Prostate Health » symptoms

Prostatitis – Risks, Symptoms, Diagnosis

admin — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 15:13:43 +0000

Although any man can develop prostatitis at any age, there are some conditions that put a man at greater risk for developing this condition.

Learn more about these conditions that may put a man at greater risk.

Recent bladder, urinary tract, or other infection elsewhere in the body

Injury or trauma to the perineum (the area between the scrotum and the anus)

Abnormal urinary tract

Enlarged prostate

Rectal intercourse

Recent procedure involving the insertion of a urinary catheter or cystoscope

What are the symptoms of prostatitis?

The following are the most common, general symptoms of prostatitis. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include: urinary frequency and/or urgency, burning or stinging sensation during urination, painful urination, reduced stream volume during urination, rectal pain and/or pressure, fever and chills (usually present with an acute infection only), lower back and/or pelvic pain, discharge through the urethra during bowel movements, sexual dysfunction and/or loss of libido (sex drive), throbbing sensations in the rectal and/or genital area

The symptoms of prostatitis may resemble other medical conditions or problems. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.

How is prostatitis diagnosed?

The most effective treatment for prostatitis depends heavily upon an accurate diagnosis. In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, diagnostic procedures for prostatitis may include the following:

Urine culture, including triple-void urine specimen collection (Also called three-glass urine collection method.) – often used in collaboration with the prostate stripping procedure, the three-glass urine collection method involves collecting and evaluating the prostatic fluid and urine for the presence of white blood cells and bacteria.

Digital rectal examination (DRE) is a procedure in which the physician inserts a gloved finger into the rectum to examine the rectum and the prostate gland for signs of cancer.

Prostate stripping (Also called massaging.) is a procedure in which prostate fluid is collected for examination. This procedure is usually performed during a digital rectal examination (DRE) and involves the physician “stripping” the prostate gland to drain fluid into the urethra. This fluid is then examined under a microscope to detect the presence of inflammation and/or infection.

Cystoscopy (Also called cystourethroscopy) is an examination in which a scope, a flexible tube and viewing device, is inserted through the urethra to examine the bladder and urinary tract for structural abnormalities or obstructions, such as tumors or stones.

Once a diagnosis has been made your physician can go over all of the treatment options and together you can decide on the course of treatment that is right for you.

General Patient Oriented Information about Prostatitis

admin — Wed, 05 Aug 2009 10:44:46 +0000

Being educated can make all the difference in treatment for prostatitis. You can be lost in all of the places information is available. Make sure the information is directed to you, the patient.

What do you know about prostatitis?

Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland, often resulting in swelling or pain. Prostatitis can result in four significant symptoms: pain, urination problems, sexual dysfunction, and general health problems, such as feeling tired and depressed.

The prostate is a reproductive gland located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum. It wraps around the urethra, a tube that carries urine from the bladder. The prostate produces most of a male’s semen.

To diagnose prostatitis, a physician will collect a patient’s urine and thoroughly exam his prostate gland. To check the prostate gland, a physician will carry out a digital rectal examination, which involves inserting a well lubricated gloved finger into the rectum to check for any abnormalities of the gland. The physician also may collect a sample of prostate fluid so that it can be analyzed.

Some physicians also may want to carry out a prostate specific antigen test to measure the amount of this chemical in a person’s blood. Both prostatitis and prostate cancer can increase a patient’s PSA level.

Estimates on the number of males in the United States who will experience prostatitis during their lifetimes range up to 50 percent. Many urologic disease experts feel that from 5 to 10 percent of males will be experiencing prostatitis at a particular time, making it one of the most common urologic diseases in the U.S.

Over the years, prostatitis has been subdivided into a number of categories, but today commonly accepted variations of the disease include nonbacterial, acute, and chronic.

By far, the most common type of prostatitis is nonbacterial prostatitis. Symptoms may include frequent urination and pain in the lower abdomen or lower back area. Causes may be stress and irregular sexual activity. Treatments for nonbacterial prostatitis may include anti-inflammatory medications or muscle relaxants, taking hot baths, drinking extra fluids, learning to relax when urinating, and ejaculating frequently.

Acute bacterial prostatitis can be the result of bacteria, a virus, or a sexually transmitted disease. Symptoms may include fever and chills, low back pain, frequent and painful urination, weak stream when urinating, and infrequent urination. These infections often are treated with antibiotics, bed rest, stool softener, and increased fluid intake.

Chronic prostatitis may be bacterial or the result of an inflammation of the prostate. Symptoms may include frequent bladder infections, frequent urination, and persistent pain in the lower abdomen or back.

This form of prostatitis often is treated with medications (often antibiotics), changes in the diet, biofeedback, and nonprescription supplements.

Prostatitis – A Correct Diagnosis

admin — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 16:05:41 +0000

Prostatitis isn’t a single condition but a group of disorders with related symptoms. Some forms of prostatitis are generally well understood. More common forms of prostatitis aren’t as well understood and are more difficult to diagnose and treat. Some medications help manage the symptoms, and new therapies are under investigation.

Learning general information can lead to a correct diagnosis.

The National Institutes of Health classification for prostatitis divides it into four categories, based on such factors as cause, typical course of the disease, immune system activity and symptoms. The four categories are:

Category 1: Acute bacterial prostatitis

Category 2: Chronic bacterial prostatitis

Category 3: Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain

Category 4: Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis

Common symptoms
Prostatitis symptoms vary depending on the type of prostatitis you have. In general, the symptoms are related to pain or discomfort in the pelvic region, problems with urination and problems with ejaculations. Signs and symptoms may include: pain or burning sensation when urinating; difficulty urinating, such as dribbling or hesitant urination; frequent urination, particularly at night Urgent need to urinate; pain in the abdomen, groin or lower back; pain in the area between the penis and rectum (perineum); pain or discomfort of the penis or testicles; painful ejaculations

Acute bacterial prostatitis
If you have acute bacterial prostatitis, you may have symptoms associated with the sudden onset of infection: high fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, and a general feeling of being unwell.

Chronic bacterial prostatitis: The key feature of chronic bacterial prostatitis is frequent urinary tract infections. Between episodes of these infections, a person with chronic bacterial prostatitis may have no symptoms, mild symptoms or severe symptoms.

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain: The condition is generally considered chronic if the symptoms last for at least three months. For some men, the symptoms remain about the same over time, and for others the symptoms go through cycles of being more and less severe. Symptoms sometimes improve over time without treatment.

Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis: If you have asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis, you have no symptoms. Inflammation of the prostate gland is found only by chance when you’re undergoing tests for other conditions.

When to see a doctor: The symptoms of prostatitis are similar to many other diseases affecting the urinary tract and the male sexual organs. Many of these can have serious consequences if left untreated, and they usually affect your everyday life and general well-being. If you experience any pelvic pain, difficult or painful urination, or painful ejaculations, see your doctor to get an accurate diagnosis and prompt, appropriate treatment. There are notable differences in symptoms of the four categories.

Prostate Health: What medications are available?

admin — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 02:26:17 +0000

There are two main types of medications for BPH: alpha-blockers and 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors. Alpha-blockers relax muscles near the prostate while 5 alpha-reductase inhibitors shrink the prostate gland.

These medications when combined can improve your symptoms.

Alpha-blockers help treat benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) by relaxing smooth muscle tissue found in the prostate and the bladder neck. The relaxing of the muscles near the prostate relieves pressure and lets urine flow more freely, but doesn’t shrink the size of the prostate.

5 alpha-reductase inhibitors, known as finasteride or dutasteride, can help shrink the prostate. This can relieve symptoms by blocking an enzyme that acts on the male hormone testosterone to boost organ growth. When the enzyme is blocked, growth slows down. This helps to:

Shrink the prostate
Reduce blockage
Limit the need for BPH surgery

You may need to take 5 alpha reductase for at least 6 months to a year before you can increase urine flow and reduce the symptoms of BPH. It seems to work best for men with very large prostates. Unfortunately, this medication must be taken continuously to prevent symptoms from coming back.

5 alpha-reductase inhibitors can cause the following side effects in a small percentage of men:

Decreased interest in sex
Trouble getting or keeping an erection
Smaller amount of semen with ejaculation.

It is important to note that taking this drug can lower your prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test levels. There is also evidence that finasteride lowers the risk of getting prostate cancer, but whether it lowers the risk of dying from prostate cancer is still unclear.

In general, these medications are usually taken by mouth one to two times a day. Most men will notice a significant improvement within the next couple days, but definitely in the first two weeks.

It is important to use a combination of an alpha-blocker with a 5-alpha reductase inhibitor, which may help your symptoms more than either medicine alone.

If your bladder is completely damaged, the medications may not be effective and surgical intervention may be required. If possible medications should be attempted before an evasive surgery.

There are also many prostate medications for prostate cancer treatment. With cancer, you may undergo hormone therapy. Hormones are drugs that can affect the growth of prostate cancer cells. This therapy may be used with radiation treatment or surgery to make sure the cancer cells are destroyed.

Relieving Prostatitis Symptoms

admin — Thu, 09 Jul 2009 02:18:50 +0000

Just as symptoms vary from one person to another, the ways that symptoms are relieved and treated can also vary.

Here are some general ways prostatitis can be relieved.

Early diagnosis is important. See your healthcare professional at the first sign of symptoms.

Some tips for relieving the symptoms include:

There are a number of “tips” for relieving symptoms of prostatitis. They are especially helpful early on, before antibiotics have a chance to cure infection, or for patients with chronic or non-bacterial prostatitis.

Hot sitz baths: Exposing the perineum to very hot water for 20 minutes or longer often relieves pain. Hot and cold contrast sitz baths can help reduce inflammation.

Ice: When heat does not help, ice packs, or simply placing a small ice cube in the rectum, may relieve pain for hours.

Water: A patient who has to urinate very often may want to cut back on his fluid intake but this will cause dehydration and increase the risk of bladder infection. Instead, it is best to drink plenty of water.

Diet: Most doctors recommend cutting out–or cutting down on–caffeine (as in coffee or tea), alcohol, and spicy or acid foods. Constipation should be avoided because large, hard bowel movements may press on the swollen prostate and cause great pain. Bran cereals and whole-grain breads are helpful.

Exercise: It is especially important for patients with chronic prostatitis to keep up their activity level. Simply walking often will help (unless walking happens to make the pain worse). Consult with your doctor before beginning any strenuous exercise program.

Frequent ejaculation: Ejaculating two or three times a week often is recommended, especially when taking antibiotics.

Acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine also can be effective in treating prostatitis. Nutritional supplements that support the prostate, including zinc, omega-3fatty acids, several amino acids, and anti-inflammatory nutrients and herbs, can help reduce pain and promote healing.

Potential sources of infection should be avoided. Good perineal hygiene should be maintained and sex should be avoided when one’s partner has an active bacterial vaginal infection. If the kidneys, bladder, or other genitourinary organs are infected, prompt treatment may prevent the development of prostatitis. By far the best way of preventing chronic prostatitis is to treat an initial acute episode promptly and effectively.

Learning to recognize when something is not right with your body is important to overall health. Learning about prostatitis is an important step to its treatment. More importantly is seeking early medical help from your doctor or trusted healthcare professional. Symptoms left untreated can lead to more serious symptoms and can prolong the prostatitis. It’s a treatable condition.

Prostate Health » symptoms

Prostatitis – Risks, Symptoms, Diagnosis

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General Patient Oriented Information about Prostatitis

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Prostatitis – A Correct Diagnosis

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Prostate Health: What medications are available?

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Relieving Prostatitis Symptoms

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