Prostate
Incontact explains the basics of the prostate gland:
What is the prostate?
What does it do?
What can go wrong with the prostate?
What is the link between disorders of the prostate and incontinence?
What treatments are available for urinary incontinence in men?
I am having prostate surgery, am I likely to be incontinent?
I have to get up several times in the night to urinate, do you think I have cancer?
Where do I find more about prostate problems?
Are there any foods or supplements that can help prostate problems?
The prostate gland is found only in men and is about the size of a walnut but grows with age. It is situated below the bladder.
It produces a milk like fluid which forms part of the semen and it helps to squeeze the semen out at orgasm.
The most common disorders are: Prostatitis - inflammation of the prostate, usually caused by an infection. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) - enlarged prostate. Prostate cancer-affects 1 in 12 men in the UK.
Prostatitis can cause frequent painful passing of urine. An enlarged prostate (BPH) can cause overflow incontinence the growth of the prostate can weaken muscles. Radiation therapy can lead to an overactive bladder as the lining of the bladder is irritated. Prostate surgery can cause temporary or permanent incontinence due to damage to the sphincter (muscle that holds urine in the bladder).
Remember that six million people in the UK have a continence problem so don't be embarrassed about talking to your doctor or nurse. Stress incontinence leaking when coughing, laughing, sneezing or lifting Pelvic floor exercises can help. These are simple exercises to squeeze and relax muscles ask a health professional to explain how to do them. Urge incontinence need to pass urine immediately! can lead to bed wetting or getting up several times during the night. Anticholinergic drugs are often prescribed they block the messages to the bladder nerves and prevent bladder spasms. Bladder retraining is also used to treat urge incontinence learning to ignore the desire to urinate your doctor or nurse will give you charts to help with this. In some instances it may be necessary to have surgery on the prostate or creation of an artificial sphincter. There are also a wide range of continence aids which may help including penile sheaths, catheters, dribble pouches, pads and body worn appliances (see Incontact's product information or contact PromoCon2001 on 0161 834 2001).
After surgery a catheter (long tube) will be placed into your bladder to drain urine, after a few days this will be removed. Most men do have some leakage (from several days to several weeks) after a transurethral resection of the prostate TURP, (the most common operation for enlarged prostate). After a radical prostatectomy (removal of a cancerous prostate) most men experience some leakage for several weeks to months with a 3% risk of persistent incontinence.
It is always advisable to speak to you doctor as only he/she can make an accurate diagnosis. Remember although bladder problems can indicate cancer they are also associated with an enlarged prostate or a prostate infection. Note that in the early stages prostate cancer does not produce symptoms. Older men, those with a family history of prostate cancer and black men are more at risk. Your doctor will perform a simple digital rectal exam, and may take some blood tests and refer to the hospital for an ultrasound scan.
The Prostate Cancer Charity 0845 300 8383 (mon-fri 10am-4pm):
www.prostate-cancer.org.uk
Better Prostate Health
PO Box 166
Hoddeson
EN11 9ZR
Prostate Help Association
Langsworth
Lincoln
LN3 5DF
www.pha.u-net.com
See the Books page for books on the subject.
Although there is little research on the link between diet and prostate health it is commonly believed that certain foods and supplements do help. Pumpkin seeds and tomatoes are said to be beneficial. Supplements available from health food shops: pygeum extracts, saw palmetto and nettle root (always check with your doctor before aaking supplements). Excessive meat eating (vegetarians are 50% less likely to develop prostate cancer) and obesity increase the likelihood of prostate cancer.
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