Urological Disorders Are Treated By Atlanta Urology Specialists

If you need a urologist, one great place to find one is on an Atlanta Urology Specialists website. These sites list doctors in many of the different medical fields, so you have an easy way to find a doctor that will work with you to help solve your urological needs. A urologist is a trained medical doctor specializing in medicine of the urinary tract of both men and women, along with the male reproductive system. Urology can be broken down into further specialization, including neurourology, pediatric urology, and urologic oncology. Some urologists also offer treatment for male infertility and sexual dysfunction. There are Atlanta urology clinics available that offer these services and more. Neurourology has to do with abnormal urination and the effect of the nervous system on the urinary tract. Some medical conditions that effect the nervous system also have an impact on the urinary tract as well. Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis and spinal cord injury can result in urinary disorders such as incontinence, overactive bladder, and urinary retention. Stress incontinence is one form of urological disorder that can often be helped by Atlanta urology specialists. It happens when activity, such as coughing, exercising, sneezing or laughing can cause a small urine loss. This can occur when muscles of the pelvic floor become weakened, sometime due to childbirth or pregnancy, but can also be caused by menopause in women and in men after a prostatectomy. Stress incontinence is often treatable, and this is a great topic of discussion to bring up with your Atlanta Urology Specialists, who can offer the best advice for your specific condition.Urinary retention is the inability to urinate. This can be a very serious condition that requires immediate medical attention, because it can cause the bladder to stretch significantly, causing pain and even causing urine to back up into the kidneys, which can cause kidney failure. Prostate cancer can cause urinary retention to occur, so it is crucial to have regular exams of the prostate to catch cancers early and begin treatment. Atlanta urology clinics can offer these types of diagnostic and treatment services.Many people have an overactive bladder. It often makes the patient have to urinate often, even throughout the night. Sometimes some simple lifestyle changes, such as limiting the amounts of fluids drunk as well as removing caffeine from the diet, can help reduce the instances of this occurring. Older people are more likely to have this medical condition than are younger ones. There are some medications and devices that can be used to lessen the impact of an overactive bladder on one’s lifestyle. Your Atlanta Urology Specialists can offer you the best advice on treatments available.

Spotting Developing Prostate Problems

For most men passing the age of forty-five is not only a sign of the dreaded ‘middle’ age but is also the point at which they might well expect to see the arrival of prostate problems at any day. Enlargement of the prostate (also referred to as benign prostatic hypertrophy, or BPH) is a normal part of the ageing process and, as its name suggests, it is not a life-threatening condition.In the vast majority of cases the symptoms of an enlarged prostate will be relatively mild and, although most men are aware of them, they simply choose to live with them as something of a nuisance and merely a sign of getting old. In some cases however symptoms can be become more than a simple nuisance and then you will need to consult your physician and seek one of the many different treatments available today.The prostate gland, which is an important part of the male reproductive system, partly surrounds the urethra, which is the tube that caries urine out of the body from the bladder. This means that, as the prostate grows it will start to press on the urethra gradually narrowing it and interfering with the normal flow of urine. It is here therefore that the first signs of a problem usually become evident.It is common for example to begin to experience difficulty in starting the flow of urine and this will be seen as a need to strain in order to start passing water. Once the flow of urine does start it may be weak and tend to stop and start. You may well also experience a dribbling or urine after you have finished and will often feel that you have not emptied your bladder.It is also very common for people with an enlarged prostate to visit the bathroom more frequently and often with a sense of urgency, feeling that you can no longer ‘hold on’ as you used to do. Many men also find that they increasingly have to get up during the night to visit the bathroom.Interference with the process of emptying the bladder can also lead in some men to an increased risk of urinary track infection and this is often felt as a burning sensation when urinating. In these cases you should always seek treatment from your physician or an urologist.But should you consult your doctor when the symptoms of an enlarged prostate start to appear or, since it is simply a part of the normal ageing process, ignore it unless it becomes too much of a nuisance?The simple answer is that you should always consult your physician for two reasons. The first is that prostate enlargement can lead to other problems such as damage to the bladder and kidneys which can be serious. The second is that, in addition to an enlarged prostate, many men will also develop prostate cancer and the symptoms of an enlarged prostate may well mask this until the cancer is too far advanced to treat it effectively.About one in six men will contract prostate cancer and well over ninety percent of these cases can be effectively treated if they are caught early enough.

The Intricacies of the Male Reproductive System

Male Reproductive SystemThe male reproductive system is a crucial part of the male body. Like the rest of the human body it is affected by the lifestyle, diet and exercise that the human body receives. Thus when the reproductive health of a couple is being investigated doctors may recommend a change in lifestyle, better eating habits and a more vigorous exercise routine. It has been found that in infertility cases one third are caused due to male infertility and one third are attributed to problems in the female reproductive system.The Male Reproductive System.Human anatomy is both fascinating as well as interesting to study and understand. The reproductive systems of both the male and the female body are complex and affected by several factors. Their functioning is based not just on their proper structure but also on other parts of the body and their functioning. The male reproductive system is particularly prone to infection such as that of urinary tract and needs to be paid adequate attention. Infection in males reproductive system may be a cause for infertility.It is important for men to understand the male reproductive systems and the way it functions. This enables them to understand when a problem or infection exists in the reproductive system. While hormones seem to affect the female reproductive system quite strongly, their influence on the reproductive-male is also significant.Male Reproduction and Male Infertility.Infertility may be caused by a problem in either the male or female reproductive systems. It may also be attributed to physiological incompatibility and in many cases the cause of infertility may be unknown. Common male reproductive problems include blockage in the reproductive organs, inadequate sperm count, chromosomal abnormality and weak sperm activity. Many problems can be successfully treated with a reproductive medicine.For centuries scientists and alternate medicine practitioners have been studying the human anatomy, with special emphasis on the reproduction organs, perhaps because the marvel of conception never fails to fascinate scientists. Today there are several methods by which infertility can be treated. If a couple has been unable to conceive despite having unprotected sexual intercourse for over a year, then it is recommended that they visit a fertility or infertility clinic. The doctor would first suggest for some tests to be carried out in order to determine whether both the man’s as well as the woman’s reproductive system is working optimally. Once the problem has been identified it can be resolved with drugs, a male fertility supplement or by other techniques.Alternate therapies such as acupuncture and Chinese medication may also be useful. It is found that certain herbs and teas are effective in increasing fertility. Most doctors recommend that you carry on with alternative therapies along with conventional treatment and drugs. Acupuncture involves the insertion of fine needles at centers or points in the body where the ‘chi’ or energy in the body may be blocked. It is found to be effective in enhancing male fertility in cases where the problem is functional rather than structural. If the couple is still having problems getting pregnant despite all efforts, ivf may be considered. Like all other body parts adequate care and consideration needs to be given to the male reproductive system.

Prostate Enlargement – Staying Ahead of the Curve

What are prostate glands?The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that forms part of the male reproductive system. The prostate gland is located just below a male’s bladder and surrounds the top portion of the tube that drains urine from the bladder The gland is made of two lobes, or regions, enclosed by an outer layer of tissue. The gland’s primary function is to produce most of the fluids in semen, the fluid that nourishes and transports sperm.What are common prostate problems?The most common prostate problem for men under 50 is prostatitis. For men over 50, the most common prostate problem is prostate enlargement. This condition is also called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Older men are at risk for prostate cancer as well, but this disease is much less common than BPH.Prostatitis.In this disorder the prostate glands are either inflamed or irritated. If you have prostatitis you may have a burning feeling while urinating, or you have to urinate more often, or you may have fever, or just feel tired.Inflammation in any part of the body is usually a sign that the body is fighting germs or repairing an injury. If prostatitis is due to bacteria, doctors may prescribe antibiotics. Prostatitis can be caused by kidney stones or cancer. Non-bacterial prostatitis also occurs and doctors usually cannot easily determine a diagnosis. Your doctor and you will need to find the right treatment which works for you. Treatment varies from individual to individual.Prostate Enlargement or Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). It occurs in older men (usually over 50). It is common for the prostate glands to enlarge in size as a man ages. In this disorder the prostate glands enlarge to such an extent that urination becomes difficult. Problems occur when the gland grows so big that it begins to squeeze the urethra. Since urine travels from the bladder through the urethra, the pressure from the enlarged prostate may affect bladder control.The following are the symptoms of prostate enlargement or BPH;A frequent and urgent need to urinate.Trouble starting a urine stream. Even though you feel you have to rush to get to the bathroom, you find it hard to start urinating.Leaking or dribbling urineSmall amounts of blood in your urineMen who have problems urinating should see a doctor to rule out prostate cancer or other diseases.There are various steps for the curing prostate disorders like:Medicines to shrink or relax the prostate Non surgical procedures include the application of gel in the urethra to prevent pain or discomfort.Surgery resulting in the removal of some part of the prostate to inhibit growth.Minimal Invasive SurgeryBut medication or surgical procedures do pose risks of side effects. They can cause temporary effects on sexual performance. Surgery may not be a permanent solution. As such there is no effective cure for prostate disorders.Beta-sitosterol supplements can help relieve symptoms of prostate problems. Beta-sitosterol is one of several phytosterols with chemical structures similar to that of cholesterol. It has been used in treating prostate problems and in lowering cholesterol levels. It is found in pecans, pumpkin seed, cashew fruit, rice bran, wheat germ, corn oils, soybeans, sea-buckthorn and wolfberries. Pumpkin seeds have been used historically for prostrate health. There are various supplements available that help support prostate health. Supplements like Super Beta Prostate nutritionally support healthy urinary, bladder and sexual functioning. This is an all-natural prostate supplement with pharmaceutically-grade pure Beta-sitosterol to nutritionally support your body’s ability to improve prostate health and give relief from enlarged prostate.

Eight Male Fertility Supplements

A good balanced diet of natural products is one of the keys that will help you to overcome some problems with male fertility. If you find it difficult to get a reliable source of fresh fruit and vegetables you could always try supplements in your diet that have been trialed and tested and show trustworthy results to clinical trials. There is a male fertility supplement suitable for you that can help increase semen volume and also help increase sperm count and motility. It must also be remembered that these are not miracle workers and need to be taken or used regularly for effective results to occur. Go to the list below to find a comprehensive explanation of the most used herbs and supplements found in male fertility supplements. 1. Arginine Arginine has been investigated for its effects on sperm count and activity of the sperm. L-arginine may improve sperm count and motility. There are two sources of arginine, arginine in the food chain and free-form arginine from supplements. Food-source arginine is found in abundance in turkey, chicken and other meats. Nonfood-source arginine is called L-arginine and is created through a fermentation process which separates arginine from all other proteins. Free and bound arginine is found in abundance in human male sperm and arginine has been found to stimulate sperm motility. 2. Carnitine A naturally occurring amino acid Carnitine is concentrated in sperm and is required for normal sperm function. Many athletes have noted increased endurance and muscle building with Carnitine supplementation. 3. Coenzyme Q10 A substance that assists in the oxidation of nutrients within cells to create energy. It helps the male reproductive system increase semen volume and motility. 4. Ginseng (Panax ginseng) A forked aromatic root found in Asia. Ginseng has been used in traditional Chinese medicine for centuries to increase semen volume and to increase male fertility. 5. Omega fatty acids A class of fatty acids that are found in any of several polyunsaturated fatty acids found in leafy green vegetables, vegetable oils, and fish such as salmon and mackerel. As well omega-6 fatty acids found in evening primrose and starflower oils are a recommended male fertility supplement. 6. Pumpkin seeds A great male fertility supplement, as they contain high levels of zinc and essential fatty acids which are helpful treatment for male fertility. 7. Selenium Selenium can helpful as a treatment for male fertility. It is one of the elements needed in trace amounts in the animal and human diet. Fish, meat, poultry, whole grains, and dairy products are good sources of this mineral nutrient. 8. Zinc A lack of zinc is believed to be associated with a lack of sperm in the semen. Keeping your zinc levels up helps to increase semen volume, maintain adequate testosterone levels which helps keep sperm healthy. Eat Sensibly Remember to eat plenty of fresh vegetables, fruit, whole grains, fish, poultry, legumes, nuts, brown rice and seeds. The first step in any treatment is a well balanced diet and this will increase the chance of a positive male sperm test. Avoid junk food, processed food and food with high saturated fat as well as limiting your intake of soda or fizzy drinks as these can be very harmful to the bodies balance and well being. Drink plenty of water to flush out any toxins in the body. However the inability to conceive may not be a male problem it could be a female infertility problem.

Men have traditionally been less likely to seek medical attention than women, especially for minor problems, which often serve as warning signs for more serious underlying illness.

The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system. Cancer that grows in the prostate gland is called prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is the second leading cause of cancer deaths among men in the U.S.

Men, who are younger than 40, are rarely ever diagnosed with prostate cancer. Men have traditionally been less likely to seek medical attention than women, especially for minor problems, which often serve as warning signs for more serious underlying illness. The most common cancer in American men, excluding skin cancer, is prostate cancer.

If cancer is caught in its earliest stages, most men will not experience any symptoms. One of the most common symptoms is the inability to urinate. And having one or more cancer symptoms does not necessarily mean that you have prostate cancer.

There are a number of symptoms to be aware of. One symptom is the need to urinate frequently, especially at night. And if you have one or more prostate cancer symptoms, you should see a qualified doctor as soon as possible.

A chest x-ray may be done to see if there is a spread of cancer. The prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test measures the PSA enzyme in your blood for abnormalities. The decision about whether to pursue a PSA test should be based on a discussion between you and your doctor.

A prostate biopsy usually confirms the diagnosis. A PSA test with a high level can also be from a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland. CT scans may be done to see if the cancer has spread.

Prostate cancer that has spread (metastasized) may be treated conventionally with drugs to reduce testosterone levels, surgery to remove the testes, chemotherapy or nothing at all. Whether radiation is as good as removing the prostate is debatable and the decision about which to choose, if any, can be difficult. Since prostate

tumors require testosterone to grow, reducing the testosterone level is used to prevent further growth and spread of the cancer.

Surgery, called a radical prostatectomy, removes the entire prostate gland and some of the surrounding tissues. The conventional treatment of prostate cancer is often controversial. Surgery, radiation, hormonal therapy and chemotherapy all have significant side effects; know fully what they are before you proceed with any treatment.

Hormone manipulation is mainly used as a treatment to relieve symptoms in men whose cancer has spread. Surgery, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy can interfere with libido on a temporary or permanent basis. Treatment options can vary based on the stage of the tumor.

In patients whose health makes the risk of surgery unacceptably high, radiation therapy is often the chosen conventional alternative. Some drugs with numerous side effects are being used to treat advanced prostate cancer, blocking the production of testosterone, called chemical castration; it has the same result as surgical removal of the testes. Other medications used for hormonal therapy, with side effects, include androgen-blocking agents, which prevent testosterone from attaching to prostate cells.

Radiation therapy is used primarily to treat prostate cancers classified as stages A, B, or C. In the early stages, surgery and radiation may be used to remove or attempt to kill the cancer cells or shrink the tumor.

In the end, only you with the help of your doctors, knowing your individual situation, can know the best treatment program for you. Once diagnosed you may want to join a support group where you can share experiences and problems with others. It%26#8217;s important to get as informed as much as possible and read all the newest books, ebooks and research available.

Article Source: http://www.BestToRead.com/

Prostatic cancer is the most common cancer in men over the age of fifty.

Adenocarcinoma is the most common form.

Prostate cancers seldom produce symptoms until the cancer is in the advanced stage so early diagnosis is essential as in the early stages the disease is curable.

Location and Function

The Prostate is an organ forming part of the male reproductive system. It is located immediately below the bladder and just in front of the bowel. Its main function is to produce fluid which protects and enriches sperm.

In younger men the prostate is about the size of a walnut. It is doughnut shaped as it surrounds the beginning of the urethra, the tube that conveys urine from the bladder to the penis. The nerves that control erections surround the prostate.

Signs and Symptoms of Prostate Cancer

• Waking frequently at night to urinate

• Sudden or urgent need to urinate

• Difficulty in starting to urinate

• Slow flow of urine and difficulty in stopping

• Discomfort when urinating

• Painful ejaculation

• Blood in the urine or semen

• Decrease in libido (sex urge)

• Reduced ability to get an erection

Most men tend to accept the onset of one or more of these symptoms as being a natural consequence of ageing. However, anyone experiencing any of the above symptoms is advised to consult a doctor without delay. Early expert diagnosis and treatment of tumors is important and may avert potentially serious health consequences.

Prostate carcinoma is usually one of the slower growing cancers. In the past, it was most frequently encountered in men over 70, and many of those men died of other causes before their prostate tumour could kill them. This led to the old saying “most men die with, not of, prostrate cancer”.

However, that is certainly is not true today. Three developments have changed things considerably:

• Men are living longer, giving the cancer more time to spread beyond the prostate, with potentially fatal consequences.

• More men in their early sixties, fifties and even forties are being detected with prostate cancer. Earlier on-set, combined with the greater male life expectancy, means those cancers have more time to spread and become life-threatening unless diagnosed and treated.

• Prostate cancer in younger men often tends to be more aggressive and hence more life-threatening within a shorter time.

Risk Factors and PSA Testing

Risk factors for prostate cancer include diets high in fat and low in vegetables. Risk factors include; age, 75% of cases are in men over 65 years and familial sufferers. Prostate cancer is most often discovered by physical examination or by screening blood tests, such as the PSA (prostate specific antigen) test.

The PSA test measures the blood level of prostate-specific antigen, an enzyme produced by the prostate. The risk of prostate cancer increases with increasing PSA levels.

The majority of men who reach age 85, in fact, have cancerous prostate cells, but the disease is developing so gradually that it never threatens their quality of life.

Genetic factors play a role, particularly for families in whom the diagnosis is made in men under 60 years of age, and the risk of prostate cancer rises with the number of close relatives who have the disease.

Preventative measures

Researchers at Harvard University found that men who ate cooked tomatoes or foods made with them (tomato sauce or ketchup, for instance) more than twice a week were less likely to develop prostate cancer.

Daily use of anti-inflammatory medicines such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or naproxen may decrease prostate cancer risk.
Frequent ejaculations also seem to have a definite protective effect against Prostrate cancer.

Many prostate cancers are not destined to be lethal, and most men will ultimately die from causes other than of the disease. Because many prostate tumors are slow growing, survival rates are excellent when the disease is detected in its early stages.

Treatment Options for Prostate Cancer

The most appropriate treatment is primarily determined by the stage and aggressiveness (how quickly it is growing and spreading) of the disease when it is discovered. Detecting prostate cancer early is the key to beating the disease.

Many factors affect the decision whether or not to treat the disease: the patient’s age, whether the cancer has spread, the presence of other medical conditions, and the patient’s overall health.

Treatment for prostate cancer may involve watchful waiting, surgery, radiation therapy including brachytherapy and external beam radiation, High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU), chemotherapy, cryosurgery, hormonal therapy, or some combination.

Because all treatments can have significant side effects, such as erectile dysfunction and urinary incontinence, treatment discussions often focus on balancing the goals of therapy with the risks of lifestyle alterations. Natural treatments for prostate cancer symptoms are also worth looking at.

An Ancient Herb And Its Application In Prostate Health

According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), prostate cancer is the second most common form of cancer as well as the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths among American men. A prostate specific antigen (PSA) test has been shown to detect prostate cancer in its earliest stages. Even though cancer screenings are very important they are just one health concern when it comes to the prostate. As men get older, the prostate may become a source for many other problems that can, but not necessarily always, include cancer. Since the symptoms of some prostate conditions often mimic cancer, many men who learn they have a problem often immediately assume the worst. Therefore, it is important to understand the prostate and how potential changes might affect your health. Additionally, it is good to know what natural supplements you can take to ensure your prostate ages healthfully.

The prostate is a walnut-shaped gland found only in men just below the bladder and around the urethra, which functions as part of the male reproductive system. Throughout life the prostate continues to grow larger, but only after it becomes too large do problems begin to occur. The most common problem for men under fifty is prostatitis (inflamed prostate). This can cause a burning feeling during urination as well as frequent urination. It may be a sign that your body is fighting an infection, which can usually be treated with the use of an antibiotic. Nonbacterial prostatitis, on the other hand, does not respond to antibiotics and requires other forms of treatment. Men over fifty suffer most frequently from prostate enlargement or benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Although older men are more at risk for prostate cancer, BPH is much more common. This issue occurs when the prostate becomes so enlarged that it squeezes the urethra, causing problems in urination, urinary tract infections, and in worse case scenarios kidney damage. However, prostate cancer will affect one out of ever six men over the course of their lifetimes, making it the most serious prostate problem, causing 27,00 deaths this year alone.

Prostate problems such as BPH are usually treated with prescription drugs, which often lead to unpleasant side effects such as mild dizziness, sleep problems, decreased sex drive, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, and fainting. For those people who dont want to experience these side effects, there is a natural safe alternative available: saw palmetto. Saw palmetto is the best known of prostate-supportive herbs coming from palm tree berries. However, it does not work for all men or those with extreme cases of BPH. The prostate gland also needs zinc, which is hard to find in a typical diet. By adding zinc supplements to your daily regimen, you can easily stabilize hormones and possibly prevent prostate problems.

A great natural solution that comes risk-free and can help with a large range of prostate health issues is epilobium, which contains properties that have supported prostate health for centuries. Epilobium is a small willow herb used in traditional medicine for the treatment of prostate disorders and valued for its antibacterial, anti-inflammatory antimicrobial and antioxidant properties. Because traditional use and modern research have proven that epilobium may help with BPH and prostatitis and has shown promising results for inhibiting cancer cell growth, its a great choice for prostate health.

Along with various treatment options that are available for erectile dysfunction, it is also important to pay attention to diet and food which help cure erectile dysfunction. It is pertinent to include vitamins and minerals in one %26#39;s diet, as these help improve erectile dysfunction. Your diet should be rich in whole, unrefined, fresh and unprocessed foods. You should add fruits vegetables, soy, whole grains, beans, nuts, seeds, olive oil, and cold-water fish like tuna, salmon, sardines, mackerel and halibut. It is better to avoid dairy foods, sugar, refined foods, junk foods, fried foods and caffeine. Drink plenty of water. It has been said by many American medical experts that men who consume certain type of food regularly exhibit low risk of developing erectile dysfunction. Though there are some foods which are helpful in curing erectile dysfunction, but they must be taken as a whole and not as a single food. Some of these are:Snails: Snails can deliver a full day %26#39;s quota of antioxidant mineral zinc. Zinc helps in producing DNA and repairing cells, and it enhances sexual functioning of male reproductive system which includes increased sperm counts. One can also get daily dose of 11 milligrams of zinc by consuming oysters and shellfish, lean pork, lean beef and legumes for eg. green beans.Bananas: Bananas are rich source of quick energy and potassium, which helps in regulating nerves, heartbeat and blood pressure. Other options for potassium intake are orange juice, tomato products, milk and beans. Fatty Fish: One among the most important of superfoods is healthy fat, fatty acids and omega-3. They are beneficial for the heart, circulation, immune system. They reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Fatty fish like salmon, tuna, sardines, mackerel and herring are rich sources of omega-3 fatty acids. Omega-3s are also present in walnut, soyabean, flaxseed, canola oil, as well as fortified products like eggs.Cabbage: Vegetables like cabbage help in preventing heart disease and cancer. They are rich in vitamin C, potassium, beta-carotene and a phytochemical called sulphoraphane, which helps in cure of prostate and colon cancer. Acai Berries: These berries from Brazil which are favorite of beach boys and girls, is seen as the best anti-aging food which helps in erectile dysfunction. It contains antioxidant anthocyanins which is know to protect brain, prevent arteries from getting blocked and help with arthritis. The berries contain abundant heart-protecting fatty acids as well as cholesterol-lowering phytosterols. The large amount of antioxidants helps in protecting skin from aging. The berries contain combination of high concentrations of Vitamin E and C, which can enhance and tone the skin. These help in increased libido too. Acerola Cherries: Acerola has an increased dosage of vitamin C and 150 super nutrients. These berries are traditionally used as a supplement for total health care as well as to treat erectile dysfunction. Goji Berries: The Goji berry which can be found only in the remotest regions of Western Asia, are acknowledged for their health and sex enhancing properties over the centuries by the Chinese. They can be eaten in whole or drunk as juice. They contain 500 times more vitamin C than present in oranges and more beta-carotene than in carrots. If you suffer from impotence it %26#39;s important to do something about it before it damages your relationship for good.

Strange as it may seem for many years men knew very little about their prostate gland and it is only in recent years as prostate cancer has become such a prominent issue that men are starting to ask just what the prostate gland is and what it does.

The prostate gland is a crucial part of the male reproductive system which produces a clear fluid which makes up a significant proportion of a man’s seminal fluid. Sperm is taken from the testes to the prostate gland where it is mixed with proteins and prostatic fluid to form semen.

A normal prostate gland is roughly the size of a walnut, weighs roughly one ounce and sits just in front of the rectum and below the bladder. It is also often described as being shaped something like a donut and is partially wrapped around the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine from the bladder and out of the body.

Through a man’s life the prostate gland continues to grow, although from the early twenties until the mid-forties growth is very slow and to all intent and purpose undetectable. When a man gets to approximately forty-five however it is extremely common for the growth of the prostate gland to speed up and the vast majority of men will start to experience the symptoms of an enlarging prostate during their forties or fifties.

In most cases an enlarging prostate simply leads to some mild discomfort which a lot of men choose to learn to live with. In some cases however the gland can become sufficiently enlarged so that it pinches the urethra enough to cause a number of symptoms which need treatment or persuade a man to ask his doctor for treatment to ease his discomfort. Mere growth of the prostate gland at this stage of a man’s life is a normal part of the aging process and is called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BHP.

However, the greatest danger with an enlarged prostate gland is that the problem might be something more than just a case of enlargement and can be masking an underlying cancer.

As the prostate gland begins to grow it also begins to put pressure on the urethra and to narrow it so that the first symptoms of a problem are usually seen when it comes to urinating. Specifically you may experience difficulty in urinating and experience the need to ‘push’ to start the process. You might also suffer from a weak flow in your urine and a flow which tends to stop and start. After a while you will also notice that you need to visit the bathroom more frequently, especially during the night, and that you feel that you need to visit the bathroom even just after you have just done so.

Understandably this can become more than a little bit of an annoyance but, even so, a lot of men are content to merely put it down as one of the inevitable problems of getting older and learn to live with it. Now this is fine but the mistake which all too man men make is not to seek the advice of their doctor at this stage to confirm that their problem is merely BPH and that it is not likely to cause other problems.

Aside from the risk of their being an underlying cancer, BPH can also lead to other problems like bladder infections and kidney disease.

When you begin to suffer from symptoms which point to a prostate problem then talk to your doctor so that the problem can be properly and treated.

ProstateProblemCenter.com provides information on various prostate problems and also provides advice on having a prostate exam