Contents
In line with its mission, the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony makes every effort to provide reliable medical content supported by the latest scientific knowledge. The additional flag “Checked Content” indicates that the article has been reviewed by or written directly by a physician. This two-step verification: a medical journalist and a doctor allows us to provide the highest quality content in line with current medical knowledge.
Our commitment in this area has been appreciated, among others, by by the Association of Journalists for Health, which awarded the Editorial Board of MedTvoiLokony with the honorary title of the Great Educator.
When a mature man develops problems urinating, the first thought is prostate cancer. However, this symptom may indicate other diseases of the prostate gland. Learn how to recognize them and how to prevent the characteristic enlargement of the prostate after the age of 50.
What is the prostate?
The prostate gland is one of those organs that, like the ears, grows throughout life. Since it is located in the small pelvis, next to the bladder, and the prostatic part of the urethra passes through its flesh, even a relatively small hypertrophy causes unpleasant consequences.
The mechanical pressure of the gland on the urethra leads to problems with urination or incontinence – that is, the inability to consciously control your bowel movements.
This organ, resembling the size and shape of a chestnut, is unexplored and left “on its own” and can cause a lot more complaints than getting up to the toilet in the middle of the night. The statistics are inexorable in this respect: timely undetected prostate cancer accounts for 11% of the global population. all cancer cases in men. This puts him in second place, after lung cancer, among the most common cancers, which is detected in 10 thousand people in Poland every year. patients are killed by 40 percent. of them.
Since the prostate is responsible for generating the viscous fluid that makes up sperm, its rapid growth can also translate into impotence and infertility.
Prevention of prostate diseases
Although scientists from the journal Cancer Epidemiology, Biomarkers & Prevention reported that eating tomatoes may lower the risk of prostate cancer – there is still no clear opinion on the ideal diet for the prevention of prostate disease. On one thing, however, the majority of scientists agree: Eating five servings of vegetables and fruits a day reduces the risk of prostate cancer by up to 24%. in relation to menwho used these dietary ingredients less than twice a day.
Scientists from Bristol University, Cambridne and Oxford also came to interesting conclusions. After testing, over 20 British people aged 50 to 69 found that two factors play a key role in the prevention of prostate cancer: the red dye lycopene with antioxidant properties (contained in large amounts in the aforementioned tomatoes) and selenium, an important source of which are flour and dairy products . Physical activity, limiting the consumption of animal fats and diversifying your meals with products rich in vitamin E and vitamin D also play a significant role in the prevention of prostatic hyperplasia.
However, even the most balanced diet will not replace the most effective method of prostate gland control, i.e. regular medical examinations, such as DRE, i.e. examining the correct size of the prostate with a finger through the rectum. As emphasized by prof. Zbigniew Wolski, President of the Polish Urological Association, it is important (…) that men understand that just as their car requires an annual inspection, they must also take care of their
Symptoms of prostate diseases
As the prostate gland naturally grows with age, this process often adversely affects the urine stream, limiting its volume. The most common disease in this aspect, i.e. benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), develops so numerously that if men regularly exceeded 80 years of age, almost 100% of them would suffer from this ailment.
Slight enlargement of the prostate already occurs in many men over the age of 40, which is why it is so important to track warning symptoms early, which is the most effective factor in success in treatment.
The most common symptoms of prostate diseases include:
– increased frequency of urination,
– lack of control over this process (incontinence),
– frequent waking up in the middle of the night to use the toilet,
– occasional blood in urine and sperm,
Pain and difficulty passing bowel movements.
Diseases of the prostate gland
If you find one or more of the aforementioned risk factors, it should be remembered that this does not automatically mean that you suffer from prostate cancer. Prostate diseases are not always so serious; often problems with urination are caused by the common benign prostatic hyperplasia and its more serious type: chronic or acute prostatitis.
Also check what are the causes of pollakiuria
It is estimated that less than 35% of people suffer from chronic inflammation at some point in their lives. men. This ailment cannot be underestimated, because apart from difficulties with urination and burning in the urethra during micturition, it is also possible to experience dangerous pains in the groin, testicles and fever. If this condition persists for a longer period, it may also translate into decreased interest in sex life, problems with erection or impotence.
It is important to consult a urologist who will diagnose the disease after the first symptoms appear. It is especially important because the consequences of prostate enlargement are often confused with the symptoms typical of lower urinary tract infections. The treatment in both of these cases is completely different, so we should not undertake any methods on our own.
In determining the type of disease, not only physical rectal examination of the prostate, prostate biopsy or ultrasound examinations, but also blood tests are very helpful. If it turns out that the doctor has detected an increased level of PSA proteins produced by prostate epithelial cells (prostate specific antigene) in the patient’s blood, he will immediately refer him for further, more detailed tests.
What if it’s prostate cancer?
Even if the prostate malfunction is found to be caused by the development of cancerous cells, there are many ways to treat each stage of prostate cancer. In younger patients, treatment is started immediately with radical prostectomy, which consists in the excision of the prostate gland with a seminal vesicle.
The method used laparoscopically or surgically is irreversible and causes infertility.
Modern imaging and radiotherapy technologies also allow for non-invasive irradiation of only selected sections of the prostate gland where cancer cells develop. However, when the cancer is detected at an old age or advanced stage, instead of invasive methods, hormone therapy, cryotherapy (cold therapy) and the WW (watchful waiting) method are used, which involves careful monitoring of the tumor’s progress and control in case of metastases.
Also read:
- Everything you need to know about prostate cancer
- Mariusz did not confess to his wife. Cancer, which is curable, killed him quickly
- It is a taboo subject because the stereotypical man is supposed to be strong. Such thinking leads to many tragedies
For a long time you have not been able to find the cause of your ailments or are you still looking for it? Do you want to tell us your story or draw attention to a common health problem? Write to the address [email protected] #Together we can do more
The content of the medTvoiLokony website is intended to improve, not replace, the contact between the Website User and their doctor. The website is intended for informational and educational purposes only. Before following the specialist knowledge, in particular medical advice, contained on our Website, you must consult a doctor. The Administrator does not bear any consequences resulting from the use of information contained on the Website.