Prostate Disorders
The prostate is also known as the prostate gland. A healthy prostate gland resembles both the shape and size of a chestnut. It surrounds the upper region of the urethra in men.
It is located directly below the bladder. An experienced doctor can feel it during a digital rectal exam (DRE). DRE is a simple finger examination to check the prostate via the rectum.
What function does it have in men?
Glands are organs that secret certain active substances or fluids. The prostate gland produces part of the fluid that is secreted via the urethra during ejaculation.
The secretion enters the urethra through various small excretory ducts. The prostate fluid mixes with the sperm there. Almost a third of the ejaculate is made up of prostatic secretion.
The fluid facilitates sperm mobility, makes ejaculation less viscous and boosts sperm cell survival rates in the acidic vaginal environment.
The so-called seminal vesicles and the bulbourethral glands are other glands that also secret fluids in the urethra. Together with the prostate, they belong to the male reproductive system.
Prostate cells begin to multiply from as early an age as 30. The prostate gland expands and restricts the surrounding urethra. The original chestnut-sized gland can reach the size of a peach.
As a result, the bladder has to fight against the pressure of the prostate gland. Urine can no longer flow unhindered. This causes problems with urination.
Noticeable symptoms are:
- Diminished urinary stream, sometimes only urine droplets
- Hesitant urination, interruptions, dribbling
- A feeling of residual urine
- Irritable bladder: frequent urinary urgency with a small volume of urine
- Frequent nighttime urination
- Increased bladder discharge pressure
There also seems to be a correlation between an enlarged prostate and high blood pressure. In very severe cases, an enlarged prostate gland can even result in bladder or kidney damage.
Who suffers from these problems?
Many men already feel the effects of prostate growth in their 50s. Every second man over the age of 60 is affected. In the age of 90s, it is approx. 90% of men.
However, prostate enlargement varies in prevalence worldwide. Many men, especially in industrial nations, suffer from it. Therefore, we can assume that lifestyle and especially diet have a major effect.
The growth of the prostate gland and the accompanying symptoms – above all slower urination – are normal signs of ageing. This is known as benign prostate enlargement, benign prostatic hyperplasia, or just BPH.
It is problematic that the BPH symptoms noticed by sufferers cannot be easily distinguished from those of a prostate tumour. Prostate cancer manifests similarly. Regular visits to a doctor (urologist) are therefore recommended for all men over 50 years.
Physical examinations, palpitation of the prostate gland through the rectum and determination of the PSA level are important tests. They can help the doctor to determine whether it is harmless, age-related prostate growth or a serious disease. The doctor will then decide if and what kind of treatment is needed.
Transurethral incision of the prostate is a treatment option for BPH. This minimally invasive procedure helps to widen the urinary channel. It is often chosen for men who have only slightly enlarged prostates and has fewer side effects than other surgical treatments.
According to the Public Health Agency of Canada, one in 9 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer in his lifetime. Risk factors are most commonly age, but also include family history and racial background.
There are many different cancer treatments available, including drug treatment and surgery. The earlier the tumour is detected, the better the chances of successful therapy.
The treatment plan for each patient is based on various factors. These include the cancer type and stage, medical history and age of the patient, and more. PSA tests are often part of follow-up care after the cancer treatment.
PSA stands for prostate-specific antigen. PSA is a protein that is only produced in the prostate gland. As with all products of hormonal glands, it can also be detected in the blood.
PSA is produced by healthy but also unhealthy prostate cells. Therefore, it is found in certain amounts in all men. PSA velocity measures how fast the PSA level rises over time.
The PSA level combined with other values measured in the blood can tell the doctor whether a serious disease could be present.
PSA is also used as a so-called tumour marker. The PSA level usually goes down significantly after cancer treatment. It is then regularly checked in follow-up visits.
Prostate tissue can also become inflamed, doctors call this prostatitis. Symptoms are pain when urinating and when ejaculating.
Prostatitis can be acute or chronic. Often, but not always, it occurs in connection with a bacterial infection or inflammation of the bladder or urinary tract. Bacterial prostatitis requires treatment with antibiotics.
Several measures can help with prostate symptoms – for prevention and also for relief. Please always remember that prostate symptoms are a typical symptom of our Western lifestyle!
Here are a few tips:
- Eat regularly, but moderately!
- Try to achieve or maintain your normal weight (BMI < 25).
- Exercise regularly (at least 30 min of endurance sport 3 times a week).
- Eat plenty of fish – at least twice a week (omega-3 fatty acids).
- Restrict your consumption of animal fats.
- Eat preferably unsaturated fatty acids (e.g., olive oil or rapeseed oil).
- Eat broccoli, soy products, cooked tomatoes, and garlic regularly.
- Eat plenty of fibre (vegetables, wholemeal products, ispaghula husk).
- Use the supportive power of pumpkin seeds long-term.
- Avoid red meat such as tartar or raw steak!
- Take vitamin E (dietary supplement or wheatgerm oil).
