Prostate Symptoms
Prostate Anatomy
As men get older past the age of 40 sometimes there are health problems that arise with the prostate gland. Prostate symptoms can be as small as urinating too much or too little. When a man experiences some type of difficulty with his male genitalia or urination and fatigue it may be cause for some concern. Most men during a physical will have a prostate exam that checks for any abnormal growth or enlargement. Many men do not want to go to the doctor so when a symptom arises sometimes there is more to it than just an enlarged prostate.
Prostate Symptoms
The symptoms of an enlarged prostate can be penis pain, bloody urine or semen, and a weak urine stream. When these symptoms are present it is wise for the person to seek a doctor’s help. Sometimes it can be as simple as an enlarged prostate or it could be the beginning stages of prostate cancer. In either case it is best to have a doctor evaluate the situation and run the appropriate test.
Tests
The test that is usually performed is a blood test called the PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) test. This test for levels of psa density, percent free psa and psa velocity. There is also an age adjustment of the psa test because sometimes there may be a false high level and the patient may be young. The doctor may perform a rectal exam, urine flow study and a cystoscopy.
Prostate Cancer
If cancer is detected early there is a good chance for a good recovery but once it is too far gone there is very little that the doctors can do. That is why it is smart for men over the age of 35 to get annual rectal exams and PSA blood work. Sometimes when there is fatigue or a fever there is the possibility that there is just and infection in the urinary tract or the urethra that may cause the prostate to enlarge. It is best for the individual not to try and remedy the problem themselves with herbs or home made remedies. It is best to seek professional help and take the advice of the physician.
Prostate Cancer
In a recent cancer study that was done it was suggested that height may play a role in who contracts prostate cancer. Men over 6’3” are said to be proned to getting prostate cancer more readily than men of a shorter stature. Genetics may or may not play a role in prostate cancer but early detection is the key to living a healthy and cancer free life.
Treatment
If prostate cancer is caught early there are several treatments that can be utilized, brachytherapy which is radiation therapy implants, chemotherapy, cryotherapy which is freezing gases applied to the prostate, hormone therapy which is shrinking the prostate by suppressing testosterone, radiation therapy, prostatectomy which is the removal of the prostate or watchful waiting which is expectant therapy. Expectant therapy consists of regular doctor visits, test, and rectal exams.
Changing ones diet and exercise are also part of keeping a healthy prostate along with a healthy body. Supplements and vitamins are also a large part of treating enlarged prostates or prostate cancer. Whether the final choice is to watch and wait or use radiation or chemotherapy the best way to avoid any of this is to be vigilant about ones health and seek professional help when anything is out of place or not performing correctly. Personal advocacy is the best tool for keeping a healthy and safe life.
Prostate symptoms can start with the smallest thing like frequent or infrequent urination and it can escalate to pain, and blood in the urine. Once things start to progress it is time to call in the professionals and let the doctors give advice as to what is going on. Always be vigilant and ask questions, never be afraid to ask for help it may save the life of someone special. Eating healthy and staying abreast of the bodies changes can be the first step to avoiding a deadly cancer.