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What Every Man Should Know About Prostate

Nowadays we are overexposed to issues like leukemia, breast cancer, AIDS, cervical cancer and so on. There are breast cancer awareness months, various stickers you can put on your car to raise awareness about cancer, multiple research studies conducted to find the cure for AIDS, and yet it is unheard of to go to a movie and be asked to donate a dollar to prostate cancer research.

According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer in men, behind only lung cancer, and 1 out of 6 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer during his lifetime. Prostate cancer kills 4 times as many men as cervical cancer kills women! These numbers are scary and yet a lot of men are not even aware of the fact that they should undergo a prostate examination at least once a year.

There are basic things every man should know about his prostate health.

First of all every man should know what a prostate is. Prostate is a gland that is part of a male reproductive system, located below the urinary bladder, and is found in men only. Its main function is secreting the fluid that combines with sperm to form semen. This fluid is called prostate fluid and it keeps sperm healthy for fertilization. The prostate surrounds part of the urethra, which is the canal responsible for emptying the bladder. This is why one of the symptoms of prostate cancer is urinary difficulties.

There are three main problems that can happen to prostate: prostatitis, enlargement, or cancer.

Prostatitis is the inflammation or infection of the prostate gland. There are 4 categories for this disease.

Acute bacterial prostatitis is the least common and the easiest one to treat. It is caused by bacteria therefore its symptoms usually come on suddenly and may include fever and chills, pain in the lower back or groin, painful ejaculation, urinary problems such as increased urgency and frequency, burning or painful urination, difficulty to fully empty the bladder, and blood-tinged urine.

The second category is the chronic bacterial prostatitis. It happens when bacteria find a spot on the prostate where they can survive. The symptoms of this prostatitis are not as severe as with acute bacterial prostatitis and they develop more slowly. Among the most common signs of chronic bacterial prostatitis is a frequent and urgent need to urinate, pain in the lower back and pelvic and genital areas, burning or painful urination, excessive urination during the night, difficulty starting to urinate, diminished urine flow, occasional blood in semen or urine, recurring bladder infections, slight fever.

The third category is the chronic nonbacterial prostatitis. This is the most common type of prostatitis, and yet it is the one that is the least understood. It may be found in men of any age, its symptoms may disappear and then suddenly come back, it can be both inflammatory and noninflammatory. The symptoms of this form of prostatitis are very similar to the ones of chronic bacterial prostatitis although you might not experience the fever.

The last category of prostatitis is called the asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis and it takes place when there are no evident symptoms such as pain or discomfort, but there are infection-fighting cells in the man's prostate fluid. This form of prostatitis is usually discovered when the doctor performs the testing for infertility or cancer.

All of these forms of prostatitis are not contagious and the majority of the symptoms are not sexually transmitted, however if you do experience any of the above mentioned symptoms we recommend seeing a doctor right away.

The prostate enlargement is also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH and is the second main problem that can happen to prostate. The prostate gland continuously grows throughout the man's life but it usually does not cause any problems until late in life. The problems can occur when old cells do not die when the new cells continue to grow. This accumulation of cells thickens the prostate thus causing the urethra to narrow which in turn can lead to urinary problems. The symptoms of BPH may include frequent and urgent need to urinate, especially at night, difficulties starting the urine flow, inability to completely empty the bladder, leaking after urination, weak urine stream.

Some men with prostate cancer also have BPH, but these two conditions are not linked automatically. Having BPH does not lead to having prostate cancer. However since the early symptoms for these two conditions could be similar the doctor would need to evaluate them.

Finally, the last problem that can happen to prostate is the prostate cancer. It occurs when prostate cells mutate and begin to multiply out of control. Prostate cancer usually does not cause symptoms at the initial stage. As the disease progresses the symptoms are usually very similar to those of BPH. Additional symptoms may include chronic pains in the hips, thighs or lower back and blood in urine or semen. Prostate cancer usually develops slowly and is confined to the prostate gland for many years where it can not cause serious harm, however as time progresses the tumor can spread to surrounding tissues or even spread to other parts of the body such as bones, lungs and liver. The lack of symptoms and their overlap with other conditions makes prostate cancer rather difficult to diagnose, therefore it is crucial to get screened on a regular basis.

Unfortunately there is very little you can do to prevent prostate problems. A good step to keep you prostate gland healthy would be keeping to a low fat diet, increasing your intake of vegetables, limiting red meats, drinking a lot of water, lowering your cholesterol level, and staying physically active. But most importantly get screened on a regular basis to catch any prostate problems at an early stage for a successful treatment.

Cure Chronic Prostatitis - Serious Debilitation You Did Not See Coming

The most common questions of an "intelligent" Prostatitis sufferer are often without medical answers:

• How did I get this? Why has it been allowed to take over my whole life?
• I have a number of symptoms, is this Prostatitis problem actually responsible for all of them?
• What are the long-term effects on my general health of repeatedly taking antibiotics?
• Why are the opinions of my condition so wildly-varying from Doctor to Doctor?
• Why, after following all the lifestyle precautions recommended, and taking all the many prescribed medications, am I so many years down the Prostatitis trail, with no improvement?
• When will a new drug come out that will end this nightmare?

Few long-term sufferers are prepared for an awful reality. The Law of "Long-term Prostatitis" is that if it is not cured, then it will get worse. For the first 10 or so years, depending on the pathogens involved, although there is no relief, the sufferer's condition does not usually markedly worsen. Eventually, a second stage is entered... one preceded and accompanied by a weakening immune system, a prerequisite to entering a whole new level of being a Prostatitis sufferer.

Enter stage two... depending on the pathogen(s) and drugs involved, the following have reported by second-stage sufferers:

• Drastically worse lower back pain
• Similar extensive pain in the shoulders and neck.
• Chronic fatigue in all seasons
• The above conditions are possibly caused by toxins produced by pathogens, affecting nerves.
• Infection spreading out from the perineal area into the lymph system. Nodes are permanently swollen along with swollen extremities.
• And more.

The effects of stage two are that the "nuisance" level of pain has now become a serious impediment to general mobility, leading to the spectre of obesity and diabetes. Chronic fatigue has curtailed general work and business plans, leading to many sufferers being unable to afford the high cost of ongoing medical care.

If stage two is not aggressively dealt with, and a cure found, within as little as another 10 years, stage three may usher in a period of acute emergencies resulting from a patient's, by now, seriously compromised state of general health.

A Look at Noncancerous Prostate Problems

Just because a person has urinary problems or increased PSA levels does not mean that they have prostate cancer. Although these are symptoms of the condition it is often the case that further testing will show the prostate to be benign. So in this case what is the cause of the symptoms?

There are two main types of noncancerous prostate conditions that have similar initial symptoms to those of cancer: these are benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH) and prostatitis. In both cases the sufferer will generally have an increased desire to urinate but have low flow rates. In BPH (and often with prostatitis), there is also an elevation of PSA levels. Unlike with prostate cancer however the PSA is elevated in the free form as opposed to the bound form.

Basically BPH causes an enlargement of the prostate whereas prostatitis leads to an inflammation of it. The causes of the latter condition are often the result of a bacterial infection or tissue damage caused through a previous biopsy. Prostatitis is usually treated through the use use of anti-bacterial medications. The treatment of BPH is often through a medication but may also require surgery in order to reduce the size of the gland.

In addition to BPH and prostatitis there are many other forms of noncancerous prostate inflictions these include prostatic neoplasis (PIN) and atrophy; both of these conditions are detected following biopsy. The latter is a gradual,often age related damage to cells, whereas neoplasis is seen in histological cell samples as changes in the shape and size of the cells.

If a person has been diagnosed with a BPH and prostatitis then they will be pleased to know that neither of them are considered risk factors for prostate cancer. Unfortunately PIN is a recognised risk factor, and people with this condition should be monitored carefully in order to detect any future development of the condition.

The Prostate Gland and Herbal Remedies to Support Its Health

The prostate gland is an exocrine organ of the male reproductive system--the corresponding organ for females being the Skene's gland. The prostate gland's primary function involves the storage and secretion of seminal fluid. The organ likewise plays a supportive role in urination.

For the prostate gland to function properly, the male hormones androgen and testosterone need to be secreted to sustain its growth and development. A relatively vulnerable part of the body, the prostate is also susceptible to various types of diseases such as prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and also prostate cancer. Find below an overview of prostatitis, BPH and prostate cancer; the mainstream treatments for said conditions and the corresponding herbal remedy that may be administered as alternative treatment.

What is Prostatis, BPH and Prostate Cancer?

Prostatitis refers to the inflammation of the prostate gland while benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) pertains to the abnormal enlargement of the prostate gland, leading also to defective urination. Meanwhile, it is for a fact that prostate cancer is a typical degenerative condition that is brought about by a complex mix of risk factors, including the mutation of prostate cells.

Treatment for Prostatitis

Antibiotics are typically prescribed for acute prostatitis, which is triggered by bacterial infections. On the other hand, physico-therapies are administered as treatment for other types of prostatitis. An alternative treatment to an inflammed prostate gland is Pilobium Parviflorum (commonly known as the Willow Herb). The herb specifically conveys antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that help fight the cause of prostate infection while easing the related symptoms of pain and discomforts during urination.

Non-Surgical Treatment for BPH

In the case of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), invasive procedures will have to be performed while in severe cases of BPH, surgery may be the only solution to resolve the condition. As an alternative solution, herbalists would likely recommend the administration of Epilobium Parviflorum extracts along with Sabal Serrulata (Saw Palmetto) constituents. The lipophilic compounds derived from these herbals is deemed effective in the regulation of male hormones. Moreover, the fatty acids occurring in its extracts help inhibit the hormones that stimulate the etiology of BPH. Overall, the herbal remedy is regarded as an effective tonic for the male reproductive system.

Alternative Treatment for Prostate Cancers

Prostate cancer is one of the leading cause of death in older men. Alternative methods have also utilized herbal remedies to serve as treatment for prostate cancer. The extracts of Hypoxis Rooperi (also known as African Potato) are composed of sterols and sterolins that have been scientifically confirmed to treat the corresponding tumors of the cancer. Just like the above mentioned herbs, the African Potato can also be used to treat prostatitis and BPH. The herb is an all-around immune system stimulant that may be administered for any other type of disorder. Moreover, the herbal remedy exudes antioxidant properties that promote body rejuvenation and health.

Common Causes of Prostate Infection

Depending upon which type of prostate infection you have, this will determine the possible causes. Each type of prostate infection is different in the fact of what type of symptoms you will present with as well as the common causes of prostate infection.

Category 1-Acute Bacterial Prostatitis

The most common cause of this type of prostate infection is the bacterium that is typically found in the large intestine. Sometimes an infection from the urethra or bladder can spread an infection to the prostate gland as well if left untreated.

Category 2-Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis

Experts are not really sure what the cause of a chronic bacterial infection can be. It sometimes develops after you have experienced an acute prostatitis episode when some of the bacteria may remain in the prostate gland. Another cause of this type of prostate infection is an injury to the urinary tract because of sports such as bicycle riding or horseback riding, the use of a catheter to drain the bladder or an infection present in another part of the body that makes its way to the prostate.

Category 3-Nonbacterial Prostatitis

There are many theories of the cause of this type of prostate infection. The reasons are not clear or well defined. Some believe that this type of prostate infection is caused by an infectious agent that doesn’t show up in typical lab tests. Another cause is thought to from lifting objects that are heavy when the bladder is full. It is thought that the urine may back up into the prostate gland and cause inflammation.

A condition that was more prevalent in women and is being seen more frequently in men is interstitial cystitis. This is an infection of the bladder or urinary tract and is thought to be one of the causes for nonbacterial prostatitis.

Sometimes this condition is caused by urinary tract structure abnormalities. If there are strictures or narrowing of the urethra, it can cause more pressure when you are urinating and result in symptoms and inflammation. Prostate infection is not contagious and cannot be transmitted sexually, so you will have no worries about passing prostatitis to your partner.

What Every Man Needs To Know About Prostatitis - Inflammation of The Prostate

Prostatitis simply means an inflammation of the prostate gland. The symptoms are uncomfortable at best; more often they are extremely painful and can also be dangerous. Symptoms may include pain and swelling in the area of the prostate, fever, chills, pain in the lower back, burning or painful urination, a need to urinate frequently and get up in the night, dribbling, fatigue and body aches, and pain with ejaculation. Prostatitis can severely affect the quality of life. Rigorous activity, sports, exercise-even sitting for any length of time in an office, theater or at a sporting event may become too painful to tolerate. And as for sex - it's simply not an option.

The statistics are alarming. It's estimated that over 50% of all men will suffer from prostatitis some time in their lives. And what's worse is prostatitis is no respecter of age. It can strike any adult male - and with painful consequences.

According to the American Foundation for Urologic Disease, 25% of all office visits by young and middle-aged men for genital and urinary problems are the result of prostatitis http://www.prostatehealthtips.com/prostatitis.html. It hits men in the prime of life and also is considered to be the most common of all diseases among middle-aged men.

Adding to the problem is the fact that contemporary medicine really doesn't know much about prostatitis. The Prostate Foundation has termed it "the bastard child" of urology. Though it is the most widespread disease of the prostate, it's also the least understood and the least researched. As a consequence, it is frequently misdiagnosed.

Physicians sometimes have difficulty distinguishing between the symptoms of prostatitis and benign prostate enlargement (BPH). A Harvard University study showed that urologists seeing patients with the same symptoms diagnosed them with prostatitis if they were under 50 and with BPH if they were over 50. In addition, there are four types of prostatitis, the most common of which is unfortunately the one that is the most baffling.

Prostatitis can be either acute or chronic. That is to say that it can have a sudden onset and be relatively short-lived, or be an ongoing and aggravating problem.

Acute prostatitis is likely to occur intermittently. It can cause fever, bladder discomfort, frequent and burning urination, and blood or pus in the urine. It can also result in infertility.

Chronic prostatitis is ongoing and usually increases with time. Its symptoms may include frequent urination, blood in the urine, a burning sensation, discomfort in the prostate area and lower back, painful ejaculation and even impotence.

Nonbacterial prostatitis is the most common form of the disease, but because it is also the least understood, it's the most difficult to treat. Nonbacterial prostatitis is frequently a chronic, painful condition found in men of any age. Symptoms may disappear and then return suddenly. Though no evidence of bacteria is found, semen and other prostate fluids contain cells that the body produces to fight infection.

Doctors often treat nonbacterial prostatitis with antibiotics and drugs that relax the muscles of the prostate gland, but these treatments have not been proven to be effective. In fact, they often do not work at all and can have unpleasant side effects as well.

The good news is, there are several herbal remedies that have been shown in clinical studies to help fight and in many cases - conquer prostate problems, including prostatitis. These herbs include pygeum africanum, saw palmetto and nettle root extract.

How to Overcome Prostate Problems For Men Under the Age of 50

Young men hardly ever think about prostate problems or anything else similar because they do not expect such diseases to hit them at such a young age. By young, I simply mean anything from puberty to below 50. Despite studies which show that these problems often arise in older men, it isn't impossible to find such cases in younger males as well.

The most common problem regarding the prostate would be prostatitis. This is the swelling or inflammation of the prostate gland. The most common symptoms of prostatitis are flu, fever, painful ejaculation, discomfort in the prostate or lower back area. In addition to that, difficulty in urinating is also another sign of Prostatitis. This is often linked with the increase need to pass urine but difficulty to do so along with tinges of blood in the urine.

Research shows that medical experts are not completely sure what causes prostatitis but it could be due to bacteria or a faulty immune response. Prostatitis can be treated depending on what causes it. If it is due to bacteria, then it can be cured with proper physical care and a dosage of antibiotics and analgesics. While non-bacterial Prostatitis, would require a change in diet, warm baths and physical therapy.

In order to prevent prostate problems from occurring, it is important to maintain a proper diet and drink sufficient water. This helps keep a healthy prostate. In addition to that, eat red meat in moderation as studies show that excessive intake of red meat can lead to prostate cancer and other diseases. Also, once an average male hits his 40's it is advisable to go for regular prostate checkups as well as regular prostate specific antigen tests. This test would measure the level of a substance called gamma seminoprotein in the blood. If it is higher than usual, then cancerous cells could be present in the prostate.

The health of one's prostate should not be taken lightly or ignored based on age but instead, one should often pay annual visits to the doctor's office and attend regular checkups.

Signs of Prostate Problems

As men get older, it becomes progressively possible that they are going to have a prostate problem. While there is no real method to stop this from taking place, you can learn to identify the symptoms.

It is important to catch the problem early so you can treat symptoms before they get worse. In addition, in the case of prostate cancer, catching it early will greatly improve treatment capabilities and can even save your life.

What you should keep in mind is that not all prostate problems are caused by cancer. In fact, numerous men have prostate issues and never develop cancer. Here are some problems that men could have:

- Prostatitis means that a prostate gland is swollen due to infection. Acute prostatitis is a temporary swelling caused by a one time infection. A man will likely have a fever and other signs of infection. This can be treated quickly with antibiotics. Chronic prostatitis is a continuing condition due to a repeated infection. This is more persistent and harder to cure.

- Prostate cancer is clearly the most dangerous problem you can have with your prostate. Besides looking for signs, you should also undergo regular prostate screening to help expose a problem.

- Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia is an enlarged prostate that is caused by problems other that infection or cancer. The risk of having this problem increases with age and can be successfully treated. It can cause irritating symptoms but is not serious. There are medicines available that help relieve symptoms, for example the frequent urge to urinate.

As a result of the location and function of the prostate, nearly all of the issues a man face from prostate problems are associated with urination and sexual functioning.

Urination problems include:

Frequent urge to urinate

Inability to pass urine completely or urinate at all

Slow stream or dribbling

Pain or burning while urinating

Blood in urine

Sexual symptoms:

Inability to achieve an erection

Pain during ejaculation

Blood in semen

In addition to these signs, you can also experience pain in the lower back and thighs.

Prostate problems happen in a large percentage of men over the age of 50, so you should watch for symptoms if you are older. However, not all men with prostate problems are over fifty, so you should see a doctor if you notice these symptoms, regardless of your age.

Start Knowing Prostate Problem Symptoms Before it is Too Late

Prostate is a gland in males located just below the bladder which is responsible for secretion of vital fluids for reproduction. Prostate problems which generally surface in the middle age are problems related to urination, may lead to erectile dysfunction and are now drawing attention from millions of men worldwide. In many cases the problem is mild and doesn't require any treatment but in some the problem is severe and requires medical attention.

The problem generally surfaces around the age of fifty. The most common prostate problem under fifty is prostatitis and above 50 is prostate enlargement. Prostatitis may be bacterial or non bacterial in origin and can also be caused by kidney stones or cancer. The symptoms for prostatitis generally include burning sensation during urination, frequent urination and sometimes fever and an energy drained body, whereas for prostate enlargement the common symptom is difficulty in passage of urine.

If prostatitis is bacterial in origin, which is checked by a urine test, the medication consists of an anti bacterial medicine given by the doctor to disinfect the prostate, but if the problem is not bacterial in origin and no cancer or kidney stone is found, the problem is put under the classification as a non bacterial problem and treatment depends on the case basis which is best suited for the patient.

This includes changing of daily diet, that is, eating healthy food with low fat content, and taking a warm shower. Doctors may provide patient with an alpha-boxer to calm the muscle tissues but there is no silver bullet for every condition.

What Are Some Symptoms of Prostate Trouble?

The chestnut sized gland lies at the neck of a man's bladder. Through the middle of it runs the urethra, which passes urine from the bladder to the penis. In men over 50, the prostate gland often grows to the size of an apple, upsetting the flow of urine.

In some cases, the sufferer passes smaller amounts urine; in others, he passes urine more frequently, particularly during the night. There is an embarrassing tendency to dribble afterwards, and a feeling that the bladder is not completely empty. Sometimes he finds it difficult and painful to urinate particularly during the day.

An enlarged prostate may also develop malignant growths. Even if the original symptoms are mild, a doctor should be seen so that routine urine and blood tests can be taken and if necessary a more detailed examination made in hospital.

Inflammation of the prostate gland, or prostatitis, normally occurs in younger men, causing pain in the lower abdomen, back, testicles, or the area between the scrotum (the pouch containing the testicles) and the anus. The patient may feel unwell, with a raised temperature and his urine, which may be cloudy, bloody or smelly, is passed more often and more urgently. Prostatitis is caused by infection, which is sometimes sexually transmitted.

What the Natural Doctors Recommend

Acupuncture Practitioners claim success in relieving prostate problems by using pressure points on the bladder, large intestine, spleen, kidney, and conception and governor meridians. In addition, treatment by Moxibustion may be applied.

Herbal Medicine For non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate and difficulty in passing water, herbalists may use diuretic herbs such as cough grass, horsetail or saw palmetto, to promote the discharge of urine.

The Prostate Gland - What Is It And What Does It Do?

The prostate gland forms part of the male reproductive system and is responsible for the production of a clear liquid which makes up about thirty percent of the seminal fluid used to carry and protect the male sperm during intercourse. The prostate gland sits just below the bladder and in front of the rectum, partially surrounding the urethra which carries urine from the bladder out of the body.

During childhood the prostate gland is very small (about the size of a pea) but will grow rapidly during puberty in response to the production of the male hormone testosterone. In a mature male the prostate is typically the size of a walnut and weighs about one ounce.

The prostate gland is divided into the three sections – peripheral, central and transition. The peripheral section is located at the rear of the prostate gland and is the section of the prostate in which prostatitis and prostate cancer are most likely to develop. The transition section, which lies in the middle of the prostate gland and surrounds the urethra, is the area in which benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is seen.

There are a variety of problems associated with the prostate gland, the most common of which is BPH. This condition, which is a growth of non-cancerous cells within the transition section of the prostate gland causes an enlargement of the gland and exerts pressure on the urethra which, in turn, leads to difficulties in urinating. Other common problems include prostatitis, which is an inflammation or infection of the prostate gland, and prostate cancer.

Enlargement of the prostate gland will affect about half of all men by the time they reach the age of 60 and increases with age to affect some ninety percent of the male population by the age of 80. Prostate cancer will affect approximately seventeen percent of the male population and results in the deaths of over 30,000 men each year in the United States alone.

Prostating Yourself At The Foot Of Your Prostate Gland - Learning What's What!

The prostate gland is a portion of the male reproductive system. It is about the size of a walnut and can be found below the urinary bladder. Part of it is also connected to the urethra which is where urine leaves the body.

Smaller glands can be found inside the main prostate gland. These smaller glands create the fluid that produces semen. Contrary to popular belief, semen is not purely sperm. It also includes other fluids that are made by the prostate glands as well as adjacent glands. This fluid contains fructose, which is needed as an energy supply. It also acts as protection from whatever fluids may come from the vagina.

The regulation of the fluids in the prostate is through the activity of the hormone testosterone. Dehydroepiandrosterone is made in the adrenal glands, while dihydrotestosterone is produced by the prostate gland. These hormones bring about the sex drive of the male as well as other gender characteristics like a low voice, more facial hair than women, and enlarged muscles compared to the other sex.

Known Prostate Disorders

There are certain disorders that affect males because of the prostate glands. Prostate cancer is a disorder wherein there could be a tumor in the prostate gland. It is actually the most common kind of cancer found in males and should be treated early on. If you are over the age of 50, then you are definitely more prone to prostate cancer. You can actually take a prostate specific antigen test to be able to determine if you have prostate cancer. You can take this test regularly if you are at the age wherein you are more likely to get this disorder.

A second type of disorder common to the prostate would be benign prostatic hyperplasia. There is enlargement and inflammation of the prostate, making urination difficult and painful. As with prostate cancer, there are tests to determine if you have this. It is not a fatal disease, but it will make life quite difficult and uncomfortable for you.

Lastly, the prostate is always at risk for infection. Bacteria can lead to the infection of the prostate, which is called prostatitis. While symptoms are quite similar to BPH, this is graver since you may also experience fever and pain in the lower back. Make sure you go a doctor who could prescribe you the right antibiotics in treating prostatitis.

The Prostate Is A Little Gland That Can Cause Big Trouble

Prostate disorders range in degree of unpleasant to irritating to devastating. The good news is that effective treatment and most importantly, relief of symptoms is available for all the big three prostate disorders, benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH which is an enlarged prostate, prostate cancer, and prostatitis. It’s especially good to know that prostate cancer, when caught early, is curable. All prostate disorders can generally be treated without causing loss of urinary control or sexual function.

BPH is not prostate cancer, and having an enlarged prostate does not mean that a man is more likely to get prostate cancer. For most men, during the first forty years or so, the prostate is on its best behavior. But after 40, many men develop BPH or an enlarged prostate which is an irritating condition that causes the prostate to swell and interfere with urine flow. BPH may trigger frequent urination, a sense of urgency, along wait for urine to flow, frequent awakening in the night to urinate, interruption of the urine stream, and a constant feeling of fullness in the bladder. BPH develops from the inside outward, as the prostate’s inner tissue starts to crowd the urethra, which runs through the encircling prostate like a straw held in someone’s fist. As the inner prostate cells grow, they begin squeezing the urethra. For most men with BPH, this tightening causes an irritating but tolerable change in quality of life. However, when it progresses beyond the nuisance point, when it hinders the urinary tract, it is time to be treated.

Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland. The effects of prostate inflammation on urinary tract function include frequent urination, the urgent desire to void, and increased night-time voiding. The desire to void may be felt and rapidly becomes painfully urgent, only to fade away when you get to the restroom and are unable to void. Because of the unyielding capsule around the gland, inflammation and swelling within the prostate may cause compression of the urethra and obstruction of urinary flow. Heat, redness, swelling and pain are the classic symptoms of inflammation. Symptoms of prostatitis may include pain in the joints, muscles, lower back and area around the scrotum, aches, fever and chills, urinary trouble, including blood in the urine, pain, or burning, and painful ejaculation.

No one yet knows exactly what causes prostate cancer. As with all cancers, the first step is some sequence of events that produces an alteration or mutation in the genetic makeup of a cell. Then something has to occur that stimulates the growth of the abnormal cell. Various speculation as to that unknown but influential something that causes a cancer cell to begin to grow include an imbalance of male sex hormones or the presence of a virus.

Age, family history, and race maybe risk factors in prostate cancer, and recent studies indicate that lifestyle may play a greater role in developing prostate cancer than other risk factors. Still other factors have been suspected, and studied, as potential risk factors for prostate cancer, including sexual behavior, viruses, socio-economic factors, and even BPH, but no strong proof has been found to link these elements to the disease.

Prostate disorders range in degree of unpleasant to irritating to devastating. All prostate disorders can generally be treated without causing loss of urinary control or sexual function. Having an enlarged prostate does not mean that a man is more likely to get prostate cancer.