Prostate problem is very common in men above the age of 60, over 80% of all men experience some problem with urinating due to enlarged prostate. This page gives details on the prostate gland, prostate problems, enlarged prostate symptoms and enlarged prostate treatment.
Picture of The Prostate Gland and other associated organs.
The Prostate Gland
The prostate is a male-only small walnut size organ, situated below the bladder (urethra in which urine is stored) and in front of the bowel. The prostate surrounds the urine carrying duct tube that takes away the urine from the bladder. The prostate usually grows larger with age. Prostate problems are common in men age 50 and older.
The Prostate Problems
There are three problems of the prostate, all with the similar symptoms.
Prostatitis
This only an inflammation of the prostate and can be treated by antibiotics, if detected early. It can also occur to younger men.
In the acute prostate problems (Acute prostatitis), It can cause fever, chills, or pain in the lower back and between the legs. It also can cause pain when you urinate.
In some cases the prostate infection keeps coming again and again. This type of prostate problem, known as Chronic prostatitis, shows milder but long lasting symptoms. Chronic prostatitis can be hard to treat. Antibiotics may work for chronic prostatitis if bacteria are causing the infection. Often it clears up by time.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
Older men of age 50 onwards may have enlarged prostate, this enlarged prostate problem is known as benign prostatic hyperplasia. These men may have a frequent urge to urinate or dribbling after urination or in extreme case, difficulty in urinating, especially at night. This is due to enlarged prostate which blocks the urethra.
Prostate enlargement is not a malignant condition, but it does put pressure on the urethra and can create a number of urinary problems such as frequent urination, urinary urgency, the need to get up at night to urinate, difficulty starting, a reduction to the force of the urine stream, terminal dribbling, incomplete emptying of the bladder and even the inability to urinate at all.
The following simple things will often help control the symptoms of an enlarged prostate and prevent your condition from worsening.
Do not drink water and other beverages after 7 p.m. This will reduce your need to go to the bathroom at night.
Limit alcohol and the drinks containing caffeine. Both increase urine production and irritate bladder.
Empty your bladder completely, each time you go to the bathroom. Don't allow your bladder to be full.
If you have difficulty in urinating, try sitting on the toilet.
Be careful with over-the-counter decongestants. These drugs can cause the band of muscles that control urine flow from your urethra (urethral sphincter) to tighten, making urination more difficult.
Keep physically active. Even a small amount of exercise can reduce urinary problems caused by an enlarged prostate. Kegel exercises are useful in improving blood circulation to the prostate gland. This exercise is performed by tightening all the muscles around the scrotum and anus. Repeat this tightening of the muscles 10 times. Try doing this simple exercise 4-5 times daily.
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