Prostate Disorders

Prostate disorders are not uncommon in older men. The prostate is a gland that is situated in front of the rectum and below the bladder in men. The main role of this small gland is regulating the seminal fluid. However, it also plays a role in urinary functions. Older men often complain of prostate disorders and these disorders are rare in young men.

Prostate disorder symptoms are more or less the same even though there are different types of problems of the prostate. Frequent urination, painful urination, burning and irritation during urination, pain in the pelvis and abdominal regions and a feeling of incomplete urination are signs to look out for. The person must also watch out for nocturia, that is frequent urination at night and hematuria, that is, the presence of blood in the urine. Urinary Tract Infections or UTIs, impotence, sudden stoppage of urine and insufficient urine are also symptoms of a prostate disorder.

Common prostate disorders are Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia or BPH, Prostatitis or the inflammation of the prostate gland and Prostate Cancer. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia is not dangerous and is mainly the swelling of the prostate gland. Signs and symptoms of this disorder include frequent urination, a feeling of incompleteness after urination and insufficient urine. Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland. Common symptoms are urinary symptoms, pain in the lower abdomen and back, pain in the zone between the scrotum and rectum also known as the perineum. Prostate cancer as the name suggests is cancer developing in the prostate gland. As with other types of cancers, this cancer is not always detected and if it spreads to other body parts can be fatal.

Prostrate disorders treatment is preceded by the right diagnosis to determine the exact disorder the person is suffering from. Treatment for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia is relatively simple. It focuses on making the gland exert less pressure on the urinary bladder and urinary tract. Medication is prescribed to patients with BPH. Some of them relax the muscles in and around the gland and the bladder whereas others actually reduce the size of the prostate gland itself. If BPH causes too much of discomfort, surgical procedures to remove a part of a gland may be resorted to. Prostatitis is also treated with heavy antibiotics. Pain killers may be administered to bring down the pain, and even a prostatic massage done by a specialized doctor is well known treatment methods. As for cancer of the prostate gland, treatment will be aimed at getting rid of the cancer completely by surgery, radiation, and cryotherapy or hormone therapy. If the cancer does not spread to other body parts, it is not very dangerous and in such cases the patient may choose to wait before undergoing any procedure on the prostate gland.

Many also believe that alternative prostate disorder cures can provide some relief. Hot and cold hipbaths help soothe the pain. Tying a wet girdle is believed to reduce the prostate enlargement and inflammation. Water fast along with enema intake is also supposedly good for bowel cleansing. Home remedies for prostate infection include pumpkin seeds, vegetables and fruit juices, vitamin E, zinc and lemon juice. Pumpkin seeds should be consumed on a daily basis. Carrot and spinach juices are also very beneficial. Foods rich in vitamin E such as dark green leafy vegetables, fish, eggs and milk must be consumed. A lot of fruits should be added to the patient’s diet.

Prostate disorders and erectile dysfunction are sometimes related. Inability to achieve an erection may be caused by an underlying prostate disorder or due to a treatment for this disorder that a patient may be undergoing.

Submitted on January 16, 2014