Prostate
What is a prostate?
The prostate is a gland in men that sits just below the bladder. The prostate produces the fluid surrounding sperm. When this gland becomes enlarged, it can block the flow of urine, leading to problems with the kidney.
What are the symptoms of an enlarged prostate?
Hesitancy- Feeling like you have to pee but it takes a little while for the urine stream to start flowing. This can also include difficulty keeping the urine stream flowing.
Urgency- Feeling like you suddenly have to go RIGHT NOW or you will pee your pants.
Dribbling- Leakage of urine after you have already finished peeing.
Frequency- Needing to pee more than 2 times per night.
How does my prostate affect my kidneys?
If your prostate becomes enlarged, this will stop up the bladder. If the bladder gets stopped up, it will fill up and start to back up into the ureters (the tubes between the kidneys and bladder) then eventually into the kidneys. If the kidneys are unable to drain the urine they create, they will become swollen and start to malfunction.
How do I treat the symptoms of an enlarged prostate?
There are medications to relax the prostate to allow better urine flow. Go see your doctor for more information. It’s important to be evaluated for prostate cancer at least once!
Prostate Cancer
Prostate cancer is under diagnosed and under treated in men, specifically African American men. We can test your blood for signs of prostate cancer with a lab called PSA. The screening guidelines are vague surrounding prostate cancer screening. I personally screen all men who come into my office with blood work because.. why not? Prostate cancer typically occurs later in life, so if you are a man who is 50-75 ish years old, consider getting checked for prostate cancer. Just ask your doctor.
Kidney Beans 