Prostate
The prostateis a compound tubuloalveolar exocrine gland of the male mammalian reproductive system.
The prostate differs considerably among species anatomically, chemically, and physiologically.
Relations
♦Anterior:
♦Inferior:
♦Posterior: urethra and rectum
♦Superior: upper surface of urogenital diaphragm and urinary bladder
♦Lateral: anterior fibers of levator ani muscle
FunctionThe main function of the prostate is to store and secrete a clear, slightly alkaline (pH 7.29) fluid that constitutes 10-30% of the volume of the seminal fluid that, along with spermatozoa, constitutes semen. The rest of the seminal fluid is produced by the two seminal vesicles. The alkalinity of seminal fluid helps neutralize the acidity of the vaginal tract; prolonging the lifespan of sperm.
The prostate also contains some smooth muscles that help expel semen during ejaculation.
SecretionsProstatic secretions vary among species. They are generally composed of simple sugars, and are often slightly basic.
In human prostatic secretions, the protein content is less than 1% and includes proteolytic enzymes, acid phosphatase, and prostate-specific antigen. The secretions also contain zinc.
Prostate Biopsy Procedures
A prostate biopsy procedure involves taking of a minuscule tissue sample from the prostate gland to determine if cancer cells are present. Prostate cancer, without visible manifestations, can be very tricky to detect early on and Prostate Specific Antigen tests (PSA) as well as Digital Rectal Examinations (DRE) may or may not show the cancer’s presence. If your doctor has detected a density increase during a PSA test, or an irregularity during a DRE, the next step to accurately determine a prostate cancer’s presence is a prostate biopsy procedure.
Prostate biopsy procedures consist of three types: a trans-rectal, transurethral, and a trans-perineal procedure. Though all of them are geared toward the detection of a prostate cancer, they differ in the way they are done.
Trans-rectal Prostate Biopsy
The trans-rectal prostate biopsy procedure employs the use of trans-rectal ultrasound monitor so that the doctor can guide the biopsy gun toward an appropriate place. This biopsy gun is a spring loaded needle capable of extracting several tissue samples a fraction of the second. Though there will be bleeding afterwards, visible in the urine and the ejaculate and on the rectum, the pain will be absent to minimal due to anesthetics applied beforehand.
Transurethral Prostate Biopsy
A transurethral prostate biopsy procedure includes insertion of a cystoscope into the urethra, using local anesthesia to numb the surround area of the urethra. This prostate biopsy procedure thus allows the doctor a direct look at the prostate gland by using the cytoscope and allows a direct extraction of a prostate tissue by using a cutting loop device attached.
Trans-perineal Prostate Biopsy
Because the trans-perineal prostate biopsy procedure makes incision on the perinea, some patients would prefer to remain unconscious during the procedure. This prostate biopsy procedure is employed sparingly because of the amount of damage it risks. It is only employed when other prostate biopsy procedures failed in detecting the location or presence of the prostate cancer.
Though there have been claims that prostate biopsy creates damaging risks to an otherwise healthy prostate gland, there is no way to recognize the presence of prostate cancer than having a prostate biopsy procedure. And rarely would risks occur because of a prostate biopsy procedure.
Any patient having a prostate biopsy procedure would experience blood in the urine, semen and sometimes on the anus (with the trans-rectal biopsy). But all symptoms will dissipate within days, except with the trans-perineal prostate biopsy procedure which can take at least a month to heal completely.
Prostate Cancer; Sun and Vitamin D
Cancer Centres in USA
compared the lifetime sun exposure in men with advanced prostate cancer and men without disease and they suggest that men who had spent more time in the sun they lives were with low risk of prostate cancer.
New studies in prostate cancer
indicate that the men who spent more time in the sun in their live usually can reduce prostate cancer in about 50%
About the above point shown that the prostate uses Vitamin D to promote the normal growth of prostate cells and in consequence to slow the spread of prostate cancer cells to others parts of the body.
Sun exposure prevent prostate cancer
and the new research suggest vitamin D in supplement may be a safer option today for men.
Previous studies have shown that many places which long winter like Canada and North America men do not adsorb Vitamin D and others nutrients.
In Canada men do not adsorb vitamin D
in consequence one of the seven can develop prostate cancer in their lives; USA new researches indicate that one of the five men can develop prostate cancer.
Researchers shown that vitamin D
has many micronutrients promote and prevent the prostate cancer in men.
conclusion; a suitable dose of vitamin D and to take sun in a responsible manner can considerably reduce the risk of develop prostate cancer.
Prostate Massage - An Easy Way To Maintain Prostate Health
Most men are familiar with potential problems they may encounter later in life from their prostate. These prostate problems can range from prostatitis to an enlarged prostate to frequent prostate infections.
While there are many doctor prescribed prescriptions to help ease the symptoms of prostate problems, many of them have numerous side effects which may be even more unpleasant that the actual prostate disorder they have been prescribed to help with.
Prostate issues can occur in men of all ages and it is estimated that 1 in 3 men over the age of 55 have some form of prostate dysfunction. Men even in their early 20's can start to develop prostate infections and prostatitis and these issues may worsen over time and can ultimately lead to prostate cancer.
More and more medical practitioners are recommending a prostate massage as a helpful and natural method to help to maintain a healthy prostate and to help lessen the severity of common prostate gland problems.
Prostate massaging helps to expel stagnated seminal fluid in men. Many medical practitioners also believe that a regular prostate massage even in younger and healthy men can help to lessen or even prevent prostate gland disorders later in life.
Only in the last 25 years has prostate massage become a routine medical procedure that usually was performed at your medical practitioners office. Now, men have discovered that this medical based procedure is actually quite easy to perform in the privacy of their own home.
While most men can perform a prostate massage easily and safely for themselves, it is important to check with your medical practitioner prior to massaging their prostate if they are suffering currently from a prostate disorder as some prostate gland conditions can be made much worse from a prostate massage.
As more and more men are suffering from a variety of prostate gland problems and disorders such as an enlarged prostate or prostate cancer, it is important to note that a regular prostate massage might go a long way in helping and preventing future possible prostate problems.
Prostatitis
Prostatitis
is inflammation of the prostate gland. There are different forms of prostatitis, each with different causes and outcomes. Acute prostatitis and chronic bacterial prostatitis are treated with antibiotics; chronic non-bacterial prostatitis or male chronic pelvic pain syndrome, which comprises about 95% of prostatitis diagnoses, is treated by a large variety of modalities including alpha blockers, phytotherapy, physical therapy, psychotherapy, antihistamines, anxiolytics, nerve modulators and more. More recently, a combination of trigger point and psychological therapy has proved effective as well.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia
Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) occurs in older men; the prostate often enlarges to the point where urination becomes difficult. Symptoms include needing to go to the toilet often or taking a while to get started. If the prostate grows too large it may constrict the urethra and impede the flow of urine, making urination difficult and painful and in extreme cases completely impossible.
BPH can be treated with medication or with surgery that removes the prostate. The surgery most often used in such cases is called transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP or TUR). In TURP, an instrument is inserted through the urethra to remove prostate tissue that is pressing against the upper part of the urethra and restricting the flow of urine. Older men often have corpora amylacea (amyloid), dense accumulations of calcified proteinaceous material, in the ducts of their prostates. The corpora amylacea may obstruct the lumens of the prostatic ducts, and may underlie some cases of BPH.
Urinary frequency due to bladder spasm, common in older men, may be confused with prostatic hyperplasia (enlarged prostate.)
Prostate cancer
Prostate cancer is one of the most common cancers affecting older men in developed countries and a significant cause of death for elderly men (estimated by some specialists at 3%). Regular rectal exams are recommended for older men to detect prostate cancer early.
