Prostate: Know Your Gland

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1 Prostate: Know Your Gland What s prostate cancer? Prostate cancer is a serious disease that affects thousands of men each year who are middle-aged or older. Most prostate cancers occur in men older than age 65. The prostate is a small gland located under the bladder surrounding the urethra. It is regulated by the hormone testosterone and produces seminal fluid, also known as semen. When an abnormal, malignant growth of cells which is called a tumor forms in the prostate, it s called prostate cancer. This cancer can spread to other areas of the body. In these cases, because the cancer is made of cells from the prostate, it s still called prostate cancer. Types of prostate cancer Prostate cancer is also categorized by how fast it grows. It has two types of growths: aggressive, or fast growing nonaggressive, or slow growing

2 With nonaggressive prostate cancer, the tumor either doesn t grow or grows very little over time. With aggressive prostate cancer, the tumor can grow quickly and may spread to other areas of the body, such as the bones. Prostate cancer causes and risk factors There s no known cause for prostate cancer. Like all cancers, it could be caused by many things, including a family history or exposure to certain chemicals. Whatever the instigating factor is, it leads to cell mutations and uncontrolled cell growth in the prostate. Who s at risk? While prostate cancer could occur in any man, certain factors raise your risk for the disease. These risk factors include: older age a family history of prostate cancer obesity genetic changes Prostate cancer age As mentioned above, age is a primary risk factor for prostate cancer. The disease occurs most often in men older than age 65. Prostate cancer symptoms

3 Some forms of prostate cancer are nonaggressive, so you may not have any symptoms. However, advanced prostate cancer often causes symptoms. If you have any of the following signs or symptoms, don t hesitate to call your doctor. Symptoms of prostate cancer can include urinary problems, sexual problems, and pain and numbness. Urinary problems Urinary problems are a common symptom because the prostate is located beneath the bladder, and it surrounds the urethra. Because of this location, if a tumor grows on the prostate, it could press on the bladder or urethra and cause problems. Urinary problems can include: frequent need to urinate a stream that s slower than normal bleeding while urinating (hematuria) Sexual problems Erectile dysfunction may be a symptom of prostate cancer. Also called impotence, this condition makes you unable to get and keep an erection. Blood in the semen after ejaculation can also be a symptom of prostate cancer. Pain and numbness Metastatic cancer is cancer that has spread to other areas of the body from where it first occurred. When prostate cancer metastasizes, it often spreads to the bones. This can cause pain in the: pelvic area back chest

4 If the cancer spreads to the spinal cord, you may lose feeling in your legs and your bladder. Early signs of prostate cancer While any of the above symptoms can be your first indication that you have prostate cancer, urinary symptoms are more likely than other symptoms to appear early. It s important to keep in mind that most of these symptoms can also be caused by other conditions that aren t cancer. These conditions include benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and prostatitis. So, while it s important to keep tabs on any symptoms you may have, you should remember that there s a good chance they re not caused by cancer. That said, neither of these conditions causes blood to appear in your urine. If you have this symptom, call your doctor right away. Screening recommendations Screening for prostate cancer often depends upon your own personal preferences. recommendations: Some of the Age 40: For men at very high risk, such as those with more than one first-degree relative a father, brother, or son who had prostate cancer at an age younger than 65. Age 45: For men at high risk, such as African American men and men with a first-degree relative diagnosed at an age younger than 65. Age 50: For men at average risk of prostate cancer, and who are expected to live at least 10 more years. Tools for diagnosis Digital rectal exam (DRE): Prostate specific antigen (PSA) test Prostate biopsy

5 PSA test The PSA blood test checks the amount of prostate-specific antigen that s in your blood. If the levels are high, this could mean you have prostate cancer. However, there are many reasons why you could have a high amount of PSA in your blood, so the test results could lead to a misdiagnosis and unnecessary treatment. Before you consider having a PSA blood test, talk to your doctor about the risks and benefits. Prostate cancer stages The tool used in staging prostate cancer is the TMN staging system. Like many other types of cancer, prostate cancer is staged using this system based on: the size or extent of the tumor the number of lymph nodes involved whether or not the cancer has spread (metastasized) to other sites or organs Prostate cancer stages range from 1 to 4. The disease is most advanced in stage 4 Prostate cancer treatment Your doctor will develop an appropriate treatment plan for your cancer based on your age, health status, and the stage of your cancer. If the cancer is nonaggressive, your doctor may recommend watchful waiting, which is also called active surveillance. This means you ll delay treatment but have regular checkups with your doctor to monitor the cancer. More aggressive types of cancer may be treated with other options, such as: surgery radiation

6 cryotherapy hormone therapy chemotherapy stereotactic radiosurgery Prostatectomy A prostatectomy is a surgical procedure during which part or all of your prostate gland is removed. If you have prostate cancer that hasn t spread outside of the prostate, your doctor may suggest that you have a radical prostatectomy. With this procedure, the entire prostate gland is removed. Prostate cancer prevention There are certain risk factors for prostate cancer, such as age, that you can t control. However, others you can control. For instance, quitting smoking could reduce your risk of prostate cancer. Diet and exercise are also important factors that can influence your risk of prostate cancer. Diet Evidence from the studies suggest that certain foods may help reduce your risk of prostate cancer, including: tomatoes cruciferous vegetables such as broccoli, Brussels sprouts, and kale fish soy oils that contain omega-3 fatty acids, such as olive oil

7 The evidence also suggests that certain foods may increase your risk of prostate cancer, such as: milk and dairy products saturated fat, which is found in animal products red meat grilled meat Talk with your doctor Prostate cancer is a risk for all men as they age, but if it s caught and treated early, the outlook is generally very good. So as you get older, be sure to have open conversations with your doctor about your risk. If you have any symptoms you think might be prostate cancer, talk to your doctor right away. And even if you don t have symptoms, consider adopting a healthy lifestyle to decrease your risk. A diet rich in vegetables and fish and low in full-fat dairy and red meat, paired with an exercise plan approved by your doctor, could help reduce your risk of prostate cancer, as well as boost your health overall.

8 When Joints Hurt Pain in your joints can have many different causes. For many people, joint pain is caused by arthritis, a group of conditions marked by inflammation in the joints. Osteoarthritis (OA) is the most common type of arthritis. This type is caused by a breakdown of cartilage as you age. For others, joint pain may be caused by an injury or infection of the joints, or another condition, such as fibromyalgia or even depression. It can also be the result of poor posture or long periods of inactivity. It s possible for people with arthritis to help their symptoms, but many don t know how. Treating joint pain isn t always as simple as taking a pill or doing a few exercises, but ignoring the pain won t make it go away. Fortunately, there are many available treatment options that you can try. Depending on the cause and severity of your joint pain, you can find the combination of treatments that work for you.

9 Treatment options for joint pain If you re experiencing joint pain and don t know why, make an appointment to see a doctor to determine the cause. Sometimes what may feel like joint pain is actually due to a condition unrelated to joints, such as a muscle strain or bone fracture. It s important that you get a diagnosis before trying to self-treat. An early diagnosis of arthritis, including osteoarthritis, can help you better manage the condition. JOINT PAIN TREATMENT OPTIONS Once you have a diagnosis, you can learn about treatment options for your specific type of joint pain. This may include: oral, injectable or topical medications

10 diet changes exercise home remedies nutritional supplements physical therapy surgery Medications for joint pain Your doctor may first suggest that you treat the joint pain caused by arthritis with anti-inflammatory and pain medications. Here are some examples: Oral medications What your doctor prescribes will depend on the underlying cause of your joint pain. For OA the most common type of arthritis oral medications include: Over-the-counter (OTC) non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs). Salicylates Acetaminophen

11 Opioid pain medications Oral steroids If you receive a diagnosis with a systemic disease or an autoimmune condition, such as rheumatoid arthritis (RA), medications known as disease-modifying anti-rheumatic drugs (DMARDs) can help slow down RA s progression and also slow joint damage. Injections Injections can provide pain relief and reduce inflammation. Examples of injections for treating joint pain include: steroid joint injections hyaluronic acid injections Steroid injections are useful to reduce swelling in the joint, but they wear off over time. There s also a limit to how many a doctor can give you per year. Topicals OTC topical analgesics may help to numb the joint area. Your doctor may prescribe topical medication containing diclofenac sodium. You can also look for OTC creams, gels, or patches containing the following ingredients: capsaicin menthol salicylate lidocaine

12 Surgery Surgery is considered a last resort for relieving joint pain. It s usually reserved for people with knee or hip osteoarthritis that hasn t responded to other measures. Severe cases may require a total joint replacement. For less severe cases, a doctor may want to try osteotomy a surgery that entails cutting and re-shaping bones to ease pressure on the joint. An osteotomy is sometimes used to delay the need for total joint replacement for several years, but not everyone with joint pain will be a candidate for this procedure. Physical therapy Physical therapy is a great way to treat joint pain because it helps improve your range of motion and strengthens the muscles surrounding the joint. This in turn helps minimize overall stiffness and pain. During physical therapy, you ll be given a series of customized strengthening and stretching exercises to do on a regular basis. Stretching helps with mobility and overall range of motion. A physical therapist may also recommend that you wear a brace, especially for knee pain, to assist with stability and function. Home remedies Many causes of joint pain can be managed at home with a few lifestyle changes.

13 Hot and cold therapy To reduce stiffness in the joints, try alternating cold with hot treatments. Warm showers or baths may help lessen stiffness in your joints in the morning. At night, you can try sleeping with a heating pad. Cold treatment is also helpful for relieving inflammation in the joints. Wrap a gel ice pack in a towel and apply it to painful joints for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day. Diet changes Eating a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, and vegetables might reduce the symptoms of arthritis. Research suggests that a diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids and antioxidants can help prevent inflammation. These foods include: omega-3-rich foods, such as walnuts, chia seeds, flaxseed, and fatty fish like salmon, tuna, and mackerel antioxidant-rich foods, such as colorful fruits and vegetables, beans, nuts, red wine, and dark chocolate On top of including more of these foods in your diet, be sure to also cut out processed carbohydrates and saturated or trans fats. Exercise Physical activity, such as walking or swimming, can not only decrease pain, but also improve your mood and quality of life. The CDC

14 suggests that people with arthritis should try to get at least 150 minutes of physical activity each week. Make sure to avoid activities that are more likely to cause joint injuries, such as high-impact exercises like tennis or running. Tai chi and yoga are excellent activities for people with joint pain. If you re overweight, you can reduce joint pain and arthritis symptoms by maintaining a healthy weight. Added weight puts more pressure on your joints, particularly your knees, hips, and feet. Supplements Dietary supplements may help to relieve symptoms such as inflammation and joint pain. No dietary supplement has shown clear-cut benefits for joint pain, but there s some evidence a few supplements might help. Examples include: fish oil, which has been shown to help to relieve tender joints and morning stiffness in people with RA ginger, which has been shown to have an anti-inflammatory effect and reduces pain and disability in people with OA glucosamine and chondroitin sulfate could be helpful for people with moderate-to-severe knee pain Keep in mind that if your joint pain is being caused by another condition, such as RA, home remedies like supplements should never replace medical treatment.

15 CHECK WITH THE DOCTOR IF. While you can manage mild joint pain at home, make sure to see a doctor right away if you experience any of the following symptoms along with joint pain: fever significantly swollen joints joints that are red, tender, or warm to the touch sudden numbness the joint becomes completely immobile inability to function day to day due to your joint pain

16 There are many treatment options for joint pain, ranging from medications and physical therapy to dietary changes and home remedies. Treatment will ultimately depend on the underlying cause of your joint pain. If you ve been experiencing joint pain, visit your doctor for a diagnosis and treatment plan. People with inflammatory arthritis, like RA, have a better quality of life if they get an early diagnosis, receive treatment, and learn how to properly manage their condition. Disclaimer: Content is sourced from public domain & is provided by H3U for educational & informational purposes. It should not be considered as a substitute to medical advice. H3U makes every effort to ensure accuracy or completeness of editorial content, However we do not take responsibility for any errors, omission & also do not take responsibility to ensure that data, information of material is kept up to date. The views expressed in these articles are not necessarily those of H3U. Reproduction, modification, storage in a retrieval system or retransmission, in any form or otherwise, for reason other than educational & for informational purposes are strictly prohibited without prior written permission of H3U. Corporate Office Vipul MedCare Pvt Ltd. 534, Udyog Vihar, Phase V, Gurgaon, Haryana Phone: , Fax: , info@vipulmedcare.com