Prostate diseases
Due to the higher average age and the modern lifestyle, prostate diseases are among the most common male diseases today. Around every second man is confronted with such a diagnosis at least once in his life.
What are prostate diseases?
The prostate is a gland below the bladder that is part of the male sex organs. Their main task is the formation of a secretion that is released with the sperm during ejaculation. This secretion prolongs the lifespan of the sperm, dilutes the semen and thus increases the man’s fertility.
In addition to producing secretions, the prostate converts testosterone into dihydrotestosterone and also helps to close the bladder neck. It prevents urine from entering the vas deferens or semen from entering the urethra. If these important functions of the prostate can no longer be carried out correctly and painlessly, a prostate disease is present.
There are several prostate diseases that affect sex life or bladder function in different ways. In many cases, both areas are affected. Prostate diseases have a massive impact on the quality of life of those affected and can be fatal. If there is a bacterial cause, the prostate disease can also become chronic.
causes
The causes of prostate diseases are diverse and in some cases still unclear. To date, there is no clear explanation as to why the prostate can swell to an unhealthy size. The change in size is due to an unusual proliferation of cells, but no one knows what causes it.The development of prostate cancer cannot be understood from a scientific point of view either. In both prostate diseases, an unfavorable combination of genetic predisposition and a risky lifestyle is considered the most likely cause. If a man’s close male relatives have already had prostate cancer, the likelihood of him also getting cancer is doubled.
Obesity, lack of exercise, excessive meat consumption and diabetes seem to promote the development of these prostate diseases.
What is certain is that prostate enlargement and cancer are much more common in older men than in younger ones. From the age of 50, the risk increases enormously. Some inflammation can clearly be traced back to bacteria. These are mostly intestinal bacteria that get into the urethra during intercourse, for example, and settle there and in the prostate.
The causative agents of some sexually transmitted diseases also lead to inflammation. Abacterial inflammation can be the result of tense pelvic floor muscles or psychological problems. External irritations such as those caused by uncomfortable bicycle saddles and sitting on cold, hard surfaces are also possible causes of prostate diseases.
If such bladder emptying disorders persist for a longer period of time, ascending infections often occur, which can then also damage the kidneys. In the case of complete urinary retention (BPH III) with incontinence (dribbling), the patient often complains of severe pain and specialist urological treatment is essential at this point at the latest.
symptoms and course
Typical symptoms of prostate diseases:
Depending on the prostate disease, there are different symptoms. A burning sensation when urinating and pain throughout the pelvic area, from the genitals to the anal region, are typical of prostate problems. The same applies to noticeable changes such as a greatly increased urge to urinate, which is also reported at night. These symptoms are similar to those of a bladder infection .
Those affected often have an uneven stream of urine and cannot empty their bladder completely. Urinating is becoming increasingly difficult and is only possible with active pressing. Due to the functions of the prostate, their diseases often affect sex life. The consequences are erectile dysfunction and pain after ejaculation. Blood in urine or semen is very rare but can be a sign of prostate cancer. However, it is also possible that a vein has burst due to another prostate disease when you are urinating.
shapes and types
Prostate diseases fall broadly into three categories: inflammation, abnormal prostate enlargement, and cancer. Inflammation of the prostate (also called prostatitis) can have bacterial and non-bacterial causes. In both cases, an acute or chronic disease is possible. Abacterial inflammation is more common and is also known as chronic pelvic pain syndrome.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia is the technical term for the enlargement of the prostate. It is the most common benign tumor in men. Depending on the size of the prostate, there may be no symptoms at all, they may be uncomfortable, or they may block the bladder, which is life-threatening. Prostate cancer is the third most common cancer in men. 3% of the male population in Germany dies from this prostate disease.
treatment and therapy
Surgical interventions are often used in the treatment of prostate diseases. An enlarged prostate can only be treated with medication if it is detected early. Later on, they no longer help, so that parts of the prostate have to be removed during an operation. It is also possible to support the stability of the urethra with an implant so that the expanding prostate cannot block the flow of urine.
Prostate cancer is also surgically removed, with various methods being established. The surgery can be performed through a laparoscopy or an incision on the perineum (perineum) without having to cut open the abdomen. As with other types of cancer, radiation or chemotherapy can also be used.
Another option is targeted heating by ultrasound , which kills the tumor. Antibiotics and anti-inflammatories are given for prostate infections. Various foods such as broccoli seem to have a positive effect on healing and are used to support prostate diseases.
prevention
In order to keep the probability of prostate diseases low, a healthy lifestyle should be maintained. In addition to sport or regular walks, this includes a healthy diet in which red meat is only eaten in moderation.The normal weight should be strived for, heavy smoking should be avoided. Condoms and good hygiene prevent infections.
From the age of 45, every man is entitled to one examination per year, in which prostate diseases can be detected at an early stage. In addition to rectal palpation, blood and urine tests are also possible.
Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.