| The prostate gland is about the size of a | | | | things. |
| walnut and is found at the base of the | | | | |
| bladder. A thin tube that allows the passage | | | | Treatment |
| of urine out of the penis (urethra) runs | | | | |
| through the prostate gland. Fluid produced by | | | | The surgeon (urologist) must first prove that |
| this gland helps to nourish and support | | | | the prostatic enlargement is the cause of the |
| sperm, which come from the seminal vesicles | | | | symptoms. He may find it helpful to measure |
| via the ejaculatory ducts into the urethra. | | | | the urinary flow rate. This is a simple test: |
| | | | you pass urine into a large funnel and the |
| Prostate cancer is a disease in which the | | | | time taken for a particular volume of urine |
| cells of the prostate become abnormal. They | | | | to pass is calculated electronically. The |
| start to grow uncontrollably, forming tumors. | | | | urologist will also arrange an x-ray or |
| A tumor is a mass or lump of tissue made of | | | | ultrasound scan to make a picture of the |
| abnormal cells. Tumors may be malignant or | | | | bladder after an attempt at emptying. This |
| benign. A malignant tumor can spread to other | | | | will reveal whether the prostate is causing |
| parts of the body. Malignant tumors are | | | | obstruction to the urethra. The ultrasound |
| cancerous. Benign tumors cannot spread to | | | | scan will also check that the kidneys are |
| other parts of the body. | | | | normal. In some hospitals, the size and the |
| | | | shape of the prostate can also be measured by |
| Causes | | | | ultrasound. |
| | | | |
| Increasing age and the presence of normal | | | | Medications |
| male hormones (testosterone and | | | | |
| dihydrotestosterone [DHT]) are the best-known | | | | Alpha blockers. These drugs were originally |
| factors that contribute to BPH. A hormone | | | | developed to treat high blood pressure. They |
| known as 5?-reductase converts testosterone | | | | relax muscles around your bladder neck and |
| into DHT in the prostate gland, which results | | | | make it easier to urinate. Four alpha |
| in prostate enlargement. DHT concentrations | | | | blockers have been approved by the Food and |
| in BPH tissue have been shown to be increased | | | | Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of |
| when compared with normal prostate tissue. | | | | BPH: terazosin (Hytrin), doxazosin (Cardura), |
| | | | tamsulosin (Flomax) and alfuzosin |
| The actual cause of prostate enlargement is | | | | (Uroxatral). |
| unknown. It is believed that factors linked | | | | |
| to aging and the testicles themselves may | | | | Remedies |
| play a role in the growth of the gland. Men | | | | |
| who have had their testicles removed at a | | | | Pumpkin seeds are an effective home remedy |
| young age (for example, as a result of | | | | for prostate problems and many patients have |
| testicular cancer) do not develop BPH. | | | | been helped by their use. These seeds are |
| | | | rich in unsaturated fatty acids which are |
| For some men, it suddenly becomes impossible | | | | essential to the health of the prostate. |
| to urinate (known as acute retention). | | | | Persons beyond the age of fifty, who have any |
| Studies have shown that acute retention | | | | signs of prostate trouble; or those who |
| affects between 1 and 2 per cent of men with | | | | suffer from urinary disorders of some kind, |
| BPH each year. This condition is very painful | | | | namely, burning or difficulty in passing |
| and demands immediate medical treatment to | | | | urine freely, should take sixty to ninety |
| avoid damage to the kidneys, among other | | | | grams of pumpkin steeds per day. |