Bladder & Prostate

Bladder & Prostate

The prostate is a gland that produces the fluid that carries sperm during ejaculation. The prostate gland surrounds the urethra, the tube through which urine passes out of the body.The increase in the number of cells (hyperplasia) result in the growth of prostate organ.. The exact medical reason for this increase is still unknown.A variety of factors may be involved in this process, such as androgens (male hormones), estrogens, and growth factors and other cell signaling pathways (cell-to-cell communication).

Signs of Enlarged Prostate

Symptoms of enlarged prostate can include:

• A weak or slow urinary stream

• A feeling of incomplete bladder emptying

• Difficulty starting urination

• Frequent urination

• Urgency to urinate

• Getting up frequently at night to urinate

• A urinary stream that starts and stops

• Straining to urinate

• Continued dribbling of urine

• Returning to urinate again minutes after finishing

Diagnosis of Enlarged Prostate

• Digital rectal examination (DRE): A doctor inserts a lubricated, gloved finger into the rectum and feels the prostate. A DRE can sometimes detect an enlarged prostate, lumps or nodules of prostate cancer, or tenderness from prostatitis.

• Prostate-specific antigen (PSA): The prostate makes a protein called PSA, which can be measured by a blood test. If PSA is high, prostate cancer is more likely, but an enlarged prostate can also cause a high PSA.

• Prostate ultrasound (transrectal ultrasound): An ultrasound probe is inserted into the rectum, bringing it close to the prostate. Ultrasound is often done with a biopsy to test for prostate cancer.

• Prostate biopsy: A needle is inserted into the prostate to take tissue out to check for prostate cancer. This is usually done through the rectum.

Prevention of Z

It is formally known that there are no ways to prevent Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia. However, you can get yourself treated at time if you are aware of its symptoms and see a doctor at the early stage. Other than this, following things can help you as well-

• Urinate as soon as you feel the urge

• Go to the bathroom to urinate, even when you don’t feel the urge

• Avoid over-the-counter decongestants or antihistamine medications, which can make it harder for the bladder to empty

• Avoid  alcohol and caffeine, especially in the hours after dinner

• Reduce  your stress level, as nervousness can increase the frequency of urination

• Exercise  regularly, as a lack of exercise can aggravate your symptoms

• Try Kegel exercises to strengthen your pelvic muscles

Treatment

Enlarged Prostate Treatment

• Alpha-blockers: Alpha-blockers relax the muscles around the urethra in men with symptoms from an enlarged prostate. Urine then flows more freely.

• 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors: These medications reduce the level of a certain form of testosterone (DHT). The prostate shrinks when less DHT is present, improving urine flow.

• Surgery for an enlarged prostate: Usually, medications resolve symptoms of an enlarged prostate, but some men require surgery to improve symptoms and prevent complications.

Prostate Cancer Treatment

• Prostatectomy: Surgery for prostate cancer, called a prostatectomy, removes the prostate with the goal of removing all the cancer.

• Radiation therapy: Radiation kills prostate cancer cells while minimizing damage to healthy cells.

• Radioactive seed implants: Instead of radiation pointed at the prostate from outside the body, radioactive seeds can be implanted into the prostate to kill cancer cells.

• Cryotherapy: Cryotherapy involves killing prostate cancer cells by freezing them.

• Hormone therapy: Prostate cancer cells grow in response to hormones. Hormone therapy helps block that effect.

• Chemotherapy: When prostate cancer is advanced, chemotherapy may help reduce the cancer’s spread.

• Watchful waiting: Since prostate cancer is often slow growing, some older men and their doctors hold off on treatment and wait to see if the cancer appears to be growing.

• Clinical trials: Through prostate cancer clinical trials, researchers test the effects of new medications on a group of volunteers with prostate cancer.

Expected Side effects

Common Alpha Blockers side effects may include:

• Dizziness, drowsiness, weakness;

• Nausea, diarrhea;

• Headache, chest pain;

• Abnormal ejaculation, decreased amount of semen;

• Back pain;

• Blurred vision;

• Tooth problems;

• Fever, chills, body aches, flu symptoms;

• Runny or stuffy nose, sinus pain, sore throat, cough;

• Sleep problems (insomnia); or

• Loss of interest interest in sex.

Important Things to Know

• Consume lots of pumpkin and watermelon seeds

• Cornsilk is known to have proven beneficial against bph

• Include fish in diet like tuna and salmon containing beneficial omega three fatty acids

• Drink eight glasses of water per day