HEALTH WISE FOR MEN Keep thy heart with all diligence, for out of it are the issues of life. Proverbs 4:23 (KJV) Bob White, AIM-IRS ABMTS Milwaukee, WI 8-15-08

Do you have secret concerns? Is there anything that you would like to ask your doctor, but won’t because the answer might be unsettling? What about that lingering cough, that discomfort in the mornings?… Does it mean anything?

The John Wayne Syndrome Why is it that men have such difficulty with asking for directions? What is it that makes us willing to keep on driving, keep on hurting, keep on dreading? Maybe we’ll seem weak for asking, what if it doesn’t help after all, maybe asking will actually make things worse…

Does It Have to Be That way? How many men do you know that have passed on from treatable conditions? What can it hurt to ask? Why not do it for your loved ones?

Did You Hear the one about?...

Prostate Health: What Every Man Needs to Know

What Is The Prostate? The prostate is a walnut-shaped gland found only in men. It lies in front of the rectum, just below the bladder, and surrounds the urethra. The gland is part of the male reproductive system that makes a fluid that becomes part of the semen.

Normal Prostate Gland

Three Main Prostate Problems Enlargement, called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH); Inflammation or infection, called prostatitis; And Cancer.

The Enlarged Prostate The gland expands causing pressure on the urethra, which can lead to urinary problems. The urge to urinate frequently, a weak urine flow, breaks in urine stream, and dribbling are all symptoms of an enlarged prostate.

Enlarged Prostate Gland

The Enlarged Prostate BPH is the most common prostate problem for men older than 50. Older men are at risk for prostate cancer as well, but it is much less common than BPH.

The Enlarged Prostate A doctor will do a digital rectal exam (DRE) to check the size and condition of the prostate. The doctor also may need to do special X-rays or scans to check the urethra, prostate, and bladder.

The Enlarged Prostate BPH can lead to urinary problems like those with prostatitis. By age 60, many men have signs of BPH. By age 70, almost all men have some prostate enlargement.

The Enlarged Prostate At its worst, BPH can lead to a weak bladder, Bladder or kidney infections, complete blockage in the flow of urine, And kidney failure.

The Enlarged Prostate It is true that some men with prostate cancer also have BPH, but the two conditions are not automatically linked. Most men with BPH do not develop prostate cancer. A doctor must make the differentiation.

The Inflamed Prostrate Prostatitis is a clinical term used to describe a wide spectrum of disorders ranging from acute bacterial infection to chronic pain syndromes affecting the prostate

Inflamed Prostate Gland

The Inflamed Prostrate Acute bacterial prostatitis, is the least common inflammation condition, but is the easiest to diagnose and treat. This form comes on suddenly. Symptoms include chills and fever, pain in the lower back and genital area, and burning or painful urination.

Treatments BPH cannot be cured; however, there are a number of treatments which can effectively reduce the prostate's size. Many of the procedures are non surgical but must be repeated periodically

Treatments Fortunately Prostatitis can be cured using antibiotics when its source is bacterial Anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics are use to relieve symptoms of other types of Prostatitis.

Prostate Cancer The third major problem that can occur in the prostate is cancer. It grows quietly for years, giving most men with the early disease no obvious symptoms. "It's a silent killer, so early detection is important.

Prostate Cancer The Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) test can provide an individual with an indication of Cancer This test is not perfect; however, it is the best that we have currently. In combination with other diagnostics it is very helpful in early Cancer detection

Prostate Cancer There is controversy in the medical community over the use of the PSA test since it can produce false positives In addition, the test doesn’t indicate whether an individual has a slow growing or rapid growth cancer condition

Treatments Doctors have several ways to treat prostate cancer. The choice depends on many factors, such as whether or not the cancer has spread beyond the prostate, the patient's age and general health, and how the patient feels about the treatment options and their side effects.

Prevention Is Better Than Cure Nothing beats a diet, low in saturated animal fats and refined sugars. A diet including adequate fiber derived from fruits and vegetables is recommended for heart and digestive health

Prevention Is Better Than Cure Above all, move your body. Get out and walk in the fresh air Do some gardening

Prevention Is Better Than Cure Don’t just sit there and worry about things The stress will kill you Nothing relieves stress like appropriate activity