Male prevention: how to avoid prostate problems

Regular physical activity also contributes to prostate health.

A healthy lifestyle and periodic check-ups by the specialist. In summary, it is what it takes to protect yourself from even serious prostate problems.

For women, the appointment with the gynecologist is a habitual practice, while for men going to the urologist is still an experience that is not widespread. To “entice them” started Alpha Prevention, the first national campaign for men’s health, promoted by the Italian Society of Urology (SIU) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. The goal is to reach men of all ages (from 16 years), remembering the importance of urological prevention at every stage of life.

When to go to the urologist?

Contacting the urologist is important not only to undergo a visit, but also to know when it is the right time for the first assessment examinations.

If there are cases of prostate cancer in the family, the specialist may decide to anticipate the checks compared to those who do not have cases of familiarity. In Italy, prostate cancer is the most frequent neoplasm among men and represents over 20% of all cancers diagnosed in the over 50s.

The checks are also used to talk to the urologist about prostatic hypertrophy and understand which symptoms to pay attention to.

Benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH) is a urological disorder that affects almost 14% of those over fifty. It is manifested by enlargement of the prostate, resulting in compression of the urethra and obstruction of urinary flow. Benign prostatic hypertrophy therefore leads to an increase in the stimulus and frequency in urinating; These annoyances negatively affect the day and force you to get up several times at night to go to the bathroom (nocturia).

Attention to the value of ASF

The so-called PSA (or prostate-specific antigen) is a protein normally produced by the prostate. It can be an indicator of the health of the gland, because its production increases when something is wrong.

PSA levels are measured with a simple blood test: it is up to the urologist to establish the ways and times with which to perform the examination.

How to prevent prostate disorders

Prostate health is best started thinking about from a young age. This is demonstrated by the data of a recent survey (#Controllati2017) carried out by the Italian Society of Urology to identify the risk factors associated with benign prostatic hypertrophy.

The results showed that having high blood pressure increases the likelihood of this disorder by 50%, diabetes increases it by 57%, high cholesterol and triglycerides by 37%. Overweight and smoking also expose men to a higher risk of enlarged prostate.

Sport, the research reveals, is instead particularly protective in the youngest. Healthy lifestyle habits have a positive impact on blood pressure, blood sugar, cholesterol, but also on the well-being of the prostate and sexual health.

Regular physical activity, especially moderate or intense, reduces the likelihood of getting sick by 10%. In young people the protective effect of exercise reaches up to 40%: the constant practice of a sport before the ‘anta’ therefore helps to keep the prostate healthy for longer.

A good extra motivation to follow good advice? In those under 50 the presence of benign prostatic hypertrophy doubles the risk of erectile dysfunction.

Joycelyn Elders is the author and creator of EmpowerEssence, a health and wellness blog. Elders is a respected public health advocate and pediatrician dedicated to promoting general health and well-being.

The blog covers a wide range of topics related to health and wellness, with articles organized into several categories.

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