Types Of Prostate Disease

The first disorder I want to cover is BPH(Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia). Link here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Benign_prostatic_hyperplasia.

This is basically what is referred to as an "enlarged prostate". This disorder is classified in 3 different categories as slightly enlarged,moderately enlarged,& severely enlarged. This disorder can affect men of all ages & race. A man's prostate grows with age.

When a man reaches 30 it starts to grow more rapidly. It's suggested that all men by the age of 40 to have a prostate exam. This exam is called a Digital Rectal Exam(DRE). This exam will allow a doctor to manually examine the prostate by inserting his finger into the rectum.

The doctor is feeling for any abnormalities of the prostate which is the central location for a male's reproductive area. The exam will only last a few seconds & the doctor will feel for any tumors or other problems. This isn't a comfortable exam especially if the prostate is enlarged.

However, it is a good exam to check for prostate issues. If a diagnosis of an enlargement is determined then the usual treatment route is to prescribe alpha-blockers such as doxazosin, terazosin, alfuzosin and tamsulosin. Another popular drug for treatment is Proscar. Link here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Finasteride

Symptoms of BPH are urinary frequency, urgency (compelling need to void that cannot be deferred), urgency incontinence, and voiding at night (nocturia). Voiding symptoms include weak urinary stream, hesitancy (needing to wait for the stream to begin), intermittency (when the stream starts and stops intermittently), straining to void, dysuria (burning sensation in the urethra), and dribbling.

While prescription meds are used to treat BPH I will be chatting in the future about alternative treatments for this disorder. I'm in no way suggesting to not try prescription drugs. I've just come up with a plan without prescription meds to treat BPH & other prostate problems. I will outline these in the future.

The next prostate disorder I want to cover is Prostatitis(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostatitis). This very troubling disease is divided into 4 separate categories. It affects men of various ages but is more common for men in the age range 0f 30-40. Prostatitis diagnosis is now considered to 1 out of 4 men(25%). The four categories of prostatitis are:

1. Acute bacterial prostatitis
2. Chronic bacterial prostatitis
3. Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain(my diagnosis)
4. Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis

Common symptoms of these are generally the same but more severe in certain types. Some of the symptoms include:

- pain or burning during urination(symptom of mine)
- difficulty urinating such as dribbling(mild symptom of mine)
- frequent urination especially at night(major symptom of mine)
- the urgent need to urinate(moderate symptom of mine)
- pain in the back & lower abdomen(mild symptom of mine)
- pain in the penis(urethra) & testicles(major symptom of mine)
- painful ejaculation(off & on symptom of mine)
- pain in the perineum(area between penis & rectum)(mild symptom)
- golf ball feeling under the testicles(major symptom of mine, maybe the worst)

Now, I will cover these 4 types in detail. My diagnosis was "chronic prostatitis" & this is the more common diagnosis for most men. The other types fall into a smaller area of men. The word "chronic" is defined as long term & recurring. I was determined to not let the word "chronic" derail me from finding ways to deal with this illness. I was told by doctors that I'd have to "live with it the rest of my life". Anyhow, now onto the different types of prostatitis in detail.

Type 1: Acute bacterial prostatitis,

Additional symptoms to the above are:

- fever
- chills
- vomiting
- feeling unwell

Type 2: Chronic bacterial prostatitis,

The key component in this is frequent urinary tract infections. There will be a between episode of this type of prostatitis in which there will be no symptoms at all to severe symptoms. Chronic bacterial prostatitis is hard to diagnosis due to bacteria from the prostate not showing up from a urine test. 95% of all urine test come up negative for bacteriathat may cause a prostate infection.


Type 3: Chronic prostatitis,

As stated before this was my diagnosis. This diagnosis is considered if the symptoms have been going on for more than 3 months. Some men may go through cycles or even stay the same over time. Some men may have more severe cycles as I seemed to have suffered. In a small amount of cases symptoms just disappear over time without treatment.

Type 4: Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis,

This condition is usually only found by accident like undergoing test for other problems. It presents with no symptoms & is less common as the other ones as well.

I will now go over some of the treatment options for prostatitis. This will be a quick summary at this time but I will be providing a more detailed approach in the future.

Treatment Options For Prostatitis:

Acute & chronic bacterial prostatitis options:

Acute bacterial prostatitis is usually treated with a shorter course of antibiotics. The normal course of treatment is from 2-4 weeks.

Chronic bacterial prostatitis is also treated with antibiotics as well but normally a longer period of time. Also, there may be a need for repeated courses of treatment with antibiotics.

Chronic prostatitis/Pelvic Pain options:

This is the hardest type of prostatitis(I can back this) to treat. Therapies that may help manage this type include:

- alpha blockers
- pain relievers
- prostatic massage(will cover more later)
- other treatments like microwave therapy

There is also the alternative route of treatment for prostate related problems. This I'll be covering in great detail coming soon. This has been my main area of treatment for the past 1 1/2 years.

The final prostate disorder I want to cover is prostate cancer. Link here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostate_cancer. This is probably one of the leading health concerns for a man. Breast cancer is at the top of the list of concerns for women. I have to say that I was dead-set that I had prostate cancer. I was in panic mode but still as a man I thought the worst.

A tumor forms somewhere on the prostate. Symptoms of prostate cancer doesn't differ much from other prostate disorders. The biggest factor is to catch the cancer early & not wait. I did delay going to the doctor but decided to face whatever my diagnosis. Being a man I was kind of shameful & didn't wanna be considered soft in admitting I have a problem with a manly body part. I'm glad I followed through with getting some initial test results & treatment.

The PSA(Prostate Specific Antigen,http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/detection/PSA) test is a test used to help diagnosis prostate cancer. It's not perfect however in the means of diagnosing a prostate tumor.

Prostate Cancer Symptoms:

- weak urine flow
- frequent urination at night
- trouble urinating
- pain or burning during urination
- blood in the urine or semen
- pain in pelvic area that doesn't go away
- painful ejaculation