A Healthy Prostate - What Every Man Needs To Know
Enlarged prostate is such a common problem among men over a certain age that one in two men over 60 will suffer from it while the statistics for the over 50s is one in three. The gland, not more than the size of a walnut when not enlarged, is situated below a man’s bladder. Here it surrounds the urethra which is the tube through which the urine is drained from the bladder. When it increases in volume, this tube is narrowed rather like a hosepipe with a clamp on it.
The consequences of this are well known and difficulty in urinating, frequency, urgency and difficulty in emptying the bladder are all too common symptoms. The condition in this benign form is called BPH (benign prostastic hyperplasia ).
First fact you need to know is that an enlarged prostate does not mean it is necessarily cancer. But you need to have a few tests done just to be sure. This test is called PSA and will flag up any anti-tumoral reaction. There are more sophisticated tests available now like the free PSA. A scan may be necessary too .
Secondly, what is a DRE? It is a digital rectal examination when the urologist or doctor where he can feel with his finger the size and the consistency of the prostate behind the rectal wall. He can tell if it is bigger than it should be and how smooth it is - that is a good sign.
Thirdly, is surgery always necessary? No. What treatment you can have will be determined by various factors such as your age, size of the prostate and general medical condition. Surgery can result in impotence and incontinence although there are many surgical procedures which preserve the nerve tissues, thereby reducing this risk.
The fourth question men usually ask is about the medication and what advantages there are. They may also ask about side effects. Most doctors opt for a wait and see policy and prescribe alpha-blockers which help the muscles to relax thus easing the flow of urine and frequency. These drugs are well known names such as Flomax or Cardura. The second type of drug actually reduces the size of the gland which will again relieve some of the symptoms.
The fifth fact concerns diet. Will a change in your diet or lifestyle really make any difference? In the case of mild BPH, it can, and anyway it is always recommended as dietary habits can relieve the symptoms. Tomatoes (which contain lycopene) are highly recommended together with plenty of fruit and vegetables together with a lower intake of alcohol and coffee. Herbal natural supplements are sometimes used instead of conventional medication. The most common herbal supplements are saw palmetto,beta sitosterol, pumpkin seeds and zinc.
The final decision will rest with and your doctor and or urologist. Very often surgery is not necessary and sometimes herbal supplements can be taken as an alternative or indeed to complement conventional medication.
Robert Locke is an Internet Marketer specializing in Health, Wellness and Fitness. Click on the Natural Prostate Cure on the blog: thewellnessbible.blogspot.com
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