The prostate is a gland that lies between the bladder and the penis. Although very small in size, it is of vital importance to every man's health. The prostate carries urine from the bladder as well as adding fluid to sperm just before ejaculation. Keeping the prostate healthy is an important priority for every man.
Prostate Problems
Prostate cancer is second only to lung cancer as the most common form of cancer for men in America. According to The Complete Encyclopedia of Natural Healing there are 165,000 new cases and 35,000 deaths annually in the United States alone. This disease occurs more frequently among African-Americans and is not uncommon in men in their 30's and 40's. This disease is slow moving and many men are unaware of its presence. Because of this, men with prostate cancer often die of other causes due to the metastasis of the untreated prostate cancer. Symptoms of prostate cancer are:
- Nodules on the prostate that may be felt during a digital rectal exam;
- Bone pain may be felt in advanced stages of the disease;
- Painful urination.
Prostatic hypertrophy or enlargement of the prostate is the other common prostate problem. It is estimated that nearly 70% of men over the age of 50 have some prostatic hypertrophy. Although usually painless this condition is sometimes difficult to live with. Symptoms of prostatic enlargement include:
- Increased urination at night;
- Decreased force of urinary flow;
- Hesitancy in urinating;
- Burning while urinating;
- Blood in the urine.
Prostate problems are treatable, especially if you take care of things early on. See your health provider regularly or whenever you experience the following symptoms:
- If you experience painful urination, coupled with lower back pain, fever and pelvic pain.
- You frequently feel the urge to urinate but can’t get a stream started.
- Your urine stream is weak.
- You repeatedly urinate two or three times a night.
- You finish urinating but your bladder still feels full.
There are several natural treatments for prostate cancer and benign prostatic hypertrophy that are worth considering. These same treatments are also effective in preventing these conditions from developing. Dr. Stephen Sinatra, M.D., urges men that have benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) to seek out options to radiation and surgery because of the high possibility of becoming permanently impotent. He recommends a number of nutrients to his patients.
