Problems that can occur with the prostate include infection, inflammation, enlargement and cancer. For men under 50 years of age, the most common problem is
prostatitis, which is an inflammation or sometimes an infection in the prostate. For men older than 50, the problem involves enlargement of the gland. With age the risk of prostate cancer increases.
If you develop prostatitis, you may experience burning with urination, more frequent urination and sometimes you may even see blood in the urine. You may also develop a fever or feel very tired. If this is the result of a bacterial infection, your physician will prescribe an antibiotic. If this is the result of inflammation, you may take a medication like Motrin or ibuprofen. A simple urine test will help differentiate the two.
If a problem starts to develop because the prostate becomes enlarged, you may experience difficulty starting or stopping the urine stream. Sometimes you may not be able to get all the urine out of the bladder or you may be getting up many times during the night to urinate. The urine stream may also be slow or weak. You may find some dribbling or leakage of urine after you think you have finished. If you have any of these symptoms, please discuss them with your physician so a plan for your treatment can be developed.
If a diagnosis of prostate enlargement is made (also known as BPH for Benign Prostate Hypertrophy), many men become concerned that this might be a sign of cancer. It is true that men with prostate cancer also can have BPH, but it does not mean that all men with BPH will develop cancer. Nonetheless you will need to be checked more often to be sure that a benign condition does not turn into a cancerous condition. Please do not forget to go in for a prostate examination at least yearly.
