Prostatitis
What is the prostate?
The prostate is a gland in the male reproductive system. It lies just below the bladder. It makes fluid that is part of semen.
What are prostate diseases?There are many types of prostate diseases:
- Prostatitis is inflammation (swelling and pain) in the prostate gland. It's the most common type of prostate problem in people under than age 50. There are different types:
- Chronic prostatitis is also called chronic pelvic pain syndrome. It's the most common type of prostatitis.
- Acute bacterial prostatitis starts suddenly from a bacterial infection and is treated with antibiotics. It is not common.
- Chronic bacterial prostatitis happens when a bacterial infection keeps coming back. The symptoms usually start slowly. It may take longer to treat than acute bacterial prostatitis.
- Asymptomatic prostatitis has no symptoms and usually doesn't need treatment. You may learn you have it after having tests for other health problems.
- Enlarged prostate is also called benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). The prostate gland tends to grow larger with age. That's why enlarged prostate is very common in older people and rare in those who are under age 40. When the prostate grows larger, it may press on your urethra and cause problems with urination.
- Prostate cancer happens when cancer cells form in the prostate gland. Prostate cancer is a common type of cancer in those aged 50 and older. Most prostate cancers grow slowly and may never cause health problems. But certain prostate cancers are serious.
Anyone with a prostate can develop prostate problems. But some people are at higher risk.
You may be more likely to develop prostatitis if you have:
- A lower urinary tract infection, also called a UTI. An infection in your lower urinary tract (bladder and urethra) may lead to acute or chronic bacterial prostatitis.
- Nerve damage in your lower urinary tract from surgery or an injury. This may lead to chronic prostatitis.
- Emotional stress, which can lead to chronic prostatitis.
You may be more likely to develop an enlarged prostate (BPH) if you:
- Are age 40 or older.
- Have family members who have had BPH.
- Have certain health conditions such as:
- Obesity.
- Heart disease and problems with blood circulation.
- Type 2 diabetes.
- Don't get enough physical activity.
You may be more likely to develop prostate cancer if you:
- Are older than age 50.
- Have a parent, sibling, or child who has or had prostate cancer.
- Are African American.
The symptoms of prostate problems include:
- Needing to urinate a lot.
- Needing to rush to the bathroom, but not being able to urinate or only going a little.
- Leaking or dribbling urine.
- Having a weak urine stream.
Other symptoms depend on the type of prostate problem you have and may include:
- Not being able to urinate at all. This is a medical emergency.
- Any problems, starting or controlling urine flow.
- Waking up often to urinate.
- Blood in your urine or urine that has an unusual smell or color.
- Fever, chills, or body aches.
- Great discomfort or pain:
- While urinating or after ejaculation.
- In your abdomen (belly), between your scrotum and anus, or in your scrotum or penis.
Contact your provider if you have any of these symptoms.
How are prostate diseases diagnosed?To find out if you have a prostate problem, your provider will:
- Ask about your medical history and symptoms.
- Ask about your family health history.
- Do a physical exam. The exam may include a digital rectal exam (DRE) of your prostate. In a DRE, your provider inserts a gloved finger into your rectum to feel the general size and condition of your prostate.
- Order tests, if needed. Tests may include:
- Blood and urine tests to look for infection.
- Urodynamic testing to see how well you can hold and release urine.
- Cystoscopy to look inside your urethra and bladder.
- Ultrasound pictures of your prostate and urinary tract.
- A PSA blood test (prostate-specific antigen test).
- Prostate biopsy to diagnose or rule out cancer.
Treatment depends on what prostate disease you have and which symptoms bother you most.
NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
WARNING: All medicines, drugs, plants, chemicals or medicial precedures below are for historical reference only. Many of these treatments are now known to be harmful and possibly fatal. Do not consume any plant, chemical, drug or otherwise without first consulting a licensed physician that practices medine in the appropriate field.
Felter's Materia Medica on Prostatitis
BUCHU (Barosma)AGBE2
The dried leaves of (1) Barosma betulina (Thunberg), Bartling and Wendland, or of (2) Barosma serratifolia (Curtis), Willdenow. (Nat. Ord.... / ... good service. Under these circumstances it may be given in chronic cystitis, pyelitis, urethritis, prostatitis, lithaemia, and chronic vesical irritation. For catarrh of the bladder it is frequently ... / ...have far better remedies. Buchu renders the urine dark, the latter depositing a brownish precipitate. It should never be used in acute disorders.1
The dried leaves of (1) Barosma betulina (Thunberg), Bartling and Wendland, or of (2) Barosma serratifolia (Curtis), Willdenow. (Nat. Ord.... / ... good service. Under these circumstances it may be given in chronic cystitis, pyelitis, urethritis, prostatitis, lithaemia, and chronic vesical irritation. For catarrh of the bladder it is frequently ... / ...have far better remedies. Buchu renders the urine dark, the latter depositing a brownish precipitate. It should never be used in acute disorders.1
CHIMAPHILA
The leaves or whole plant of Chimaphila umbellata (Linné, Nuttall. (Nat. Ord. Ericaceae.) North temperate region of the Northern Hemispheres, and... / ... it in confirmed nephritis. It is often useful in chronic prostatic irritation and in some cases of prostatitis, particularly those associated with chronic catarrh of the bladder. The agent should be ... / ...the disappearance of sugar in glycosuria. Chimaphila is a neglected remedy that may well take the place of other agents of questionable safety.1
The leaves or whole plant of Chimaphila umbellata (Linné, Nuttall. (Nat. Ord. Ericaceae.) North temperate region of the Northern Hemispheres, and... / ... it in confirmed nephritis. It is often useful in chronic prostatic irritation and in some cases of prostatitis, particularly those associated with chronic catarrh of the bladder. The agent should be ... / ...the disappearance of sugar in glycosuria. Chimaphila is a neglected remedy that may well take the place of other agents of questionable safety.1
EQUISETUMEQDY2
The plant, Equisetum hyemale, Linné (Nat. Ord. Equisetaceae). A peculiar leafless plant found throughout the northern and western parts of the... / ...rine it is said to be specially serviceable. It has restrained hematuria and is of service in acute prostatitis and in the prostatorrhea which follows it. The infusion (1 ounce to Water, 16 fluidounce...1
The plant, Equisetum hyemale, Linné (Nat. Ord. Equisetaceae). A peculiar leafless plant found throughout the northern and western parts of the... / ...rine it is said to be specially serviceable. It has restrained hematuria and is of service in acute prostatitis and in the prostatorrhea which follows it. The infusion (1 ounce to Water, 16 fluidounce...1
EUPATORIUM PURPUREUM
...ally relieves the deep-seated pelvic perineal aching common to sufferers from cystitis and subacute prostatitis, For passive hematuria it is one of the best drugs we possess. When hydragogues have bee......urbances of pregnancy so far as difficulty in voiding urine is concerned. It is also very useful in prostatitis, acting best after the acute inflammatory condition has been subdued. Gravel-root is a n...1
...ally relieves the deep-seated pelvic perineal aching common to sufferers from cystitis and subacute prostatitis, For passive hematuria it is one of the best drugs we possess. When hydragogues have bee......urbances of pregnancy so far as difficulty in voiding urine is concerned. It is also very useful in prostatitis, acting best after the acute inflammatory condition has been subdued. Gravel-root is a n...1
SALIX NIGRA
The bark and aments of Salix nigra, Linné (Nat. Ord. Salicaceae); United States, particularly along streams in New York and Pennsylvania. Common... / ...s; nocturnal emissions; mild nymphomania, erotomania and satyriasis; cystitis, urethral irritation, prostatitis, and ovaritis, and allied disorders following in the wake of sexual abuse or excesses. A... / ...the reproductive tract when pollutions are the result of sexual intemperance, libidinous thoughts by day, and lascivious dreams by night.1
The bark and aments of Salix nigra, Linné (Nat. Ord. Salicaceae); United States, particularly along streams in New York and Pennsylvania. Common... / ...s; nocturnal emissions; mild nymphomania, erotomania and satyriasis; cystitis, urethral irritation, prostatitis, and ovaritis, and allied disorders following in the wake of sexual abuse or excesses. A... / ...the reproductive tract when pollutions are the result of sexual intemperance, libidinous thoughts by day, and lascivious dreams by night.1
STAPHISAGRIA
The ripe seeds of Delphinium Staphisagria, Linné (Nat. Ord. Ranunculaceae). Mediterranean Basin; cultivated. Dose, 1 to 2 grains. Common Name:... / ...rritation or inflammation of the genito-urinary tract resulting from gonorrhea or from cold, and in prostatitis, gonorrheal or otherwise, all of these conditions being associated with depression of sp... / ...The indications for staphisagria, as concisely stated by us in the American Dispensatory, are given here under Specific Indications.1
The ripe seeds of Delphinium Staphisagria, Linné (Nat. Ord. Ranunculaceae). Mediterranean Basin; cultivated. Dose, 1 to 2 grains. Common Name:... / ...rritation or inflammation of the genito-urinary tract resulting from gonorrhea or from cold, and in prostatitis, gonorrheal or otherwise, all of these conditions being associated with depression of sp... / ...The indications for staphisagria, as concisely stated by us in the American Dispensatory, are given here under Specific Indications.1
THUJA
The branchlets and leaves of Thuja occidentalis, Linné (Nat. Ord. Cupressaceae). Indigenous to Canada and the United States, on the rocky borders... / ...pon exertion as coughing, etc.; catarrhal flow from bladder or genitalia of male or female; chronic prostatitis; warty excrescences, and dry forms of eczema. Locally: fissured anus, prolapsus ani, pru... / ...when home treatment is carried out, and constitutional remedies administered when conditions warrant them. Internal. Thuja is stimulant, subas1
The branchlets and leaves of Thuja occidentalis, Linné (Nat. Ord. Cupressaceae). Indigenous to Canada and the United States, on the rocky borders... / ...pon exertion as coughing, etc.; catarrhal flow from bladder or genitalia of male or female; chronic prostatitis; warty excrescences, and dry forms of eczema. Locally: fissured anus, prolapsus ani, pru... / ...when home treatment is carried out, and constitutional remedies administered when conditions warrant them. Internal. Thuja is stimulant, subas1
TRITICUM (Agropyron repens)AGRE2
The dried rhizome and roots of Agropyron repens (Linné), Beauvois (Triticum repens, Linné); (Nat. Ord. Gramineae). A native of Europe and... / ...sent, and is highly valued in chronic cystic irritability, cystitis, pyelitis, incipient nephritis, prostatitis, and in any condition in which an excess of mucus, pus, or blood is passed in the urine....1
The dried rhizome and roots of Agropyron repens (Linné), Beauvois (Triticum repens, Linné); (Nat. Ord. Gramineae). A native of Europe and... / ...sent, and is highly valued in chronic cystic irritability, cystitis, pyelitis, incipient nephritis, prostatitis, and in any condition in which an excess of mucus, pus, or blood is passed in the urine....1
WARNING: All medicines, drugs, plants, chemicals or medicial precedures below are for historical reference only. Many of these treatments are now known to be harmful and possibly fatal. Do not consume any plant, chemical, drug or otherwise without first consulting a licensed physician that practices medine in the appropriate field.
Physician's Therapeutics Memoranda on Prostatitis
PROSTATITIS
General treatment for Inflammation, q. v. To relieve vesical tenesmus and pain, rectal suppositories of opium and henbane; Ze-an as diuretic, with which may be combined potassium citrate. In chronic cases, local treatment by steel sounds or application of suit able medicaments.2
General treatment for Inflammation, q. v. To relieve vesical tenesmus and pain, rectal suppositories of opium and henbane; Ze-an as diuretic, with which may be combined potassium citrate. In chronic cases, local treatment by steel sounds or application of suit able medicaments.2
References
1) Felter, Harvey Wickes, 1922, The Eclectic Materia Medica, Pharmacology and Therapeutics, Cincinnati, Ohio.
2) Nelson, Baker & Co., 1904, Physician's Handy Book of Materia Medica and Therapeustics, Detroit, Michigan.
2) Nelson, Baker & Co., 1904, Physician's Handy Book of Materia Medica and Therapeustics, Detroit, Michigan.