The prostate gland and prostate disease have been much in the news of late, resulting in an uptick in curiosity about prostate health. The prostate, a walnut sized gland, located behind the bladder and in front of the rectum, helps in the formation of semen and has muscles which effect urination and ejaculation.
The three most common prostate problems are prostatitis, inflammation or infection in the prostate; benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH), non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate; and cancer. The first condition, prostatitis, affects men of all ages and is the number one urinary tract problem in men under age 50. Prostatitis symptoms include frequent and painful urination and often a dull achy pain in the low abdomen or groin. Prostatitis can be an acute bacterial infection, requiring antibiotic treatment, or a chronic, low-level inflammation that fluctuates in severity throughout a man’s life.
With BPH, the prostate is enlarged. The enlargement is painless but puts pressure on the nearby bladder causing urinary frequency, especially at night, and a weakened urine flow. BPH is very common. Close to 50 percent of men over 50 have some amount of prostate enlargement. Studies indicate that 90 percent of 85-year-old men have BPH.
Prostate cancer, especially in the early stages, does not create symptoms. As the cancer grows larger, men may notice symptoms similar to those of BPH.
For optimal prostate health, men aged 50 and older should have an annual digital physical prostate exam and a PSA (prostate specific antigen) lab test. Men of any age should see their doctor if they have symptoms of prostatitis or new urinary tract frequency that lasts more than two days.
PSA testing has been the subject of much debate in the medical community with those against it citing the risks of many false positives and over-treatment of prostate disease. The current standard, put forth by the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) in 2018, suggests that men between ages 55 and 69 ought to discuss the pros and cons of a PSA test with their health care provider. Rather than talk about whether or not to test, I prefer to spend time discussing actual test results with my patients. A high PSA result does not always indicate prostate cancer. It may instead be a warning sign that the prostate is inflamed or that a man is at risk for the eventual development of prostate cancer.
While acute bacterial prostatitis and prostate cancer require individual care by a health care provider, the following can help reduce BPH symptoms and improve prostate health:
Avoid meat that has been raised with hormones (most commonly beef and chicken), and keep processed, synthetic and fried food out of your diet.
Try these prostate health supplements
Serenoa repens, known as saw palmetto, is a dwarf palm tree native to Florida. An extract made from the fruit of this plant can reduce prostate inflammation, improve urine flow rate and diminish nighttime urinary frequency. A typical dose is 160 mg twice daily for three months.
Cecale cereale (Rye) pollen. Plant pollens support the production of healthy leukotriene and prostaglandin, substances that can improve urinary function and reduce prostate inflammation. A typical dose is 320 mg daily.
