The Food and Drug Administration has approved Botox (onabotulinumtoxin A) for treatment of urinary incontinence that is the result of a neurologic condition, such as multiple sclerosis or a spinal cord injury, in adults who have not responded to or who cannot tolerate anticholinergic medications. Currently, the FDA approval does not extend to other causes…
Of all the different types of nuts, these natives of South America are an especially rich source of the mineral selenium, which is important for prostate health. In fact, just one ounce of Brazil nuts can contain as much as ten times the RDA for selenium. Research has shown that selenium intake is associated with…
Having a bladder or other infection may trigger acute bacterial prostatitis or even lead to chronic bacterial prostatitis. A bladder infection is also known as a urinary tract infection or cystitis. When bacteria get in the urine, they can leak into the prostate. Other types of infections occurring elsewhere in the body can also cause…
The prevalence of high blood pressure and the health risks associated with it, including cardiovascular disease and death, have made this medical condition a high priority among researchers. Along with conventional pharmaceutical approaches to lowering blood pressure, there has been much investigation into lifestyle options, including diet and supplementation. One food item that has been…
For some men, there is often the question of whether they should have radiation after prostatectomy for advanced prostate cancer. An evaluation of radiation therapy for men who had undergone prostatectomy for locally advanced prostate cancer showed that adjuvant radiotherapy was associated with better disease-specific survival than salvage radiation therapy. Adjuvant therapy is typically given…
If your doctor has recommended that you undergo a prostate biopsy to examine your tissues for prostate cancer, you’re probably reading everything you can find on the procedure. It’s important to become an informed patient. Talk to your doctor about what you can expect during the procedure. Every man’s experience is different. For some it…
DIM has shown a number of health benefits for men with BPH who are looking to restore their prostate health. Diindolylmethane (DIM) is a phytonutrient that has the ability to promote and support metabolism of estrogen and related hormones by enhancing the liver’s ability to metabolize estrogen to a weaker factor called 2-hydroxyestrone. Significant amounts…
Weight gain increases prostate cancer recurrence risk among men who have undergone a prostatectomy when compared with men who maintain a normal weight postsurgery, according to a Johns Hopkins study. This finding suggests men should make efforts to avoid weight gain as a way to help prevent the return or reemergence of prostate cancer. Investigators…
The next time you brush your teeth, stick out your tongue and check it out. What does it look like? Does it have an unusual color? Strange coating? Any abnormal looking features? If you have a habit of brushing your tongue regularly (and this is a great habit to adopt, by the way), you may…
Potatoes can be a very good nonfat, high-fiber food choice that can be enjoyed in a variety of healthful ways. Beware, however, that nonorganic potatoes are exposed to several doses of poisons. According to the US Department of Agriculture’s Pesticide Data Program, potatoes are exposed to 35 pesticides, herbicides, and fungicides, including 12 that are…
Prostatitis occurs when the prostate gland becomes swollen and inflamed. It may occur suddenly or gradually. It may be easily treatable, or it may persist for months. The symptoms of prostatitis can range from dysuria (pain and burning during urination) to flu-like symptoms. You might also experience painful orgasms, pain in the abdomen or lower…
Incontinence and prostate cancer treatment frequently go hand-in-hand, whether it’s radical prostatectomy, radiation therapy, or brachytherapy. For example, the external sphincter, which controls the flow of urine, often does not function properly in men after they have undergone radical prostatectomy, especially in the early weeks after surgery. This malfunction of the sphincter can result in stress…
So you’ve overcome your fear of prostate exams and have finally gotten the ordeal over with. Hopefully, your doctor has informed you that all is well and there is no cause for concern. But in the event that your doctor does detect any abnormalities, such as a potentially cancerous growth, he will recommend that you…
Walnuts can benefit prostate cancer patients, according to a study conducted at the University of Texas Health Science Center San Antonio and published in July 2013. A great source of omega-3 fatty acids and beneficial vitamin E (the gamma-tocopherol form), walnuts are good for heart health and fighting inflammation. But more and more studies are…
Questions about incontinence should be written down and taken with you when you visit your physician to discuss your urinary tract symptoms. Who should you address your questions about incontinence to? Either your primary care physician or, preferably, a urologist. To help you get started, here are some questions about incontinence you can ask. What…
The time-tested adage that “You are what you eat” may sound trite, but it really is true, particularly as it relates to prostate health. The stereotypical guy loves his steaks, his burgers, and his Buffalo wings, especially during tailgating season. Cheering on your favorite team just doesn’t seem right without a hot dog in one…
An international team of scientists has successfully used a human vaccine to cure prostate cancer in mice, and without side effects. Results of the revolutionary study, which appear in the journal Nature Medicine, herald the potential for a way to eliminate prostate cancer in men, should future studies prove the vaccine also works in humans….
As the years pass, it’s natural to want to defy the aging process and to discover how not to look older than you are. Some turn to the promise of the surgical blade, injections, hyped elixers, a slew of natural supplements, or some combination thereof. The truth, however, it that most of us have habits…
What if there were a natural supplement that was superior to medication for managing hypertension, high glucose, and high cholesterol? According to some experts, there is, and it’s called berberine. This combination of health benefits is critical because all three are associated with heart disease, the number one killer of men. Berberine is an alkaloid,…
Men can lower their risk of prostate cancer, including aggressive prostate cancer, if they undergo circumcision before their first experience with sexual intercourse. That’s the latest word from the results of a new study appearing in the online journal Cancer. According to one of the study’s co-authors, Jonathan L. Write, MD, of the University of…
