Get To Know Your Prostate Gland
A walnut sized gland between the bladder and the penis, the prostate gland is something that all men have. It’s an important little thing, vital to the sex life, though a significant number of men do not know a great deal about it. As prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, this is something that health care professionals are keen to correct.
The primary function of the prostate gland is to help with the production of semen. By producing a thick white fluid, which is liquefied by PSA, (prostate-specific antigen), and mixes with the sperm from the testicles, semen is produced which is then ejaculated by the penis.
Though cancer of the prostate gland is the most common suffered by men, it is not the biggest killer; lung cancer retains this. However, there are other common conditions with the gland that men suffer from, most often associated with the normal ageing process.
Commonly, the prostate gland will enlarge as men get older, and in most instances, this will cause no issues whatsoever. However, in one third of men over fifty years of age, this will lead to medical conditions.
Due to its location, around the urethra and bladder, enlargement can cause pressure. This will inevitably lead to problems, and quite often pain, when urine is passed or trying to be passed.
A similar condition, though with very separate origin is prostatitis. In many cases, this is caused by nothing more than a simple infection, and is readily treated by common antibiotics.
All prostate problems are relatively easy to treat, when diagnosed early enough. Symptoms of suffering from any of the problems associated with the gland will center on urinary issues, often referred to as Lower Urinary Tract Symptoms (LUTS)
LUTS to look out for include: a frequent need to urinate both and night and day; difficulty beginning or maintaining flow of urine; pelvic pain or discomfort; pain during sexual activities or ejaculation. Less experienced symptoms to be aware of include lower back pain, and blood appearing in the urine.
As with many health conditions, prostate gland issues effect certain groups more than others. In this regards, men of African or Afro-Caribbean descent are three times as likely to develop such problems as Caucasian men.
By nature, older men are also at a greater risk of developing problems. Indeed, a significant number of men of seventy or older are likely to have prostate cancer, though be unaware of this having suffered no symptoms.
Other high risk groups include those that have a diet which is high in red meat and saturated animal fats, and those that regularly exceed recommended daily limits of alcohol and caffeine. Reducing both of these food groups is thought to promote a healthier prostate gland, as is increasing daily amounts of fresh fruit and vegetables.
Men are thought unlikely to approach their physician for an examination, whether they have experienced symptoms or not, due to embarrassment. Many men also neglect having a consultation through fear of being diagnosed with the condition. Readily treatable however, this is something professionals in the field are eager to reverse.