Plymouth Family Physicians

JUNE 2005 NEWSLETTER

JUNE IS MENS HEALTH MONTH

PROSTATE HEALTH

Pronounced (prah-state) notice there is no “r” so it is not a prostrate. The prostate is a gland about the size of a walnut that produces a fluid, which is a component in semen. It is located just below the bladder and in front of the rectum and surrounds the urethra, which is the tube that carries the urine out of the body.

The most common prostate problem in men under 50 is inflammation or infection, which is called prostatitis. Men over 50 frequently experience a condition called BPH, which stands for benign prostatic hyperplasia. This is when the prostate enlarges. In prostatitis and BPH the symptoms are often similar which makes a thorough medical examination and testing very important.

It is important when you talk to your doctor to give as many details as you can:

Pain after or during ejaculation or urination
Sudden strong urges

Hesitancy or weak stream

Any medications or herbal remedies you are taking, even over the counter meds.

How much fluid you drink each day

Alcohol and caffeine intake

Unusual color or odor of urine

Sensation of not being able to empty your bladder

Pushing or straining to urinate

How many times you get up during the night to use the bathroom

The two most common tests done to evaluate prostate problems are prostate-specific antigen or PSA and a digital rectal exam or DRE. The DRE is usually done first. The doctor can feel the prostate through the rectum. This exam tells the doctor if the gland has any bumps, soft or hard spots.

To rule out cancer the doctor might order a PSA, this is a protein produced by the prostate. The amount of PSA is often higher in men who have prostate cancer but an elevated amount doesn’t necessarily mean you have cancer. If the level is elevated the doctor would run other tests to rule out other reasons why the level is high.

Depending on family history your doctor might start testing at age 40 but usually testing starts at age 50. In either case a check up is a good idea every two years as early detection of other health problems such as high blood pressure, heart disease, high cholesterol and diabetes, can prevent further problems later in life.

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SUNLIGHT AND YOUR EYES

Sunglasses help in two important ways. They filter light and they protect your eyes from damaging ultra-violet (UV) rays. Exposure to UV rays can damage your eyes, leading to cataracts, macular degeneration, or skin cancer around the eyelids. You should choose sunglasses that: reduce glare, filter out 99-100% of UV rays, protect your eyes, and do not distort colors.

Everyone is at risk for eye problems caused by the sun, even children.

The risk of sun related eye probems is higher for people who:

Spend long hours in the sun
Have had cataract surgery or have retina disorders

Are on certain medicines, such as tetracycline, sulfa, birth control pills, diuretics, and tranquilizers that increase the eye’s sensitivity to light

When buying sunglasses, look for a label that tells you how much UV radiation the lenses reflect. Your sunglasses should block 99-100% of both UV-A and UV-B rays. You should also wear a wide brimmed hat with your sunglasses to help block the overhead sunlight.

Children should also wear sunglasses since their eyes do not have the same ability as adults to protect from UV rays. Here are some helpful suggestions for choosing childrens sunglasses:

Check to make sure they fit well and are not damaged
Choose lenses that are impact resistant and do not pop out of the frames

Choose lenses that are large enough to shield the eyes from most angles

Children should wear a wide brimmed hat also.

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A note about Valley View Medical Center

Just a reminder that inpatient services are closed at Valley View and the Emergency Room is now a 24-hour Urgent Care Center. This means that the ambulances will not be transporting patients to Valley View any longer but for non-life threatening emergencies they are open 24 hours as a walk in clinic. If you feel you or a family member are having a medical emergency such as heart attack or stroke, or are unresponsive, it is best to call 911 and have an ambulance come. DO NOT DRIVE YOURSELF ANYWHERE IF YOU ARE EXPERIENCING ANY SYPMTOMS THAT MIGHT BE SIGNS OF A HEARTATTACK OR STROKE! You are putting yourself and other motorists in danger should you pass out while your at the wheel.

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