Next time you see your dad, uncle, or any man over 60, ask them about their prostate. If you get to know him well enough and he feels comfortable enough around you, he is sure to share the full spectrum of common prostate problems that cause problems. It has caused him trouble, or will be in trouble in the future. That's because an enlarged prostate, prostate fibroids, and even prostate cancer can occur in all men over a certain age.
That's the scary but real truth of growing old as a man. For example, every man should know that prostate cancer is one of the most common prostate problems. It tops the list of cancers affecting men, affecting most men, as compared to breast cancer in women. However, prostate cancer is not as dramatic as breast cancer, perhaps because most men don't want to talk about what's going on there.
The second thing that most men don't know, but should know, is exactly what this prostate gland is. The prostate is actually part of a man's sex organs. The prostate gland is located just below the bladder in men, encircling the urethra. It is about the size of a walnut. The main job is in the birds-and-bees scheme of things is to add fluid to your sperm during ejaculation.
And most men don't even realize they have a prostate because it's a hidden internal organ, but all men quickly find out what their prostate is and where it's located when they have the common prostate problem.
For example, all men should know that prostate problems don't just affect older men. Men under the age of 50 can develop prostatitis, or an extremely painful infection of the prostate gland. This is a swelling of the prostate gland that can cause a fever, a burning sensation when urinating, and fatigue.
And all men over 50 should know about their most common prostate problem, an enlarged prostate or benign prostatic hyperplasia. This benign or non-fatal condition is actually much more common in older men than prostate cancer, which should give older men some relief when they know it.
All men should be aware of the symptoms of an enlarged prostate, such as leaking and dripping when urinating; weak urine flow; difficulty initiating urination; and possibly even a small amount of blood in the urine.
And although prostate hypertrophy is more common than prostate cancer, men should know that the two can go hand in hand. This is not always the case, and many men with an enlarged prostate will never develop cancer. But it's best to keep an eye on both as they can have similar symptoms.
0 Comments