What men need to know about the prostate gland and its diseases

Common prostate diseases in men include prostatitis, prostate enlargement, and prostate cancer, each of which we examine in this article.

Anatomy of the prostate gland:

The prostate is a gland about the size of a walnut that sits between the bladder and the penis. The bladder outlet passes through the center of the prostate and connects to the penis, allowing the bladder to pass urine through and out of the penis.

One of the functions of the prostate is to help control the flow of urine. The prostate also secretes a fluid that is part of the semen and protects sperm. Before ejaculation, the prostate also distributes this fluid in the penile duct to make it easier to ejaculate by creating a slippery state.

The normal weight of the prostate is between 20 to 30 grams and its average size is 4x2x3 cm.



Common diseases of the prostate gland

Prostatitis (swelling of the prostate):

This disease is caused by inflammation or infection in the prostate gland and is usually caused by bacteria. In this disease, the volume of the prostate gland temporarily increases due to inflammation.

Symptoms of this disease include pain in the prostate and urinary tract, burning during urination, difficulty in starting urine, etc.

Treatment: Treatment is with antibiotics, and after the symptoms go away, the prostate usually returns to normal.

Ways to diagnose the disease: Urine tests usually show an infection.

Prostate Enlargement (BHP):

This disease is also called BHP and benign enlargement of the prostate gland and is more common in men over 50 years of age. Doctors believe that in most men, the prostate gland grows and enlarges after middle age.



Symptoms of an enlarged prostate:

1. Problem starting to urinate (a person can not start urinating quickly and needs to spend a long time)

2. Interruption of urination (disconnection and connection of urine flow)

3. Decreased urine pressure (urination is slow)

4. Frequent urination

5. Frequent waking up at night to urinate (although this is also a sign of type 2 diabetes)

6. Blood in the urine (not all patients with an enlarged prostate experience it)

7. Feeling that the bladder is not completely emptied

8. Feeling pain while urinating

How to diagnose prostate enlargement (BHP):

1. Evaluation of the patient's clinical condition: Usually, the doctor first touches the prostate gland with his finger through the anus and examines its size and condition, and if necessary, recommends ultrasound or other imaging methods.

2. Ultrasound and other methods of photography

3. Blood test: A blood test can measure the amount of PSA protein produced by the prostate gland. If the amount of this protein is higher than normal, it usually indicates an enlarged prostate, and if it is too high, it can be. It can be a sign of prostate cancer, it should be noted that performing this test alone can not confirm the presence of prostate cancer.



Causes of prostate enlargement:

1. Age.

2. Family history

3. Dihydrotestosterone (DHT): With increasing age, the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone in the body of men increases, this hormone has destructive effects on the body, including thinning and hair loss in men, as well as an increase in this Hormone affects prostate cells and causes them to enlarge.

Decreased testosterone and increased estrogen: Estrogen is a female hormone and is secreted in small amounts in the male body.

Testosterone is produced by the testes and adrenal glands and is the cause of sexual desire in men and what makes the difference between men and women. More muscle strength, body hair, thicker voice of men than women, etc. are all effects of this hormone on men's body from birth to adulthood.

Decreased secretion of this hormone in the body reduces sexual desire and causes problems such as lack of erection, incomplete erection or inability to maintain an erection in men.

Research shows that reducing the secretion of testosterone and increasing the amount and ratio of estrogen to it can be one of the causes of enlarged prostate. Decreased testosterone in the body has other effects on the body and mind of men, including reduced muscle strength. And he mentioned body energy, increased emotions, fear, etc., and this is one of the reasons why we see these changes in men with age.

5. Zinc deficiency: Many men, even young people, suffer from zinc deficiency and naturally this problem is more common in men over 50, there is a significant amount of zinc in prostate tissue and the sexual system in men to produce Sperm and the hormone testosterone need this mineral. There are also more than 100 enzymes produced by zinc in the body, including digestive enzymes that help digest and absorb food.

Reasons such as aging, sex, poor nutrition, reduced food quality, stress, etc. cause a deficiency of this vital mineral in the body, which can cause problems such as prostate enlargement in the elderly and hair loss in young people. .

Dr Irving Bush, Senior Consultant at the Center for the Study of Urinary Tract Diseases in Men and a research fellow at the Food and Drug Administration, conducted research on 19 men with enlarged prostate.

 These men were given 150 mg of sulfate daily for 2 months and then continued to take 50 mg of zinc per day for a while, the prostates of 14 of 19 men returned to normal after a short time.

Other studies at the University of Edinburgh Medical School in Scotland show that an appropriate dose of the element inhibits the activity of an enzyme that converts testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. As previously described, dihydrotestosterone DHT is one of the factors that Becomes a prostate.

6. Excess of copper: Copper is an essential mineral for the body that plays important roles in the physical and mental health of humans. Due to the type of nutrition of most people, its deficiency occurs rarely, but its excess is very common. It can cause many problems and diseases, and unfortunately many doctors are unaware of the connection between the increase of this mineral in the body and various diseases.

Excess copper increases estrogen metabolism and eliminates zinc from the body, both of which can lead to prostate problems.



Treatment of enlarged prostate:

Depending on the size of the prostate, there are several treatments for the patient's symptoms and condition:

1. Surgery and removal of the prostate gland: I believe this option should be the last choice and if you do not get results from other treatments.

2. Medical treatments: prescribing drugs such as finasteride, etc.

3. Natural remedies: use of dietary supplements and herbs

In my personal experience and opinion, if the program is set correctly and in principle, natural treatments will be easy and much more effective than other treatments and will also increase the general health of the body.

These treatments include:

1. Assess the amount and balance of minerals in the body, especially zinc and copper elements and prescribe appropriate doses of zinc supplements and other elements

2. Evaluate the levels of testosterone and dihydrotestosterone and select the appropriate type and dose of herbs that increase the secretion of testosterone and reduce the destructive effects of dihydrotestosterone.

Medicinal plants that are usually produced in the form of dietary supplements and used to treat prostate problems are:

Saw Palmetto: This plant reduces the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone, it is used to treat hair loss in young people and prostate problems in the elderly.

Pampkin Oil

Lycopen: Lycopene is an antioxidant found in tomatoes and other red fruits and vegetables that helps prevent a variety of cancers, especially prostate cancer.

Rye Grass: This plant appears to inhibit the growth of prostate cancer cells.

Flaxseed Oil (Flaxseed Oil): Contains omega-3 fatty acids that are very good for the health of the body and prostate gland.

Melatonin: Melatonin is a natural hormone used to treat insomnia. Some research shows that in addition to improving sleep quality, it reduces major prostate complications such as frequent urination and inability to empty the bladder completely. .

Panax Ginseng Root: This plant can be used after the prostate size has returned to normal. Ginseng strengthens the adrenal glands and increases the secretion of testosterone, increases sexual desire and endurance.



Research shows that men who have sex regularly (at least every 15 days) are much less likely to have prostate problems.

Note: Do not take separate food supplements without consulting your doctor. The use of medicinal plants requires a complete program, which includes choosing the appropriate type of herbs, dosage and period of use.

Prostate Cancer:

Like other organs and cells in the body, the prostate gland can develop cancer. Prostate cancer is quite different from prostate enlargement (BHP) and prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate). Although its symptoms are almost similar to other prostate diseases, the method The treatment is completely different.

Diagnosis of prostate cancer: If the PSA protein level is too high in a blood test and the doctor suspects cancer, a sample is taken after the prostate tissue to be examined.