Why is Prostate Health Important?
Why is Prostate Health Important?
Knowledge is the first and
most important weapon in maintaining a healthy prostate, so it is important
to understand what the prostate gland is, what conditions are associated
with it, and the symptoms of an unhealthy prostate gland. The prostate
gland is a small walnut-sized organ in males that produces a liquid
component of semen, which is the white fluid that contains sperm. The
prostate gland is located below the bladder, where urine is stored,
and surrounds the urethra, which is the tube that carries urine from
the bladder to the penis. This small gland is responsible for a great
portion of a man’s sexual health.
Having a healthy prostate can
prevent such issues as infections, impotence, erectile and other penile
dysfunctions, and even cancer. Like any other body part, prostate health
can be influenced by genetics, the normal aging process, and hormonal
influences, as well as environmental elements such as chemicals and
toxins. However, prostate health can also be positively influenced by
diet and lifestyle choices. Scientific studies have shown that green
tea helps prevent prostate cancer growth in mice, and green tea extract
is reported to literally kill cancer cells and starve tumors of additional
flow necessary for them to grow.
Non-cancerous conditions of
the prostate gland can include the following: Benign prostatic hyperplasia
is an enlargement of the prostate gland, and is also known as benign
prostatic hypertrophy, nodular hyperplasia of the prostate, and is abbreviated
as BPH. When the gland enlarges, it can compress the urethra, slowing
the flow of urine, or in sever cases, stop the flow completely, causing
injury to the kidneys. Acute bacterial prostatitis is a bacterial
infection of the prostate, whose symptoms include fever, chills, painful
urination, and pain between the legs and in the lower back. Chronic
bacterial prostatitis, is a recurring prostate infection, marked
by lower back pain, testicular pain, pain in the area between the anus
and penis (perineum), and sometimes painful and frequent urination,
if the infection spreads to the bladder. Nonbacterial prostatitis
is the most common, but least medically understood form of prostatitis,
and is often associated with other conditions, such as reactive arthritis.
Prostatodynia is similar to nonbacterial prostatitis, and is usually
treated with anti-inflammatory drugs. More gravely, prostate cancer
is the second leading cause of death from cancer among American men.
The prostate gland is as important
to a man’s sexual health as a woman’s ovaries are to her sexual
health. This is why prostate health is so important. So, beginning at
age 40, or before if you have a family history of prostate cancer, have
yearly prostate exams. Or, if you experience any of the following symptoms,
you should contact your doctor immediately to ensure your prostate is
in good health. Frequent urge to urinate, difficult or painful urination,
dribbling of urine, complete inability to urinate, blood in semen, pain
with ejaculation, and tenderness or swelling in the testes, scrotum
or groin area are all signs that your prostate may need medical attention.
For more information on prostate
health, click here.
Thanks for visiting!
Steve
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