/Prostate-enlargement/Pages/Introduction.aspx

NHS Choices. (2015, March 3). Benign prostate enlargement - Symptoms - NHS Choices. Retrieved from http://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/Prostate-enlargement/Pages/Symptoms.aspx

Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia. (2016). What you need to know about prostate cancer - PCFA. Retrieved from http://www.prostate.org.au/awareness/general-information/what-you-need-to-know-about-prostate-cancer

Prostate Cancer Treatment Research Foundation. (2014). Prostate Cancer Basics | PCTRF. Retrieved from http://www.pctrf.org/prostate-cancer-basics/?gclid=CjwKEAiA79zDBRCgyf2FgeiY-CESJABzr0BM-PX732Qdf7JIY44Pu9PJ9BbE3kRTxO203jMsL6SrahoCIAXw_wcB

Prostate Care Foundation. (2017). What are the symptoms of Prostate Cancer? Prostate Cancer Foundation. Retrieved from https://www.pcf.org/c/prostate-cancer-symptoms