Thursday, October 05, 2006
The Prostate Gland and BPH
The prostate is a male sex gland that located below the bladder (the pouch that holds urine) and in front of the rectum (the tube that holds stool). The prostate is walnut-shaped and is about one and a half inches in diameter. It is a part of the male reproductive system and aids in the male ejaculation (the emission of semen from the penis) process. During ejaculation, the prostate contracts and pumps semen (the fluid that helps in the transportation of sperm) into the urethra (the tube that goes through the penis). At the same time sperm (the male reproductive cells) is mixed with the semen. The prostate gland is wrapped around the base of the urethra and is composed of about 30% muscle and 70% glandular tissue. This muscle portion is what allows the contractions of the prostate to occur.
As a natural part of a man's life, the prostate gland gradually grows. This growing process is called Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). The problem is that the tissue that surrounds the prostate stops it from expanding. This causes the prostate to put pressure on the urethra and clamp it shut. BPH also causes the walls of the bladder to get thicker, causing urination to occur more often. The combination of these two problems causes many urinary tract problems in older men (usually forty or older).
There are many symptoms of BPH. Such symptoms include: gradual loss of bladder function, the urge to urinate before your bladder is full (especially at night), and blockage of the urethra. Urethra blockage can cause hesitant stream (trouble starting urination), weak stream (lessening of urination pressure), or interrupted stream (sudden stopping of urination before the bladder is emptied).
Untreated BPH can cause serious problems. One such problem is a urinary tract infection, which is an infection that causes frequent urination, burning and pain in the pelvis area, burning and pain while urinating, and blood or sediment to be in the urine. Other problems resulting from BPH include: bladder damage, kidney damage, bladder stones (tiny structures that form in the bladder), and urinary incontinence (the inability to hold urine in the bladder).
If you think you might be at risk for BPH, consult your doctor; if detected early, treatment can be offered before reversible damage is done. Testing done can include: Digital Rectal Examination (checking of the prostate size through the rectum), blood tests, a Rectal Ultrasound (listening to sound waves made by the prostate, through the rectum), a urine flow study, and a Cystoscopy (checking of the prostate and bladder through the urethra). Treatment can include medications, injections, destruction of excess prostate tissue, or surgery.
Vitamin Depot Online.com offers Super Saw Palmetto/Nettle Root Formula with Beta-Sitosterol, Enhanced Natural Prostate Formula w/ Cernitin® & Beta-Sitosterol, and Mega Lycopene, all three of which have been proven to promote good prostate health.
As a natural part of a man's life, the prostate gland gradually grows. This growing process is called Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH). The problem is that the tissue that surrounds the prostate stops it from expanding. This causes the prostate to put pressure on the urethra and clamp it shut. BPH also causes the walls of the bladder to get thicker, causing urination to occur more often. The combination of these two problems causes many urinary tract problems in older men (usually forty or older).
There are many symptoms of BPH. Such symptoms include: gradual loss of bladder function, the urge to urinate before your bladder is full (especially at night), and blockage of the urethra. Urethra blockage can cause hesitant stream (trouble starting urination), weak stream (lessening of urination pressure), or interrupted stream (sudden stopping of urination before the bladder is emptied).
Untreated BPH can cause serious problems. One such problem is a urinary tract infection, which is an infection that causes frequent urination, burning and pain in the pelvis area, burning and pain while urinating, and blood or sediment to be in the urine. Other problems resulting from BPH include: bladder damage, kidney damage, bladder stones (tiny structures that form in the bladder), and urinary incontinence (the inability to hold urine in the bladder).
If you think you might be at risk for BPH, consult your doctor; if detected early, treatment can be offered before reversible damage is done. Testing done can include: Digital Rectal Examination (checking of the prostate size through the rectum), blood tests, a Rectal Ultrasound (listening to sound waves made by the prostate, through the rectum), a urine flow study, and a Cystoscopy (checking of the prostate and bladder through the urethra). Treatment can include medications, injections, destruction of excess prostate tissue, or surgery.
Vitamin Depot Online.com offers Super Saw Palmetto/Nettle Root Formula with Beta-Sitosterol, Enhanced Natural Prostate Formula w/ Cernitin® & Beta-Sitosterol, and Mega Lycopene, all three of which have been proven to promote good prostate health.
