Common Prostate Problems

The male prostate gland helps to produce substances for the reproductive process. The small gland wraps around the tube--known as the urethra--from the bladder to the penis. FamilyDoctor.org states the size of the prostate compares with a walnut. Several conditions may affect the prostate, and all of them need some form of treatment.

Bacterial Prostatitis

Proteus species, Klebsiella pneumonia, Enterobacter cloacae and Escherichia coli
are four types of bacteria that cause a condition called prostatitis. This condition breaks down into acute and chronic versions, the National Institutes of Health report. Prostatitis includes inflammation and swelling that can cause pain and irritation. The organization states men older than 30 usually get this disease, especially those who drink an excess of alcohol or engage in anal sex unprotected. An injury between the rectum and scrotum--the area called the perineum--also may put the man at risk of the problem. Symptoms may include a fever, pain while urinating, hematuria or urine that contains blood, incontinence and pain when making a movement of the bowels or when ejaculating. The National Institutes of Health also states no symptoms may manifest.

Non-Bacterial Prostatitis

Chronic non-bacterial prostatitis may occur for a variety of reasons, some of which include urine backing up into the prostate gland, nerve disorders and viruses. The answer, the Mayo Clinic states does not always appear clear for chronic versions of this disease and may include more than one cause. Symptoms include those similar to bacterial prostatitis, as well as pain in the scrotum, in the urethra, in the penis and in the lower portion of the man's back. He also may have blood in his urine or semen.

Benign Prostate Hyperplasia

An enlarged prostate gland or benign prostate hyperplasia may occur primarily in older men, the Mayo Clinic reports, because the gland grows throughout the man's life. Because the prostate gland surrounds the urethra, most of the symptoms affect the urinary tract. For example, a man may experience an urgent, frequent need to urinate, or he may need to strain to urinate. His urine stream may appear weak and blood may appear in the urine. The condition also may cause infections in the urinary tract, as well as kidney stones. If the gland grows too large, it can impair the function of the kidneys to rid the body of waste.

Prostate Cancer

FamilyDoctor.org states cancer of the prostate gland occurs more than any other cancer in men in the United States. Men 50 or older stand the most chance of getting this form of cancer. Symptoms include many of those associated with other prostate problems, as well as a loss of weight that was not intended and an appetite loss. Pain may occur throughout the pelvic area as well as in the hips and low part of the back that does not end. Pain also may occur during urination and ejaculation.

source : www.livestrong.com