The prostate is an important organ in reproduction. It produces important fluids to nourish sperm cells during copulation. There are a number of important things on prostate health that you need to know. Diseases that commonly affect the organ are generally categorized as infections, tumors and inflammatory conditions. The incidence of these conditions increases with increasing age.
One of the commonest conditions that affect the gland is known as prostatitis. The commonest cause of this problem is an infective process. Many different species have been isolated in urine samples of persons that have this problem. In a few cases, however, microbial organisms are not usually found. In severe cases, intravenous antibiotics such as ceftriaxone and metronidazole are used. Less severe cases usually respond to oral metronidazole, doxycycline and ciprofloxacin.
Prostatic cancer and benign prostatic enlargement (or simply, BPE) are some of the major causes of hospital visits among men aged 40 to 70 years. In the early stages, it is quite challenging to differentiate the two on clinical assessment only. Only histological examination of biopsy specimens would do that. Predisposing factors include, among others, prolonged use of alcohol, smoking and a positive family history. Being less invasive, BPE tends to have better prognosis after treatment.
In the early stages of prostatic cancer, affected persons will typically complain of difficulties in passing urine, a weak stream of urine, occasional pain on voiding and tend to feel that they have not completely emptied their urinary bladders. In advanced cases, the tumor tends to metastasize both to local and distant structures. Organs that are in close proximity include the urinary bladder and the rectum. When the rectum is affected, patients will have difficulties in passing stool and will constantly get constipated.
Involvement of distant organs may also be noted as a result of metastatic spread. Bones of the spine and the pelvic girdle are commonly affected and these would manifest as pain in the affected area. Spine involvement is a feared complications as it is a common cause of paraplegia. These complications will be easily detected using an X-ray or a CT scan image.
Although it is not possible to prevent all the cases of BPE and cancer, there is a role for early detection and intervention. Men who are the age of forty and above are advised to go for annual medical checkups to determine whether they are at risk or have early disease. For men that have a positive family history, the same may be required at a younger age.
During the follow up, the doctor will ask questions relating to your voiding habits. He will seek to establish whether you are passing urine more frequently, whether or not you have noticed some blood in the urine, presence or absence of pain and so on. It is therefore mandatory to ensure that you keep track of all these voiding habits. You will then be subjected to a physical exam that will include a digital rectal examination to establish the size of the organ.
Investigations that aid in making a definitive diagnosis include PSA level determination and ultrasound evaluation. Modest increases in PSA suggest BPE and marked increases are a feature of cancer. The levels have to be correlated with clinical findings. The doctor will formulate a management plan that may involve pharmacotherapy or surgery or both as determined by the results.
One of the commonest conditions that affect the gland is known as prostatitis. The commonest cause of this problem is an infective process. Many different species have been isolated in urine samples of persons that have this problem. In a few cases, however, microbial organisms are not usually found. In severe cases, intravenous antibiotics such as ceftriaxone and metronidazole are used. Less severe cases usually respond to oral metronidazole, doxycycline and ciprofloxacin.
Prostatic cancer and benign prostatic enlargement (or simply, BPE) are some of the major causes of hospital visits among men aged 40 to 70 years. In the early stages, it is quite challenging to differentiate the two on clinical assessment only. Only histological examination of biopsy specimens would do that. Predisposing factors include, among others, prolonged use of alcohol, smoking and a positive family history. Being less invasive, BPE tends to have better prognosis after treatment.
In the early stages of prostatic cancer, affected persons will typically complain of difficulties in passing urine, a weak stream of urine, occasional pain on voiding and tend to feel that they have not completely emptied their urinary bladders. In advanced cases, the tumor tends to metastasize both to local and distant structures. Organs that are in close proximity include the urinary bladder and the rectum. When the rectum is affected, patients will have difficulties in passing stool and will constantly get constipated.
Involvement of distant organs may also be noted as a result of metastatic spread. Bones of the spine and the pelvic girdle are commonly affected and these would manifest as pain in the affected area. Spine involvement is a feared complications as it is a common cause of paraplegia. These complications will be easily detected using an X-ray or a CT scan image.
Although it is not possible to prevent all the cases of BPE and cancer, there is a role for early detection and intervention. Men who are the age of forty and above are advised to go for annual medical checkups to determine whether they are at risk or have early disease. For men that have a positive family history, the same may be required at a younger age.
During the follow up, the doctor will ask questions relating to your voiding habits. He will seek to establish whether you are passing urine more frequently, whether or not you have noticed some blood in the urine, presence or absence of pain and so on. It is therefore mandatory to ensure that you keep track of all these voiding habits. You will then be subjected to a physical exam that will include a digital rectal examination to establish the size of the organ.
Investigations that aid in making a definitive diagnosis include PSA level determination and ultrasound evaluation. Modest increases in PSA suggest BPE and marked increases are a feature of cancer. The levels have to be correlated with clinical findings. The doctor will formulate a management plan that may involve pharmacotherapy or surgery or both as determined by the results.
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