Pathologies of the genitourinary system are common among both women and men. Unfortunately, representatives of the stronger sex are often silent about the problems that have arisen and do not seek help. However, such a solution is incorrect. The lack of treatment not only leads to chronic forms of the disease, but is also fraught with the development of more serious ailments. In men of middle and old age often have problems with the prostate gland. To a greater extent, this is due to an improper lifestyle, physical inactivity, irregular sexual relations, etc.
Despite the active promotion of screening programs and the emergence of examination rooms, not every man knows which doctor checks the prostate. It should be remembered that the annual consultation with a specialist is the only way to prevent diseases of the genitourinary organs.
The structure and function of the prostate
The prostate is an organ related to the reproductive system in men. It is necessary to highlight a special secret that is part of the seminal fluid. Diseases of the prostate lead not only to the appearance of unpleasant sensations in the lower abdomen, but also disrupt the process of urination. Without treatment, such ailments are fraught with infertility and erectile dysfunction.
The prostate gland is located in the pelvic cavity. It is located slightly below the bladder. The prostate consists of tubular-alveolar glandular tissue. Its ducts open into the urethra - the urethra. The front of the organ is adjacent to the pubic symphysis, and the back to the rectum. Due to this arrangement, the prostate can be palpated by performing a rectal examination. Iron consists of two lobes. Normally, their size is about 3-4 cm. Prostate lobes are connected by an isthmus.
Before you find out why and how to check the prostate, you should familiarize yourself with its functions. In another way, this body is called the "second heart" of a man, because it is very important. The functions of the prostate include:
- The ability to produce secretions that make up sperm.
- Delivery of seminal fluid to the urethra.
- Protection of overlying organs from infectious agents.
- Liquefaction of seminal fluid, which promotes sperm motility.
Pathologies of the prostate lead to a violation of these functions, which not only harms the physical health of the man, but also causes psychological problems. To prevent this, it is necessary to check the body at least once a year.
Prostate diseases
Pathologies of the prostate gland may not manifest for a long time, so the disease becomes chronic. To prevent this from happening, you should periodically attend preventive examinations. The clinic doctor will explain how to check the prostate, and talk about methods of preventing diseases. The most common pathologies include:
- Hyperplasia of the prostate gland.
- Chronic prostatitis.
- Prostate cancer
Hyperplasia occurs in almost every second man aged 40 years or older. In another way, this pathology is called prostate adenoma. It develops due to the proliferation of glandular tissue. As a result, prostate lobes increase in size and put pressure on the bladder. Inflammation of the prostate gland is another common pathology. It develops due to stagnation of seminal fluid. The causes of chronic prostatitis are a sedentary lifestyle and irregular sexual relations. Unfortunately, both diseases often become the cause of the oncological process. To prevent this from happening, every man should know how to check the prostate himself.
Indications for the examination
Diagnosis of diseases of the genitourinary sphere is important both in the presence of existing problems, and in their absence. Unfortunately, not everyone understands this and takes the time to visit the men's examination room. Nevertheless, it is simply necessary to do this if any symptoms of the disease have already appeared. The following complaints are indications for prostate examination:
- Urination in small portions.
- Unpleasant sensations in the lower abdomen.
- The appearance of drops of blood in the urine.
- Erection problems.
- Primary and secondary infertility.
The presence of symptoms of intoxication and increased pain indicate inflammation of the prostate gland. Changing the nature of urination is most often a sign of adenoma. The most formidable symptom is blood in the urine. Often, it indicates an oncological process.
How to check the prostate in men in the clinic
Diagnosis of prostate diseases is not only a digital examination of the rectum, as many imagine. However, this is a priority measure, because it helps to identify dangerous pathologies, including cancer. Currently, doctors are trying to prevent the development of cancer before they occur or in the early stages. For this purpose, each clinic has a special room equipped to perform rectal examination in men.
Before you understand how doctors check the prostate in men with a finger, you should find out about its normal condition. With rectal examination, the doctor has the opportunity to probe both lobes of the gland and its isthmus, to determine their consistency and size. Normally, the body is soft-elastic, with a smooth surface. It is determined if you place your index finger on the upper arch of the rectum.
In addition, screening diagnostic methods have been developed that target specific populations. These include older men. Indeed, over the years, the risk of developing cancer increases markedly. The main test that tests the prostate is a blood test for PSA. This tumor marker allows you to suspect a tumor at an early stage, when there are no symptoms of cancer. With its increase, the doctor gives direction to other, more in-depth research methods. Among them - TRUS, CT scan of the pelvic organs and morphological verification.
Diagnosis of inflammatory diseases of the prostate
Diagnosis of acute and chronic prostatitis is not difficult for doctors. The inflammatory process can be suspected already according to the patient's complaints. These include painful urination and an erection, the appearance of blood during ejaculation, and an increase in body temperature. These symptoms indicate acute prostatitis or an exacerbation of the chronic process. They are an occasion to contact a urologist. How to check the prostate for inflammation? To confirm this diagnosis, you should be tested. Materials for the study are blood, urine and seminal fluid, which is obtained through massage of the prostate gland.
To determine the pathogen, a smear and microscopy are performed. For quality treatment, a study is conducted on sensitivity to antibiotics. A chronic inflammatory process is detected by ultrasound, which is recommended to be carried out transrectally.
How to check the prostate for cancer?
Prostate cancer is one of the most common oncological pathologies among the male population. In most cases, it affects the elderly. Everyone should know how to check for prostate cancer. After all, this disease has a relatively favorable prognosis with timely detection. Survival after removal of the tumor is significantly higher than with oncological pathologies of other organs. Therefore, the identification of malignant tumors at an early stage can save the lives of millions of men.
In the presence of cancer, the following changes are noted:
- The surface of the organ becomes tuberous.
- In the area where the tumor is located, the prostate has a dense texture.
- There is an asymmetry of the prostate gland.
All these changes are noticeable at the first stage of diagnosis. Therefore, finger research is so important. The next stage of diagnosis is laboratory research. In cancer, the level of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) rises several times. Histological verification is required to confirm the diagnosis. To this end, a biopsy of suspicious areas of the prostate is performed under the control of TRUS.
Laboratory diagnosis of prostate diseases
What is the difference between the way the doctors and the patients themselves check the prostate in men? First of all, by the fact that experts know about the correct technique for palpation of the prostate gland and have an idea about the norm and pathology. In addition, in addition to rectal examinations, many other diagnostic procedures are performed in the clinic to identify prostate pathologies. First of all, these include laboratory tests. Accelerated ESR and elevated white blood cell count, indicating an inflammatory process, can be observed in the KLA. It is also important to examine urine. The appearance of blood or seminal fluid in it indicates a violation of the prostate gland. A blood test for PSA is required to detect cancer.
Instrumental studies of the prostate
Indications for instrumental diagnostics are changes identified during digital research and laboratory tests. Most often, with suspected pathology of the prostate, transrectal ultrasound is enough . If surgical treatment is planned, computed tomography of the pelvis with the introduction of contrast is performed.
Prostate Self Examination
Self-examination is one of the methods for diagnosing diseases of the prostate gland. Men should know how to check for prostate adenoma. To do this, take a lying position and bend your knees. The index finger must be lubricated with petroleum jelly and inserted into the anal hole until it stops. The upper phalanx should be slightly bent towards the abdominal wall. After detecting the prostate, it is necessary to conduct along it in the transverse and longitudinal direction. Normally, its size is not more than a walnut, the surface is smooth. The consistency of the body is soft elastic. The presence of adenoma is indicated by an increase in the proportions of the prostate gland and the presence of areas of compaction.
Treatment of prostate diseases
A doctor who treats and diagnoses prostate pathologies is called a urologist. However, it is possible to detect the disease at the stage of the examination room, in which a specially trained health worker takes. The treatment of prostatitis is carried out with the help of drug therapy. Prescribe antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs. These include candles "Prostamol", "Adenoprost." Massage and physiotherapy are also indicated to improve the outflow of seminal fluid.
Prostatic hyperplasia is eliminated by surgical methods. Prostate cancer requires comprehensive treatment. It includes surgery, radiation therapy and hormonal medications.