With lifestyle changes and environmental pollution and inappropriate eating habits, many of us have the risk of affected by unwanted diseases. Prostate diseases are one of the diseases that may affect men in old age. The prostate gland or prostate is a walnut-size of the male reproductive system organ. It located at the base of the bladder. Through the prostate, there runs a thin tube that allows urine and semen to pass out of the penis. The prostate gland produces fluids that nourish, feed and savior sperm cells.
According to Dr. Anshuman Agarwal, a renowned and senior consultant in urology and robotic surgery, about 25 percent of men whose age is 55 and above have a prostate condition. The number rises up to 50 percent by the age of 70 years. It is also true that the early stages of prostate diseases may not have any significant symptoms.
Forms of prostate disease
There are basically three common forms of prostate disease that may include as such below:
1. Prostatitis (Inflammation in the prostate)
The problem of prostatitis may occur in men of any age. It is widely prevalent in young men, aged between 30 and 50 years. Most common types of prostatitis are:
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Bacterial prostatitis
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Non-bacterial prostatitis
2. Benign prostatic hyperplasia (non-cancerous enlargement)
The benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is more common in the old man. Although it is not life-threatening, can prominently affect the quality of your life. The enlargement of prostate glands causes the urethra to narrow, consequently put more pressure on the base of the bladder. This can lead to the blockage in the flow of urine.
3. Prostate cancer
It usually affects the managed 50 and above. Although the chief causes are not known, advancing age and family history are considered to be the major contributing factors.
Symptoms of prostate disease
The prostate diseases are very unlikely to have prominent symptoms in the early stage.
It largely depends on the condition and stage of the diseases. However, some symptoms may include as below:
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The urge to urinate often
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Difficulty or trouble starting the flow of urine
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Pain during urination
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Blood in the urine
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The bladder does not get fully emptied
Diagnose of prostate disease
A variety of tests are utilized to diagnose prostate disease, such as:
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Physical examination, called a digital rectal examination (DRE), to check the size of the prostate
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Blood test for prostate-specific antigen (PSA)
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Ultrasound scans and urinary flow studies
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Midstream urine (MSU)
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Biopsies of the prostate
Treatment for the prostate disease
In the case of prostatitis, the inflammation of the prostate, the doctor usually administers antibacterial medicine and supportive treatments, depending on the type of inflammation.
To treat the benign prostatic hyperplasia, the doctor gives medications to relax the muscles of the glands or to shrink the size of the prostate. The doctor may also perform surgery to widened the channel in the part of the urethra.
The approach to treat prostate cancer may include:
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Active surveillance
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Radiotherapy
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Surgery
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Ablative treatment
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Chemotherapy
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Androgen deprivation therapy