Prostate Problems Info



             


Tuesday, March 25, 2008

Drinking Milk and Sunshine Exposure Can Limit the Prostate Cancer

The spread of prostate cancer is caused by the over normal activity of two specific enzymes, proteases called cathepsin and matrix metalloproteinase.

A recent study concluded that Vitamin D can reduce the activity of these enzymes, mainly by increasing the level of counterpart enzymes that inhibit matrix metalloproteinase and cathepsin. This process has two consequences on prostate cancer. On one hand, it creates a limitation in power of prostate cancer cells to invade healthy cells and, on the other hand, it has a positive effect on plasminogen activators, which also are important in uncontrolled prostate cancer spreading mechanism.

For a moment it is unclear whether there are other vitamins and medicines that could increase the anti cancerous effects of Vitamin D. The scientists are now investigating if Vitamin E could be a positive support without increasing the toxic level.

Patients must know that a high dose of Vitamin D has a strong side effect causing kidney problems due of increasing blood calcium levels. For this reason, it should not be taken without medical prescription and a special monitoring of side effects by a professional health care.

Excepting vitamin pills, the best ways to get Vitamin D into the body are to drink milk and to expose the body to the modest sun (sunshine preferable).

Valerian D is a freelance writer interested in health issues affecting men such as prostate cancer

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Wednesday, February 13, 2008

What Every Man Needs To Know About Prostatitis - Inflammation Of The Prostate

Prostatitis simply means an inflammation of the prostate gland. The symptoms are uncomfortable at best; more often they are extremely painful and can also be dangerous. Symptoms may include pain and swelling in the area of the prostate, fever, chills, pain in the lower back, burning or painful urination, a need to urinate frequently and get up in the night, dribbling, fatigue and body aches, and pain with ejaculation. Prostatitis can severely affect the quality of life. Rigorous activity, sports, exercise-even sitting for any length of time in an office, theater or at a sporting event may become too painful to tolerate. And as for sex - it's simply not an option.

The statistics are alarming. It's estimated that over 50% of all men will suffer from prostatitis some time in their lives. And what's worse is prostatitis is no respecter of age. It can strike any adult male - and with painful consequences.

According to the American Foundation for Urologic Disease, 25% of all office visits by young and middle-aged men for genital and urinary problems are the result of prostatitis. It hits men in the prime of life and also is considered to be the most common of all diseases among middle-aged men.

Adding to the problem is the fact that contemporary medicine really doesn't know much about prostatitis. The Prostate Foundation has termed it "the bastard child" of urology. Though it is the most widespread disease of the prostate, it's also the least understood and the least researched. As a consequence, it is frequently misdiagnosed.

Physicians sometimes have difficulty distinguishing between the symptoms of prostatitis and benign prostate enlargement (BPH). A Harvard University study showed that urologists seeing patients with the same symptoms diagnosed them with prostatitis if they were under 50 and with BPH if they were over 50. In addition, there are four types of prostatitis, the most common of which is unfortunately the one that is the most baffling.

Prostatitis can be either acute or chronic. That is to say that it can have a sudden onset and be relatively short-lived, or be an ongoing and aggravating problem.

Acute prostatitis is likely to occur intermittently. It can cause fever, bladder discomfort, frequent and burning urination, and blood or pus in the urine. It can also result in infertility.

Chronic prostatitis is ongoing and usually increases with time. Its symptoms may include frequent urination, blood in the urine, a burning sensation, discomfort in the prostate area and lower back, painful ejaculation and even impotence.

Nonbacterial prostatitis is the most common form of the disease, but because it is also the least understood, it's the most difficult to treat. Nonbacterial prostatitis is frequently a chronic, painful condition found in men of any age. Symptoms may disappear and then return suddenly. Though no evidence of bacteria is found, semen and other prostate fluids contain cells that the body produces to fight infection.

Doctors often treat nonbacterial prostatitis with antibiotics and drugs that relax the muscles of the prostate gland, but these treatments have not been proven to be effective. In fact, they often do not work at all and can have unpleasant side effects as well.

The good news is, there are several herbal remedies that have been shown in clinical studies to help fight and in many cases - conquer prostate problems, including prostatitis. These herbs include pygeum africanum, saw palmetto and nettle root extract.

To learn more about treating prostatitis and other prostate health conditions, please visit our web site at http://www.prostatehealthtips.com

James Witman is an expert in nutrition and prostate health. He has written many articles related to prostate disease and other health conditions that affect men. To learn more, please visit his website www.prostatehealthtips.com.

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Saturday, December 29, 2007

What's the Treatment's of prostate cancer?

Surgical castration by orchidectomy

Surgical castration is the simplest and cheapest way to treat metastatic prostate cancer. The obvious disadvantage is the psychological effect of the loss of the testicles.

LHRH-analogues

LHRH-analogues and oestrogen achieve a "medical castration" by stopping the testicular production of testosterone. LHRH-analogues are injections that have to be given monthly or three monthly for the rest of the patient's life. They are effective but very expensive.

Oestrogen

Oestrogen can be taken orally on a daily basis. It has a high incidence of thrombotic complications such as stroke and myocardial infarction.

Anti-androgens

Anti-androgens oppose the action of testosterone by blocking the androgen receptors. The incidence of erectile dysfunction is less than with surgical or medical orchidectomy because testosterone levels are maintained in the bloodstream. Anti-androgens alone are probably not adequate treatment for metastatic disease. Total androgen blockade by a combination of steroidal anti-androgens and LHRH-analogues or orchidectomy has not been shown to be better than LHRH-analogues or orchidectomy alone. However, non-steroidal anti-androgens yields slightly better results than castration alone.

Locally advanced disease without metastases.

The overall results of treatment of patients with disease beyond the prostate are not good. Some patients with early disease beyond the prostatic capsule, and no evidence of metastases, benefit from radical treatment. The most widely used treatment regimens consist of a combination of radiotherapy and hormonal treatment. Treatment options for locally advanced and metastatic disease.

? Early hormonal treatment ? Watchful waiting with hormonal treatment once symptoms develop Disease that has spread to the seminal vesicles and beyond is not real curable.

Prostate cancer is dependent on the male hormone testosterone. 80% of patients will respond to hormonal treatment that deprives the tumor of testosterone. This response usually involves the shrinkage of metastases and symptomatic improvement for the patient. The response to hormonal treatment is not a cure but can last for many years in some patients. The average duration of response is 2 years. Most cancers eventually escape hormonal manipulation. This is referred to as hormone independent disease and is usually followed by death within a few months.

Controversy exists regarding the timing of hormonal treatment. Most studies indicate a survival benefit for early rather than late hormonal maneuver. Testosterone deprivation has side effects like erectile dysfunction, breast enlargement and osteoporosis. The earlier hormonal treatment is instituted the greater the chance of complications. Once again treatment has to be individualized to the needs of the specific patient.

With our next information - we will inform you about the "Staging and grading of prostate cancer" - so you should have a look on this site in the next 2 weeks! If you have any question sends us your e-mail.

Health-Service-Online Fritz Frei Admin

http://www.cancer-info.info

Fritz Frei works since more than 25 years in the health-and hosptital business as a consultant and he make it easy to check out the important details about the diagnoses, test's and treatments of the Prostate Cancer. To receive more information's about all prostate cancer -questions - Links and last research NEW's - visit the http://www.cancer-info.info

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