Enlarged Prostate

Prostate gland enlargement is common in men as they grow older. For men above 50, the most common prostate problem is prostate enlargement. 50% of men by age 60 suffer from this problem and over 90% of men suffer from this problem when they are 80 plus. Enlarged prostate is also known as prostatic hypertrophy, benign prostatic Hyperplasia or prostate gland enlargement.

Enlarged prostate is a benign enlargement and is non- cancerous. This condition often induces urinary problems. If left untreated, the problem can block the flow of urine out of the bladder and cause urinary infection, kidney and bladder problems. The prostate gland is located beneath the bladder; this tube passes through the center of the prostate and transports urine from and out of the penis. Therefore when the prostate is enlarged, it obstructs the flow of urine. With time, the bladder muscles thicken severely and become over sensitive thus forcing the person to urinate frequently as the bladder can't hold even small amount of urine.

Symptoms of prostate gland enlargement

• Increased frequency of urination at night.
  
• Unable to empty the bladder completely
  
• Urinary tract infection
  
• Reduced kidney function
  
• Frequent or urgent need to urinate
  
• Weak urine stream
  
• Strain to urinate
  
• Bladder stone
  
• Difficult to start, stop and restart urination.

Diagnosis includes:

Physical examination and understanding the patient's medical history.
Rectal examination to identify if the prostate is enlarged.
Urine tests.
Urine flow test.
PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen) test in blood.
Trans rectal ultrasound to measure prostate.
Neurological examination to identify reasons other than prostate enlargement for urinary incontinence etc.
Post void residual volume test, to identify if the patient can empty the bladder completely.
Prostate biopsy.
CT urogram to identify blocks in urinary bladder.
Cystoscopy to check bladder and urethra.

Finasteride - For Prostate Problems and Male Pattern Baldness

Finasteride belongs to the class of enzyme inhibitors. Finasteride blocks 5-alpha-reductase, which is critical in changing testosterone into another hormone that causes prostate enlargement. BPH (Benign prostatic hypertrophy) occurs in men over 55 years. Finasteride has been used in the treatment of urinary problems resulting from an enlarged prostate. Finasteride is effective in reducing the severity of the symptoms. But the prostate tends to grow again if the drug is discontinued.

Finasteride is also used in stimulating hair growth in the case of male pattern balding. Read up on Hair Restoration in the TargetWoman Collection of articles. Male pattern baldness or Androgenetic Alopecia is caused by increased levels of DHT (DiHydro Testosterone). Propecia (brand name for Finasteride) blocks the formation of DHT thereby maintaining or increasing the hair growth.

Side Effects of finasteride: The side effects of Finasteride that are noticed range from skin rashes and swelling of lips to breast enlargement. Rarely do persons on Finasteride experience abdominal or back pain, dizziness, headache or impotence. Men on Finasteride faced lesser desire for sex and reduced semen. This drug is never recommended for women. Women who are pregnant or of childbearing age must not handle crushed tablets of Finasteride as it can cause birth defects in a male fetus. Finasteride falls in the FDA pregnancy category X. This means that it is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby. Since Finasteride is mainly metabolized by the liver, patients with liver dysfunction must inform their physicians about it. Patients who are taking amphetamines, antihistamines, antidepressants, decongestants or ephedrine must consult the doctor before embarking on a course of Finasteride.

Dosage of finasteride: Propecia is also known as 1 mg. finasteride - it is a potent inhibitor of human 5 alpha-reductase without affecting the circulating effects of Testosterone. Proscar is yet another brand name for Finasteride. Finasteride tablets are usually taken once a day. It is not advisable to take more than the prescribed dosage. The drug must be stored away from light in a tightly- closed container. For BPH patients, a 5 mg dose of Proscar daily is prescribed by physicians. Taking additional doses will not make it work faster or better. 1 mg dose of Finasteride is prescribed for those suffering from male pattern baldness. Find out more about hair loss, its causes and patterns in Hair Loss in the TargetWoman Collection of articles.

Estradiol Test

Heart disease is gender-neutral and isn't anymore categorized as a man's disease. Continued research by the American Heart Association indicates that close to 43 million women in the U.S are affected by heart disease. 1 in 4 female deaths is due to heart disease. Diabetes, obesity, poor diet, physical inactivity and excessive consumption of alcohol are the key risk factors and 90% of women have one or more of these risk factors for developing heart disease.

Apart from these risk factors, in women who enter menopause, the tapering estrogen levels also increase the risk of developing cardiovascular disease. Estradiol is a form of estrogen, a female sex hormone produced by the ovaries. In women, the ovaries and reproductive tissues are involved in making estrogen. In men, testosterone is transformed into estrodiol. Though estrogen is considered a hormone of importance only to women, research and tests indicate that the imbalance poses health issues for men too. Be it excess or lack of estrogen levels, the imbalance increases the risk of degenerative diseases.

• Excess estrogen contributes to development of atherosclerosis.
  
• Elevated estrogen levels double the risk of stroke and is a strong indicator of coronary artery disease.
  
• Men with benign prostate enlargement or prostate cancer show high blood estrogen levels.
  
• Lack of sufficient estrogen increases risk of osteoporosis and bone fracture.
  
• Low estradiol levels are rated as high risk factor for cardiac patients, especially men.
  
• Elevated estrogen levels doubles the possibility of stroke in senior men.
  
• In elderly men, high level of estradiol is associated with peripheral artery disease.
  
• Elevated estradiol level predisposes men over 50 years to development of an abnormal blood clots (thrombus).
  
• In aging men, higher estradiol level is regarded as a risk factor for prostate cancer.

Thus it is proved that estrogen, primarily categorized as a sex hormone does cast its effect on heart health. The estradiol or E2 test procedure is the same for men, women and adolescents. In adolescents, the test is to assess early puberty or Precocious puberty. The test results are useful for healthcare providers to assess and analyze women's health issues such as menstrual problems, ovarian tumors, gynecomastia, menopausal problems and breast cancer. In men, high levels of estradiol are associated with abdominal fat, enlargement of the prostate and cardiovascular risk. Low levels of estrogen are associated with osteoporosis.

Too much of estrogen is estrogen dominance. Women who have opted for estrogen replacement may experience symptoms of estrogen dominance. In aging men, estrogen dominance can be natural phenomenon. Side effects of estrogen dominance are the same for men and women.

• Headaches
  
• Swelling in the breast area for women
  
• Bloating
  
• Decreased sex drive
  
• Mood swings
  
• Weight gain
  
• Hair loss
  
• Thyroid disease
  
• Slowed metabolism
  
• Excess facial hair in women
  
• Fatigue
  
• Memory loss
  
• Difficulty sleeping
  
• Susceptibility to allergies

Besides, estrogen dominance accelerates the aging process. Men and women keen on avoiding estrogen dominance need to know the factors that contribute to estrogen dominance. Avoid those that contribute to increasing the level and bring healthy changes to live a healthy life.

• Certain foods and items in our environment contribute to estrogen dominance. Estrogen-producing compounds are found in haircare products, sunscreen, pesticides, and car exhaust, cosmetics, moisturizers and carpeting.
  
• Excess body fat helps the body in making more estrogen.
  
• Highly processed foods, MSG, caffeine and beer are associated with high estrogen levels.
  
• Compared to grass fed and pasture raised animals, estrogen levels are high in animals that are fed high carbohydrate feeds.
  
• Unfermented soy products have high estrogen levels compared to fermented soy products.
  
• Herbicides and pesticides contain a type of xenon-estrogen.
  
• Broccoli, cabbage, kale, Brussels sprouts and cauliflower reduce estrogen in the body.
  
• Leafy vegetable like spinach, parsley, dandelions, Swiss chard and celery can have a lowering effect in the body.