Prostate Facts

Prostate Facts
What exactly is the prostate? And where is located? If you're not sure, you're not alone. The healthy functioning of this gland is important, but many people only know the prostate is "somewhere down there." Let's start out with some basics on this male body part.

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that's part of the male sex organs. Its job is to produce some of the fluid that protects and nourishes sperm cells in semen. Located below the bladder and in front of the rectum, the prostate surrounds the urethra, the tube that moves urine from the bladder or carries semen to the penis.

During the teen years, the prostate has a growth spurt that then levels off until about age 40, when it slowly begins to grow again. While half of men won't have an issue with this growth, the other half may develop a prostate disease, such as enlarged prostate, prostate cancer, prostatitis or a combination of the three.

Prostate Facts
Here is a quick overview of those three major concerns related to the prostate.

• Enlarged Prostate: The medical term for this noncancerous disorder is benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Usually seen in men older than 50, the symptoms begin to occur when the enlarged gland presses against the urethra, the tube that carries urine away from the bladder. Not surprisingly then, symptoms include frequent urination, incomplete emptying of the bladder, a weak urine stream or difficulty starting urination. Besides being non-life threatening, the other good news connected to this disorder is that BPH does not cause erectile dysfunction and can be effectively treated with medication and herbs.

Prostate Facts
• Prostate Cancer: According to the American Cancer Society, prostate cancer is the most common form of cancer in men, aside from skin cancers. The National Cancer Institute estimated 186,320 new cases of prostate cancer in the United States in 2008, along with more than 28,000 deaths. While 1 in 6 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer that develops from the gland cells, thanks to early screening, only 1 in 35 will die of it. Early screening is crucial. If the cancer can be detected while it is still localized or regional (spread out of the prostate, but still nearby), the five-year survival rate is nearly 100 percent. Localized cancer can be treated with surgery or radiation. For more advanced situations, hormone therapy, in which levels of male hormones are reduced, or chemotherapy can be used to treat the cancer. For more detailed information, talk to your physician and visit the American Cancer Society Web site at www.cancer.org.

Prostate Facts
• Prostatitis: This non-life threatening condition is the most common prostate problem for men younger than 50. It is an inflammation of the prostate that may be caused by an infection. There are three major types of prostatitis, each with its own set of symptoms: bacterial, nonbacterial and prostatodynia. A physician will perform a digital rectal exam or may examine prostate fluid under a microscope to assist in making a diagnosis. Risks of developing prostatitis are increased after a bladder infection; if BPH is already an issue; excessive alcohol consumption; eating spicy, marinated foods; injury to the lower pelvis; contracting a sexually transmitted disease; or having frequent, unprotected sex. Treatments include antibiotics, anti-inflammatories, potent doses of high active herbal extracts and if necessary surgery.

Untreated BPH can lead to incontinence, bladder stones, kidney infections and damage to the bladder, kidneys and urethra. So, In a nutshell, the answer is prevention! If you can provide your body with the nutrients that have perhaps been missing in your diet, you may receive benefits by:

>> Protecting your prostate against cancer>> Reducing discomfort from an enlarged prostate>> Boosting your natural testosterone production

More prostate information:

Prostate Diagnsis
Prostate Screening
Prostate Treatment
Prostate Natural Treatment
Prostate Symptoms
Prostate Wellness

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