Every man must be aware of their prostate health and learn how to keep it healthy. The prostate is essential to male fertility and reproduction. Unfortunately, prostate cancer is one of the most prevalent cancers plaguing men in America, whether old or young. Men aged 40 and above are more at risk of developing prostate problems. Phytage Labs Prostate 911 is a natural supplement that can help keep the prostate healthy.
In this article, we will highlight all the basics you need to know about your prostate and how you confirm that your prostate is healthy.
What Is the Prostate?
The prostate is a walnut-sized gland in the male reproductive system. It sits just below the bladder and in between the base of the penis and the front of the rectum. It covers part of the urethra, the tube in the penis that helps you pass urine. As men grow older, the size of their prostate increases. But an overly enlarged prostate can cause health challenges.
Read also: 3 Tips for Using a Prostate Massager
What Does the Prostate Do?
The prostate's main function is to produce parts of the fluids that make up the semen that carries sperm through your testicles when you ejaculate. The muscles in the prostate help you push semen into the urethra and expel it outwards during ejaculation. The prostate is essential to fertility and reproduction in men.
How to Know if Your Prostate Is Healthy
There are many signs of good prostate health, some of which we will discuss later in this article. But the most credible way to confirm that your prostate is healthy is by visiting a doctor to run tests and confirm your prostate health. Here are the tests a doctor may recommend to check your prostate health.
Digital Rectal Exam (DRE)
In this exam, the doctor uses their gloved and lubed-up finger to examine the prostate through the walls of the rectum. Doctors recommend that you undergo a DRE yearly to assess your prostate health. During this examination, the doctor pays attention to the
- The size, feel, and temperature of the prostate
- Any swellings, lumps, or tissue growth on or around the prostate (prostate cancer)
- Extreme sensitivity to touch
A normal and healthy prostate should be smooth to the touch, firm, and have a rubbery texture.
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) Testing
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) is a protein made by the prostate glands. A test conducted in a laboratory measures the level of PSA in your blood. Your PSA levels provide insights into your prostate health. Extremely high levels of PSA indicate that a person may have cancer, but it may also be owing to other health conditions. PSA tests are not an official prostate cancer diagnosis.
Prostate Biopsy
When the PSA level is high, patients may have a tissue sample of their prostate taken for further examination. This test is a prostate biopsy. A prostate biopsy is necessary to confirm or rule out a cancer diagnosis. A biopsy is required when a patient has abnormal growth in the prostate or other signs of prostate cancer.
Outside the tests discussed above, doctors may also conduct an MRI or ultrasound to check if your prostate is healthy.
Symptoms of Unhealthy Prostate
Symptoms of an unhealthy prostate may manifest in any of the following ways.
- Frequent urination
- Trouble maintaining steady and strong urine flow
- Dribbling and leaking of urine
- Burning sensations and discomfort when peeing
- Seeing blood in semen or urine
- Feeling like you haven't emptied your bladder after you pee
- Pain during ejaculation
- Struggling to get or maintain an erection
- Constant dizziness and fatigue
- Sharp or numb pain in your pelvis, lower back, upper thighs, legs, and bladder
- Poor appetite and weight loss
All of these are signs and symptoms of different prostate problems. For this reason, if you experience any of these symptoms, see only a medical professional for counseling and diagnosis.
Common Prostate Problems
Usually, only men above 55 experience problems with their prostates. But in recent times, doctors have reported that 10 percent of men with prostate cancer are younger men below 55.
Any man at any age can have prostate problems.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH)
BPH, also called prostate gland enlargement, is a health condition common in older men. It occurs when the prostate gland has grown bigger than normal and causes difficulty in urination. An enlarged prostate gland hinders the flow of urination. BPH also causes bladder, kidney and urinary tract infections (UTI). The severity of this condition does not depend on how enlarged the prostate is. Patients who have slightly enlarged prostates may experience more symptoms than those who have significantly enlarged prostates.
Prostatitis
This condition is an inflammation of the prostate glands caused by injury, immune system disorders, and infections. Symptoms of prostatitis include swelling in the groin and pelvic area, difficulty urinating, fever, pain and discomfort in the lower body area, blood in the urine and many others.
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer means cancer of the prostate gland. It is the second most prevalent form of cancer affecting men in the United States. 5 in 40 men will be diagnosed with prostate cancer by the age of 55 in America. Prostate cancer, if detected early, can be treated and cured. Plus, the treatment for early stages does not have to be surgery or chemotherapy. Prostate cancer, even when detected late, can be managed. If you experience any of the symptoms listed earlier, visit your primary health physician.
How to Keep Your Prostate Healthy
As men get older, they become more at risk of prostate problems. There is no definite way to prevent it. However, there are ways to keep your prostate healthy and reduce the risk of having prostate problems. If you already practice these healthy habits, you might have a healthy prostate.
Eat Healthy and Balanced Meals
Eat more green vegetables, fruits, fiber, whole grains, and nuts. The vitamins and antioxidants in fruits and vegetables are good for prostate health. Also, eat more lean proteins and less red meat. Charred (burnt) red meat contains chemicals and carcinogens that can affect your prostate. So you need to reduce your consumption of red meat, especially grilled ones.
Get Your Prostate Checked Yearly
Men 40 and above must get digital rectal exams at least once a year. It’s not enough to live a healthy lifestyle. You must also confirm that your prostate is in good shape. Regular checks will help you detect any abnormalities in your prostate before it becomes a problem. You don’t have to wait until you experience any symptoms before you get your prostate checked.
Have a Healthy Lifestyle
Smoking and alcohol consumption can be detrimental to your prostate health. If you have a history of prostate cancer or other prostate conditions in your family, it is best to moderate your alcohol intake and cut off smoking.
Exercise Regularly
Be physically active. If you cannot access the gym, take 30 minutes to walk daily or run around your neighborhood. Exercising promotes blood circulation to the muscles, including the prostate muscles. Regular exercise can also prevent an enlarged prostate from becoming more severe.
Taking Everything Into Account
Now that you know the basics about prostate health and common prostate problems, you must do your best to keep your prostate healthy. Make a deliberate effort to improve your diet, drink more water, and exercise regularly. If there is a history of prostate problems in your family, ensure you get your prostate checked by a doctor at least once a year. Avoid smoking as it can put you at risk of prostate cancer.
Isreal olabanji a dental assistant and public health professionals and has years of experience in assisting the dentist with all sorts of dental issues.
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The content is intended to augment, not replace, information provided by your clinician. It is not intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Reading this information does not create or replace a doctor-patient relationship or consultation. If required, please contact your doctor or other health care provider to assist you to interpret any of this information, or in applying the information to your individual needs.