The prostate is a gland located below the bladder, which is part of the male reproductive system. It produces seminal fluid, which nourishes and transports sperm. As we age, the prostate can become infected with various problems, which can affect the quality of life and health of men. What are the main prostate diseases and problems in the elderly? What are their causes and effects? This article gives you the answers to these questions.
I. Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH):
Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) is the most common prostate problem among adults. This is an increase in the size of the prostate, which compresses the urethra and prevents the discharge of urine. BPH affects about 50% of men over 50 years, and 90% of men over 80 years. The exact cause of BPH is not known, but it is thought to be hormonal, genetic, and environment.
Symptoms of BPH are usually urinary tract infections, such as:
– Reduction of the strength of the seawater
– Increased frequency of urination, especially at night (nocturia)
– Feeling of not being able to empty the bowels completely
– Urinary retention, i.e. difficulty emptying the bowels
– Presence of blood in the urine (hematuria)
– Reduced ability of the bladder to contract, making it difficult to expel urine
– Increased risk of frequent urinary tract infections
– Sexual problems such as impotence or retrograde ejaculation (semen entering the bladder instead of coming out of the penis)
– pain in the pelvic area, back or hips
– Decreased quality of life due to urinary tract infections is often painful and irritating.
BPH can have negative consequences on men’s quality of life, sleep, sexuality, and self-esteem. It can also lead to more serious problems, such as severe urinary retention, kidney failure, or hematuria (blood in the urine).
Treatment for BPH depends on the severity of symptoms and the risk of complications. He can use drugs, such as alpha-blockers,
5-alpha-reductase inhibitors or anticholinergics, which aim to relax the muscles of the prostate and bladder, and reduce the size of the prostate. It can also include surgical procedures, such as transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP), transurethral incision of the prostate (ITUP), or laser vaporization of the prostate, which requires the removal of part of the prostate or to eliminate it.
II. Prostate cancer:
Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer among men worldwide, after lung cancer. This is abnormal and uncontrolled growth of prostate cells, which can invade neighboring tissues or spread to other organs. Prostate cancer affects about 10% of men over the age of 50, and 30% of men over the age of 80. The exact cause cancer is unknown, but it is believed to be linked to genetics, hormonal, dietary factors, and environment. The effects of prostate cancer are often silent at first because the tumor grows slowly and does not cause symptoms. In some cases, prostate cancer can cause urinary problems similar to those of BPH, such as difficulty urinating, frequent or urgent urges to urinate, or pain when urinating. In more advanced cases, prostate cancer can cause pain in the back, pelvis, hips, or thighs, obesity, fatigue, anemia, or erectile dysfunction.
Prostate cancer can have significant consequences on survival, quality of life, and sexuality in men. It can also cause complications such as urinary obstruction, kidney failure, bone fractures, spinal cord compression or metastasis to other organs.
Treatment for prostate cancer depends on the stage of the disease, the patient’s age and health, and their preferences. It can include active surveillance, which includes monitoring the progress of cancer without intervention, surgery, which includes removing the prostate and neighboring lymph nodes, radiotherapy, which involves destroying cancer cells with radiation, hormone therapy, which includes blocking the event. of testosterone, chemotherapy, which involves giving drugs to kill cancer cells, or immunotherapy, which involves stimulating the immune system to recognize and eliminate cancer cells.
III. Prostatitis:
Prostatitis is an inflammation, which can be caused by a virus, trauma, stress, or an autoimmune reaction. Prostatitis can affect men of any age but is most common in men aged 30 to 50. The exact cause of prostatitis is not known, but it is believed to be associated with infectious, immune, nervous, or hormonal diseases.
The effects of prostatitis are mainly pain in the prostate, perineum, scrotum, anus, lower abdomen, or lower back, which can be acute or chronic. Prostatitis can also cause urinary problems, such as difficulty urinating, frequent or urgent urges to urinate, or burning when you urinate. Prostatitis can also cause sexual problems, such as erectile dysfunction, painful ejaculation, or hematospermia (blood in the semen).
Prostatitis can hurt the quality of life, morality, sexuality, and fertility of men. It can also cause complications such as prostate abscess, sepsis, infertility, or interstitial cystitis.
Treatment for prostatitis depends on the type and cause of the inflammation. It may include antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, analgesics, alpha-blockers, muscle relaxants, sitz baths, prostate massages, acupuncture, herbal medicine, or psychotherapy.
Conclusion:
Prostate cancer and aging problems are common and different. They can have different causes and effects, which can affect men’s health, well-being, and sexuality. That’s why it’s important to contact a doctor if there are symptoms, do regular tests, and follow the appropriate treatment. It is also good to prevent diseases and problems of the prostate by adopting a healthy lifestyle, which includes eating a healthy diet, exercising regularly, adequate hydration, avoiding alcohol and tobacco use, and stress management.
