If the prostate gland is enlarged it may partially block the flow of urine through the ureters causing a backpressure in the kidneys. Untreated, this condition can lead to chronic kidney disease. Fortunately, there are increasing numbers of medical and nutritional treatment approaches to this common male disorder.

Prostate Gland — Three Major Health Problems
The major health problems associated with the male prostate gland may be divided into three main categories:

• Enlargement of the prostate, called benign prostatic hyperplasia, or BPH
• Prostatitis or inflammation of the prostate
• Prostate cancer. Prostate cancer is currently the second leading cause of death from cancer in men (the first being lung cancer).

It is considered the sixth leading cause of death overall among American men. For these reasons the American Cancer Society and the American Urological Association currently recommend that healthy men begin an annual program of rectal examination after age 40 and a rectal exam and a simple blood test to monitor prostate-specific antigen levels (called PSA) after age 50.

Prostate Gland — Higher Risk Men
Men at higher risk for prostate cancer, including African-Americans and those with a family history of the disease, should begin both rectal and PSA testing annually at age 40.

If you are a male, 40 to 50 years old, you should discuss with your family practitioner or urologist any of your urinary or prostate concerns and establish an annual testing program.

Resources
For more on prostate health, check out these websites: Johns Hopkins Brady Urological Institute and Urological Sciences Research Foundation.

Copyright 2002 Sinclair Intimacy Institute