Although it’s only the size of a walnut, the prostate can cause some trouble…

The prostate secretes an alkaline fluid that nourishes semen as it leaves the penis. Various prostate problems affect millions of men over the age of 50, and some conditions have little to no warning signs.

Do you know about the various prostate problems? Keep reading to learn about the most common prostate conditions and how they affect your day-to-day life.

Prostatitis

In simple words, prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate. This condition is more common in men between the ages of 30 and 50 years, but it can affect men of any age.

There are two types of prostatitis.

1. Bacterial Prostatitis

Caused by an acute or chronic bacterial infection, bacterial prostatitis is treated with antibiotic drugs that target the prostate.

Bacterial prostatitis is the simpler of the two types of inflammation!

2. Non-Bacterial Prostatitis

Also called chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS), this is the most common form of prostatitis and often has unknown causes. Symptoms differ widely from person to person and there isn’t a single test to confirm the diagnosis.

Possible causes include:

• past bacterial prostatitis infection
• chemical irritation
• issues with the nerves that connect the lower urinary tract
• issues with pelvic floor muscles
• sexual abuse
• chronic anxiety

Treatment for prostatitis depends on the nature of prostatitis and is usually dealt with on a case-to-case basis.

Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH)

Also called non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate, this condition becomes more common as men age. BPH is not life-threatening, but it can impact your quality of life.

The urethra narrows due to enlargement of the prostate, resulting in a build-up of pressure on the bladder. Left untreated, it blocks the flow of urine.

Sudden blockages, called acute urinary retention, are painful. Doctors provide temporary relief by inserting a catheter to release the urine. You can order prescription medications from pricepropharmacy.com to manage the pain that comes with acute urinary retention caused by BPH.

Chronic urinary retention can lead to an accumulation of urine in the bladder. This type of retention is more dangerous because it’s pain-free and goes unnoticed.

Treatment can include:

• medications that relax the smooth muscle of the prostate gland
• medications to shrink the prostate
• surgery to widen the channel of the urethra that passes through the prostate

Prostate Cancer

Affecting 1 in 8 men, prostate cancer is the most common prostate condition. Even with the number of yearly cases, the cause of prostate cancer remains unknown.

In the beginning stages of prostate cancer, the cancer cells are found only in the prostate gland. More aggressive forms of the condition have cancer cells entering your body‘s vascular and lymphatic systems – resulting in secondary tumors.

Treatment for prostate cancer depends on each patient. Management methods include the following:

• surveillance
• surgery (e.g. removing the prostate)
• radiotherapy
• minimally-invasive treatments (e.g. high-intensity focused ultrasound)
• hormone treatment
• chemotherapy

Treat Prostate Problems for Whole-Body Health

Looking after your body means caring for every organ, even the tiny ones! Knowing the most common prostate problems means that you are informed and can approach seeking treatment with confidence.

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