Pollen Extract To Treat CP/CPPS

A pollen extract may be an effective treatment for inflammatory chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS), a study suggests.

The study, led by Florian M.E. Wagenlehner, MD, of Justus-Liebig-University of Giessen, Giessen, Germany, included 139 men with inflammatory NIH category III CP/CPPS. The investigators randomly assigned 70 patients to receive cernitin pollen extract (two capsules every eight hours) and 69 men to receive placebo for 12 weeks. They evaluated subjects using the NIH Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (CPSI).

Compared with the placebo arm, the pollen extract group experienced significant improvement in NIH-CPSI pain and quality-of-life domain scores and in total score, according to a report in European Urology (2009; published online ahead of print). The researchers observed a treatment response—defined as a decrease in the NIH-CPSI score by at least 25% or at least six points—in 70.6% of the pollen extract recipients versus 50% of the placebo arm.

As a result of study findings, the authors said the pollen extract can be recommended for patients with CP/CPPS in the dosage and duration studied.

Heavy Drinking May Increase Prostate Cancer Risk

NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Men who drink heavily may be raising their risk of developing prostate cancer, researchers reported Monday.

What's more, their study found, the drug finasteride, which can help lower a man's risk of the disease, appears unable to undo the damage of heavy drinking.

The findings come from a clinical trial of nearly 11,000 men looking at whether finasteride lowered the risk of prostate cancer over seven years. Of the men, 2,219 were diagnosed with prostate cancer, and 8,791 remained cancer-free throughout the study.

The researchers found that men who drank heavily -- four or more drinks per day, on at least five days out of the week -- were twice as likely as non-drinkers to develop aggressive prostate tumors.

The risk was seen in both men who received finasteride and those given a placebo.

In addition, when it came to less aggressive, slower-growing prostate tumors, finasteride cut non-drinkers' and moderate drinkers' risk by 43 percent. The drug did nothing, however, for heavier drinkers.

Researchers led by Dr. Zhihong Gong, of the University of California at San Francisco, report the findings in the journal Cancer.

Many of the established risk factors for prostate cancer cannot be controlled, such as older age, African-American race and family history of the disease. Only a handful of suspected risk factors -- including obesity, smoking and a high intake of animal fat -- can be modified, Gong's team notes.

Heavy drinking may need to be added to that short list, the researchers say, though they also point out that more studies should be done to confirm the findings.

For now, they write, "physicians may choose to consider this finding when counseling men on reducing their risk of prostate cancer."

It would also be "prudent," they add, for men on finasteride to limit themselves to no more than two or three drinks per day.

SOURCE: Cancer, online July 13, 2009.

Overlooked Prostate Care: Importance Of Diet & Exercise

In this article I want to chat about what I think may be the most important aspects of prostate health & health in general. I will be providing information about this part of my program that has gotten me back to better health.

I want to you to ask yourself two questions before I start this article. Do you eat a "proper diet"? Do you exercise regularly? Well, I can tell you that I answered "No" to both of these back before I started having prostate problems.

I would assume most of you viewing today would also answer "No" these questions as well. You probably wouldn't be here viewing & looking for helpful information if the answer was "Yes".

I have always been an active person all my life. I grew up playing various sports & was active all the time. I played some type of sport almost every day. If I wasn't playing one of the major sports I was either hunting or fishing.

However, after our son was born in 2001 those things changed. I basically quit playing sports & all other activities. My life had changed & it seemed like I didn't have time for any sports or regular exercise. I found out that was a big mistake in my life. You can make time for things that make you more healthy.

I also was the type that didn't seem to watch what I ate. If I was at home I'd eat too much junk food. If I was out on the road I'd eat too much fast food. I really wasn't eating healthy at all but didn't realize it because I didn't have any health problems.

I never have been a soda person but did drink Sprite at times. I only drank one cup of coffee in the mornings. I was the type that always thought I needed a meat with every meal. I ate meat with breakfast,lunch,& supper. If I didn't get meat then I wouldn't get full, right? Well, that's not the case & this is far from the truth about eating healthy.

You don't need to eat meats with every meal. As a matter of fact, meat isn't even needed to live. You know about the "vegetarians" out there in the world , right? I'm not saying you need to be a vegetarian but certain meats need to be cut down or out of your diet. I will explain further later in this article.

Now, I want to chat about the importance of "water". When I say water, I mean bottled or purified water. Regular tap water isn't good enough here because know matter the source it's got some added chemicals & substances we don't need in our bodies. There is now a lot of scrutiny about the bottled water industry. I can say right now that to make sure you get bottled water that says "reverse osmosis & ozonated" on the label. You should be fine with buying this type water.

I was not drinking water before I started having problems. The only time I'd drink water was when I'd be really thirsty. That was rarely because I had quite playing sports & other activities that involved exercise. Water is a major player in prostate health & health in general terms. Did you know that water is the most natural cleanser for the body?

You should drink 8-10 glasses a day of water. If you're not getting water or enough water then this should be a change you need to make immediately. I now drink over 10 glasses of purified/bottled water daily. A lot of prostate sufferers are scared to drink more because they're afraid it will make them go to the bathroom too much. I was there & didn't want to make things worse.

I was wrong in my thinking because drinking more water actually made things much better after a while. At first upon water increase I did see a spike in symptoms but that was part of the cleansing process for a few weeks.

The only other thing I was drinking in the first 6 months after my diagnosis was "green tea". I would drink about 4 glasses of green tea daily to go along with the increased water intake. I wasn't putting any other liquid into my body for the first 6 months. This was a big help in starting my road to recovery.

Once I started feeling better then I added "organic soy milk" to my diet as well. Soy milk isn't much like regular milk but once you get used to it then it's not bad at all. To this day these are the only 3 liquids I have in my diet. To recap the 3 liquids I drink today are purified water,green tea,& organic soy milk. I put no other liquids into my body period.

Now, I want to chat a little more about meat & other aspects of a proper diet. As I said we don't need meat to live. I thought cutting or limiting meat in my diet would be to hard to accomplish. Well again my thinking was wrong. Was it easy? No! However, after a couple weeks then things were starting to get easier. I didn't cut all meats out of my diet but I did cut certain meats & eat moderate amounts of all others.

One meat that needs to be completely cut or at least very minimized is "red meat". Too much Red meat consumption is not good for prostate health. I was eating a lot of fast food burgers & also red meat at home. I will say to at least cut red meat completely out of your diet until you get your prostate health back.
You can add red meat back to your diet in "minimal" amounts in the future.

Let's just say that "red meat" needs to be a small part of your diet in the future. I cut red meat completely out of my diet for 6 months. I love red meat but don't love it enough to allow it to cause me added prostate problems.

I now eat red meat but it's in limited amounts. I always buy "sirloin" in the choices of meat category. I eat no regular hamburger meat at all. I eat "sirloin" steaks when I do make the red meat choice for a meal. I'd say I average a red meat meal once a month now. For more information about the types of red meat then please "Google" the term. There are quite few in a lists of red meats to eat. Red meat isn't bad for you but when you have prostate problems then too much just makes things worse.

You can eat various types of other meats. I suggest to eat chicken,turkey,& lots of fish. I buy all natural(antibiotic & hormone free) chicken, all natural(minimally processed) turkey(ground),& wild caught & fresh fish.

I eat as much as I want of these type meats. I never thought I'd like grounded turkey. I can honestly say that a turkey burger is much better than any hamburger I ever ate. I wouldn't have thought so but it honestly is a better taste & health option.

I eat all the chicken I want. I suggest you to bake it & not fry it in oils. If you do fry then please use "Extra Virgin Olive Oil". I add "Mrs. Dash" seasonings to all my meats. This is an all natural source for seasonings. There are many different flavors by Mrs Dash.

I also eat all the fish I want. I suggest eating salmon,flounder,tilapia,pollack,catfish,trout,& many other fish. Try to eat the "oily" type fish. Salmon & trout are two of the top oily fish on the market. Here too I suggest baking instead of frying.

Now, I want to move onto another area of the diet. I will be discussing the importance 0f "fruits & vegetables". Fruits was definitely a foreign word to me before prostate problems. I did eat limited amounts of veggies but not enough. I made that change as well in my life. It's very important to eat fruits & veggies to have a healthy diet.

I started out eating fruits & veggies in low amounts until I got used to it. I wasn't used to eating these type products & I didn't want to overdo things. I was eating various types of fruits & veggies. I made sure to eat apples with every fruit setting. What I actually did & still do today is make a bowl of mixed fruits. I eat this 3-4 times daily.

I make sure to eat at least 2 different fresh veggies servings with every meal as well. Of course, this wouldn't be for breakfast for most people but veggie & fruits can be added to all meals. However, I'd suggest eating your fruit servings as a separate part of your regular meal. The reason being is that you don't get the "full" benefits of fruits by eating them with your meals. Wait at least 30 minutes after or before meals to eat your fruit servings.

You can also eat fruits of all types. I regularly consume apples,grapes,bananas,watermelon,pears,peaches,& strawberries. Citrus fruits can be eaten as well but in limited quantities. Citrus fruits can irritate the prostate if eaten too much. Red fruits like apples,strawberries,& watermelon have lycopene which is an important nutrient for prostate health.

You can also eat veggies of various types. One that I'd suggest to eat "daily" is "broccoli". I eat broccoli every single day. I now eat both the frozen & fresh variety but I'd stick with the fresh for initial benefits. Broccoli falls into a class of vegetables called "cruciferous" vegetables. Link here:

Broccoli has antioxidants & other compounds to aid in better health. More information here:

You need to cut caffeine completely out of your diet for a good while. You may even need to keep it out of your diet in the future as well. I have very little caffeine today. Caffeine is bad for prostate problems. Spicy foods will also need to be cut out for a while. You can add some of these things in the future but you need to get that health back first.

I didn't realize how important a proper diet was in your health. We read about it & see it talked about but we never realize it until we suffer health problems. I know how important a healthy diet is now & I stick with a healthy diet today. It's probably one of the most important if not the most important aspects of gaining & keeping your health.

I now exercise daily via alternating with a physical workout one day for about 30 minutes & then do long distance running the other. This program along with proper diet is a major reason for my success in getting & maintaining my health.

You add the alternative treatments I have used/use then I feel these are the things needed in order to manage prostate problems. This total program may not help all men but I feel it will help most men. It takes determination,dedication,& discipline to follow this program. I'm not making any shortcuts or trying butter things here either.

If you want your health back & keep that health then you'd better get ready for that drive. It takes years for our prostate to get in bad health & sometimes it takes a long time to get it back. If you make that determination & drive yourself to get better then it can happen. It's not going to happen overnight for sure. I suffered off & on for 18 months but now for the past 6 months or so I can honestly say I have no symptoms for prostate problems.

I want to end this article by asking yourself a few questions. Do you want your life back? Do you want to have a symptom-free prostate? Do you have the determination to better health? Do you have the drive to a life-style change? Do you want to wake up & not worry about prostate problems? Well, if you can say "yes" to all of these questions then follow my program thus far & you can have that life you've wanted back. Thanks for viewing & if you have any questions or comments then please feel free to make a post.

Update:

One other thing I failed to mention is some of the types of food to eat. I switched to pretty much an organic and/or minimally processed foods diet. I understand that with today's economy it's hard to buy all organic items.

Just buy whatever your budget fits for organic foods. I do highly suggest buying a lot of "health foods" though. These can be "Raw" foods or just foods without preservatives or additives. There are a couple online sites that I highly suggest to buy these type products from & I will have links up for those pretty soon.

What a lot of people don't understand is the foods we eat lead to or cause most of our health problems. I have changed my diet like I said but we need to limit or cut out the foods that are processed. Organic is the route to go but you can still buy "health foods" to replace some of those "organic" products. Again, I'll be providing a couple online sites I support to buy health foods. Thanks!

Alternative Prostate Treatments: Herbals,Supplements,& More

I now want to give my viewers a detailed outline & explanation of the alternative treatments available. Most of these treatments are the exact types that I chose to pursue. I'm not trying persuade any one viewer into these routes of treatment BUT I am a big supporter of alternative treatments.

I have taken herbs & supplements off & on all my life but never was taking any one single herb,supplement,or formula for treatment of any illness or disease. I was only taking certain ones for just seeing what maybe they could do. I guess you could say I was a tester of sorts before getting prostate problems.

I didn't take them regularly & mainly used them during the winter months in the past. I usually only would take maybe one or two different herbs or supplements at any one time together. I didn't overdo them by any means & hadn't researched them thorough enough in the past.

However, when I started getting prostate problems I seriously thought about what possibly certain herbs or supplements could do for me. I still hadn't even made a doctor's visit yet nor had I made any calls either. I was just thinking about this because I had taken a few herbs & supplements before.


I decided that I'd go ahead & go to the doctor first & get a proper diagnosis. I had never been this sick & didn't wanna just go out to the store & buy any herbs or supplements that I hadn't researched yet. Having said that, I knew about what herbals & supplements can do for treating & preventing health related concerns just from previous mild usage.

As stated in a previous article here: http://wwwmyblogprostatehealth-treatment.blogspot.com/2009/06/my-prostate-probems-time-line.html I gave an overview of my prostate symptoms & treatment time-line. I had been given a few courses of antibiotics over a few months time. I would feel better while taking them & as soon as they were stopped my symptoms came back & sometimes worse than before.

My next visit to the urologist I decided to tell him that I was "considering" alternative treatments for my problems. Of course, the doctor acted like I spoke a foreign language when I stated this to him. His tone quickly changed & seemed to not wanna continue chatting much longer. He didn't even ask me what type or treatment I was considering. I did make a future appointment but didn't like the way things went with that visit.

I went home & started researching thoroughly on the net about alternative treatments for prostate related problems. I spent day & night sometimes looking up information about herbs,supplements,homeopath,& more.

I even overwhelmed myself with too much information at times but I wanted to help myself more than the doctors appeared to wanna help me.I visited so many websites & blogs that I couldn't tell you an estimated number. I was doing this while still suffering from my symptoms pretty bad.

I talked things over with my wife about what I'd been researching & told her that I believe an alternative route is what I wanted to do. She was all for it but was still worried I might take something that wasn't good for me.

I told her that several courses of antibiotics already hadn't helped me so why not take a chance on something else? She trusted my research & was all for it.

Next, I am going to be listing some of the different types of herbs/herbal formulas,supplements, & complimentary treatments that I used personally along with some other things that might help as well. The ones that I mention that's not been personal use of mine will be noted but have helped some members of a group that I joined when getting prostatitis.

The first area of alternative I want to cover is herbs. This will include single herbs & herbal formulas as well. I will list them individually & then provide further information about them in detail.

1. Saw Palmetto

- Saw palmetto extract is the most popular herbal preparation taken for benign prostatic hyperplasia, a common condition in older men. Early research indicated that the extract is well-tolerated and suggested "mild to moderate improvement in urinary symptoms and flow measures". Later trials of higher methodological quality indicated no difference from placebo. Questions of adequate blinding and delivery of any active ingredients remain. Saw palmetto extract has been shown to inhibit both forms of 5-alpha-reductase without eliminating the cellular capacity to secrete Prostate Specific Antigen, as finesteride does.

• Saw palmetto is used mainly for urinary symptoms associated with an enlarged prostate gland (also called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH).
• Saw palmetto is also used for other conditions, including chronic pelvic pain, bladder disorders, decreased sex drive, hair loss, and hormone imbalances.

Side effects & cautions:

• Saw palmetto may cause mild side effects, including stomach discomfort.
• Some men using saw palmetto have reported side effects such as tender breasts and a decline in sexual desire.
• Tell your health care providers about any complementary and alternative practices you use. Give them a full picture of what you do to manage your health. This will help ensure coordinated and safe care.

Saw Palmetto was the very first herb that I used for treatment of my prostate problem. I will be providing the exact brands & also Saw Palmetto formulas at a later time. I will have links that will take you to the products for more information on a particular brand. Again, this was my first herb used to try alternative treatment.

2. Red Clover

- a member of the pea family, red clover contains powerful antioxidants that fight off cancerous growths. Red clover inhibits DHT formation, thus inhibiting enlargement of the prostate gland and the symptoms that accompany it.

- Red clover is a wild perennial herb that grows in meadows throughout Europe and Asia, and is now naturalized in North America. It's a close relative of the clover you find in your front yard that children string together to make necklaces.

I did use a prostate formula that had red clover in it as one of the ingredients. I will list that formula & possible links to that products as well as any other products in the near future.

3. Nettle(also known as Stinging Nettle)

- Nettle (Urtica dioica): An extract of stinging nettle inhibits the proliferation of prostate cells in both in vivo and in vitro models. Research has confirmed nettle’s ability to inhibit aromatase, an enzyme which converts androgens to estrogens. Both nettle and saw palmetto have anti-inflammatory actions, as well. In Germany, nettle root is used as a first-line agent for BPH.

4. Pygeum

- Pygeum (P. africanum): An extract from the African plum tree exhibits the ability to improve urine flow rates, nighttime urination, and residual urine volumes in men affected by BPH. Unfortunately, the tree is threatened due to high demand for its bark.

5. Willow Herb

- Willow Herb (Epilobium parviflorum) is recommended to support prostate health and has been the subject of clinical studies. (Steenkamp V, Gouws MC, Gulumian M, Elgorashi EE, van Staden J. “Studies on antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant activity of herbal remedies used in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostatitis”.

6. African Potato Extract

- African Potato extract (Hypoxis rooperi) is a plant that has been found to be genetically over 300,000 years old. Because of this, it has not been genetically modified or engineered, and its nutrient values are as high as and possibly greater than in modern vegetables. Hypoxis rooperi has been researched for its ability to support the health of the prostate gland and testicles.

7. Rye Pollen

- Rye pollen extract is known in Europe as Cernilton. Rye pollen extract has been used for the treatment of prostate problems, including chronic prostatitis. There are a number of compound in rye pollen including cyclic hydroxamic acid which prevents the growth of prostate cells. Other compounds include stigmasterol and quercetin. Rye pollen extract may work by inhibiting certain inflammatory prostaglandins and leukotrienes. Rye grass is known by the botanical name Secale reale.

8. Pumpkin Seed/Pumpkin Seed Oil

Studies show pumpkin seed oil can:

• Reduce an enlarged prostate.
• Improve urinary flow and bladder emptying.

9. Bee Pollen

- Nearly everyone knows about honey, but not everyone knows about bee pollen benefits. What are the benefits of bee pollen?

* Potent antioxidants

* Prevents allergies

* Heals prostate problems

* Boosts men's sex life

* Makes exercise easy

This natural oil makes an effective natural prostate health supplement and helps optimize bladder function in both men and women.

10. Cayenne(Cayenne Pepper)

- Cayenne Pepper is an herb made from the dried pods of chili peppers. Besides being a very popular spice in cooking, cayenne has also been used medicinally for thousands of years. High in Vitamins A, C, B complex, calcium and potassium, cayenne is a wonderful healing aid for the digestive system since it acts as a catalyst and increases the effectiveness of other foods and herbs when used with them. It is also very healing for the heart and circulatory system. Studies have shown that Cayenne can rebuild the tissue in the stomach and the peristaltic action in the intestines.

There are other herbs that are included as possible treatments for prostate related diseases or problems. However, most of these I haven't tried or tested & are not considered as the main herbs used for prostate treatment. The next area covered will be supplements. Actually, some of the supplements that I list are also considered as "herbs". I list them as "supplements" because I used them mostly as a separate item but are included in some "prostate formulas".

1. Zinc

- Zinc is considered one of the most essential trace elements, and it is believed to play a critical role in cell growth and differentiation, in regulating normal cell death, as well as in in building the immune response. Scientists tell us that there exist more biological roles for zinc than for all the other trace elements put together.

Zinc is both helpful with enlarged prostates and with inflamed prostates. Studies have shown that zinc deficiency results in prostate enlargement. Infection and other stress results in lower blood serum zinc levels in general and in particular lower prostate levels. In prostatitis - infection of the prostate - zinc levels are only 1/10 of those in a normal prostate.

A large percentage of men do not get even the low U.S. RDA of 15 milligrams of zinc per day from their diet, and this may explain a lot.

A daily zinc supplement totaling 50 to 100 milligrams is frequently recommended to help shrink an enlarged prostate. As with any supplement however, zinc should be taken in moderation and the intake of supplements should complement what we are getting from natural healing foods in our diet.

2. Lycopene

- Lycopene is an antioxidant compound that gives tomatoes and certain other fruits and vegetables their color. It is one of the major carotenoids in the diet of North Americans and Europeans. Carotenoids are pigments that give yellow, red, and orange vegetables and fruits their color. The body uses some types of carotenoids (but not lycopene) to make vitamin A.

- People who have diets rich in tomatoes, which contain lycopene, appear to have a lower risk of certain types of cancer, especially cancers of the prostate, lung, and stomach. Further research is needed to find out what role, if any, lycopene has in the prevention or treatment of cancer. It is likely that the preventive effect of diets high in fruits and vegetables cannot be explained by just one single part of the diet.

- Lycopene - this extract from tomatoes contains powerful antioxidants that may be able to reduce BPH inflammation and prevent prostate cancer.

3. Selenium

- Because it boosts the body's antioxidant capacity, selenium is thought to have some ability to control cell damage that may lead to cancer. Selenium may even act in other ways to stop early cancer cells in their development. A recent study also suggested that selenium may enhance immune function, at least in those healthy adults with relatively low blood selenium. So far based on the evidence of animal and epidemiological studies, the role of selenium and cancer is probably the most significant for prostate cancer.

Recent studies show that selenium may now worsen prostate cancer in some people. These are really recent studies posted from June 0f 2009. I took selenium for a while but don't feel it's needed once your prostate is back to full function. This supplement is certainly debatable about it's benefits especially after these recent studies.

4. Flaxseed/Flaxseed Oil(also considered herb)

- Flaxseed is very high in omega-3 essential fatty acids, Lee explains. It's the omega 3s -- "good" fats -- that researchers are looking at in terms of their possible effects on lowering cholesterol, stabilizing blood sugar, lowering the risk of breast, prostate, and colon cancers, and reducing the inflammation of arthritis, as well as the inflammation that accompanies certain illnesses such as Parkinson's disease and asthma.

Anti-Inflammatory Benefits:

Omega-3 fats are used by the body to produce Series 1 and 3 prostaglandins, which are anti-inflammatory hormone-like molecules, in contrast to the Series 2 prostaglandins, which are pro-inflammatory molecules produced from other fats, notably the omega-6 fats, which are found in high amounts in animal fats, margarine, and many vegetable oils including corn, safflower, sunflower, palm, and peanut oils. Omega-3 fats can help reduce the inflammation that is a significant factor in conditions such as asthma, osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, migraine headaches, and osteoporosis.

Flaxseed Puts the Brakes on Prostate Cancer Growth:

Flaxseed, a rich source of omega-3 fatty acids and lignans, put the brakes on prostate tumor growth in men who were given 30 grams of flaxseed daily for a month before surgery to treat their prostate cancer. The 40 men taking flaxseed, either alone or along with a low-fat diet, were compared to 40 men only following a low-fat diet, and 40 men in a control group who did not alter or supplement their usual diet. Men who took flaxseed, as well as those who took flaxseed combined with a low-fat diet did the best.

There has been some studies that indicate that only flaxseeds & not flaxseed oil are beneficial to cancer patients.

I have taken both kinds for my prostate problems. I have discontiued the oil but still use regular grinded flaxseeds today in moderate amounts.

5. Green Tea

• Green Tea: catechins found in green tea are shown to be medicinal to the prostate, though it is unknown how they prevent or combat prostate problems.

6. Vitamin B

- important to metabolism, converts and carries oxygen to vital organs.

7. Burdock Root

- contains amino acids, polyacetylenes and inulin which restore natural body harmony. The supplement stimulates the production of bile, which cleans the liver and blood.

Below are some other supplements that are also used for treating prostate issues. Again, these could also fall into the herbs category as well.

• Parsley

- a member of the carrot family used for the treatment of sluggish kidneys and bladder. Relieves bloating, gas, constipation and water retention, promotes prostate health.

• Goldenseal Root

- contains alkaloids which are a powerful tonic for mucous membranes

• Juniper Berries

- help support blood pressure, nerve pain, gout and cystitis. The berries have an antiseptic property and act as a diuretic and for pain in conditions like prostatis.

• Kelp

- seaweed contains iodine and other essential minerals which may help prevent and treat prostate cancer.

• Marshmallow Root

- increases urine flow and reduces inflammation of the prostate.

- Quercetin

- Quercetin is a powerful antioxidant. It is also a natural anti-histamine, and anti-inflammatory. Research shows that quercetin may help to prevent cancer, especially prostate cancer.

- Quercetin's antihistamine action may help to relieve allergic symptoms and asthma symptoms. The anti-inflammatory properties may help to reduce pain from disorders such as arthritis. Men who are concerned about prostate problems would also benefit from quercetin. Quercetin may also help reduce symptoms like fatigue, depression and anxiety.

These are just some of herbs & supplements I've used for getting my prostate health back. I have actually used & still use several of the substances listed in this article. I have cut some of the products out of my program but continue several of them today.

Once you have a prostate related problem then you're gonna need special supplementation in order to maintain prostate health. This can be done by a number of options including supplements,diet,& also conventional prescription medicine treatments.

I chose the alternative treatment route & I feel it has/does work for me. Now, I'm not trying to convince viewers to not try the conventional route of treatment. This is usually the first method of treatment anyhow. If there's no success then you need to consider other options like I did.

If your prostate problem doesn't get better then please seriously consider what I've provided here. Now, while I am not mentioning any specific brand names of products directly in this article I will be coming back to update this post in the near future or provide a separate post with some of those specific products I have used. I still use some of them today & feel they maintain my prostate health today. Don't get frustrated with treatment of any kind too soon.

Supplements & herbs aren't going to work as fast a prescription medicines. They will take a little more time to see benefits. However, they have very few,if any, side effects for the most part. I rarely experienced any side effects at all with this treatment option. While on antibiotics, I temporarily felt worse for a few days but never felt any worse while on herbs & supplements.

As a matter of fact, I felt better pretty quickly with hardly any side effects. I suggest for more comfort on these herbs & supplements you can research all over the net & get tons of information about them. I just give here in this article basics of them & what they're supposed to do for benefits. I will be posting a little more about the specific products I use/have used in the near future so more info can be obtained about them.

Keep in mind, there are tons of products out there that are just looking to take your money. I did try one specific product that fits this category & I'll also provide that name in the future. There is also one particular antibiotic that should be avoided but this isn't the appropriate place to discuss this either. I'll provide that as well in the future.

Now, I want to cover some of the other helpful treatments that benefited me. These don't fall into the "herbs & supplements" category but are just some other things that I feel will help others. They certainly helped me & I want to share those with you.

Other Alternative Treatment Options:

- Prostate Massage:(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prostate_massage)

- It seems that gentle massage of the prostate by a urologist may be beneficial by:

• helping to drain painfully sequestered secretions in a chronically inflamed prostate gland or seminal vesicles; or
  
• As a leading prostatitis researcher has stated, "prostate massage" may help by releasing the tension around nerve endings near the prostate in a manner similar to Theile's massage which helps women with IC. This represents a form of "myofascial release".

Self Prostate Massage:

1. Pay a visit to the bathroom and ensure that both your bowel and bladder are emptied before attempting prostate milking.



2. Make sure that your fingernails are trimmed and wash your hands and the area around your anus thoroughly.



3. Put a sterile latex glove on the hand which you are going to use to milk the prostate gland and apply a liberal quantity of a water-based lubricant to your gloved fingers.



4. Get into a comfortable position. There are many possible positions which you can adopt, such as that shown in the prostate milking picture above, and it is really a matter of finding the position with which you are most comfortable. The secret is to find a comfortable position from which you can gain easy access to the prostate gland with your gloved hand.
   
   If you find that you are not limber enough to get into a suitable position then it may be necessary to ask your doctor, or somebody else, to massage the prostate gland for you.



5. Gently insert your finger (or fingers) into your anus and then slowly move it forward along the wall of the rectum, as if you are making your way towards your belly button, until you feel the prostate gland. The prostate gland will feel like a small round ball about the size of a walnut.



6. Once you have located the prostate gland massage it gently along both sides, but avoid the central area which contains a number of sensitive nerves.



7. After several minutes of gentle milking the gland will be sufficiently stimulated to contract and release its fluid. At this point you may experience a degree of sexual pleasure and, in some cases, may also experience orgasm.

I have tried the manual prostate massage in the past. It certainly gave me some temporary felief of my prostatitis pain. I done this for a couple months shortly after my last course of antibiotics. It's hard to get used to & can be a little discomforting but not too bad at all. It's probably more odd to actually do than anything.

While this technique seemed to help for a while I came across a device that performs the "prostate massage" accurately & without having to do anything manually other than inserting the object into the rectum.

The product is called the "Aneros" prostate massager & is actually marketed as a sex toy. I didn't use it for anything other than massaging my prostate. This thing worked wonders for me & I still use it today. There are different sizes & models to choose from. I'll be posting links to this product coming soon.

Update: I have now placed a sidebar link to the exact prostate massager that I currently use. I'm not endorsing this product as a so called "sex toy". It works for prostate congestion by loosening up debris & also creating new blood flow to the prostate area.

Getting new blood flow to the prostate is a big key in healing. This along with loosening up all the debris & toxins that's caused the problems to begin with will promote better prostate health. Once allowing the prostate to heal then this device should be used to maintain prostate health as well. The Aneros then will not have to be used as much to maintain that health.

A lot of people ask if this device is uncomfortable to use? It is somewhat to start off using but once you get used to it then it's great to use. Just pace yourself & be as relaxed as possible when first trying it out. After a few days then it will make you feel much better because it's allowing your prostate to get better.

Also, a lot of people ask if this Aneros is hard to use? Well, it's a little difficult for beginners. Just follow the instructions that come with the massager. You need to experiment with time sessions to figure out what's right for you.

I started out using it for 20-minute sessions for 3-5 days a week. After a couple months I then cut back to 2 days a week with 15-minute sessions. I now perform one session weekly for about 25 minutes in length. This should be sufficient enough to maintain prostate performance. You need to get your prostate health back though before cutting back on the sessions.

If anybody needs to ask me any questions about the usage of this product then please feel free to post comments. Thanks!

Colloidal Silver(http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Colloidal_silver):

- Colloids are the smallest biological form of any matter. They are small enough to pass through membranes and therefore they skip past the digestive process and are easily absorbed by the body.

There are many benefits of colloidal silver. Colloidal silver supports the natural defence system of the body and is powerfully alkaline. It is created when an electromagnetic process pulls tiny particles of silver from a larger samole of pure silver into (usually distilled) water. The minute electric charge on each atom holds these silver particles in suspension. This is essential to the effectiveness of the silver as it allows the particles to move more easily throughout the body.

- Another benefit is that colloidal silver has been recognised as a powerful, natural antibiotic. Research has shown that it works by acting as a catalyst, disabling the enzyme that single-celled bacteria, fungi and viruses require for the metabolism of oxygen. This then suffocates the invading cell whilst doing no harm to any human enzymes, resulting in the removal of disease-causing organisms from the body.

It also works through the negative charge on the silver clusters binding up with the positive charge on the germ/bacteria. This causes an interruption of the germs biological function which means that it is then unable to reproduce.

There is only one colloidal silver product I tried & I'll provide that in the future. There are several brand names out there with different potency. I was directed to this one particular brand & it also worked wonders for me. I still take it as maintenance only right now but used it intensively in the past. Stay tuned for more info about this product.

Sitz Baths:

You may be wondering, what is a sitz bath? A sitz bath is literally what it sounds like - a bath where you sit in warm water that covers the buttocks and hips. This explains why so many people call it a 'sits bath'. Sitting in warm water allows more blood to reach the impacted area, promoting healing and helping with any discomfort. A sitz bath uses the theory of hydrotherapy or water therapy.

The SITZ BATH

This is a very old treatment for prostate pain dating back hundreds of years. It is also still one of the earliest, yet, still most effective remedies for prostate pain.

The Sitz Bath is very different from just taking a hot bat. The Sitz Bath brings a great flow of blood to a specific area. The regular hot bath is pleasant and generally increases circulation throughout your body. But, a regular hot bath is not nearly as effective on localized pain. Like prostate pain.

The Sitz Bath was originally performed in a large wash tub before there was indoor plumbing. It was specifically used for prostate pain as well as hemmorhoid pain, menstrual pain and bowel pain.

Today, with the modern bath tub, it is much easier to do. The Sitz Bath is highly effective and very soothing! It is also extremely pleasurable to do. It will increase the circulation to your prostate gland. And, it seems to just melt the prostate pain away! Like Magic!

You'll need a deep bath tub. One you can sit in and have the water come up just over your belly button. You want hot water to cover the entire area where you are experiencing your prostate pain.

If your bath tub does not allow the water to get that deep (because of the overflow opening), get a flat rubber sink stopper at the hardware store. They look like a flat 4 or 5 inch round disk.

Unscrew the covering from the overflow. Place the rubber disk over the hole. Put the cover back over the rubber stopper and scre it back on (make small holes in the rubber stopper for the screws to go through). This will seal off the hole and allow you to fill the tub deeper. (Just be sure to keep an eye on the tub when it fills or it can overflow!)

Then fill the tub with the hottest water you can comfortably stand. Feel it, with your hand under the faucet, as it runs into the tub.

If it is not too hot for your hand it will not be too hot for your body. It should not cause you pain. If it does it is too hot and it will burn you.

But Hot! Not warm. Warm will not penetrate and do the job. You will see the skin on your hand redden after being in this water for a couple of minutes.

That Is The Reaction You Want!

It indicates a great stimulation of blood to the area. You want the blood to Flow!

Now, when the tub is full enough, shut off the water and get in it. It will at first feel too hot. That is only an initial reaction. If the water did not burn your hand while filling the tub it will not burn your body.

That is why you constantly feel the water as the tub is filling. You want the water to heat you, not burn you.

You can make this a bubble bath, a mineral bath, a scented oil bath, or just a plain water bath. Whatever makes you happy is the right thing!

I personally add a little pure pine needle oil. It is a very relaxing and soothing fragrance often used in aromatherapy. It makes the whole room smell like a pine forest! Lavender is also especially good. It is specifically used to release tension in the practice of aromatherapy. A small amount works wonders after a stressful day!

Now, This Is Very Important:

Once you are sitting in the tub, lean backagainst the end and take your hands and feet out of the water. Prop your feet up on the opposite end of the tub or the wall. Place your arms up on the side of the tub. You ONLY want the middle section of your body in the water. The area where you have the prostate pain.

This will concentrate the heat into your prostate area and force the blood to flow there.

If you put your whole body into the tub, the bath treatment will not work properly. You want to make the blood flow heavily into just one specific area. That is why you concentrate the heat there.

NOW RELAX!

Just relax and feel how good it feels in there. You'll notice the tensions start to loosen almost immediately. The prostate pain itself seems to relax. You don't rub or massage anything in here. Just relax and let the heat do the work.

Take a pleasurable book in with you. Put on some soothing music if you want. If you just prefer to relax and enjoy the silence, that's good too!

Do not do work or conduct business of any kind while you are in the tub. That will stress your system to a greater or lesser degree.

All Stress Constricts The Blood Vessels
and Reduces The Blood Flow

So, relax! This is your Spa Treatment. In famous European Health Spas people pay $150 for one of these baths. So relax and enjoy it. Not only will you feel better, you are saving $150!

You're going to be in this bath for 30-40 minutes. Longer, if it makes you happy. But, 30 minutes minimum! Because, it takes a while for the heat to penetrate all the way in.

It has to pass through your skin, your fatty layer, and your muscles before it even reaches your prostate pain. But, it will get there!

Every once in a while, shift your body around a little bit so that the water moves (keep your hands out of the water. You want the heat going to only one area.).

You'll feel the water warm up a little as you move. That's what you want. It shows you, also, that the heat from the previous water was absorbed into your body!

That specifically suppied heat is what will make your blood flow better.

After a while you will start sweating. The more the better. Keep some cool water by you to drink. Drink as much as you want.

After about 15-20 minutes, you will notice the water has cooled a bit. Let some water drain out of the tub and add more hot.

Always Keep The Water
As Hot As You Can Comfortably Stand

After 30-40 minutes (more if it makes you feel good) put you legs in the tub. Sit up. Pull out the stopper and let the water drain from the tub while you are still sitting in it.

Then, when the tub is empty, Stand Up SLOWLY. Your body will be hot and overheated.

If You Get Up Too Fast
You May Faint

So, get up slowly and carefully. If you feel light headed on the way up, Sit Back Down and wait until you have cooled off some before getting up again. There is no rush. Take your time.

Once you are standing, turn the shower on full force COLD only! No Hot water.

Direct the spray on your prostate pain area and rub the area gently for a count of 15-20 seconds while the ice cold water is spraying it.

That ice cold rinse will be just like when you squeeze out a sponge! It will cause a short quick constriction of the blood vessels. That really squeezes out the old blood and toxins! The heat retained in the rest of your body will quickly open them up again.

Circulation will increase Dramatically! You will see your skin has turned red! That's perfect. How is your prostate pain now? Is it feeling better?

Once you're used to this, it will feel GREAT! You'll look forward to the end of your bath and the refreshing cold spray. The first time you do it, it will be a real shocker!

Now, take a pleasantly cool shower and dry off. You're done!

Notice How Much Better You Feel!

Not only is the prostate pain greatly reduced. Notice how nice you feel all over! More relaxed, calmer, happier. Isn't that Amazing?!

It's your own private prostate pain spa treatment! You can do it anytime you feel the need or desire.

Also keep in mind, your prostate pain most probabally did not develope in just one day. So, it probabally won't totally disappear and never come back again after just one bath. That would be nice! But, it is most probabally not reality.

However, the Sitz Bath can be very very soothing and make you feel much better NOW! It can have

A Truly Remarkably Soothing Effect
On Your Prostate Pain.

The whole idea is to feel better. Day by day. Right now you just want to reduce the pain. But, in the long run you want the pain to go away completely. You're going to have to work on that. Day by day. The other chapters in this site will show you how.

After your Sitz Bath, try not to sit in a chair right away. Sitting in a chair is the most injurious thing to our prostate circulation that we do every day. Instead, lounge on a recliner or the couch. Or, sit cross legged on the floor.

Be sure to drink 1 or 2 large glasses of water. You've sweated a lot and you also want to move those old toxins to the kidneys and out of your body.

I'd like to thank William Zmachinsky for providing me this detailed information about a proper sitz bath. His detailed info on how to do a correct sitz bath was above all I studied. This was very helpful for me in relieving prostate pain & I still take them today. I did get all the previous information posted about his sitz baths from him. I couldn't have posted this information myself in such detail. I want to recognize him for this information & not credit me for the sitz bath details.

I have now covered most of the alternative treatments that I personally use now or have used in the past. This total overall treatment program is what I believe got me back to good health. There are other areas as well that I'll be covering in my next article. All these things combined were the most important factors in getting my health & life back.

It wasn't any treament by any doctor. I'm also a man of faith & God played a major role for me as well. However, this website isn't about religion & therefore I will not explore anything to do with religion & faith. This information is intended for my viewers to get results without the need of chatting about prayer & religion.

Please check back in the next few days for my next upcoming article. My next article will be covering the importance of "diet & excercise". This may be the single most important factor is getting & maintaining prostate health as well many other health related problems. If anyone has any questions please feel free to post them here in the "comments" section. Stay tuned for my next article coming soon. I hope this article I shared here is easily to understand as well as all my articles posted. Thanks for viewing my article!

Update:

I have now placed a couple banner ads on my site in which leads to a company I highly recommend for prostate & general health needs. These products are some of the exact ones I still use now or have used in the past. The site is located here.

This is just one of the sites I recommend buying products from & I will be adding links to other sites later. Again, you can get to the recommended sites by clicking the URL links or the banner ads.

The products I use/d from Utopia Supplements are Prosta RX, Advanced Colloidal Silver, Colloidal Gold, SAMe, Sleep RX, Zinc Gluconate,& Super Acidophilus. At one point I was taking all of these products. I don't take them all now but continue taking the Advanced Colloidal Silver, Sleep RX,& Prosta RX.

I will say that "ALL" of these products help me tremendously. I back this company 100%. There are other sites that sell similar products but this place has great products & service. My shipments rarely take more than 3 business days from Dallas, TX to Eastern Tennessee. As a matter of fact, most of my shipments get to me in 2 business days.

If you need to make a call then the support is right there to help out. I have called a couple times myself to ask about particular products & my questions are "always" answered. Their products are also very competitive in price compared to other similar products. They have some excellent offers for first-time customers. Viewers can see those offers by clicking the "Free Offer" banner located on my web pages. If you need more information about the products then please check out their site from my links. Thanks!

Here is a direct link to the Prosta RX supplement formula from Utopia Supplements.
This prostate formula really helped me. It takes a minimum of a couple weeks to start seeing any improvements. It really depends on the condition of your prostate. I add this one link here because it directly relates to my site content but all the other products I listed from Utopia work equally as well.

Update:

I forgot to mention another alternative treatment that I personally used for my prostatitis. The treatment is called the "Broccoli Protocol"(also known as Broccoli Treatment). The treatment is outlined below. This type treatment helped me in the first 4-6 months but lost benefit after a while.

Here is a direct link to the Prosta RX supplement. This prostate formula really helped me. It takes a minimum of a couple weeks to start seeing any improvements. It really depends on the condition of your prostate. I add this one link here because it directly relates to my site content but all the other products I listed from Broccoli Treatment is a powerful supplementary treatment and preventive against BPH, Prostatitis, IC (Interstitial Cystitis) and urinary tract infections (inc. bladder, kidney, seminal vesicle infections, etc).

Broccoli Treatment (BT) has two effects at the same time. The first one is an anti-inflammatory action. The second one is an increase of the immunological system. These two properties make BT a powerful modality. None of the medicine or antibiotics used in treating prostatitis directly increase the immunological system -- on the contrary, they reduce it. Broccoli contains the bioflavonoid quercetin. But quercetin alone is not sufficiently effective against prostatitis. Boiled Broccoli Broth (BBB) contains many kinds of ingredients (different kinds of bioflavonoids) which are responsible for the BT's therapeutical effects on prostatitis (CP/CPPS).

In addition to these properties, Broccoli has an effect as an antilithogen (stone dissolver) on prostatic stones (calculi). For the antilithogen effect to be effective, use BT for at least two months with double quantities of Broccoli.

Furthermore, the woody stalk and the flowering portion of the broccoli plant contain antibacterial compounds called isothiocyanates active against Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Chlamydia and more.

More science about Broccoli and its constituents.

Preparation

You can consume Broccoli both as a fresh vegetable or frozen. There is no difference between them in regards to the effect. The Broccoli Treatment lasts for 21 days. Broccoli has no side effects and no interactions with medicine.

Fresh broccoli (unboiled) contains some enzymes that must be deactivated. If this is not done, the enzymes which broccoli contains start a different metabolic reaction so that the efficiency is reduced. The simple way to deactivate these enzymes is to boil the broccoli in water for 5 minutes. After boiling for 5 minutes, the enzymes will become inactive. If these enzymes aren't deactivated, the broccoli cannot successfully treat those suffering from prostatitis.

Use both the woody stalk and the flowering portion of the plant for the preparation. Minimum 250 grams (approx. 9oz) broccoli should be boiled on low heat (closing the lid) in 1 liter (4.5 cups) water for 5 minutes. Half of the juice of the broccoli should be taken in the mornings (empty stomach) and the other half evenings (empty stomach).

Use it all up each day and start fresh the next day. After consumption, do not eat or drink anything (except water) for 20 minutes. It is also very advantageous to eat the boiled Broccoli for lunch. Follow this regimen every day for one week. There is a 3 day break at the end of every 7th day. The regimen should be followed for 21 days in total, not counting the breaks.

Tip: More than 250g Broccoli boiled in 1 liter water increases the efficacy. No more than 500 grams Broccoli in 1-liter of water is needed.

Patients who have completed 21 days Broccoli Treatment, might gradually feel discomfort again 5-6 months later. In such cases, just 10 days Broccoli Treatment will be enough.

Patients who have BPH or Prostatitis for a long time (more than 4 years): If you have been suffering for 4-5 years or even more, 21 days treatment will help you to eliminate your discomforts temporarily (for 2-3 months). In such a case, the patients should apply Broccoli Treatment for 45 days.

During the Broccoli Treatment, spice is absolutely forbidden. Avoid consuming all kinds of coffee and animal fat. Lean meat is allowed.

Expected results during and after Broccoli Therapy

• Regulation of sexual dysfunctions (erectile dysfunctions)
• Regulation of urinary complications
• Regulate (increasing) the ejaculate volume
• Elimination of infertility
• Re-establishing of libido
• Normalization of the quality of life
• Removal of pathogens from urogenital tract (Bladder, Prostate, urethra, seminal vesicles, etc.)
• Reduced PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen)
• Good for spasms and cramps on genito-urinary systems

Broccoli Treatment will also ...

• help to reduce the cholesterol
• regulate the bowel movement
• regulate blood pressure
• purported immune system enhancer
• boosts physical energy

Another website I recommend buying products for all health needs is Native Remedies . Links & banners located on my viewing pages. I have bought some prostate supplements as well as some other things for my entire family. They have competitive prices and the customer service is great. We even returned a product that was accidentally the wrong item ordered without any hassle.

The "Prostate Relief" is a product that helped me with relief of prostate pain in the 1st few months as well as the other products previously mentioned. Yes, I took a lot of herbs in the first 6+ months of my treatment program. The herbs & supplements certainly worked tremendously for me & continue to do so today. Please consider some of these products if you want your life & health back. I strongly recommend these for a natural & alternative way to getting better. Thanks!

Another good prostate formula to take is called "Prostate Care" by Healthy Choice Naturals. I too have taken this formula for a couple months but I was experimenting with prostate formulas for a while to see which one(s) were better. This one has Beta Sitosterol which is better than Saw Palmetto in most studies. Take a look at the website link above for more detailed information about this product. Thanks!

Doctor's Visits(preferably urologist): What To Expect

Image via Wikipedia

I'm posting this article so my viewers will know what to expect upon a visit(s) to a urologist office. I briefly touched on this in an earlier article. The initial visit will include a number of tests & exams that could be performed.

The very first thing most office's will do is take a urine sample. This can be used to test for things like UTI(Urinary Tract Infection) & also a source of bacteria in the urine.

Urine samples can also be used to test for other problems as well. The problem with urine samples in checking for prostate related disorders(especially prostatitis) is that bacteria hides in the prostate.

As a matter of fact, 95% of urine samples will show no bacteria in the urine.Even though this is the case, nearly all urologist still treat the patient as having bacteria from the urine since it hides in the prostate.

Once giving a urine sample then probably the next exam will be something that I also briefly touched on & that's a Digital Rectal Exam(DRE). This is an exam that's standard in checking for prostate related diseases. This exam involves the doctor inserting his index finger or fingers into the rectum.

This allows him/her to physically examine the prostate. The exam only last for around 30-45 seconds at most. The doctor will be checking for abnormalities from the prostate. The abnormalities checked for might be enlargement,inflammation,swelling,lumps, & tumors. As for most men the biggest worry would be a tumor(possible cancer).

I can speak from experience that this exam isn't a comfortable one. This will be especially uncomfortable if you have a swollen or enlarged prostate. Actually, if you have any prostate related problem then it's gonna be pretty uncomfortable. I was nauseated for 20+ minutes after my first DRE. I broke out into a cold sweat & just felt really weird for a while.

Once this exam is performed then the doctor will normally tell you right away what's felt upon examination. This will help in determining his diagnosis & treatment option(s).

The next test probably done will be what's called a "Urethral Swab". This is a long cotton swab that's inserted into the penis to check for STD's(Sexually Transmitted Diseases). This too isn't comfortable but isn't nearly as bad as the DRE. This test will even be shorter than the DRE & usually last only 10 seconds. This test is done to rule out any STD's.

The next test that will probably be done is called the PSA(Prostate Specific Antigen). This is a blood test from the body to be sent off to a lab for examination. The #1 reason for this test it check for prostate cancer. The other advantages of this exam is that the blood work can be used to look for other problems as well.

This is called a CBC(Complete Blood Count). Things like red & white blood cells can be examined to determine the count. Red & white blood cell counts can show possible infections. Minerals & vitamin deficiencies can be looked at as well as other areas.

The PSA will give a number reading for possible diagnosis of prostate cancer. I say the word possible here & that's important. The higher the PSA reading the better chances of having cancer. Normal readings for this test is between 1.0-5.0 ng/ml. Older men(60+) could have a reading up to the 5.0 range or slightly higher & still not have cancer. This is typical in aging & shouldn't be considered alarming. The bottom line is that men over 60 can have a higher than normal reading & still be safe from cancer.

Anything higher than a reading of 1.0- 5.0 ng/ml is considered high but doesn't necessarily mean cancer is present. Further test(s) will need to be done to confirm cancer if readings are in the high range. My reading was at 0.9ng/ml which is well below the normal range. This gave me some relief when this reading was given to me.

Another test that may be performed is called a "Urine Flow Test". This test involves collecting urine at a midstream flow. This is an even better way of diagnosing prostatitis.

A couple other tests that may be done are called a "Premassage Urine Culture", & "Postmassage Urine Culture". The words pre & post tell that one is done before a prostate massage & the other is done after. Prostate massage is where the doctor performs a similar act as the DRE.

The index finger is inserted into the rectum but this time the prostate is massaged for maybe a couple minutes. This way possibly some bacteria is then loosened from the prostate & also fluid can be examined under a microscope.

Some urologist may not perform all these tests in this order or may leave certain test out. It all depends on the doctor. I just know these are the common examinations upon initial visits to a urologist office. It will take a few days to get the results of the PSA test back.

Conventional Treatment Options:

Diagnosis of BPH(Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, also known as an "enlarged prostate"):

This condition is usually treated with a class of drugs called alpha blockers. The most prescribed alpha blocker is called Proscar(also known as finasteride). Other alpha blockers include terazosin, doxazosin,& tamsulosin. All of these drugs are administered to help shrink the prostate.

Other forms of treatment are Microwave Therapy,
Ttransurethral Needle Ablation, Transurethral Surgery, Open Surgery,& Laser Surgery. These types of treatments are normally later options since they involve more serious implementation.

Diagnosis of Prostatitis(all forms):

This condition is almost always treated with antibiotics. Like I stated earlier bacteria can hide in the prostate so this class of medicine is given for prostatitis no matter the type of prostatitis. There is big concerns over this because why treat a condition with no bacteria relation with an antibiotic? This is a standard practice for most urologists in that antibiotics are given for any prostatitis diagnosis. I certainly went through this with 3 different courses of an antibiotic called Doxycycline.

There are are also alternative treatments for prostatitis that I'll be covering in more detail with an upcoming article. The conventional method of treatment is the route urologists are gonna pursue. These methods can be effective if taken in the right direction. However, there's so many instances to where this doesn't work that it leads to other options. This is why I'll cover those options in another article.

As you can see from this article diagnosing a prostate disease is certainly not an easy task. The doctor has numerous things to consider. There are numerous tests that can be done to check for many problems. Not all of these tests will turn out to be prostate related. Some may show a problem in another reproductive part of the body. Symptoms for all of these prostate disorders are so similar. It takes a good urologist & in my opinion an "experienced" one as well to determine the patients diagnosis.

Studies are currently being done now that hopefully will allow better treatment options for prostatitis. This also can be said with prostate cancer & the rest of prostate related illnesses. There is no good way to treat prostatitis except that antibiotics are nearly always the first action taken.

This concerns me in that this is the set way or "standard" of treatment. As with any prescription medication there are side effects. All a man with prostate problems needs is more symptoms from the side effects of medication. It's hard enough to deal with any prostate disorder(s) alone & then have added symptoms related directly to the medication as well.

Well, I hope I've given men that are facing their doctor's visits some helpful information. I'm sure you'll be nervous just like me when I was thinking the worst. I absolutely dreaded my first appointment. I didn't wanna hear bad news but I did wanna find out what in the world was wrong with me. I'm glad I took that initial step because this started my path to better health.

This was only a small part in the process but definitely the first step. I'll be covering some alternative treatments in the next article. I appreciate everyone viewing & feel free to post a comment or question to this article or any article of mine. I'll be posting my alternative treatments article very soon. Thanks for viewing my blog! Also, you can now check out my recently created You Tube video here: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PIdxmsutyPE