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Can Running Cause Prostate Problems

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Problems With Enlarged Prostate Gland

BPH (Enlarged Prostate) & Prostate Cancer | Ask a Prostate Expert, Mark Scholz, MD

Benign enlargement of the prostate gland is more common as men get older. It can cause troublesome symptoms, although it doesnt always.

The urethra passes through the prostate gland, so men may have problems urinating if the enlarged gland restricts the flow of urine. If the flow stops completely, a catheter is required to empty the bladder. It is rare for this form of acute urinary retention to cause kidney damage.

An enlarged prostate doesn’t always cause urinary problems. Studies indicate that the size of a man’s prostate gland has little influence on the type or severity of his urination problems. BPH is just one possible cause of urinary symptoms.

Another cause of urinary symptoms can be changes to the muscular wall of the bladder, which may cause spasms of the bladder or weaken the bladder, causing problems passing urine.

Sex And Your Prostate Cancer Risk

How can two pieces of research come to such different conclusions? These studies are hard to do and the results may be more confusing than enlightening, says Erik P. Castle, MD, FACS, an associate professor of urology at the Mayo Clinic.

Asking men to talk about their sex life is not a reliable way to get evidence for a study, adds John Milner, MD, an assistant professor of urology at Loyola Stritch School of Medicine in Chicago. As of 2012, theres not enough evidence to say anything one way or the other about the number of ejaculations and the risk of prostate cancer.

So what can you do for prostate cancer prevention? For one thing, resist the urge to light up a post-coital cigarette. A recent study from the Harvard School of Public Health, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, found that cigarette smoking increases your risk for dying from prostate cancer. The study, which included more than 5,000 men who had been diagnosed with prostate cancer and were smokers, found that these men had a 61 percent higher chance of dying from the cancer than non-smokers.

Here are some other tips from the American Cancer Society for reducing your prostate cancer risk:

Does An Enlarged Prostate Affect A Man Sexually

Sudden onset of erectile dysfunction may be a sign of prostate cancer and needs medical evaluation. Erectile dysfunctions may also occur after the therapy for prostate cancer including surgery, radiotherapy, and hormonal therapy.

Sexual problems, such as erectile dysfunction or ejaculation problems, may occur in men with noncancerous enlargement of the prostate . Sexual dysfunction in BPH usually results from the treatment rather than the disease. Medications for BPH, such as the antitestosterone drug and finasteride , have been associated with erectile dysfunction in 3.7% of men who use it. Finasteride is also linked with diminished libido in 3.3% men. Other medications for BPH, such as terazosin , tamsulosin , and doxazosin , can improve BPH symptoms with a lower risk of sexual side effects.

Surgical procedures for BPH, such as the transurethral resection of the prostate , are often used when medications fail. Erectile dysfunction can occur because of TURP in a small percentage of men.

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Symptoms Of An Enlarged Prostate

As mentioned above, the most common symptoms of an enlarged prostate are urination problems. Its because the prostate portion surrounding the urethra narrows the normal passage of urine. These problems become worse as the patient gets older.

The progression prolongs which some patients may not even realize. They learn to live with the symptoms and sometimes wont even report them. However, it is crucial to recognize the symptoms of an enlarged prostate and consult your doctor.

Heres a list of the most important symptoms .

Do People With Prostate Cancer Express Concerns About Over

Prostate cancer

Its understandable that people might worry about overdoing it. But weve learned that many health problems after cancer treatment often stem from being sedentary. Just sitting around is one of the worst things you can do for your overall health. I think exercise must be personalized to each patient. Then, as you adapt to your prescribed amount of exercise, maybe you can do more.

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Medications To Use For A Cold If You Have Prostate Problems

If you have an enlarged prostate or other prostate or urinary tract problems such as prostate cancer, what can you take to get relief from that stuffy, runny nose?

It may be best to stay away from pseudoephedrine, ephedrine, and phenylephrine products. Even topicals such as Afrin can be problematic for the prostate. If you read carefully through the active ingredients in cold and flu medications you will find these compounds listed often. One study found that 6 percent of men aged 50 to 69 had experienced an aggravation of an enlarged prostate due to taking cold medications. Not surprisingly, visits to the emergency room with urinary retention are more common during the winter months.

Options which won’t cause prostate problems include:

  • Putting eucalyptus and camphor products under your nose and on your chest. This doesn’t work physicallyit doesn’t reduce congestionbut it may trick your brain into thinking you are breathing better. This is especially true for those who used these treatments as a child.
  • Hot baths are an easy option and are readily available.
  • Steam humidifiers are cumbersome but can also provide symptomatic relief without interfering with the prostate.

Benefits Of Regular Exercise During And After Cancer Treatment

  • Exercise can help to:
  • Maintain a healthy weight
  • Boost muscle strength and endurance

Side effects from cancer and certain treatments such as fatigue or sleep problems can make it difficult to find the motivation and energy to be active. It may be helpful to speak with a certified health and fitness professional or a physical therapist. Talk with your treatment team for suggestions and a referral to a skilled professional.

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Otc Meds And Urinary Symptoms In Men With Enlarged Prostates

You may have heard that urinary problems, such as the inability to pee, can occur when you take cold medications. Or, perhaps, you took a cold medication and are wondering why you aren’t able to urinate.

Prostate problems and medications for an enlarged prostate don’t always mix with medications for the cold or flu, as these common over-the-counter cold meds can cause urinary retention, making it harder for your body to release urine.

How Often Should I Do My Kegel Exercises

High PSA & Prostatitis | Ask a Prostate Expert, Mark Scholz, MD

When you first start doing your Kegel exercises, you may not be able to repeat the exercise 10 to 20 times. This is ok. It is much better for you to do fewer Kegel exercises that make your pelvic floor muscles stronger, than to do more exercises that do not work the muscle in the right way. As you get better at doing your Kegel exercises, slowly increase the number of times you repeat the exercise until you reach 20. Your goal should be to do 20 Kegel exercise three to four times each day.

The great thing about Kegel exercises is that you can do them anytime you want to do them. No one can tell that you are doing these exercises. You do not need any special equipment to do Kegel exercises. You can do your Kegel exercises before you get up in the morning, at lunchtime, at suppertime, and at bedtime. You can do them while you are watching TV or reading. Some men put notes on their refrigerator or on their bathroom mirror to remind them to do their Kegel exercises. Kegel exercises can help both men and women. Some menâs partners do the exercises with them. The more you do them, the stronger your pelvic floor muscles will become.

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Can Exercise Reduce Prostate Cancer Risk

Prostate cancer is the second most common cancer in men, with 1 in 9 men being diagnosed throughout their lifetime.

While it is more common in older men over the age of 65, younger men can also fall victim to it.

But, by taking specific steps and making changes to your lifestyle, you can reduce your risk

The link between lifestyle and prostate health has been a somewhat underestimated one.

Instead of prescribing lifestyle changes, such as a healthy diet and regular exercise, the norm is to prescribe drugs.

These drugs may help the problem for a little while, but the results are not sustainable. The symptoms are hidden rather than treated, and the root of the problem remains.

Yet, emerging studies have highlighted the link between physical activity and prostate health. A large number have indicated that exercise can reduce prostate cancer risk.

What Exercise Precautions Do I Need To Take

Always consult your doctor before you begin an exercise program. Prostate cancer and its treatments can cause specific side effects that may require you to modify your exercise program. If youre experiencing any of the side effects below, stop exercising and talk to a member of the health care team.

Read more exercise content on the Cancer.Net Blog.

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Natural Treatment For Chronic Prostatitis And Anxiety

Most men never think about their prostates until they experience disturbing symptoms. They do not know what the prostate is, where it is located, or what its functions are.

The prostate is a walnut-sized gland situated in front of the rectum, beneath the bladder, and wrapped around the urethra, the tube through which urine and prostate fluid pass out of the body. The prostate acts as a powerful pump that ejects semen and sperm during ejaculation. It also controls both the duration and frequency of the reproductive act. Additionally, it also plays an important function with the bladder in controlling the flow of urine. The prostate is considered the second heart of man, the nerve and emotional center of a mans reproductive function controlling both reproductive function and stress.

The prostate cooperates with, and responds to, the pituitary gland which is the control center of the hormonal system. In a healthy male the functioning prostate responds to the bodys signal I am working, help me. In turn, the pituitary gland sets off the activity of other hormonal glands such as the thyroid, adrenals and testicles to make the mans body strong and ready to multiply. On the other hand, the pituitary gland does not react efficiently if the prostate is congested and inflamed. It makes the entire males body sick, weak, and inactive.

Healing exercises can improve microcirculation in the prostate and the entire pelvic area. In turn, they can reduce pain and muscle spasms.

Can I Do Kegel Exercises If I Have A Catheter

The Guyâs Guide To Male Incontinence

A catheter is a thin rubber tube placed in your body to drain urine from your bladder out through your penis. Do not do any Kegel exercises if you have a catheter in your penis.

Start doing your Kegel exercises according to the instructions above as soon as the catheter is taken out of your penis. After your catheter is removed you may experience some urine leakage when you stand up, cough, sneeze, laugh, or lift something. You will probably need to use incontinence pads for a while. However, doing Kegel exercises may help you control your urine flow sooner. If you have urine leakage when you stand up, cough, sneeze, laugh, or lift something, try doing a Kegel exercise. This may keep you from leaking urine.

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How May Erectile Dysfunction Affect My Sex Life

Most men find that their sex life is different after prostate cancer treatment. Some men question their manliness when they cannot have an erection or find that they are not interested in sex. This can happen even if you are not currently in an intimate relationship. You may find this upsetting. Even if one of the medications or erection aids is helpful, having sex using these things may take some getting used to. It may not feel entirely natural. You can talk with your doctor or healthcare team about these feelings. Counseling may also help.

If you have an intimate partner, it is important for you to talk to your partner about how you are feeling. There is an old saying that a problem shared is a problem halved. Not everyone wants a sexual relationship. Dont try to guess or assume what your partner wants. Have an open and honest discussion with your partner.

This may seem unnecessary in long-term relationships as people tend to assume they know all there is to know about their partner but this is not always the case. With time, you and your partner may be able to find satisfying ways to have a sex life even though you have erectile dysfunction. Your partner will also have concerns about your sex life as well as concerns about your health. Talking about your feelings is very important during this time.

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Frequent Urination Especially At Night

You might also feel the need to pee more often. This can happen because your urine stream stops before your bladder has emptied, so you quickly feel the need to go again.

Youre never really getting all the pee out, Dr. Linehan explains, because the enlarged prostate can block the urinary channel. Since your bladder isnt empty, you wont get the sensation of having just voided it. And you may start to get up at night to go, Linehan adds. Usually if thats happening, the prostate has some type of involvement.

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Pde5 Inhibitors: Viagra Levitra And Cialis

Approved by the FDA in 1998, sildenafil revolutionized the way we think about and treat erectile dysfunction, largely because it is so easy to use and effective. Since then the FDA has approved three closely related drugs, vardenafil , avanafil and tadalafil .

All four drugs work in a similar fashion, by affecting the normal physiology of the penis. In particular, they block PDE5, an enzyme that breaks down the erection-producing chemical cyclic guanosine monophosphate. This enables the penis to fill with blood and to stay erect long enough for intercourse. Of course, its important to realize that none of these drugs is an aphrodisiac. Youve got to feel sexually stimulated in order for them to work.

The main differences between the drugs have to do with timing: how quickly they begin to work, and how long their effects last . Levitra may start working slightly faster than Viagra although the FDA says that like Viagra, it should be taken about an hour before sexual activity. Some studies suggest that Levitra may help some men who dont respond to Viagra. And while some doctors are skeptical about this claim, theres no harm in trying Levitra or Cialis if Viagra doesnt work for you.

Cialis has also been approved to treat men with both erectile dysfunction and BPH. The dose is lower, usually 5 milligrams per day.

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Ask The Doctor: Can Running Cause Bladder Infections

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Dehydration, irritation and tight clothing which causes rubbing could be the culprit

Question: After long runs I feel like I have a bladder infection. I drink cranberry juice for a couple of days and it goes away. Is this sometime of internal blunt force trauma or a result from dehydration? I feel fine running and I admit I don’t get that thirsty. The water I drink is the water I force myself to drink. I run between 5-10 miles for long runs at this time. – Sarah, TexasAnswer: There are a couple of reasons that you may be experiencing these post-run symptoms. There may be irritation of the urethra . Shorts rubbing on this area can cause irritation which will be magnified when you urinate. Application of a lubricant before running may prevent this source of symptoms. Another possible source of your symptoms is irritation of the bladder while running. There are several proposed mechanisms for this it is thought that the walls of the bladder may slap each other during the impact of running. This may cause blood in the urine which can be irritating. The bruising of the bladder walls may also cause symptoms similar to an infection. Dehydration increases the risk of bladder slapping. A little urine in your bladder may eliminate this problem youll need to work on hydrating during your longer runs. Good luck.Cathy Fieseler, MD

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Latest Men’s Health News

At the start, prostate cancer does not cause symptoms. As the cancer grows, you may have trouble urinating. Some men need to urinate often, especially at night. Others have pain or burning during urination, blood in the urine or semen, pain in the back, hips, or pelvis, and painful ejaculation.

To find out if these symptoms are caused by prostate cancer, your doctor will ask about your past medical problems and your family’s medical history. He or she will perform a physical exam. During the exam, your doctor will put a gloved finger into your rectum to feel your prostate for hard or lumpy areas.

Your doctor may also do a blood test to check the prostate-specific antigen level. PSA levels can be high in men with an enlarged prostate gland or with prostate cancer. You may also need an ultrasound exam that takes computer pictures of the prostate.

If tests show that you might have cancer, your doctor will want to confirm this with a biopsy. He or she will take out tiny pieces of the prostate to look for cancer cells. Your doctor may want to do a biopsy again to re-check the results.

Treatment for prostate cancer depends on whether cancer is in part or all of the prostate or if it has spread to other parts of the body. It also depends on your age and overall health. Talk with your doctor about the best treatment choice for you. You may want to ask another doctor for a second opinion.

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