Prostate Care

Quick Tips for Care of the Prostate

Take a Breather

Tip # 1

If you are a male past your middle age ( around 45) you should get your prostate examined regularly as the earlier a problem is detected the better the outcome.

Tip # 2

If you are having problems urinating, it can be a sign of a prostate problem. Go see the doctor straight away.

Tip # 3

The prostate is a gland in the male species that works with the reproduction system.  It stores and secretes the clear fluid that makes up one-third of the total volume of semen.  In male humans it is about the size of a walnut and is located just below the bladder and can be felt during a rectal exam.

Tip # 4

The prostate goes through two main periods of growth.  In puberty the prostate doubles in size, and then again grows again when a man reaches the age of twenty-five.  The prostate does grow throughout a man’s life but these are the two main growth periods.  A man may have problems late in life from an enlarged prostate

Tip # 5

Prostate problems may include BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia), prostate cancer, and prostatitis. For men under 50 the most common problem is prostatitis, older men are more at risk for BPH. Older men are more prone to developing prostate cancer although it is less common that BPH.

Tip # 6

Prostate problems do come with the aging process! The prostate continues to grow through the man’s life but only begins to be a problem after the age of 40. After 40 the risks of prostate problems increases dramatically. Half the male population in their sixties will have symptoms of BPH, rising to 90 percent of men over 85.

Tip # 7

Prostate problems are as much a part of aging as gray hair and fine line and wrinkles. The risk of having prostate problems rises as the population of the United States continues to age.  It is estimated that over 4.5 million visits are made to doctors and specialists because of prostate problems.

Tip # 8

One in three men will develop prostate problems. Regardless of how prostate develops, it is important to note that men have little or no control over their risk of developing prostate problems.  It is a part of aging for a man! You should be careful to watch for any symptoms that might suggest prostate problems. A doctor should check any problems with urination.  As with any health problem, the chances of successful treatment increase with early detection. 

Tip # 9

If you need surgery to deal with a prostate problem, remember that the doctors may give you antibiotics to stop bacterial infections. They should ask, but please let staff know if you are allergic.

Tip # 10

Consider asking for information on hormone therapy if you have prostate cancer or alternative treatment methods that mean that you can keep your testicles.

Tip # 11

If you get bacterial infections in the prostate or protastitis regularly, there is a chance there is a weakness in the prostate or it isn’t functioning correctly. Get the doctor to schedule you in for a more thorough examination.

Tip # 12

There is no proven risk between vasectomy and prostate cancer.

Tip # 13

The American Cancer Society or cancer organisations in your own country run support groups that can answer medical questions, concerns and possible treatments as well as emotional support.

Tip # 14

The important first step is to talk to your doctor about problems or symptoms you may be experiencing. A weak urine stream, starting and stopping, and an increased need to get up in the night to urinate are a few of the most common symptoms. When you talk to your doctor or are questioned by a nurse, you will be asked some screening questions. The answer to these questions will help your doctor decide what diagnostic test is needed.  Most of the time it will be a PSA test as well as a rectal exam.

Tip # 15

Age, family history, and race are all-important components to consider when assessing risk factors for cancer.  One or all can play an important role on your chances of developing cancer.

Symptoms of Prostate Disorders

Sex Life and The Prostate

.

Symptoms of prostate disorders are normally similar among all disorders. If you feel any of these symptoms it should be taken very seriously as catching these problems early can be the key to a speedy recovery.

Prostatitis is caused by an infection in the prostate causing it to be enlarged. Anytime this disorder is present you may experience the following:

Painful urination
Hesitancy- Having to wait a while before urine passes
Difficulty in Passing Urine
Frequent Urination
Reduced force of the urinary Stream
Nocturia, having to urinate frequently at night

Benign Prostate Hyperplasia (BPH) is a disorder characterized by an enlarged prostate. It presents the same symptoms as prostatitis the difference is that BPH occurs mainly in older men. It is a disorder where the prostate goes through a natural but abnormal growth process. It is the actual enlargement of cells in the prostate due to the effects from years of wear and tear. The symptoms are :

Painful urination
Hesitancy- Having to wait a while before urine passes
Difficulty in Passing Urine
Frequent Urination
Reduced force of the urinary Stream
Nocturia, having to urinate frequently at night

Prostate Cancer is the disorder where too much cancer cells has gathered in the prostate gland causing a tumor to develop. This causes the prostate to not function properly. It is the most serious prostate disorder in men and may appear to be asymptomatic for many years. However here are some symptoms to look out for:

Painful urination
Hesitancy- Having to wait a while before urine passes
Difficulty in passing urine
Frequent Urination
Reduced force of the urinary Stream
Nocturia, having to urinate frequently at night
Pain in the pelvic region
Pain in the back and upper thighs
Painful ejaculation
Blood in urine or semen

Vitamins, Herbs and Food that Maintain a Healthy Prostate

Have you ever wondered why healthy living always has the option of eating well? Guess what, a daily intake of these substances may reduce the risk of you obtaining any prostate disorder. Making these a part of your diet may even help reverse prostate problems faster than any treatment. Lets have a look….and remember to eat smart!

Healthy Eating

Vitamins that help maintain a healthy Prostate:

B complex
Vitamin B6
Vitamin A
Vitamin E
Vitamin C

Minerals that are prostate friendly:

Zinc, reduces the size of prostate
Calcium, works with Magnesium to improve prostate functions
Magnesium, works with Calcium to improve prostate functions

Amino Acids that helps with the proper functioning of the prostate:

L-Alanine
L-glycine
l-glutamic Acid

Nutrients to make a part of your diet:

Garlic
Saw Palmetto
Essential Fatty Acids

Foods that help keep your prostate healthy:

Tomatoes
Soy Tea
Garlic
Grapes
Strawberries
Tomatoes
Chocolate
Flaxseed
Pumpkin Oil seed
Radishes
Green tea
Cranberry

Lifestyle Changes

Living the Life

Making some vital lifestyle changes can help you keep your Prostate Healthy. Simple Habits such as eating the right foods can make a drastic change in your prostate health for the better. Let us take a look at some lifestyle changes that will do just that.

• Have a prostate exam once a year. Taking a prostate exam can help you catch any problems of the prostate early.
• Avoid exposing yourself to harmful chemicals such as pesticides. It encourages the growth of cancerous cells.
• Keep your cholesterol level within a healthy range which is not more than 200 mg/dl.
• Maintain a moderate intake of Alcohol. It is wise to not drink more than 1 glass of alcohol per day.
• Increase your intake of essential supplements such as Zinc, Saw Palmetto and Omega-3 Fatty acids.
• Kegel Exercises can help increase blood flow to the prostate hence improving the health of your prostate. It is done by tightening and release the muscles of your anus. It can be done at any time and place.
• Minimize the intake of foods that promote an unhealthy prostate: red meat, vegetable oil, burgers, bacon, butter, Salad Dressing, beef, pork, lamb and Diary Products.
• Visit HEALTH Lime.com for updates, go ahead and bookmark this site

Frequently Ask Questions about the Prostate

Got a question on Prostate Care?

Use the Box Below to Ask our Expert! …

General Prostate Questions

1. Rating: +0

   

   Can a person with prostate cancer transmit any form of cancer to there mate?

   No you cannot. Cancer is not contagious.

2. Rating: +0

   

   How do I get my prostate massaged?

   Read our featured article on prostate massage for a step by step guide.

3. Rating: +0

   

   Can you still have children and be fertile after prostate cancer?

   It depends on the stage of your cancer and the type of treatment that you need to take. Using any chemotherapy or surgery to treat cancer may dampen your chances of having any children.

4. Rating: +1

   

   What herbs and supplements can help with an enlarged prostate?

   It is known that saw palmetto is a great herb to take for all prostate problems. It can be taken as a supplement for your convenience. Other herbs that are recommended are garlic, nettle root and Pygeum Africanum.

5. Rating: +0

   

   At what age does a guy start having prostate exams?

   From the time you hit 35 years you should start playing close attention to your prostate. It is recommended that a man has annual examinations done.

6. Rating: +0

   

   Does masturbation help prevent prostate problems?

   Masturbation can actually help with bringing fresh prostatic fluid into the prostate and encourage a rich blood supply in the pelvic region. However masturbating can aggravate prostate problems if it is done to often. Some people masturbate too often and this may cause the prostate to become enlarged.

7. Rating: +2

   

   After a prostate surgery does a man loose his sexual desire?

   Nine out of ten men usually looses their sex drive after surgery, this is due to the fact that you may have some degree of erectile dysfunction. However that does not mean the end of your sex life for you do not need an erection to have an orgasm, looking at the bright side, this can actually mean you and your partner can spend more time love making which can be just as erotic.

8. Rating: +0

   

   What are the causes of prostate cancer?

   Prostate cancer is caused by the gathering of too much cancer cells in the prostate gland. It can be caused by lifestyle habits that presents a conducive environment that cancer cells to thrive on and therefore multiply excessively forming a tumor.

9. Rating: +1

   

   Does treatment for prostate cancer affects a mans ability to have sex?

   It depends on the type of treatment and the extent of treatment you are taking. Most times if the cancer is detected in its early stages you can use some herbal and supplement treatment to heal the disorder which may not affect ones ability to have sex. However if being treated by surgery or chemotherapy one may suffer from some degree of erectile dysfunction. It is also important to note that just having the disorder may steer you in the direction of complications during sex.

10. Rating: +0

    

    Can the prostate be shrunk by taking certain pills?

    Yes certain pills do help shrink your prostate. However you do need to visit a doctor to get a prescription on which one would be best for you. Supplements such as saw palmetto may also be used to shrink the prostate, do visit our prostate care page for more info.

11. Rating: +0

    

    What are some of the treatments used for prostate cancer?

    Some of the alternative treatments of Prostate cancer are Saw Palmetto and d-glucarate. Conventional treatments for prostate cancer includes surgery, chemotherapy, alpha- blockers and
    5-Alpha-reductase inhibitors.