Prostate Problems

There are three major problems that can be diagnosed with regards to the prostate gland.

The symptoms are very similar, and without a doctor examination and tests it can be difficult if not impossible to tell them apart.

This section will give you a questionnaire that will help you determine if there is a problem with your prostate.

The three major prostate gland problems are:

• Lower urinary tract symptoms with or without benign prostate hypertrophy (BPH a non cancerous enlargement of the prostate)
• Prostate cancer
• Inflammation or infection of the prostate (prostatitis)
  

Questionnaire to help you determine if there is a problem-

1. When you want to pass water, is there a delay before you start?
2. When you are passing water, do you find that the flow stops and starts?
3. When you think you've finished passing water, do you ever find a bit more urine trickles out and sometimes stains your underwear?
4. Has your urine stream become smaller or weaker in force in the last year?
5. Do you feel your bladder is not quite empty after you've passed water?
6. How many times do you usually have to get up in the night to pass water?
7. How many times do you usually pass water during the day?
8. When you feel you want to pass water do you feel you have to go straight away?
9. Do you ever pass water when you don't mean to?

What are some options for treatment?

Using the questions above may help your doctor in the diagnosis and treatment of the problems you are having. Seek a doctors advice immediately if you think there is a problem with your prostate. Also make sure that you get your prostate checked regularly so that you may detect any problems early on.

More Information:

• Prostate Diseases at Medline Plus from the National Institute of Health