Most people are familiar with the risk of prostate cancer. However, they might not even be aware of the other common prostate problems. Read on to learn more about what these problems are, and what you can do to care for your prostate.
What Are the Most Common Prostate Problems?
The three usual problems affecting the prostate are prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and prostate cancer. Here is a breakdown of each of these conditions:
Prostatitis
First of the common prostate problems is prostatitis. Prostatitis refers to an infection or inflammation of the prostate gland1. A UTI or urinary tract infection is the most common cause of prostatitis. What happens is that the bacteria causing the UTI can sometimes migrate up the urethra and into the prostate, which causes inflammation.
Other factors such as an autoimmune disease, stress, or even bladder stones and infections can also cause prostatitis.
It is estimated that about 50% of men will experience a form of prostatitis at one point in their lives.
The most common symptoms of prostatitis include pain in the testicles and the penis. Frequent and painful urination are also possible symptoms. In some cases, painful ejaculation and blood in the sperm can also be possible symptoms of this condition.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia
Another one of the common prostate problems is benign prostatic hyperplasia or BPH2. BPH refers to an enlargement of the prostate gland. As men grow older, it’s not uncommon for their prostate gland to grow larger. But with BPH, the prostate can become too large that it affects the flow of urine, causing bladder stones or even kidney problems.
The most common symptom of BPH is frequent urination. This is because as the prostate grows larger, it starts to apply pressure on the bladder. This pressure results in frequent urination, as well as difficulty in starting urination.
Some men with BPH might also feel that their bladder is not yet empty even if they’ve just finished urinating.
For the most part, BPH isn’t a serious concern, so long as it doesn’t affect a person’s quality of life or if it’s not causing any symptoms. But if a person starts to have difficulty urinating or develops bladder stones, then it would be best to consult a doctor to get it looked at.
Prostate Cancer
Last of the common prostate problems is prostate cancer3. It is also one of the most common types of cancers in men.
Just like other types of cancers, prostate cancer happens when the cells in the prostate start to grow uncontrollably. Over time, this causes the prostate to grow larger and cause symptoms similar to that of BPH.
However, since it’s a type of cancer, it can spread to other parts of the body if left untreated. The most common way that prostate cancer is diagnosed is through a biopsy. But one of the problems with prostate cancer is that it can go undetected for years since it develops slowly. This is why as men grow older, it is important to pay extra care to any symptoms you might experience, and to get your prostate checked regularly.
Caring for Your Prostate
Here are some tips that can help you take better care of your prostate4:
- Eat healthy foods such as fruits, vegetables, lean meats, and fish.
- Cut back on unhealthy foods such as sweets, fatty foods, and foods high in salt.
- Stay active. Try to exercise for at least 30 minutes each day as this will help keep your body strong.
- As you grow older, be sure to get regular checkups and prostate examinations. This can help detect the early stages of prostate cancer which can help head off the disease before it starts to get worse.
Learn more about Prostate Health here.
