Prostate Problems

Kaiser Permanente Health Matters

Prostate Problems

he prostate is a doughnut- • Avoid alcohol and caffeine. Bladder Tshaped cluster of glands located • Caffeine can cause a strong and frequent urge to urinate. at the bottom of the bladder about • halfway between the rectum and the Remember that colas contain • • Prostate base of the penis. It encircles the caffeine as do coffee and tea. urethra, the tube that carries urine Rectum • Keep stress under control. A high from the bladder out through the • level of stress is closely associated • Urethra penis. The walnut-sized gland Testes with prostatodynia. Penis produces most of the fluid in semen. Home treatment The three most common prostate acute infection, and fever and chills • Drink as much water as you can problems are: prostate infection are usually not present. Either tolerate. (prostatitis), prostate enlargement infection may occur with a urinary • Eliminate all alcohol and caffeine (benign prostatic hypertrophy), and tract infection. See the index of your from your diet. prostate cancer. The first two prob- Kaiser Permanente Healthwise • Take hot baths to help soothe pain lems will be discussed here. Handbook for more information on and reduce stress. urinary tract infections. • Take aspirin or ibuprofen to help Prostate infection Sometimes, men will have painful ease painful urinary symptoms. (prostatitis) urinary symptoms without infec- Call Kaiser Permanente There are two types of prostate tion. This condition may be called infection, acute and chronic. Acute prostatodynia and is often related to if . . . infections come on suddenly and stress or anxiety. • urinary symptoms occur with have some or all of the following Prostate infections usually respond fever, chills, vomiting, or pain in symptoms: well to home care and antibiotic the back or abdomen • fever and chills treatment. If the infection recurs, • symptoms continue for five days despite home care • pain and burning on urination long-term antibiotic treatment may and ejaculation be needed. • there is a sudden change or worsening of symptoms • strong and frequent urge to urinate while passing only small Prevention • you feel pain when urinating or amounts of urine • Increase your fluid intake to as ejaculating and notice a discharge much as 8 to 12 glasses per day. from the penis • lower back or abdominal pain You are drinking enough when • urine is red or pink with no • blood in the urine (occasionally) you are urinating more often than dietary reason Symptoms of chronic prostatitis are usual. Extra fluids help flush the Always call your physician if you usually milder than those of an urinary tract clean. have blood in your urine.

Regional Health Education Prostate enlargement some men. Your physician can problems and other drugs may be (benign prostatic hyper- advise you on the various treatment substituted options. • the symptoms of an enlarged trophy) prostate last longer than two As men age, the prostate may Prevention months enlarge. This seems to be a natural Since the prostate produces seminal Early examination enables you to process and is not really a disease. fluid, there is a long-standing belief confirm the diagnosis and consider However, as the gland gets bigger, it that regular ejaculations (two to treatment options. tends to squeeze the urethra and three times per week) will help pre- cause urinary problems, such as: vent an enlarged prostate. There is Considering • difficulty getting urine started and no scientific proof of this, but it is completely stopped (dribbling) risk-free. an alternative? While information is limited, • urge to urinate frequently, or Home treatment being wakened by the need to Saw Palmetto may be useful in urinate • Avoid antihistamines and decon- relieving symptoms of benign • painful urination gestants, which can make urinary prostatic hypertrophy and is also a problems worse. reasonably safe alternative. For • decreased force of the urine stream • If you are bothered by a frequent more information, please see the • incomplete bladder emptying urge to urinate at night, cut down Saw Palmetto patient handout. An enlarged prostate gland is not a on beverages, especially alcohol Also, before treating symptoms, serious problem unless urination and caffeine, before bedtime. talk with your doctor or other becomes extremely difficult, or • Don’t postpone urinating, and take medical professional. backed-up urine causes bladder plenty of time. Try sitting on the infections or kidney damage. Some toilet instead of standing. dribbling is very common and not • If dribbling after urination is a Other resources necessarily a sign of prostate problem, wash your penis once a For more health information: problems. day to prevent infection. • Check your Kaiser Permanente Surgery is usually not necessary • Also see “Incontinence” in the Healthwise Handbook. for an enlarged prostate. Although index of your Kaiser Permanente • Listen to the Kaiser Permanente surgery used to be a common treat- Healthwise Handbook. Healthphone at 1-800-33-ASK ment, recent research shows that ME. most cases of prostate enlargement Call Kaiser Permanente • Visit our Web site at do not get worse over time as previ- if . . . www.kp.org. ously thought. Many men find that • you develop fever, chills, or back • Contact your facility’s Health their symptoms are stable and some or abdominal pain Education Department for even clear up on their own. In these • you are currently taking diuretics, books, videos, classes, and cases, the best treatment may be no tranquilizers, antihistamines, additional resources. treatment at all. Drugs are available decongestants, or antidepressants, that may help improve symptoms in as they can aggravate urinary

This information is not intended to diagnose health problems or to take the place of medical advice or care you receive from your physician or other medical professional. If you have persistent health problems, or if you have further questions, please consult your doctor. If you have questions or need additional information about your medication, please speak to your pharmacist.