Taking care of your prostate means having yearly checkups so your physician can ascertain whether your prostate is healthy and normal. As you get older, you become susceptible to prostate issues. The prostate gets larger and pinches on the urethral tract, making it increasingly difficult to urinate. You may have difficulty with dribbling of urine, or you may suffer from chronic urinary infections. Consulting your physician will help you make a team plan to alleviate much of the worry and problems that may need your attention.
Self Examination
Answering a few short questions may help determine the health of your prostate. Do you have abdominal pain? Do you have blood in your urine? Are you having trouble urinating? Ask yourself these important questions and tell your doctor your status each time you visit him. If you do have these signs and symptoms, speak with your doctor or proctologist soon, MayoClinic.com advises.
Yearly Checkups
Your doctor will check your enzyme levels of your prostate. This test, called a PSA or prostate-specific antigen test, can help determine the state of your prostate gland and how it acts in your body. Your physician will check for an elevation of this enzyme, which can mean you have an enlargement of your prostate -- also known as benign prostatic hyperplasia. Once your physician determines some problem exists in your prostate gland, he can prescribe treatments and medications to help you. Knowing what causes symptoms or just checking the level to obtain a baseline for prostate health has importance. Your doctor will also check your bladder to be sure it empties the way it should. If urine remains in your bladder, it may be because of the prostate's enlargement.
Diet
Your diet plays a role in the care of your prostate. Make sure you drink enough fluids, lower your intake of alcohol and eat healthy foods such as fresh vegetables. Foods rich in vitamin C and zinc seem to be of great value in keeping the prostate healthy. Lots of exercise and keeping fat off your waist also can help you on the path to prostate health. Findings have shown that increased amounts of protein also contribute to prostate health, MayoClinic.com reports.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Prostate Gland Enlargement: Definition
- MedlinePlus: Prostate Diseases
- National Cancer Institute: Understanding Prostate Changes: A Health Guide for Men
- MayoClinic.com: Prostate Gland Enlargement: Tests and Diagnosis
- MayoClinic.com: Symptom Checker
- MayoClinic.com: Enlarged Prostate --- Does Diet Play a Role?
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