Prostate Health » diagnosis

Diverticulitis: What is it and what can you do about it?

admin — Tue, 18 Aug 2009 14:54:25 +0000

Doctors are uncertain as to the direct causes of Diverticulitis. One thought is that a diet low in fiber may be a contributing factor. When the diet is missing fiber in order to add bulk to the stool, the colon must work harder than usual in order to push the stool forward.

Symptoms of diverticulitis may last anywhere from a few hours to a week or longer

Symptoms of diverticulitis include:

Belly pain, which is usually localized to the lower left side and is sometimes worse when the individual moves (this is the most common symptom)
Fever and chills
Bloating and gas
Diarrhea and constipation
Nausea and sometimes vomiting
Not feeling like eating

Diagnosis of diverticulitis should be completed by a doctor. There are particular tests, which will determine the diagnosis. Tests will be run in order to determine if the patient has an infection. Tests may include:

Blood tests, including a complete blood count
X-ray, CT scan or a colonoscopy

Treatment depends on how bad symptoms are and whether or not the patient is also suffering from an infection. Some patients are given liquids at first, but can return to solid food once they start feeling better.

Antibiotics may be prescribed if the patient has an infection. Patients should take the medications as instructed and should complete the prescription and avoid stopping taking them because they feel better.

If the patient is suffering from mild cramps or belly pain, the patient should try using a heating pad set on low on his or her belly. Relax and lay down whenever necessary. Meditation and deep breathing exercises can be beneficial to relaxation. Medicine, such as Tylenol or other forms of acetaminophen can also help to reduce pain.

If diverticulitis does not improve with normal treatment, surgery may be the only option. Long-lasting or chronic pain, bowel obstruction, a fistula or an abscess may also be a symptom of diverticulitis.

You can prevent diverticulitis by drinking plenty of water, getting regular exercise and eating a diet high in fiber. High fiber diets include lots of whole grains, fresh fruits and fresh vegetables.

Talk to your doctor about the treatment option, which is best for you. Follow your doctor’s recommendations and try to follow a healthy lifestyle.

How Can Interstitial Cystitis Affect Your Prostate?

admin — Sat, 01 Aug 2009 10:27:23 +0000

Symptoms vary from person to person, however, the patient may experience mild discomfort, pressure, tenderness or even intense pain in the bladder or pelvic region.

Some women may experience additional pain during menstruation or during vaginal intercourse

The pain may change in intensity as the bladder fills or empties. Some symptoms include the need to urinate frequently or urgently or a combination of both.

Symptoms vary so much that researchers believe that rather than there being one cause of IC, that there are several different diseases and illnesses which may point to it.

Symptoms of IC are very similar to that of a bacterial infection. When a patient presents with symptoms of a bacterial infection, his or her doctor will typically run a urinalysis, however, no bacteria will be present in the sample. There is a possibility that heredity may play a role in whether or not an individual suffers from IC.

There is no real test to decide whether or not someone is suffering from IC. The only thing doctors can do is to review the symptoms the patient is having and to rule out all other possible medical ailments.

As of right now, there is no cure for IC. Because of this fact, it is difficult for doctors to determine who will respond to treatment or if treatment will work at all. Distension seems to be of help to patients suffering from IC. Right now the FDA has approved only one drug for IC, which is dimethyl sulfoxide, or DMSO.

One side effect of DMSO is the garlic aftertaste the patient experiences. This odor may affect the breath and skin for up to seven hours after treatment has been completed. Research has shown that long-term use of DMSO has caused cataracts in animals. To date, this side effect has not appeared in humans. For patients who are undergoing DMSO treatment, a series of tests should be completed every six months. These tests include a blood count and kidney and liver function tests.

Electrical nerve stimulation and dietary changes may be recommended by the patient’s doctor as a means of treatment. Exercise and bladder training may also be options. In some cases, surgery or bladder removal may be the final option. Patients should discuss their treatment options with their doctor and make sure they understand the positive and negatives of everything.

What Kind of Treatment will You undergo for Prostatitis?

admin — Sat, 25 Jul 2009 09:00:23 +0000

Prostatitis is a disease of the prostate gland. Prostatitis treatments can vary greatly depending on the type of disease.

One of the main causes of prostatitis is bacteria; therefore, a treatment may be as simple as antibiotics.

The diagnosis of acute bacterial prostatitis is an infection of the prostate that is often caused by some of the same bacteria that cause bladder infections. The signs and symptoms that you have acute prostatitis include: high fever, chills, vomiting, and a general ill feeling.

Therefore, acute bacterial prostatitis is treated with antibiotics. If you have severe symptoms, you may be hospitalized to receive injections of the drug. After your condition has improved, you will continue with oral antibiotics. The total course of treatment is usually two to four weeks.

Similarly with chronic bacterial prostatitis, it is also treated with antibiotics. The duration of treatment is often longer and may need to be repeated if the infection returns. The symptoms for chronic prostatitis are chronic urinary tract infections. Therefore, you may have symptoms that may come and go.

If you have chronic prostatitis, you may have to take regular medications. These may include alpha blockers or simple pain relievers. Alpha blockers are medications used to bladder and the muscle fibers where your prostate joins your bladder. The medication may lessen symptoms, such as painful urination. Pain relievers such as aspirin or ibuprofen may make you more comfortable.

Along with chronic prostatitis, you may experience pelvic pain. This is difficult to treat, as the cause is unclear. However, the goal will be to reduce symptoms such as pain. The doctor may recommend physical therapy, anxiety medications, exercise and stress reduction. A change in diet may also be helpful. This would include avoiding alcohol, caffeine and spicy foods, as they may increase your condition.

Another possible treatment is a prostatic massage. This is performed by your doctor using a lubricated, gloved finger. This is similar to a rectal exam. This procedure has been used for years; however, the effectiveness is in dispute.

To date, there are other treatments that are being used on a trial basis. These include heat therapy and natural treatments.

Finally, along with medications and other treatments, it is possible to use home remedies to decrease your symptoms. One possibility is a sitz bath, which uses hot water to relieve pain. On the opposite side would be using ice. You can place ice packs or ice cubes on your rectum and it will relieve pain. And the best remedy is water. It is always important to drink plenty of water. This will decrease your risk of a bladder infection.

BPH – Diagnosis and Treatment

admin — Wed, 15 Jul 2009 15:20:03 +0000

BPH, also known as benign prostatic hypertrophy, is a condition in which the prostate gland becomes very enlarged and may cause problems associated with urination.

BPH does not usually cause problems until later in life, usually not till the 60s.

One you are diagnosed with BPH, your treatment will be determined by your physician based on your age, overall health, medical history and extent of the disease.

When the prostate gland is just mildly enlarged, treatment may not be needed. Regular checkups are important to watch for developing problems. Your physician will continue monitoring your condition.

There are surgical and non-surgical treatments for BPH. A surgery would involve the removal of the enlarged tissue that is pressing against the urethra. There are three types of surgery: transurethral, laser and open.

The transurethral surgery is done without any external incisions. The surgeon will reach the prostate with an instrument inserted into the urethra. One example of this surgery is a transurethral resection (TRUP). A resectoscope is inserted through the penis and the wire loop on the scope is used to remove the obstructing tissue. The tissue is carried by the fluid into the bladder and flushed out when the surgery is complete. Another form of this surgery is a transurethral incision of the prostate (TUIP), which is a procedure that widens the urethra by making some small cuts in the bladder neck and in the prostate gland itself.

A possibly less evasive form of the prostate gland removal is a laser surgery. In this procedure, a laser is used to vaporize obstructing prostate tissue.

Finally, there is an option for an open surgery, which would require an external incision. This is usually done when the gland is very enlarged, when there are complicating factors, or when the bladder has been damaged and needs to be repaired.

There are also numerous non-surgical treatments. These include the following:

A balloon urethroplasty – this procedure involves a thin tube with a balloon that is inserted into the opening of the penis and guided to the narrowed portion of the urethra. At that point, the balloon is inflated to widen the urethra and ease the flow of urine.

A transurethral microwave thermotherapy (TUMT) – this involves a device that heats and destroys excess prostate tissue to reduce urinary frequency and urgency.

Medications – can be used to shrink or stop the growth of the prostate without using surgery.

What is Proctitis and How is it Related to Prostate Pain?

admin — Sat, 11 Jul 2009 15:58:56 +0000

Proctitis is a side effect of some medical treatments. People who engage in anal sex more commonly contract proctitis, particularly if they have multiple sexual partners.

Proctitis typically affects male adults

Proctitis can be a one-time ailment or a chronic condition. It can be cleared up with a simple treatment plan. The treatment plan for Proctitis is dependent on what has caused it in the first place.

Symptoms of Proctitis include:

- Frequent or continuous urge to have a bowel movement

- Rectal bleeding

- Passing mucous through the rectum

- Anal and rectal pain

- Pain in the lower left abdomen

- A constant feeling of rectal fullness

- Diarrhea, typically frequent, but in small amounts

- Pain with bowel movements

Proctitis is most commonly contracted with sexually transmitted diseases. Anal or oral-anal intercourse is the most common cause. Gonorrhea, syphilis, genital herpes, anal warts and Chlamydia are common causes of Proctitis.

Sometimes, a patient will contract Proctitis from a non-sexually transmitted bacterial infection. It is a rare occurrence in children, but it can occur from the same organism that causes strep throat. Food born illnesses and other bacteria may cause Proctitis.

Inflammatory bowel disease, also referred to as IBD, as associated with ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, may also contribute to Proctitis. Chemicals, such as hydrogen peroxide enemas, medications or placing objects inside of the rectum may also cause Proctitis.

Other causes include:

- Trauma to the anal-rectal area

- Radiation therapy directed at or near the rectum, as with rectal cancer, prostate cancer, cervical cancer or uterine cancer

- Antibiotic use, such as can destroy protective bacteria in the gastrointestinal tract.

People with the following are at a higher risk factor for Proctitis:

- Being the recipient of anal or oral-anal sex

- Having multiple sexual partners

- Having anal sex with a partner who has an STD

- Having anal sex without a condom

- Having inflammatory bowel disease

- Antibiotic use, as for another health condition or ailment

- Radiation therapy directed near the rectum or anus

If you engage in high-risk sexual behavior or are experiencing symptoms of Proctitis, contact your doctor immediately for a medical evaluation. Severe bleeding, anemia from blood loss and dehydration from diarrhea require immediate medical attention.

What is Non-Bacterial Prostatitis?

admin — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 15:24:25 +0000

Prostatitis symptoms are most common in men between the ages of 35 and 50 years old. Approximately 10 % of the male population (between the ages of 20 and 74) show symptoms of Prostatitis.

Approximately half of all men will develop symptoms of Prostatitis at some point in their lives

Studies show that patients who have been diagnosed with Prostatitis will have the same mental health affect as patients with diabetes mellitus and congestive heart failure.

Non-bacterial Prostatitis may be caused by fastidious organisms, which cannot be cultured routinely from a urinary specimen.

Typically, patients who present with non-bacterial Prostatitis are given a two-week trial of antibiotics. If the patient improves, they are typically advised to continue therapy for four to six more weeks.

Ibuprofen may be used to treat painful symptoms.

Surgery may be an option for some patients.

The patient may also be advised to stay away from certain foods, which are thought to be an irritant to the bladder. This includes alcohol, cranberry juice and cranberries, lemon juice, carbonated beverages like sodas, spicy foods, coffee, acidic foods and chocolate.

Patients are typically advised to steer clear of these potential irritants and to limit to consumption of them one at a time in order to determine if their symptoms will improve. This does not work for all patients.

Experts say that avoiding specific activities will not necessarily improve symptoms. On the other hand, relatively frequent ejaculation may help to improve symptoms. The idea behind this is that it follows natural drainage of secretions from the prostate. Some experts also suggest frequent prostate massage in order to promote relief of tension in the pelvic floor.

If symptoms subside, patients do not need additional follow-up. If symptoms do not go away, a periodic evaluation will be necessary. If the patient is 50 years old or older, he should have routine examinations annually, including a rectal examination and a PSA test.

Patients are typically advised to limit stress in their life as this can exasperate symptoms.

The prostate is an important part of a man’s anatomy. In order for it to work properly, it needs male hormones, known as androgens, which are responsible for the male sex characteristics. The main male hormone is testosterone. Testosterone is produced by the testicles. Some male hormones are produced by the adrenal glands. Dihydrotestosterone regulates the prostate.

What is PSA?

admin — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:59:40 +0000

PSA is your prostate specific antigen. It is a protein produced by cells of the prostate gland. The PSA test measures the level of PSA in the blood. To do this test, the doctor takes a blood sample, and the amount of PSA is measured in a laboratory.

PSA levels are important to determine if you have prostate problems, particularly prostate cancer.

There are three different conditions which can affect your PSA levels. These include:

Prostatitis and Lower Urinary Tract symptoms can elevate PSA
BPH (benign hypertrophy or enlargement of the prostate) can elevate PSA
Prostate cancer often elevates PSA — but not always. Some of the most aggressive types of prostate cancer do not show high levels of PSA.

It is normal for men to have a low level of PSA in their blood; however, prostate cancer or benign (non cancerous) conditions can increase a man’s PSA level.

A PSA test is recommended for men over the age of 50 along with a rectal exam. The main reason for this is to test for prostate cancer. Regular screening is usually recommended. However, if you have a family history of cancer, a PSA test may be recommended around the age of 40.

How will your PSA test be read?

PSA is reported as nanograms of PSA per milliliter of blood. The normal levels may vary from doctor to doctor and lab to lab, but it may be around 4.0 ng/ml. It has been shown that 25 to 35 percent of men who have a PSA over 4.1 and up to 9.9 have undergone a biopsy of their prostate and cancer has been found.

Unfortunately, as stated, there are no normal levels. The PSA level can fluctuate even with inflammation, infection, age or prostatitis. If you have one abnormal PSA test, this does not mean you need a biopsy or have cancer. If the PSA level is high and continues to rise, it is more likely cancer is possible. If this is the case, additional tests may be needed.

Prostate cancer can also be present in the complete absence of an elevated PSA level, in which case the test result would be a false positive. In this case, other testing would be used in determination of the possibility of cancer and another PSA test may be conducted.

What is Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis?

admin — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 02:46:23 +0000

The bacteria can be acquired as a sexually transmitted disease and the infection can spread to the prostate. It can affect the prostate through the blood stream.

Patients who are diagnosed with CBP typically show signs of infection

Signs of infection may include:

Fever
Chills
The shakes

Patients also typically experience difficulties with frequent urination as well as painful urination. Chronic bacterial Prostatitis is not very common. It’s when the patient experiences an ongoing bacterial infection in the prostate.

It causes a low-grade infection, however, there are typically no noticeable symptoms.

Sometimes people suffer from chronic Prostatitis, but without the infection. This is also known as chronic pelvic syndrome and is a condition in which there is recurrent pelvic, testicle or rectal pain, but without evidence of a bladder infection. Men may experience painful urination or painful ejaculation and may have erectile dysfunction. Causes for these ailments are not clearly understood by experts as of now.

With CBP, there are typically no symptoms, however, there is an infection within the prostate. Typically speaking, CBP is not a very common condition. It occurs in less than 5 % of all patients. Patients may experience symptoms similar to a UTI. The infection itself is usually diagnosed with a routine urinary culture as well as a routine rectal examination.

During the routine rectal examination, the prostate is massaged and fluid is removed. If no fluid is removed during the massage, a post massage urine will be obtained and should contain prostatic bacteria.

Treatment typically takes approximately four to eight weeks and the patient is given antibiotics. The antibiotics penetrate the prostate. For patients who experience persistent infections may be prescribed alpha blockers or long-term dose antibiotic therapy.

The chance for relapse can be as high as 50 %. The likeliness of getting a CBP infection are not very high, but if you think you present with some of the symptoms, schedule an appointment with your doctor to verify that you do indeed suffer from CBP and to discuss treatment options.

What are the Stages of Prostate Cancer?

admin — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:58:16 +0000

PSA tests and a biopsy are common ways of determining which stage the prostate cancer has entered into. TNM Staging is another method to determine which stage the cancer has entered.

Prostate cancer

An Oncologist specializes in cancer treatment and can help determine how far along the cancer has progressed to

Stage A

This is the earliest stage of prostate cancer. It’s typically determined by PSA tests or a biopsy. At this point in time, a prognosis cannot be made until the doctors recognize how far the cancer has spread.

Stage B

In Stage B, it is known that the cancer has spread to various parts of the prostate.

Stage C

In Stage C, the cancer has spread throughout the prostate and may have spread to other tissues nearby the prostate. It may also have spread to the bladder by now.

Stage D

In Stage D, the cancer has spread throughout the prostate and beyond. It’s in the nearby tissue. If is still concentrated to the pelvic area, the stage is referred to as D1. If the cancer has spread to the bone, it’s referred to as D2.

Gleason Score

The Gleason Score is based on the arrangement of cancer cells in tumors under a microscope. This is looked at by a pathologist. The lower the score the patient has, the better. The lowest possible Gleason Score is 2. A typical Gleason Score is between 5 and 7 and if the score is between 7 and 10, it is considered to be rather high.

Some physicians use TNM Staging, which is a universal scoring system. It looks at how far the cancer has spread. To determine the TNM Staging, the Oncologist looks at the tumor size, referred to as T staging, the lymph node involvement, referred to as N staging, and the presence of cancer in other parts of the body, or its metastasis, referred to as M staging.

T Staging

This staging goes from T1 to T4 and has some sub-stages. In the T1 stage, the cancer can’t be seen or felt. A biopsy has confirmed the presence of cancer. T1a means the cancer is present in 5 % or less of the prostate tissue which has been examined. T1b means that cancer is present in more than 5 % of the prostate tissue.

T2 means that the cancer is concentrated only to the prostate. T2a means that the cancer is only on one side of the prostate, and T2b means that the cancer is on both sides of the prostate.

T3 means that the cancer has spread beyond the prostate to nearby tissues and organs. T3a means that the cancer is not found in the seminal glands and T3b means that it has spread to the seminal glands. T4 tumors have spread to other organs, like the bladder or rectum.

There is N0 to N1 staging. N0 staging means that the cancer has not spread to the lymph nodes and N1 staging means that the cancer has spread to the lymph nodes.

M staging also goes from M0 to M1. M0 means that the cancer has not spread to distant tissues and M1 means that the cancer has been found in distant tissues. M1a means it has been found in the lymph nodes beyond the pelvic area. M1b means it’s been found in the bone and M1c means it’s been found in other sites.

Prostatic Abscess and Your Prostate

admin — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 00:47:48 +0000

Prostatic abscess due to fungi is a rare condition. It can be very difficult to diagnose. The symptoms it produces may mimic several other illnesses and it often times goes undiagnosed or misdiagnosed.

Prostatic abscess is a disease which is rarely seen in this day and age

Although uncommon, a prostatic abscess are typically related to a urinary tract infection. It is typically diagnosed by a complete physical examination and taking a look at the patient’s medical history. The patient may experience pain during a rectal examination, known as a digital rectal exam, there may be reddening and swelling in the area between anus and the scrotum.

A transrectal ultrasound may be used to identify a prostatic abscess.

The prostate is part of the male’s sexual organs. It’s approximately the size of a walnut and surrounds the tube called the urethra, which is located just below the bladder. The urethra has two different jobs within the human body. The first job is to carry urine from the bladder when you urinate. The second job is to carry semen during a sexual climax.

Semen can be described as a combination of sperm mixed with fluid, which the prostate adds.

The most common prostate problem for a man under the age of 50 is Prostatitis. For men over the age of 50, the most common problem is prostate enlargement. This condition is sometimes referred to as benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH. Older men are also at a much higher risk for developing prostate cancer.

Prostate cancer is less common than BPH. Please seek further information about prostate cancer from the National Cancer Institute.

Prostatitis is a condition in which the prostate becomes inflamed or irritated. Some men experience a burning sensation during urination with Prostatitis. They also sometimes urinate more frequently. Other symptoms may be a fever or feelings of being tired or fatigued.

Inflammation in any part of the body is typically a sign that the body is fighting off germs or repairing an injury or trauma. Prostatitis is sometimes caused by certain types of bacteria. Bacterial Prostatitis can be seen in a urine sample using a microscope.

Most often times, doctors do not see bacteria with Prostatitis. Different treatment options are available depending on the original causes. Work closely with your doctor to discover the treatment option which is best for you.

Prostate Health » diagnosis

Diverticulitis: What is it and what can you do about it?

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How Can Interstitial Cystitis Affect Your Prostate?

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What Kind of Treatment will You undergo for Prostatitis?

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BPH – Diagnosis and Treatment

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What is Proctitis and How is it Related to Prostate Pain?

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What is Non-Bacterial Prostatitis?

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What is PSA?

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What is Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis?

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What are the Stages of Prostate Cancer?

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Prostatic Abscess and Your Prostate

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