What can go wrong with the prostate?
Date:2018-12-06 click:0
Many men have problems with their prostate at some time in their lives and these problems usually cause urinary symptoms. Younger men may develop an infection or inflammation of their prostate. In older men, the prostate enlarges and may obstruct the flow of urine from the bladder. The three main type of prostate problems are:
An inflammation or infection in the prostate called prostatitis. This can affect men of any age but it is more common in younger men Prostatitis is not a form of cancer.
An enlarged prostate. This is the most common problem. An enlarged prostate is a common condition that affects many men from the age of about 40 yrs. The gland grows as men age and in some cases, its increased size, cause the tube (urethra) to narrow and slow down the flow of urine. It is not a form of cancer and it is treatable.
Two types of prostatitis
Acute bacterial prostatitis. This infection of the prostate is often caused by some of the same bacteria that cause bladder infections like E Coli. While it may be acquired as a sexually transmitted disease, the infection can also spread to the prostate through the blood stream, directly from an adjacent organ, or as a complication of prostate biopsy. Patients with this type of prostatitis will have signs of infection like fever and chills.
Chronic bacterial prostatitis. This is an uncommon illness in which there is an ongoing bacterial infection in the prostate. Chronic bacterial prostatitis generally causes no symptoms, however, on occasion; the low grade infection may flare and be associated with a bladder infection.
Cancer of the prostate. Prostate cancer, another of the prostate problems, is one of the most common cancers in men. Cancer of the prostate develops when normal prostate cells grow out of control. Prostate cancer usually develops very slowly, but in some persons it can develop quickly and spread to other parts of the body.
