Can Enlarged Prostate Cause Back And Leg Pain

Tests Used To Check The Prostate

This first step lets your doctor hear and understand the story of your prostate concerns. Youll be asked whether you have symptoms, how long youve had them, and how much they affect your lifestyle. Your personal medical history also includes any risk factors, pain, fever, or trouble passing urine. You may be asked to give a urine sample for testing.

Who Is At Risk

Research into the subject found certain risk factors that are common amongst people whove experienced prostate cancer. Age is a primary factor in the incidence of prostate cancer. Approximately 60 percent of the cases of prostate cancer are in men over 65 years of age.

Family history is another factor that studies have pointed to as a correlation. Cancer genes are hereditary and can be passed down from one generation to another.

What Are Common Prostate Problems What Are The Symptoms And Signs

Here are some examples of non-cancer prostate problems:

Benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH, means your prostate is enlarged, but is not cancerous. It is very common in older men. An enlarged prostate may make it very difficult to urinate or cause dribbling after you urinate. You may feel the need to urinate a lot, often at night. See your family doctor for an exam. Treatments for BPH include:

• Watchful waiting, also called active surveillance. If your symptoms are not too bad, your doctor may tell you to wait before starting any treatment to see if the problem gets worse. Your doctor will tell you how often you need to return for checkups. You can start treatment later if your symptoms worsen.
• Medications. There are medicines that can help shrink the prostate or help relax muscles near your prostate to ease your symptoms. Talk with your doctor about possible side effects.
• Surgery. If nothing else has worked, your doctor may suggest surgery to help urine flow. There are many types of BPH surgery. Talk with your doctor about the risks. Regular checkups are important after surgery.
• Other treatments. Sometimes radio waves, microwaves, or lasers are used to treat urinary problems caused by BPH. These methods use different kinds of heat to reduce extra prostate tissue.

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Losing Control Of Your Bladder

Urinary incontinence can range from uncontrolled release of a full bladder to slower leakage. Leaking urine can also present in varying ways, from leaking a few drops after coughing, exercising, or bending, to leaking large quantities or leaking during sex. This usually improves over time if its a result of prostate cancer treatment, however, it can be longer-lasting if its from spinal cord compression. The good news is, there are some ways to manage losing control of your bladder, if needed, including:

• Absorbent pads or pants
• Bed protectors
• Urinary sheaths

If urine incontinence continues for longer periods of time, or becomes a serious impairment to quality of life, there are other additional options including:

• Artificial urinary sphincter
• Internal male sling
• Anti-cholinergic medications

All of these options for serious impairment require surgery with the exception of medications. Your doctor will help you determine the side effects and potential benefits for your specific case. Additional lifestyle changes may also be beneficial to help fight urinary incontinence, including eating a well-balanced diet with fiber , exercising , avoiding alcoholic, fizzy, or caffeinated drinks, quitting smoking, and retraining your bladder by creating and maintaining a urination schedule.1-4

Acute Vs Chronic Prostatitis

There are two main types of prostatitis:

• Chronic prostatitis, the most common type. Symptoms will have lasted for at least three months, although they may come and go and vary in severity. The cause isn’t always clear.
• Acute prostatitis symptoms are severe and develop rapidly. This is caused by a bacterial infection of the prostate gland. It’s a medical emergency, as without prompt treatment with antibiotics, the prostate and surrounding areas can become damaged. An estimated 1 in every 10,000 men will develop acute prostatitis.

Read more information about the causes of prostatitis.

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Do All Men With Advanced Prostate Cancer Have Pain

No, not all men with advanced prostate cancer have pain. Men who do have pain experience different levels of pain. Pain is more common in men whose cancer has spread to their bones. If the cancer has spread to several places in your body, you might not get pain in all of these places.

With the right treatment and management, pain can usually be relieved or reduced. Tell your doctor or nurse if youre in pain or your pain relief isnt working well.

You Have A Sore Lower Back

Many people might assume their sore lower back means they overdid it at the gym or slept poorly, but the Prostate Cancer Foundation advises that pain or stiffness is actually one symptom of prostate cancer.

Pain associated with prostate cancer is usuallydull and deep, according to WebMD. This might help you distinguish it from a strained muscle or exercise injury.

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Urinating Frequently During The Day

It may be more difficult to notice a change in frequency during the day than at night. Most of us dont go around counting how many times we use the washroom in a given day!

Besides, whats normal, anyway?

Normal urination during the day is considered to be within a range offour to seven times for most healthy adult men. If youre going more often than this, it could indicate a prostate issue.

It can be easy to miss this sign. Drinking more water or caffeinated beverages than usual can be an easy explanation for a few extra trips.

Even a night out for dinner with a few more glasses of beer than usual can cause several extra trips to the bathroom because alcohol is a diuretic, meaning it triggers anincrease in urine production.

Diuretics cause your kidneys to process more salt and water out into your urine, resulting in increased volume that makes you need to go more often.Source:WonderWhizKids.com

But like your nighttime routine, if you notice an ongoing pattern of having to go more often during the day, ask your doctor about it. A simple blood test and rectal examination is often the first diagnostic step, which is quick and painless.

How Common Is Prostatitis

Prostatitis is the most common urinary tract problem for men younger than age 50 and the third most common urinary tract problem for men older than age 50.1 Prostatitis accounts for about two million visits to health care providers in the United States each year.2

Chronic prostatitis or chronic pelvic pain syndrome is

• the most common and least understood form of prostatitis.
• can occur in men of any age group.
• affects 10 to 15 percent of the U.S. male population.3

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What Are The Symptoms Of An Enlarged Prostate

Most men with prostatitis will have a persistent form of the disease, where symptoms come and go for at least three months.

Possible symptoms of chronic prostatitis are:

• pain in the pelvis, genitals, lower back and buttocks
• pain when urinating
• difficulty urinating, such as problems starting or ‘stop-start’ urination
• pain when ejaculating, which may contribute to erectile dysfunction
• discomfort in the perineal area

The symptoms may vary from day to day: some days they may be particularly troublesome, on other days they may be mild or almost non-existent.

Sometimes you may also experience tiredness, joint pain, muscle pain and a high temperature.

Is Back And Hip Pain A Symptom Of Prostate Cancer

The American Society of Clinical Oncology estimates 174,650 cases of prostate cancer this year alone. As the most commonly occurring type of cancer in menmostly those over the age of 50.

That isnt to say that you cant get it at a younger age, but the risk of getting this type of cancer is lower. However, studies have pointed to the growing incidence of prostate cancer among younger males as well. This is owing to environmental factors and early screenings.

The prostate is a small gland that produces seminal fluid for semen. Prostate cancer occurs when a group of cells in a mans prostate gland grows faster than others. These cells can often spread and affect normal tissue in the adjoining area.

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When To Have Psa Tests

The prostate gland produces a protein called PSA. Levels of this protein increase when the prostate is dealing with irritation, swelling, or the growth of cancerous cells.

High levels of PSA in the blood do not necessarily mean that an individual has prostate cancer, but they can suggest that further tests are necessary.

The Prostate Cancer Research Institute recommend that most men start having PSA tests at the age of 45.

Males with a higher risk of developing the disease, including those who are African-American or who have a family history of prostate cancer, should start undergoing these tests at age 40.

Causes Of Rectal Discomfort

The causes of vague rectal discomfort may overlap with the causes of itching, pain, burning sensations, and rectal bleeding. In the majority of cases, the causes of rectal discomfort are mild conditions that can be readily treated. Changes in diet and other lifestyle measures may also help in preventing rectal discomfort.

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You Can’t Get Comfortable While Sitting

Discomfort or pain when sitting could signal a problem with your prostate, according toCancer.Net.

This type of pain might be caused by the prostate gland pressing on other areas of your pelvis. If you notice that you’re experiencing pain or pressure while seated but feel better when you’re standing up, that could be a red flag.

What Are The Complications Of Prostatitis

Men with acute bacterial prostatitis may develop . This widespread inflammation can be life-threatening. It requires immediate medical treatment.

Antibiotics can cause an upset stomach. Men with chronic bacterial prostatitis may need lots of antibiotics to treat recurring infections. Some people develop antibiotic resistance, making treatment ineffective.

Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis can lower sperm count, affecting fertility.

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What Other Problems Might An Enlarged Prostate Cause

A small number of men may find it difficult to empty their bladder properly this is called urine retention. If youve been diagnosed with an enlarged prostate, your doctor will look at your test results to see if youre at risk of urine retention. You may be more likely to get urine retention if:

• youre aged 70 or over
• your prostate is very large
• you have a raised prostate specific antigen level
• you have severe urinary symptoms and a very slow flow.

Chronic urine retention

This is where you cant empty your bladder fully, but can still urinate a little. It usually develops slowly over time. Chronic means long-lasting. The first signs often include a weak flow when you urinate, or leaking urine at night. You may feel that your abdomen is swollen, or that youre not emptying your bladder fully.

Chronic urine retention is usually painless. But the pressure of the urine can slowly stretch your bladder muscle and make it weaker. This can cause urine to be left behind in the bladder when you urinate. If you dont empty your bladder fully, you might get a urine infection, need to urinate more often, leak urine at night, or get painful bladder stones. You might also see some blood in your urine. Chronic urine retention can damage your bladder and kidneys if it isnt treated.

There are treatments for chronic urine retention, including:

• passing a thin, flexible tube called a catheter to drain urine from your bladder
• surgery to widen the urethra.

Acute urine retention

Can Sciatic Nerve Affect Prostate

SciaticaprostatenervesSciatica canaffected

. Similarly one may ask, can prostate problems cause leg pain?

Urinary symptoms also can be caused by an infection of the bladder or other conditions. If cancer has spread outside of the prostate gland, a man may experience: Pain in the back, hips, thighs, shoulders, or other bones. Swelling or fluid buildup in the legs or feet.

Beside above, can enlarged prostate cause back and leg pain? Enlargement of the prostate gland can cause symptoms, for example: Dribbling urine. Blood in the semen or urine. Frequent pain or stiffness in the lower back, hips, pelvic or rectal area, or the upper thighs.

Also asked, can your prostate cause back pain?

Chronic prostatitis, also called chronic pelvic pain syndrome, is a common prostate problem. It can cause pain in the lower back, in the groin, or at the tip of the penis. Treatment may require a combination of medicines, surgery, and lifestyle changes.

What causes a sciatic nerve to flare up?

Stress Some researchers believe that various forms of back pain including sciatica can be triggered by emotional anxiety. Their explanation is that in times of stress, the brain deprives the nerves in the lower back of oxygen, resulting in symptoms such as leg pain, weakness, and other electrical sensation.

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Eating Diet And Nutrition

Researchers have not found that eating, diet, and nutrition play a role in causing or preventing prostatitis. During treatment of bacterial prostatitis, urologists may recommend increasing intake of liquids and avoiding or reducing intake of substances that irritate the bladder. Men should talk with a health care provider or dietitian about what diet is right for them.

Treatment Options For Bph

BPH is treated with medications that shrink the prostate and reduce urinary symptoms.

Drugs called 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors block conversion of testosterone to a substance that contributes to the benign prostate growth, called dihydrotestosterone . These drugs include dutasteride and finasteride .

Drugs called alpha-blockers can help relax the prostate and bladder neck, and improve urine flow. These drugs include doxazosin , tamsulosin , and terazosin .

Your doctor may prescribe one of these drugs or a combination of them.

If medications dont help or your symptoms are severe, your urologist may recommend a less invasive procedure to destroy the extra prostate tissue and widen the urethra within the prostate. The procedure may use one of the following:

• heat with radiofrequency ablation
• high-intensity ultrasound waves
• electric current vaporization

Surgery is a longer-term solution. During BPH surgery, the doctor uses a cutting wire loop or laser to cut away the excess prostate tissue.

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What Aggravates An Enlarged Prostate

Some foods to avoid include: Red meat: Research suggests that going red meat-free may help improve prostate health. In fact, daily meat consumption is believed to triple the risk of prostate enlargement. Dairy: Similarly to meat, regular consumption of dairy has been linked to an increased risk of BPH.

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How Is Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome Managed Or Treated

Prostatitis treatments vary depending on the cause and type. Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis doesnt require treatment.

For chronic pelvic pain syndrome , your healthcare provider may use a system called UPOINT to classify symptoms into six categories. Your provider uses multiple treatments at the same time to treat only the symptoms youre experiencing.

Approximately 80% of men with CPPS improve with the UPOINT system. The system focuses on these symptoms and treatments:

• Urinary: Medications, such as tamsulosin and alfuzosin , relax muscles around the prostate and bladder to improve urine flow.
• Psychosocial: Stress management can help. Some men benefit from counseling or medications for anxiety, depression and catastrophizing .
• Organ: Quercetin and bee pollen supplements may relieve a swollen, inflamed prostate gland.
• Infection:Antibiotics kill infection-causing bacteria.
• Neurologic: Prescription pain medicines, such as amitriptyline and gabapentin , relieve neurogenic pain. This pain can include fibromyalgia or pain that extends into the legs, arms or back.
• Tenderness: Pelvic floor physical therapy may include myofascial release . This therapy can reduce or eliminate muscle spasms.

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What Are The Types Of Prostatitis

Types of prostatitis include:

• Acute bacterial prostatitis : A UTI causes an infection in the prostate gland. Symptoms include fever and chills. You may experience painful and frequent urination or have trouble urinating. Acute bacterial prostatitis requires immediate medical treatment.
• Chronic bacterial prostatitis : Bacteria become trapped in the prostate gland, causing recurrent UTIs that are difficult to treat.
• Chronic pelvic pain syndrome, or CPPS : CPPS is the most common prostatitis type. Prostate gland inflammation occurs in approximately 1 out of 3 men. As the name implies, this type causes chronic pain in the pelvis, perineum and genitals.
• Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis : This condition causes prostate gland inflammation but no symptoms. You may learn you have this condition after getting tests to find the cause of other problems. For example, a semen analysis for infertility may detect asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis. This type doesnt need treatment.

The Top 7 Signs Of Advanced Prostate Cancer

In the early stages, you may not notice any symptoms related to prostate cancer. This is why screenings are important. Symptoms can sometimes be noticed for the first time when the cancer advances.

Advanced prostate cancer, also called metastatic cancer, means the cancer has spread to other areas of your body beyond your prostate gland. The most common areas for prostate cancer to spread are your bladder, rectum, and bones. It can also spread to your lymph nodes, liver, lungs, and other body tissues.

Whether youve just been diagnosed or youre in treatment, its also important to know the signs of advanced cancer. Cancer can behave differently depending on your genetics, so not every person will experience the same symptoms in the same way.

Read on to learn more about the seven top symptoms of advanced prostate cancer and how to spot them.

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