Inflammation of the Porstate
What causes inflammation of the prostate?
Prostate Cancer
What can you tell me about prostate cancer?
Are all men equally at risk for developing prostate cancer?
Should only older men be concerned about prostate cancer?
Prostate Screening
What does the prostate screening test involve?
Who should consider an annual prostate cancer screening?
Urinary Incontinence
What is the cause of urinary incontinence?
Inflammation of the Porstate
What causes inflammation of the prostate?
Prostatitis, or inflammation of the prostate, has a variety of causes ranging from stress to bacterial infection. When the prostatic ducts become inflamed, irritated or blocked for any reason, prostatitis may develop.
The three types of prostatitis are:
- nonbacterial prostatitis
- acute (severe) bacterial prostatitis
- chronic (long-lasting) prostatitis.
Prostatitis can affect men of all ages. Some of the symptoms are similar to those caused by an enlarged prostate and include the frequent urge to urinate, yet difficulty in doing so. Prostatitis also can be accompanied by chills and fever and by pain or burning during urination. Symptoms and the underlying condition may be treated by medication or other means. If an infection is the cause, medication can usually resolve the problem completely.
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Prostate Cancer
What can you tell me about prostate cancer?
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Are all men equally at risk for developing prostate cancer?
Advancing age is the most important risk factor for developing prostate cancer. African-American men and men with a family history of prostate cancer are also at greater risk.
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Should only older men be concerned about prostate cancer?
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In some instances, prostate cancer can strike younger men in their 40s and 50s, especially if there is a history of prostate cancer. All adult men need to learn about this cancer and pay attention to their bodies.
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Prostate Screening
What does the prostate screening test involve?
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Screening consists of two simple tests: the Digital Rectal Exam (DRE) and a blood test called the Prostate-Specific Antigen (PSA) test.
An elevated PSA or any abnormality in the DRE means that you should consult with your doctor about additional tests.
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Who should consider an annual prostate cancer screening?
- African-American men over the age of 40
- Men over the age of 40 with a history of prostate cancer
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Urinary Incontinence
What is the cause of urinary incontinence?
Urinary incontinence is the involuntary loss of urine that occurs frequently enough to become a problem. Although it is more common among older women, it is not an inevitable part of aging and can occur at any age. Urinary incontinence is caused by various problems with the bladder, where urine is stored, and the urethra, the canal that carries urine from the bladder to outside the body. Problems with the bladder include weakness of the muscles and hypersensitive or overactive bladder muscles. Urethral problems include weakness of the urethral sphincter (band of muscles that close off the bladder opening to the urethra) or a blocked urethra. Sometimes, urinary incontinence is temporary, appearing as a side effect to a medication or a symptom of an underlying condition, such as infection or hormonal imbalance. This temporary condition will disappear once the causal condition is identified and treated. There are three main types of urinary incontinence. Stress incontinence is the most common type, is often caused by poor bladder support, a damaged sphincter muscle or a problem within the urethra. Stress incontinence causes urine to leak out with activities, such as sneezing, laughing and coughing, or with any effort that increases pressure on the bladder, such as bending or exercise. Urge incontinence occurs when an "overactive" bladder contracts unexpectedly. It usually comes with little warning and causes an abrupt and uncontrollable need to urinate. Overflow incontinence is caused by a weakened bladder or a blocked urethra, making it impossible for the bladder to empty completely. This eventually causes the urine to overflow and leak out. Diabetes, heavy alcohol use and certain neurologic problems can cause overflow incontinence.
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