When To See A Doctor
Most people begin to feel better and have an improved urine flow within 4 to 6 weeks after TURP surgery.
Overall, the risk of serious complications after TURP surgery is quite low. But as with all surgeries, there are some potential health risks associated with the procedure that require medical attention and intervention.
Reasons to seek medical attention after TURP surgery include:
- reduced urine flow or urinary symptoms, such as incontinence or urinary urgency 6 weeks post-surgery
- blood in the urine that is severe or lasts longer than 4 to 6 weeks
- severe clots of blood in urine or urine that is entirely red
- weakness and fatigue that does not improve after 4 weeks
- impotence or erectile dysfunction
How Do I Keep My Prostate Healthy
Help keep your prostate healthy by:
- Getting regular prostate screenings. Most people should start screenings at 50. If you have a family history of prostate cancer, its a good idea to start screenings at a younger age.
- Exercising regularly. People who are more physically active are less likely to have BPH.
- Eating a healthy diet. Eating the recommended amount of fruits, vegetables and healthy protein may help promote prostate health.
- Quitting tobacco products. Tobacco products may increase your risk of developing prostate cancer.
Can supplements improve my prostate health?
Dietary supplements dont have to go through clinical trials or get approval from the United States Food and Drug Administration , so there isnt much data on them. Supplements may show minor benefits, but most people wont see an improvement in their prostate health from taking them.
The Prostate Gland: Mans Center Of Gravity
The prostate gland is a mysterious male reproductive organ that can be a source of curiosity, anxiety, fear and potential trouble. Since this gland is a midline organ nestled deep within the pelvis, I like to think of it as mans center of gravity.
Where exactly is the prostate gland?
The prostate gland is located behind the pubic bone and is attached to the bladder and the urethra . The rectum is directly behind the prostate . The prostate is situated at the crossroads of the urinary and reproductive tracts and completely surrounds the urethra, allowing its many ducts to drain into the urethra. The relationship between the prostate and the urethra can potentially be the source of problems for the older male. When a man ages, the prostate gland gradually enlarges. This prostate enlargement can constrict and block the urethra, giving rise to bothersome urinary symptoms.
What is the prostate, what purpose does it serve, and how does it function?
The prostate is a male reproductive gland that produces prostate fluid, a nutrient and energy vehicle for sperm. The prostate consists of glandular and fibro-muscular tissue enclosed by a capsule of collagen, elastin and smooth muscle. The glandular tissue contains the secretory cells that produce the prostate fluid.
What are the zones of the prostate gland?
Curious facts about the prostate:
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Dont Hide From The Sun
A lack of sun exposure might raise your chances of developing prostate cancer, as the sun provides a significant amount of vitamin D, vitamin that is known to lower the risk of prostate cancer.
Vitamin D is also beneficial to our health in other ways. Its helpful for your heart and kidneys, as well as your pancreas and liver.
Just remember to always use sunscreen!
Can Male Menopause Be Treated
If your testosterone levels are low, hormone replacement therapy may help relieve symptoms, such as the loss of interest in sex, depression and fatigue. However, replacing male hormones can make prostate cancer worse, and may make atherosclerosis worse, also.
You should receive a complete physical examination and laboratory tests should be performed before starting hormone replacement therapy. There are still many unanswered questions about how many middle-aged men could benefit from hormone replacement therapy. Talk to your healthcare provider about all the pros and cons of this treatment and what the best option is for you.
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Prostate Cancer Risk Factors
Some risk factors are associated with prostate cancer. A risk factor is something that can make you more likely to get sick. Having one or more risk factors does not mean that we will develop prostate cancer. It simply means that the risk of the disease is greater.
How Big Is The Prostate
Your prostate is about the size of a walnut.
The prostate usually gets larger after age 40 . It can grow from the size of a walnut to the size of a lemon. Benign prostatic hyperplasia isnt cancerous, and it doesnt increase your risk of developing prostate cancer.
How much does your prostate weigh?
Your prostate weighs about 1 ounce , which is as heavy as five U.S. quarters.
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Prostate Enlargement And Age
Since the prostate gland tends to enlarge with age, it can constrict the urethra and cause problems urinating. Occasionally, men in their 30s and 40s may begin to experience urinary symptoms and need medical attention. For others, symptoms do not appear until later in life. An infection or cancer can also cause the prostate to enlarge.
Remember to tell your doctor if you have any of the urinary symptoms listed below.
Aging increases the risk of prostate problems. The three most common problems with the prostate gland are inflammation , enlarged prostate , and prostate cancer.
One change doesnt lead to another. For example, prostatitis or an enlarged prostate does not increase the risk of prostate cancer. Its also possible to have more than one prostate problem at the same time.
See also: Urinary system diseases
How Does The Prostate Work
The prostate is located directly below the bladder and above the muscles of the pelvic floor. The rectum is behind the prostate, making it possible to feel the gland from the rectum using the finger. The ducts in the prostate gland flow into the urethra, which passes through the prostate. The word prostate is taken from the Greek expression meaning one who stands before, which describes the position of the prostate gland. Viewed from below, where the urethra leaves the gland, the prostate stands before the bladder.
The tissue of the prostate gland can be divided into three different zones, listed here from innermost to outermost, which encircle the urethra like layers of an onion:
- The transition zone is found on the inside of the gland and is the smallest part of the prostate . It surrounds the urethra between the bladder and the upper third of the urethra.
- The central zone surrounds the transition zone and makes up about one quarter of the prostates total mass. This is where the duct common to the prostate, seminal duct and the seminal vesicles is found. This duct is also known as the ejaculatory duct .
- The peripheral zone represents the main part of the prostate gland about 70% of the tissue mass is part of the peripheral zone.
The prostate has various functions:
Production of fluid for semen:
Hormone metabolism: In the prostate the male sex hormone testosterone is transformed to a biologically active form, DHT .
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Where Is The Prostate And What Does It Look Like
The word prostate comes from the Greek word prostates, which means one who stands before, aptly describing the position of the gland. That is, when viewed from below, the prostate stands before the bladder.
Because the rectum is behind the prostate, it is possible to feel the prostate with a finger when inserted through the rectum. The prostate feels elastic because its surrounded by a supportive tissue called the stroma, which is made of flexible smooth muscle fibers and connective tissue .
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Clinical Relevance Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Benign prostatic hyperplasia is the increase in size of the prostate, without the presence of malignancy. It is much more common with advancing age, although initial histological evidence of hyperplasia may be evident from much earlier ages .
The enlarged prostate may compress the urethra, resulting in symptoms that refer to impaired storage of urine and symptoms that refer to impaired voiding .
BPH is usually caused by hyperplasia of the glands from the transitional zone of the prostate.
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When To Contact A Medical Professional
Contact your provider right away if you have:
- Less urine than usual
- Back, side, or abdominal pain
- Blood or pus in your urine
Also contact your provider if:
- Your bladder does not feel completely empty after you urinate.
- You take medicines that may cause urinary problems, such as diuretics, antihistamines, antidepressants, or sedatives. DO NOT stop or change your medicines without talking to your provider.
- You have tried self-care steps for 2 months and symptoms have not improved.
How Does The Male Reproductive System Function
The entire male reproductive system is dependent on hormones. These are chemicals that stimulate or regulate the activity of your cells or organs. The primary hormones involved in the functioning of the male reproductive system are follicle-stimulating hormone , luteinizing hormone and testosterone.
FSH and LH are produced by the pituitary gland. Its located at the base of your brain and its responsible for many functions in your body. FSH is necessary for sperm production . LH stimulates the production of testosterone, which is necessary to continue the process of spermatogenesis. Testosterone is also important in the development of male characteristics, including muscle mass and strength, fat distribution, bone mass and sex drive.
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It Keeps Out The Bad Stuff
The prostate also filters and removes toxins for the protection of the sperm, which enhances the chance of impregnation and ensures that men seed with the optimum quality of sperm.
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How Does The Procedure Work
After anesthesia, a surgeon will insert a tool called a resectoscope into the urethra. In some cases, a separate device will be used to flush sterile fluid through the surgical site.
Once the surgeon has positioned the resectoscope, they will use it to cut away abnormal prostate tissues and seal broken blood vessels.
Finally, the surgeon will insert a long plastic tube called a catheter into the urethra and flush destroyed prostate tissues into the bladder where they are excreted through urine.
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Lifestyle Tips For Managing Bph
People can take steps to manage the symptoms of an enlarged prostate. These include:
- attempting to urinate at least once before leaving the home to avoid urinary leakage or other potentially stressful incidents in public
- double voiding, which involves trying to urinate a few minutes after urinating the first time to drain the bladder as much as possible during bathroom visits
- trying not to drink fluids in the 2 hours before bedtime to avoid going to sleep with a full bladder
Most males have a 50% chance of having BPH by the age of 60 years and a 90% chance by the age of 85 years.
Limited research has associated BPH with an increased risk of prostate cancer and bladder cancer, with the risk of prostate cancer being particularly high in Asian people with BPH. However, the limitations of the included studies mean that there is a need for additional prospective studies with a strict design to confirm the findings.
Several types of foods and nutrients can reduce or trigger BPH and its associated symptoms.
Foods that may be beneficial for people with BPH include:
- fiber-rich foods, such as whole grains, legumes, beans, and dark, leafy greens
- fruits and vegetables rich in antioxidants, which are usually dark red, yellow, or orange
- foods rich in zinc, such as eggs, most types of seafood, and nuts
- products that contain phytoestrogens, such as soy foods, chickpeas, alfalfa, and fava beans
Foods that people with BPH, or those at risk of developing it, should avoid or limit include:
What Is The Prostate Gland Structure Functions And Diseases
Contents
The prostate gland isnt that big about the size of a walnut but it plays an important role in male reproductive health. Located below the bladder and in front of the rectum, it wraps the top of the urethra, which drains urine from the body. Due to its location, the prostate gland can affect urination and sexual function.
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How Is Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia Treated
Treatment options for benign prostatic hyperplasia may include
- lifestyle changes
- minimally invasive procedures
A health care provider treats benign prostatic hyperplasia based on the severity of symptoms, how much the symptoms affect a mans daily life, and a mans preferences.
Men may not need treatment for a mildly enlarged prostate unless their symptoms are bothersome and affecting their quality of life. In these cases, instead of treatment, a urologist may recommend regular checkups. If benign prostatic hyperplasia symptoms become bothersome or present a health risk, a urologist most often recommends treatment.
Inflammation Of The Prostate Gland
Prostatitis is inflammation that can result from a bacterial infection. At some point in life, it affects at least half of all men. Having this condition does not increase your risk of any other prostate disease.
The symptoms of prostatitis include:
Several tests, such as the DRE, which is rectal examination of the prostate and urine examination, may be performed to see if you have prostatitis. Correctly diagnosing the exact type of prostatitis is key to getting the best treatment. Even if we do not have any symptoms, we should follow the doctors instructions to complete the treatment.
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What Is Prostate Cancer
This diagram shows the location of the prostate, in front of the rectum and just below the bladder.
Cancer is a disease in which cells in the body grow out of control. When cancer starts in the prostate, it is called prostate cancer. Not including skin cancer, prostate cancer is the most common cancer in American men.
Introduction: Anatomy And Function Of The Prostate Gland
Fig. 1. Anatomical zones of the prostate. The prostate consists of four anatomical zones the centreal , peripheral , and transition zones, and the anterior fibromuscular stroma .
Prostatic fluids arise from the epithelial cells lining the ducts that are separated from surrounding stroma by a basement membrane. The epithelium consists of basal, neuroendocrine and secretory cells and it is polarized so that the secretions arise at the luminal aspect of the epithelium including prostatic-specific antigen . Basally located epithelial cells secrete extracellular matrix for the basement membrane and also include the stem and stem progenitor populations. The surrounding fibromuscular stroma consists of smooth muscle cells, fibroblasts, nerves, endothelial cells, immune cells, and blood vessels. The smooth muscle component provides contractility that is required when proteins are exuded from the glands .
Fig. 2. Distribution of cell types within the prostate. The prostate is a glandular organ, consisting of an epithelial and stromal component, separated by a basement membrane.
Tracey S. Chenier, in, 2009
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Get Yourself Regularly Checked
Depending on whether youre in a high-risk or average-risk category, various prostate cancer screening recommendations apply. Starting at the age of 40, if you are in a high-risk category, you should consider getting checked for prostate cancer. Men who are at a normal risk should start getting screened at the age of 55.
Prostate Role In Reproduction
Human prostate gland is one of the vital reproductive organs that is required for the maintenance of optimal reproductive and sexual activities. Anatomically, the gland is located in front of the rectum . The prostate gland is connected via ducts to the urethra for the effective release of secretion.
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Where Is The Prostate Located
The prostate may be felt by inserting a finger into the rectum and pushing it toward the front of the body.
The urethra, a tube that takes urine and sperm out of the body, travels through the prostate. Since the prostate surrounds this duct, any prostate issues may affect urine flow.
This organ is part of the male sexual, or reproductive, anatomy.