Prostate Issues - What to Expect at Doctor Visits

I posted this article to let my viewers know what to expect during a visit to the urologist's office. I briefly touched on this in a previous article. The initial visit will include some tests & exams that you can do.

The first thing to do is to take a urine sample. It can be used to test things like UTI (Urinary tract infections) as well as bacterial sources of urine.

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

In fact, 95% of urine samples do not show bacteria in the urine. However, almost all urologists still treat patients as bacteria from the urine because they hide the prostate.

As soon as I give you a urine sample then maybe the next exam will be something I also briefly touch & # 39; s Digital Rectal Exam (DRE). This is the standard test for diagnosing prostate related diseases. This exam involves the doctor inserting the index finger or finger into the rectum.

This allowed her to physically examine the prostate. The exam lasts for 30-45 seconds at most. The doctor will examine the abnormalities of the prostate. The abnormalities examined may be enlargement, inflammation, swelling, lumps, & tumors. For most men, the biggest concern is the tumor (possibly cancer).

I can tell from experience that this exam is not a comfortable one. This can be uncomfortable if you have a swollen or enlarged prostate. In fact, if you have any problems with the prostate then it will be uncomfortable. I was nauseous for 20+ minutes after my first DRE. I was sweating and feeling really weird for a while.

Once the examination is done, your doctor will usually tell you what you felt during the examination. This will help determine the diagnosis & treatment options.

The next possible test is the so-called "Urethral Swab". This is a long cotton ball that is inserted into the penis to check the STD's. s (Sexually Transmitted Diseases). This is also uncomfortable but not as bad as the DRE. This test will be shorter than the DRE & usually only 10 seconds. This test is done to reject any STD's. s.

The next possible test is called PSA (Prostate Specific Antigen). This is a blood test from the body that will be sent to the laboratory for examination. Reason # 1 for this test is to check for prostate cancer. Another advantage of this test is that blood work can be used to find other problems as well.

It's called CBC (Count Blood Complete). Items like red & white blood cells can be checked to determine their counts. The number of red & white blood cells may indicate possible infection. Minerals and vitamin deficiencies can be seen as well as other areas.

The PSA will provide a reading of the number for a possible diagnosis of prostate cancer. I say the words that are possible here & important. The higher the PSA the better the chance of getting cancer. Normal reading for this test is between 1.0-5.0 ng / ml. Older men (60+) can read up to 5.0 or higher and still have no cancer. This is typical in aging & should not be considered alarming. The point is that men over 60 can read higher than usual and still be safe from cancer.

Anything higher than a reading of 1.0- 5.0 ng / ml is considered high but does not mean cancer exists. Further tests will need to be done to confirm the cancer if the reading is in the high range. My reading is at 0.9ng / ml which is well below the normal range. This gives me relief when this reading is given to me.

Another possible test is called the "Urine Flow Test". This test involves collecting urine in the middle stream. This is a better way to diagnose prostatitis.

Some other tests you can do are called "Premassage Urine Culture", & "Postmassage Urine Culture". The pre & post words indicate that one is done before prostate massage & the other is done after. Prostate massage is where doctors do the same thing as DRE.

The index finger is inserted into the rectum but this time the prostate is done for a few minutes. In this way some bacteria may then be loosened from the prostate & also the fluid can be examined under a microscope.

Some urologists may not perform all of these tests in this order or may leave certain tests. It all depends on the doctor. I only knew this was a routine checkup during my initial visit to the urologist's office. It will take several days for the PSA test results.

Conventional Treatment Options:

The diagnosis of BPH (Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia, also known as "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 inhibitors include terazosin, doxazosin, & tamsulosin. All these drugs are administered to help shrink the prostate.

Another form of treatment is Air Wave Therapy,

Transurethral Needle Surgery, Transurethral Surgery, Open Surgery, & Laser Surgery. This type of treatment is usually optional later as it involves more serious implementation.

Diagnosis of Prostatitis (all forms):

This condition is almost always treated with antibiotics. As I mentioned earlier bacteria can be hidden inside the prostate so this medical class is given to prostate no matter what type of prostatitis. There is a great deal of concern about this as to why treat conditions without bacterial contact with antibiotics? This is a common practice for most urologists in antibiotics given for any diagnosis of prostatitis. I definitely went through this with 3 different courses of antibiotics called Doxycycline.

There are also alternative treatments for prostatitis that I will explore in more detail in a future article. Conventional methods of treatment are urological pathways to be performed. This method can be effective if taken in the right direction. However, there are so many examples where this does not work that it leads to other options. This is why I will close that selection in another article.

As you can see from this article diagnosing prostate disease is definitely not an easy task. Doctors have many things to consider. There are many tests that can be done to check for many problems. Not all of these tests will turn into prostate related. Some may present problems in other parts of the body. The symptoms for all these prostate disorders are very similar. It requires a good urologist & in my opinion an "experienced" person to determine the patient's diagnosis as well.

The current study is turned off which will certainly allow for better treatment options for prostatitis. The same can be said for prostate cancer and all other prostate related diseases. There is no good way to treat prostatitis unless antibiotics almost always take the first step.

This worries me because this is a standard or "standard" treatment. As with any prescription drug there are side effects. All men who have prostate problems are more symptomatic of the side effects of the drug. It is difficult enough to treat any prostate disorders alone & then add symptoms directly to the drug.

Well, I hope I give people who are facing their doctor's visit some helpful information. I'm sure you'll be as nervous as I was when I thought the worst. I was so scared of my first appointment. I don't want to hear the bad news but I want to know what's going on in the world with me. I'm glad I took the first step as this started my path to better health.

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