Home / health / 5 Early Warning Signs Of Prostate Cancer To Look Out For

5 early warning signs of prostate cancer to look out for

5 early warning signs of prostate cancer to look out for

The prostate is a small gland located beneath the bladder in the male reproductive system. Prostate cancer develops when there’s abnormal cell growth in one’s prostate gland. The disease progresses slowly, and its early stages are mainly asymptomatic. The chance of successful treatment is highest while the cancer is still confined to the gland. If left untreated, however, it can cause many health complications. Here are a few early signs that should prompt a prostate cancer screening.

Early signs of prostate cancer
Early stages of prostate cancer usually have no visible signs, but those in more advanced stages may exhibit the following symptoms:

Issues with urination and bladder control
The prostate gland is in proximity to the bladder, and the urethra responsible for one’s urination and sexual activity. So, one may feel the urge to empty one’s bladder more frequently or experience a burning sensation or pain while urinating. The urine flow may be weak and one may find it challenging to start or stop the flow. One may also find blood in urine or semen and a sudden shift in one’s usual bowel habits.

Fatigue and nausea
Cancerous cells consume a lot of energy and leave one feeling fatigued and nauseous. One may also lose body mass unnaturally without changing one’s lifestyle.

Pain
Prostate cancer may enlarge the gland and cause discomfort while sitting. One may also experience pain during urination or in other parts of one’s body, like the back, thighs, hips, shoulders, or bones.

Swelling
Men with advanced prostate cancer may exhibit more serious symptoms like swelling in the legs or pelvic area. Fluid may build up in one’s feet and cause pain or numbness in the legs.

Erectile dysfunction
Since the gland produces seminal fluid, prostate cancer may lead to erectile dysfunction.

These symptoms do not necessarily indicate prostate cancer. Other conditions, such as an enlarged prostate, prostatitis, or benign prostatic hyperplasia, also share similar signs. Hence, those experiencing any of these symptoms are advised to consult a doctor and get screening tests done. Early detection can help curtail cancer growth in nearby lymph nodes and tissues.

Diagnosis
Prostate cancer can be detected early with tests like PSA and DRE. Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) measures the level of PSA in one’s blood sample. The Digital Rectal Exam, or DRE, is a physical examination to study the condition of one’s prostate gland. Any abnormalities in these tests prompt the healthcare professional to go for a prostate biopsy and check for cancer cells.

Risk factors
While the cause of prostate cancer is not known, those in older age are more susceptible to developing the disease. Prostate cancer is more common among males over 50 years. People living an unhealthy lifestyle may also be at risk. Since cancer is connected with one’s DNA and genes, family history is another significant risk factor.

Treatment
Prostate cancer grows slowly. Since most treatments involve high risk, a doctor may opt for watchful waiting and active surveillance during the early stages. This means that the symptoms are treated as they show up. For advanced stages, a doctor may combine various treatments to get the best results as per the severity of one’s condition. Surgeries, hormonal therapy, targeted therapy, chemotherapy, proton beam therapy, radiation therapy, and focal therapies are some common ones.

Recommended

Learn about these 3 types of hearing loss

Learn about these 3 types of hearing loss

Hearing loss, deafness, or impairment is the partial or total inability to hear sounds. People with low to moderate hearing impairment face challenges in understanding what the other person is saying in a noisy environment. Whereas, people with severe deafness cannot hear anything, and rely completely on lip-reading and sign language skills. There are three main types of hearing loss: sensorineural, conductive, and a combination of both. Let’s understand these types in detail and learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatments of each type. Sensorineural hearing loss It’s the most common type of hearing loss. Sensorineural is permanent hearing loss often caused by damage to the tiny hair cells that line the inner ear or the auditory nerve. The damage stops or weakens the transfers of nerve signals to the brain. These signals are essentially the intensity and clarity of sounds. Causes: Aging and exposure to loud noises for a long period of time are the most common cause of the damage. Certain medications and illnesses can also increase risks. It can even be genetic, and pass on to the child in the mother’s womb. Treatment: There is no medical or surgical treatment available to repair the tiny hair cells once they’re damaged.
Simple lifestyle changes that reduce the risk of heart diseases

Simple lifestyle changes that reduce the risk of heart diseases

The heart is the most crucial organ in the body and as the system will cease to function if the heart stops or loses momentum pumping fresh oxygenated blood. This is why it is vital to not neglect your heart health at all and responsibly maintain a healthy, stress-free, and more importantly, a happy lifestyle. Here are a few simple lifestyle changes that will help support a healthy heart function. Switch to a healthy diet Avoid eating foods that are rich in trans and saturated fats. Most foods you find on the shelves of the supermarket contain large quantities of one or the other. Instead, switch to low-fat high fiber alternatives to help manage cholesterol. Maintaining a healthy cholesterol level in the body automatically reduces the risk of heart diseases. The simple reason for this is that fats that normally block major arteries and blood vessels are eliminated from these foods choices. It is also advisable to limit the salt (sodium) intake to control blood pressure and sugar to reduce the risk of diabetes simultaneously. Change certain lifestyle habits Reduce the number of alcoholic or carbonated drinks you have regularly. For men, it is advisable to have not more than two drinks and day and women must have only one.
How to distinguish between heartburn and GERD

How to distinguish between heartburn and GERD

Heartburn is an unpleasant, burning sensation in the chest that is more common than a lot of individuals realize. Pregnant women, older men, and even young adults experience it frequently. Despite it being such a prevalent experience, not many know that heartburn has actually nothing to do with the heart and everything to do with the stomach and the esophagus. Unsurprisingly enough, heartburn is also used interchangeably with GERD. But, before we get to deciphering heartburn and GERD, let’s understand what acid reflux is. What is acid reflux or GER? Acid reflux occurs when the lower esophageal sphincter or LES becomes weak, allowing the contents of the stomach to travel in the wrong direction, back up the esophagus. Acid reflux is also called GER or gastroesophageal reflux as it involves the stomach and esophagus. This condition can usually be resolved with over-the-counter medication. What is heartburn? Heartburn is a burning or painful sensation that is experienced in the chest. Since the lining of the esophagus is not as strong as the lining of the stomach, the acid from the stomach can cause a burning sensation in the chest. This pain or burning sensation that is heartburn can often be misconstrued for a heart attack.
5 common joint conditions and how to treat them

5 common joint conditions and how to treat them

A joint or articulation is made from two bones that aid the body in movement. There are many forms of joint conditions, which, in many cases, arise from the wear and tear of bones. Arthritis is one of the major and most common health conditions in the country, and its intensity increases with age. Here are some common types of joint conditions that you need to know: Osteoarthritis With almost 10 percent of men and 13 percent of women aged over 60 suffering from osteoarthritis, it is one of the most prevalent joint conditions in the country. Osteoarthritis occurs due to the wear and tear of the cartilages that protect the ends of bones. It commonly affects joints of the spine, hands, hips, and knees. If left untreated, this wear and tear of the cartilage soon leads to bone degeneration, thereby affecting flexibility and range of movement. Treatment for osteoarthritis depends on its severity and the patient’s age. Mild symptoms can be treated through medications, physiotherapy, and changes in lifestyle, whereas moderate to severe cases may require surgical intervention. Spondyloarthritis Spondyloarthritis, also referred to as spondyloarthropathy, is a type of rheumatic disease that causes inflammation in various joints. There are two types of spondyloarthritis—axial spondyloarthritis, which causes inflammation of the joints in the chest, spine, and hip bone, and peripheral spondyloarthritis, which causes inflammation in the fingers, knees, and toes.
Tips to help you strengthen your immune system

Tips to help you strengthen your immune system

Natural selection has transformed the way in which the human immune system works. While some human genes have evolved to become immune to certain diseases, others have not. This leaves a whole lot of people prone to certain diseases and disorders. That said, there are ways to boost the immune system, improve one’s diet, and lead a healthier lifestyle. Here are a few simple steps that you can take to strengthen the immune system: Ensure adequate sleep There are quite a few studies that prove the relationship between adequate sleep and the strength of the immune system. As an adult, you should ensure that you get seven to eight hours of sleep every night. A teenager should get eight to ten hours of sleep, whereas a young child should get at least 14 hours of sleep on a daily basis. If you have disturbed or no sleep, then you can improve your sleep cycle with these quick tips: Try sleeping in a room that is completely dark Get to bed at the same time every night. This will help regulate your sleep pattern Avoid using electronics that emit blue light before bed Maintain a diet of fruits and vegetables Fruits, vegetables, and whole grains contain essential minerals, fiber, vitamins, and antioxidants.
8 lesser-known facts about the liver

8 lesser-known facts about the liver

Considered the second-largest organ in the body, the liver plays an extremely important role in a variety of functions. It is key to the body’s metabolism; and helps burn fat and maintain body weight. It is located above the stomach and beneath the diaphragm, its size similar to that of a football. While such information is common knowledge, there are a few not-so-known facts about this organ. Read on to find out more: It is the only organ that can regenerate Unlike any other organ, the liver has the miraculous ability to regenerate and regrow, needing just 25 percent of the original tissue to do so. According to a study, evolutionary safeguards are responsible for this effect, which is a central concept behind liver transplants. It is the body’s detox center The liver filters everything we eat and drink, ridding the body of the materials that are not meant for it. It first burns toxins using enzymes and oxygen. This is followed by the second step, which combines toxins with amino acids that are later flushed out through urine or bile. It is multifunctional Identified as one of the most complex organs in the body, the liver performs hundreds of vital functions.