Prostate Blog

The story of prostate cancer is a complex one. It has been suggested that if all men lived to be 100 years old, a biopsy of their prostate glands would ALL show at least a small cancer focus. Most men with prostatic cancer are probably asymptomatic and most men who develop prostate cancer actually die from other causes.

This has produced a number of issues around screening, which is carried out in men over 50 years in the US but not in the UK. About 20% of all men screened have a suspicious blood test result, PSA, about half of these when biopsied ( the biopsy process itself is very painful and has side serious risks and side effects,) have tumour. However it remains unclear as to whether treating Gleason grades of prostate cancer 0 and 1 affects outcomes. This is important as management is unpleasant, highly invasive and has many side effects as well.

I always hear in health class and TV shows that men like to have their prostate massaged. Does it feel good? If so how do I massage my own prostate?

dookie knows ;-p

prostate massage is done by inserting lubricated finger(s) in the anus at a curved angle towards you like a "come here" motion… there is a fleshy knob of skin that you will feel and feels good to rub
have fun

My guy told me today that after his recent lab work, it showed "high numbers" in regards to his prostate health. He has an appointment to see a specialist in January. Can someone who has been there or knows about this explain to me what these high numbers mean? I’m not sure he understands himself or doesn’t want to worry me. He is 63 & otherwise in good health, his father had prostate cancer. I am very worried. Thanks.

If his numbers have been low all along and now they are suddenly high, this could be a warning sign of prostate cancer. He should follow through with his appointment to see a urologist and take the warning very seriously. Prostate cancer is not necessarily a death sentence but must be regarded as a serious health problem, and he should take the advice of his physicians. But not all cases of high PSA have prostate cancer, some of them just have high PSA and we don’t know why.

What are the prostate cancer treatment options that you prefer to me to choose?

If you have prostate cancer, there are many important factors to take into account before deciding on a treatment option, such as your age and general health, and the likelihood that the cancer will cause problems for you. You should also think about which side effects you can live with. Some men, for example, can’t imagine living with side effects such as incontinence or impotence. Other men are less concerned about these and more concerned about removing or destroying the cancer.

My doctor did a prostate exam and that night I started to urinate during the night for the 1st time 3 times and started to dribble. This has been going on for a few days now. Did my doctor injure my prostate?

Your prostate may have swollen in response to the stimulation during the exam, causing it to press against your bladder. I doubt that you’re actually "injured," but if it doesn’t subside by itself in a few days you may want to consult your doctor again.

I have had an agressive form of prostate cancer. Treatment included radiation internal as well as internal, inplants. Horemone and meds. Everything other than removal. I now have diabeties, have undergone triple bi-pass, I now hurt all over, my hips are all but killing me, I have lost and regained and lost again ability to controll urination. Thoughts please.

You will expect some pain, weakness, and other side effects from the treatment you described. If you feel the treatment is not working you could look into other options, see these links.

http://www.cancertutor.com/Other/prostate_Cancer.html

http://www.naturalnews.com/027534_vitamin_D_prostate_cancer.html

Do they get good treatment or do men not get good treatment if they have prostate cancer?? That sucks if you get cancer you can’t even get good treatment.

I think perhaps what you mean is that they get treatment that is not necessary, this type of cancer progresses very slowly and many patients do not opt for treatment as a result. See this link.

http://www.naturalnews.com/025859_cancer_prostate_prostate_cancer.html

As it is known, medical procedure prices are extremely high in the United States. In the past 30 years, the costs of health care have soared in developed countries, especially in the United States. Due to rapidly escalating health care costs, Americans, Europeans, Canadians and Australians in ever increasing numbers began to search for alternatives that could reduce their personal out of pocket medical expenses. In the last few years, millions of people from developed nations have chosen to come to India. India facilitates uninsured and underinsured American patients seeking affordable medical treatments along with an opportunity to explore mystic Asia and near by tourist locations. Health care in India is comparable too much that is available in the United States, and at a far lower cost. Medical procedures in India cost approximately 20% to 30% compared to the ones in America. A growing number of uninsured and underinsured Americans seeking low cost quality medical care and surgery are boarding plane to India. India has the top-notch centers for open heart surgery, pediatric heart surgery, hip and knee replacement, eye surgery, dentistry, bone marrow transplants and cancer therapy and virtually all of India’s clinics are equipped with the latest electronic and medical diagnostic equipment.

What is a laparoscopic pyeloplasty?

A laparoscopic pyeloplasty is a minimally invasive surgical procedure for correcting a kidney ureteropelvic junction obstruction. Laparoscopic pyeloplasty is suitable for patient with ureteropelvic junction obstruction of the kidney.

Who is an ideal candidate for Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty Surgery?

If a patient have obstruction of the ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) which can be caused by congenital abnormalities like horseshoe kidney, fibrous scarring due to stone or previous operation, or if patient have a blood vessel which may cause ureteropelvic junction (UPJ) to kink or if patient have a stone that gets impacted in the upper part of ureter, then patient is an ideal candidate for Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty.

What to expect prior to the Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty surgery:

Once surgical date is secured, patient will receive a form along with a letter of explanation to take to patient’s primary care physician or family doctor in order to have the following preoperative testing done prior to surgery.

·Physical exam

·EKG (electrocardiogram)

·CBC (complete blood count)

·PT / PTT (blood coagulation profile)

·Comprehensive Metabolic Panel (blood chemistry profile)

·Urinalysis

Procedure of Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty Surgery:

Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty is performed under a general anesthetic. The typical length of the operation is 3-4 hours. The surgery is performed through 3 small (1cm) incisions made in the abdomen. A telescope and small instruments are inserted into the abdomen through these keyhole incisions, which allow the surgeon to repair the blockage without having to place his hands into the abdomen.

A small plastic tube (called a ureteral stent) is left inside the ureter at the end of the procedure to bridge the pyeloplasty repair and help drain the kidney. This stent will remain in place for 4 weeks and is usually removed in the doctor’s office. A small drain will also be left exiting patient’s flank to drain away any fluid around the kidney and pyeloplasty repair.

What are the advantages of the procedure of Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty Surgery?

• Reduced hospital stay and faster healing

• Less postoperative pain and less need for pain medication

• Quicker return to normal activity and work

• Smaller incisions and less scarring

What to expect after the Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty Surgery:

During patient’s hospitalization

Immediately after the surgery patient will be taken to the recovery room and transferred to hospital room once patient is fully awake and patient’s vital signs are stable.

Hospital Stay:

The length of hospital stay for most patients is approximately 1-2 days.

Diet:

Patient can expect to have an intravenous catheter (IV) in for 1-2 days. (An IV is a small tube placed into patient’s vein so that patient can receive necessary fluids and stay well hydrated until patient is able to tolerate a diet; in addition it provides a way to receive medication). Most patients are able to tolerate ice chips and small sips of liquids the day after surgery and regular food the next day. Once on a regular diet, pain medication can be given by mouth.

Postoperative Pain:

Pain medication can be controlled and delivered by the patient via an intravenous patient-controlled analgesia (PCA) pump or by injection (pain shot) administered by the nursing staff. Patient may experience some minor transient shoulder pain (1-2 days) related to the carbon dioxide gas used to inflate patient’s abdomen during the laparoscopic surgery.

Nausea:

Patient may experience some nausea related to the anesthesia or pain medication. Medication is available to treat persistent nausea.

Urinary Catheter:

Patient can expect to have a urinary catheter draining patient’s bladder (which is placed in the operating room while the patient is asleep) for approximately 2 days after the surgery. It is not uncommon to have blood-tinged urine for a few days after surgery.

Drain:

Patient will have a drain coming out of a small incision in side. This drain is placed in the operating room around the operative site to prevent blood and fluid from building up around the kidney and pyeloplasty repair. The drainage typically appears blood-tinged. It is usually removed the day the urinary catheter is removed. If persistent high volume drainage occurs, patient may have to go home with the drain and have it removed in doctor’s office.

Fatigue is common and should subside within a few weeks following surgery.

Incentive Spirometry:

Patient will be expected to do some very simple breathing exercises to help prevent respiratory infections by using an incentive spirometry device (these exercises will be explained to patient during patient’s hospital stay). Coughing and deep breathing is an important part of patient’s recuperation and helps prevent pneumonia and other pulmonary complications.

Ambulation: On the day after surgery it is very important to get out of bed and begin walking under the supervision of nurse or family member to help prevent blood clots from forming in patient’s legs. Patient can expect to have SCD’s (sequential compression devices) along with tight white stockings to prevent blood clots from forming in patient’s legs.

Constipation/Gas Cramps:

Patient may experience sluggish bowels for several days following surgery as a result of the anesthesia. Suppositories and stool softeners are usually given to help with this problem. Taking a teaspoon of mineral oil daily at home will also help to prevent constipation. Narcotic pain medication can also cause constipation and therefore patients are encouraged to discontinue any narcotic pain medication as soon after surgery as tolerated.

Travel to India for Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty Surgery:

Several superspeciality hospitals in India offer comprehensive urological services to diagnose and treat stone disease, urological cancer, incontinence, infertility, impotency and other urinary difficulties. Advanced methods such as lithotripsy for treating kidney and ureteric stones without surgery are available with complementary methods of treating stones endoscopically. Advanced machines like the Lithostar obvert the need for anaesthesia in the treatment of kidney and ureteric stones. High tech facilities for the treatment of prostate, bladder cancers, urethral strictures are also available. Investigation and treatment facilities for impotence and male/female infertility exist with specialised facilities for pharmacotherapy, cavernosometry and cavernosography.

India is considered the leading country promoting medical tourism-and now it is moving into a new area of “medical outsourcing,” where subcontractors provide services to the overburdened medical care systems in western countries. Western patients usually get a package deal that includes flights; transfers, hotels, treatment and often a post-operative vacation, the reasons patients travel for treatments vary. Many medical tourists from the United States are seeking treatment at a quarter or sometimes even a 10th of the cost at home. From Canada, it is often people who are frustrated by long waiting times. From Great Britain, the patient can’t wait for treatment but also can’t afford to see a physician in private practice. For others, becoming a medical tourist is a chance to combine a tropical vacation with surgery.

To know more about Hospitals in India and the Laparoscopic Pyeloplasty surgery packages available in Hospitals,

Please visit - http://www.dheerajbojwani.com

Important Details:

Medical Treatment in India at affordable prices - http://www.dheerajbojwani.com

International Patient experiences - http://www.dheerajbojwani.com/experience-treatment-patients-india.html

Dheeraj.Bojwani
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/laparoscopic-pyeloplasty-surgery-destination-india-101762.html

The father of a friend of mine has just been diagnosed with prostate cancer, his PSA is of 45, but till now there haven’t been any noticeable symptoms, and we were wondering how advanced the cancer would be…

The staging and prognosis for Prostate Cancer is best determined by a biopsy interpreted by an oncologist. A PSA level of 45 sound like a lot, but the more important number will be the Gleason score from a biopsy, the number of cores affected from the biopsy sample, and the amount of involvement in each of the cores as a percentage. Other factors important to prognosis are the family history of the guy, and his age and general health condition.
While you are not expected to know what the doctor says to this fellow, you can just relax for now and be the kind attentive listener that your friend needs. The news is not great, but many men who have diagnosed prostate cancer eventually die from something else after living to a ripe old age. The PSA is not the whole answer and is much less important than the whole evaluation provided by the history of the fellow and the biopsy done.

The causes of limitation of motion are numerically legion. Statistically, mechanical factors account for approximately 90% primarily and is an accompanying secondary factor in many of the remaining cases. The physiology of ligamentous contracture is briefed in the preceding chapter. Sufficeth to say, strains and sprains may rent fascial tissues, but contrary to popular belief, this is seldom due to heavy lifting. Usually the patient does not know exactly when the injury occurred; it gradually became apparent over a period of time and frequently after a period of rest.

Pain supercedes movement; immobility causes more shortening and more spasm, thence more pain and a vicious cycle is initiated.

Differential Diagnosis

Remarks — It is not within the scope of this passage to detail each possible entity which could cause back pain. For the sake of brevity, general categories will be outlined and specific diseases will be listed without discussion.

Glandular deficiencies — hypoadrenalism and hypothyroidism (these cause change in muscular consistency); hypoestrinism and hypoadrenalism (results in tightening of ligaments); hypo-pituitarism; hyperparathyroidism and osteoporosis.

Systemic and infectious diseases — Arthridities, gout, malaria, syphilis, poliomyelitis, meningitis, encephalitis, tetanus, herpes-zoster, upper respiratory infection, influenza, anemias, chronic alcoholism, multiple sclerosis, diabetes, arteriosclerosis.

Emotional disorders — Deep seated vexations causing nervous or emotional maladjustments, conversion hysteria, compensationi-tis.

New growth — Tumors of spinal cord, meninges, vertebrae, metastatic implants, tumors of pelvic area, fat nodules, cancer of prostate, and visceral carcinomata (cancer of abdominal organs).

Visceral referred — The nephridities, cystitis, ureteritis, prostatis, pelvic inflammatory disease, broad and round ligamentous stretching, ovarian dyscrasias, pancreatitis, anal disease and infrequently referred from remainder of gastro-intestinal tract and abdominal aortic aneurysm.

Mechanical (90%) — Congenital defects as, spina bifida, spondylolisthesis, spondylosis, facet or apophyseal joint abnormalities, lumbarization, sacralization or blocked (fused) vertebrae. Sciatic neuritis, bursitis, tendonitis, myofasciitis, fibrositis, coc-cydynia, traumatic sprain and strain with fascial tears and muscle spasm, osteomyelitis, pyriformis, muscle syndrome, knee pathology, foot pathology and herniated, or slipped interverte-bral disc. It is interesting to note the discrepancies of statistics in herniated disc diagnosis. Howbeit, 90% of proven disc cases respond to conservative treatment. Sacro-iliac strain as a cause of back pain is highly exaggerated; simple anatomy will discount any suggestion to the contrary.

Temperature change and moisture — Contraction of ligamentous structures results from sudden temperature changes, particularly chilling, or after sudden air drying of wet skin.

Postural defects — Instructions toward proper posture and postural habits should begin in the home and school; adolescence is particularly and important time for vigilance against poor posture habits. The body has a proper initial alignment, but also must shift to maintain erect position. If one area cannot relax normally or tighten coordinately, then its opposite acting muscle will have to guard balance movements constantly. This brings on undue fatigue of muscles and strain of connective and supportive ligaments. A few faulty posture conditions which contribute to low back pains are: over-curvature of lumbar spine (sway back), obesity with sagging abdomen, flat chest with protruding chin (stoop posture), shortened Achilles tendon and proated feet.

Therapist In This Field

Orthopedists and other M.D.s are not the only practitioners interested in low back and fascio-myositic cases. Osteopaths manipulate the spine and muscles to some good effect; furthermore, their educational background teaches them to realize their limitations. Chiropractors practice on the theory of vertebral displacement causing pain on the nerve root as it exits from the intervertebral spaces; their inherent basic medical backgrounds assures a certain amount of danger due to sins of omission and it is hard to conceive of their cure to a backache of anymore than primary muscle spasm or of psycho-genie origin.

Masseurs, naturopaths and various other cults thrive on the inadequacies of treatments by organized medicine. However, organized medicine is beginning to realize the value of physical medicine; physical therapists and even physiatrists are accepted members of medical societies and ancillary professional associations.

Jimmy Cox
http://www.articlesbase.com/health-articles/identifying-back-pain-and-its-causes-110777.html