Unfortunately, many men over age 40 will deal with prostate health issues at some point in their lives. It’s one of the most common health issues affecting males. That’s precisely why people need to be aware of this negative trend. If you’re a male in your 40’s, 50’s and older, you should watch out for surprising signs of prostate issues, such as pain in the groin area, weak urine flow and late night bathroom trips, for example.
Younger males will probably be surprised even more if something is awry with their prostate health. That’s why we’ll show you what to pay attention to. In other words – how to recognize you’re having prostate issues. Stay tuned for some useful info concerning your health and overall well-being.
Common
There are three types of common prostate issues:
- Prostatitis – the most widespread prostate disorder. It’s caused by the inflammation or swelling of the gland.
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) – refers to an enlarged prostate caused by something other than cancer.
- Prostate cancer – after skin cancer, the most common type of cancer among men. In most cases, it can be treated successfully.
1. Watch out for signs of prostatitis
As we’ve said above, this issue is the most common one associated with prostate health. It mainly affects young males and can be triggered by a lot of things. Even the ones that seem pretty benign to you. Let’s imagine you’re lifting heavy boxes while moving to a new home.
By doing just that, you risk prostatitis. If you don’t know the proper techniques, of course. That’s why it’s important to know how to do it right. For example, you should avoid wearing flat shoes when doing it. It seems silly, but it’s the way to prevent uncomfortable pain associated with prostatitis.
Types of prostatitis
Did you know that there are two main types of prostatitis?
- Chronic prostatitis (symptoms appear and disappear over the course of a couple of months)
- Acute prostatitis (symptoms are not to be messed around with and come on suddenly; this type can be life-threatening if not treated immediately)
2. Symptoms of chronic prostatitis
If you’re stuck with chronic prostatitis, you’ll notice some or all of these symptoms:
- Pain or discomfort in and around your penis, scrotum, testicles, or lower back.
- Frequent urge to urinate, especially at night; the so-called stop-start urinating.
- A tender prostate on a rectal exam.
- Erectile dysfunction or pain when ejaculating.
Symptoms of acute prostatitis
Watch out for these signs:
- Every prostate health symptom associated with chronic prostatitis (see the section above).
- Pain when urinating or blood in your urine.
- The general feeling of being sick, unwell.
- Not being able to urinate.
3. What is BPH (Benign prostatic hyperplasia)?
It’s a prevalent prostate health issue among older men. Prostate health issues occur when the prostate gland is enlarged and blocks the urine flow. BPH can cause bladder or urinary tract issues, even kidney problems.
What are the symptoms of BPH?
- Increased urge to urinate at night.
- Difficulties urinating.
- Weak urine stream or the aforementioned stop-start urination.
- Inability to fully empty out the bladder.
- Pain in the groin area.
- Painful ejaculation.
Less common BPH symptoms can include:
- Blood in the urine.
- The incapability of urination.
- Infection of the urinary tract.
4. The risk factors associated with BPH
Let’s check them out:
- Aging – BPH is rare among men below 40. After that age, it becomes more and more common.
- Family disease history – if your brother or father has had prostate issues, you’re more likely to deal with them yourself.
- Lifestyle – obesity is one of the most common causes of BPH. Exercise, of course, lowers the risk.
- Diabetes – studies suggest diabetes increases the chances of you getting BPH.
Now that you know that, here are some tips on how to keep a healthy prostate.
5. Prostate cancer risk factors
As we’ve mentioned earlier, this type of cancer is the second most widespread among older males. When detected early, the chances of successful treatment are very high.
What about the symptoms?
These prostate health symptoms don’t differ that much from the signs of other prostate issues. Still, you should be alarmed if you notice some of these:
- Blood in the urine or semen.
- Erectile dysfunction.
- Sudden loss in weight.
- Bone pain.
- Most symptoms of other prostate issues we’ve mentioned above.
6. Complications of Prostate Cancer
You might wonder what kind of complications could turn up if prostate cancer isn’t detected early, while it’s still confined to the gland itself. Here they are:
- Cancer that metastasizes. It can spread to nearby organs (bladder, for example). Also, it can travel through the bloodstream or lymphatic stream and reach other organs or even bones.
- Erectile dysfunction. This condition can be caused by the treatment of the disease (surgery, radiation, etc.) and cancer itself. There are, of course, ways to treat this condition.
- Incontinence. Both cancer itself and the treatment therapy can cause urinary incontinence. There are options to treat this condition. They include medication, catheters, and surgery.
Why’s prostate cancer awareness so important?
Alright, you might wonder why’s all this so important. We’ll gladly tell you. If detected early, prostate cancer is curable in 99 percent of cases. Unfortunately, those numbers drop aggressively with time.
It’s imperative to watch out for signs and consult with your doctor as soon as you notice something. If you’re an African-American, you’re at a higher risk of dealing with these issues. Statistics show that one in five African-American males get prostate cancer.
Nowadays, with all the advancements in technology, it’s very easy to spot prostate cancer. Don’t hesitate to visit your doctor every now and then, especially when you notice something strange.
Final words
That’s about it, folks. Hopefully, now you’re aware that prostate cancer, while commonly thought of as a benign form of the disease, isn’t something a person should mess around with. Watch out for these surprising signs of prostate health issues, and you’ll be just fine. Remember: when detected early, prostate cancer is almost 100% curable!
Author Bio
Jassica Mendez is a Copywriter who focuses on health related content.
Ken Weiss is a health blogger who is passionate about natural and holistic cures for men’s health issues. He is the founder of menshealthcures.com
