Prostate & Urinary

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Prostatic

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The prostate (from Greek προστάτης - prostates, literally "one who stands before", "protector", "guardian"[1]) is a compound tubuloalveolar exocrine gland of the male mammalian reproductive system. The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that forms part of the male reproductive system secrete a fluid, milky or white in appearance, that usually constitutes 25-30% of the volume of the semen along with spermatozoa and seminal vesicle. It is common for the prostate gland to become enlarged as a man ages.

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Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH)

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This condition benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or benign prostatic hypertrophy.It is common for the prostate gland to become enlarged as a man ages. Doctors call this condition benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), or benign prostatic hypertrophy.

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Symptoms

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Many symptoms of BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) stem from obstruction of the urethra and gradual loss of bladder function, which results in incomplete emptying of the bladder. The symptoms of BPH vary, but the most common ones involve changes or problems with urination, such as

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• a hesitant, interrupted, weak stream

• urgency and leaking or dribbling

• more frequent urination, especially at night

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Prostatitis

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Inflammation of the prostate gland, often resulting in swelling or pain. Prostatitis can result in four significant symptoms: pain, urination problems, sexual dysfunction, and general health problems, such as feeling tired and depressed

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I’m worried, what should I do?

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All men, whatever their age need to be aware of their prostate, and what can go wrong with it, just as the majority of women are aware of their breasts, and what they should do if they suspect something has changed.

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If you are already health conscious then you can consider getting an annual test, that can pick up prostate problems.

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Although the PSA (prostate specific antigen) test is not available on a national screening basis, Dr Soods clinic provides a PSA test if nessessary, we want to give you as much information as possible to enable you to make an informed decision.

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Prostate cancer symptoms can include the following:

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• Difficulties with urination

• Lack of satisfying pressurelip

• Thinking the bladder's empty, then needing to go again

• Getting up to go during the night

• The presence of blood in the urine (this is rare)

• An inability to gain or hold an erection

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Testicular lumps and bumps

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Although testicular cancer is rare, it is not at all uncommon to find a lump in your testicles. There are many conditions that can be easily confused with testicular cancer, and most of them are not anything like as serious.

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Common conditions that can affect the testicles or scrotum

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Physical dependency

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Testicles can move fairly easily into and out of the abdomen so they can be difficult to find sometimes.

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If one testicle has always been missing, you should check with the doctor whether you have a testicle that has never moved from the abdomen into the scrotum (undescended testicle).

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Undescended testicles should be treated as young as possible, and adults who have had an undescended testicle need to self-examine regularly, because the risk from testicular cancer increases in an undescended testicle.

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Warts

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The skin of the scrotum is usually rough and creased. Small, cauliflower-like, raised lumps may be warts and usually treated in genitourinary medicine (GUM) clinic. Do not attempt to remove them yourself.

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Tiny, smooth bumps on the scrotum and shaft of the penis are normal and are simply hair follicles or sweat glands. These tend to stick out more when the scrotum is tight, as in cold weather, and are particularly noticeable on the erect penis where they cause unnecessary concern.

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Hernia

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A loop of bowel can protrude through gaps in the abdominal wall and form a swelling or hernia at the join between the thigh and abdomen (inguinal region).

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In some cases, the hernia may move into the scrotum. Men are much more likely to develop an inguinal hernia than women because of a potential weakness in the abdominal wall at the groin. If a lump in the scrotum is an inguinal hernia, the impulse from a cough may be felt in the scrotum.

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However, men will often be totally unaware of such a hernia until it becomes very large or if it strangulates (cuts off its blood supply), causing sudden pain. Once a hernia has developed, a truss will prevent strangulation by keeping the bowel where it belongs, but surgery is invariably the best option.

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Hydrocele/varicocele

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A soft lump in the scrotum, especially if you can get your fingers between it and the testicle, is most likely to be a hydrocele. This is a collection of sterile fluid in the cord attached to the testicle, which is invariably harmless. Left untreated, a hydrocele can grow to a large size and cause discomfort, so they are usually best drained early.

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Varicoceles are similar, except they are caused by enlarged blood vessels. Both may require surgical removal in severe cases.

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Neither condition is dangerous except in very rare cases when they become infected or put pressure on blood vessels.

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Infection

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Tenderness and heat that develops slowly in one or both testicles, especially with testicular swelling or raised body temperature, may be caused by an infection. The organism causing the infection is not necessarily sexually transmitted, since the testicles and scrotum are just as prone to infection as any other part of the body.

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A prolonged, untreated infection can damage your testicles and reduce your fertility, so it is worth getting treatment promptly.

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Antibiotics are usually the only treatment required. Infections that affect the whole body can sometimes cause pain and

swelling in the testicles.

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Injury

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a blow to the testicles. Generally, danger from any permanent damage recedes as the pain diminishes.

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If the pain persists for more than a few hours, or if you pass blood in your urine, you should get checked out as an emergency because bleeding into the testicles can be serious.

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Torsion

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The spontaneous twisting of a testicle (testicular torsion) cuts off its own blood supply, and is unlikely to go unnoticed. Severe pain, swelling and tenderness in one testicle are often accompanied by vomiting. The pain will not subside unless the testicle is manipulated into the correct position with surgery, which needs to be done within an hour or irreversible damage to the testicle can occur. No known cause for torsion, risk is increased if it has happened before.

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Hyperthyroidism is the term for overactive tissue within the thyroid gland, resulting in overproduction and thus an excess of circulating free thyroid hormones, Common causes in the UK include thyroiditis, Grave's disease and toxic nodular goitre.

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Hypothyroidism means a reduced level of thyroid hormone (thyroxine). This can cause various symptoms, the most common being: tiredness, weight gain, constipation, aches, dry skin, lifeless hair and feeling cold. Treatment is usually easy by taking a tablet each day to replace the missing hormone . Treatment usually works well and symptoms usually go.

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Urine Tests and cultures

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Any infection that occurs within your urinary system, such as in the kidneys, is known as a urinary tract infection (UTI).

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The urinary tract is made up of:

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• the kidneys

• the bladder

• the ureters (the tubes that carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder)

• the urethra (the tube that passes from the bladder to the penis or vulva, through which you urinate)

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kidney infection occurs when bacteria enters and infects one or both of your kidneys. Bacteria, typically E.coli living in your colon, are often the cause of kidney infections.

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The bacteria enter through the opening of the urethra and multiply in the bladder. The bacteria then move upwards through the urinary tract, infecting your bladder and, eventually, your kidneys.

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It is thought that the bacteria can be inadvertently spread from your anus to your urethra. This can happen if, when wiping your bottom after going to toilet, the toilet paper comes into contact with your genitals.

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In rare cases, a kidney infection can also develop if bacteria or fungi infect the skin, and the infection is spread through your bloodstream into your kidney. This type of infection usually only occurs in people who have weakened immune systems.

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Risk factors

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Any infection that occurs within your urinary system, such as in the kidneys, is known as a urinary tract infection (UTI).Women are more likely to develop a kidney infection, as well as other urinary tract infections (UTIs) such as bladder infections (cystitis). This is because in women the urethra is located closer to the anus than it is in men, making it easier for bacteria from a woman’s anus to reach the urethra.

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The female urethra is also much shorter than the male urethra (which runs through the penis), making it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder and then move into the kidneys.

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Other risk factors for kidney infections are listed below.

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• Having a condition that obstructs or blocks your urinary tract, such as kidney stones.

• Having a condition that prevents you from emptying your bladder fully.

• Having a weakened immune system due to diabetes, for example, or chemotherapy

• Being female and sexually active. This is because sexual intercourse can irritate the urethra, enabling bacteria to travel more easily through it and into your bladder

• Being male and having an enlarged prostate gland

• Having a urinary catheter (a tube that is inserted into your bladder in order to drain away urine) Kidneys are a pair of bean-shaped organs located at the back of the abdomen, which remove waste and extra fluid from the blood, and pass them out of the body as urine.

• Bacteria
  Bacteria are tiny, single-celled organisms that live in the body. Some can cause illness and disease, and some are good for you.

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Urine Dip sticks and cultures

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Blood Cholesterol and other lipidsNeurological and Joint Examination

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Lung Function: ECG

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Thyroid Function Tests, Testosterone, Prostatic Specific Antigen The same tests are for woman clinic except prostatic

specific antigen and testosterone;

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Woman would have oestradiol, LH and FSH levels.