The Prostate - Bad News And Good News

I thought is wise and helpful to share

FULL TEXT OF PROSTATE HEALTH AWARENESS LECTURE PRESENTED AT MEETING OF FGBMFI (NORTH-GATE CHAPTER) ON SATURDAY 19th SEPTEMBER 2015

MEN - MY CHILDHOOD; MY MANHOOD; MY PROSTATE.. MUST READ!!

Ladies and Gentlemen

I am here to speak with you on Prostate. 

The topic is misleading. Is prostate strictly for men? Yes, ONLY men have prostate and ONLY men over 40 years but the healthcare enlightenment is for everyone. There is no woman who does not know a man 40 years and above – father, uncle, brother, son, friend, neighbor, colleague …

Essentially what I will be doing today is health promotion. Responsible health promotion must provide three things:

1. Information

2. Reassurance

3. A plan of action.

Let me start with a background on prostate health.

Everyone has a pair of kidneys. The job of the kidney is to remove waste. It is the LAWMA (waste management company) of your body. Everyday your blood passes through the kidney several times to be filtered. As the blood is filtered, urine is formed and stored in a temporary storage tank called the urinary bladder.

If there were to be no urinary bladder, as a man walks on the road, urine will be dropping.

Now think of the plumbing work in your house. Think of the urinary bladder as the overhead storage tank. From the storage tank, a good plumber will run pipes to other parts of the house, including the kitchen. God in His wisdom ran pipes from our urinary bladder to the tip of the penis. The pipe is called the urethra. Just below the bladder and surrounding the urethra is a little organ called the prostate gland.

The prostate gland is the size of a walnut and weighs about 20grams. Its job is to make the seminal fluid which is stored in the seminal vesicle. During sexual intercourse, seminal fluid comes down the urethra and mixes with the sperms produced in the testicles to form the semen. So semen technically is not sperm. It is sperm + seminal fluid. The seminal fluid lubricates the sperm.

After age 40, for reasons that may be hormonal, the prostate gland begins to enlarge. From 20 grams it may grow to almost 100 grams. As it enlarges, it squeezes the urethra and the man begins to notice changes in the way he urinates.

If you have a son under 10, if he has a little mischief like we all did at that age, when he comes out to urinate, he can target the ceiling and the jet will hit target. Call his father to do same, wahala dey. His urine stream is weak, cannot travel a long distance and sometimes may come straight down on his legs. So he may need to stand in awkward position to urinate.

Not many men will be worried their urine stream cannot hit the ceiling. Toilets are on the floor and not on the ceiling. But other symptoms begin to show.

TERMINAL DRIPPING: 

The man begins to notice that after urinating and repacking, urine still drops on his pants. This is the reason why after an older man urinates, he has to ring bell. A younger man simply delivers to the last drop and walks away. Just see an older man coming from the bathroom. Sometimes he may clutch the newspaper closely to hide the urine stains, particularly on plain colored trousers.

HESITANCY

At this point you wait longer for the urine flow to start. There are 2 valves that must open for you to urinate – the internal and external sphincters. Both open but because of obstructions in the urethra, you wait long for the flow to start.

INCOMPLETE EMPTYING

You have this feeling immediately after urinating that there is still something left.

As all these things happen, the bladder begins to work harder to compensate for the obstruction in the urethra. The frequency of urination goes up. Urgency sets in. sometimes you have to practically run into the toilet. Nocturia also becomes common. You wake up more than 2 times at night to urinate. Your wife begins to complain.

Men being men may not talk to anyone even at this point. Then the more serious complications start.

Stored urine gets infected and there may be burning sensation when urinating.

Stored urine forms crystals. Crystals come together to form stone either in the bladder or in the kidney. Stones may block the urethra.

Chronic urinary retention sets in. The bladder stores more and more urine. The size of the bladder is 40 - 60 cl. A bottle of coke is 50cl. As the bladder stores more urine it can enlarge up to 300cl. An overfilled bladder may leak and this leads to wetting / urinary incontinence. Also the volume may put pressure on the kidney and may lead to kidney damage.

What may likely bring the man to hospital is acute urinary retention. He wakes up one day and he is not able to pass urine.

Everything I have described above is associated with prostate enlargement, technically called benign prostate hyperplasia.

There are other diseases of the prostate like:

1. Prostatitis – inflammation of the prostate

2. Prostate cancer – cancer of the prostate.

This discussion is on prostate enlargement.

I have bad news and good news.

The bad news is that everyman will have prostate enlargement if he lives long enough.

The good news is that there are life style changes that can help the man after 40 to maintain optimum prostate health.

Nutrition

Look at what you eat. 33% of all cancers, according to the US National Cancer Institute is related to what we eat.

Red meat everyday triples your chances of prostate disease. 

Milk everyday doubles your risk. 

Not taking fruits / vegetables daily quadruples your risk.

Tomatoes are very good for men. If that is the only thing your wife can present in the evening, eat it with joy. It has loads of lycopene. Lycopene is the most potent natural antioxidant.

Foods that are rich in zinc are also good for men. We recommend pumpkin seeds (ugbogulu).

Zinc is about the most essential element for male sexuality and fertility.

Men need more zinc than women. Every time a man ejaculates he loses 15mg of zinc. Zinc is also important for alcohol metabolism. Your liver needs zinc to metabolize alcohol.

ALCOHOL CONSUMPTION

As men begin to have urinary symptoms associated with prostate enlargement, it is important they look at alcohol consumption. More fluid in means more fluid out.

Drink less. Drink slowly.

EXERCISE

Exercise helps build the muscle tone. Every man should exercise. Men over 40 should avoid high impact exercise like jogging. It puts pressure on the knees. Cycling is bad news for the prostate. We recommend brisk walking.

SITTING

When we sit, two-third of our weight rests on the pelvic bones. Men who sit longer are more prone to prostate symptoms. Do not sit for long hours. Walk around as often as you can. Sit on comfortable chairs. We recommend a divided saddle chair if you must sit long hours.

DRESSING

Men should avoid tight underwear. It impedes circulation around the groin and heats it up a bit. While the physiological temperature is 37 degrees, the groin has an optimal temperature of about 33 degrees. Pant is a no - no for men. Wear boxers. Wear breathable clothing.

SMOKING

Avoid smoking. It affects blood vessels and impact circulation around the groin.

SEX

Regular sex is good for the prostate.

Celibates are more prone to prostate illness. While celibacy is a moral decision, it is not a biological adaptation. Your prostate gland is designed to empty its contents regularly.

Contributed Seminar on Prostate Gland

Omega 3 Fatty Acids - Help From Mother Nature

Omega 3 Fatty Acids And Their Role In The Body

Omega 3 fatty acids are one of the fats required by the human body without which it becomes really difficult to stay safe and healthy. 

Our body has the ability to produce the important fats from other fats and raw materials that are eaten but Omega 3 fatty acids can’t be produced from scratch rather it should be supplied in the body through various omega 3 foods.

But it is important to know first why this fat is called vital for the body. 

The reason is Omega 3 fatty acids are an essential part of cell membranes and the cell receptor’s function of this membrane is highly affected by it. 

This fatty acid also helps in generating those hormones that play an important role in managing blood clotting, contraction, inflammation and relaxation of artery walls. 

Thus it protects the human body from various horrible diseases such as heart disease, diabetes, arthritis and more. 

So try including Omega 3 supplements such as Fish (especially Bluefish, herring, Mackerel, Salmon, Lake trout, Sardines, Sturgeon), vegetables, nuts, flax seed, etc. in diet to increase the intake of Omega 3 fatty acids in body. 

Its role in body is explained below in details.

The role and benefits of Omega 3 fatty acids

1.     Prevent heart disease

Omega 3 fatty acids produced from omega 3 foods in the body play a great role in preventing heart disease. 

It keeps the heart beat steady by lowering the blood pressure level and enhances the function of blood vessel. 

The rhythm of the heart beat should be maintained perfectly as improper rhythm is taking more than 500,000 lives each year in the United States alone.

2.     Reduce diabetes

The diabetes patients are advised to consume more amount of Omega 3 fatty acids as it plays an important role in managing diabetes as well. 

Normally the diabetes patients have high level of triglyceride while the level of good cholesterol is low in their body. 

Omega 3 foods are able to reverse the situation and helps in reducing diabetes. 

But doctor’s suggestion is always recommended.

3.     Reduce the risk of arthritis

This fatty acid reduces inflammation in the body. 

Thus, the blood vessels and joints are benefited from it. 

Also, Omega 3 supplements remove the stiffness of bones and joints throughout the body and reduce the risk of arthritis to a great extent.

4.     Improves prenatal

Omega 3 fish oil and other supplements have been proven to be helpful for the development of fetus in the pregnant women.

Apart from improving the health of pregnant women, sufficient amount of Omega 3 foods boost the visual and neurological development of the baby.

5.     Helps in controlling asthma

As already said, omega 3 fatty acid is able to reduce inflammation in the body and this property aids in controlling asthma.

6.     Reduces the risk of dementia

Various studies have shown that omega 3 fatty acid is helpful to in preventing diseases like dementia. 

The presence of SHA in this fat is the main reason that it works to slow down the memory loss process. 

Also, the function of several memory impairment issues is declined by omega 3 fatty acid.

7.     Lowers risk of developing osteoporosis

Omega 3 fatty acid helps in increasing the calcium in body thus reducing the chance of developing various bone ailments such as osteoporosis. 

It strengthens the bone’s health by helping them to absorb more amount of calcium. 

So, including more and more amount of omega 3 supplements is a good way to lower the risk of developing osteoporosis.

8.     Reduces menstrual pain

Those suffering from stomach cramps and huge back pain during menstrual cycle can get relieved from the pain if great amount of omega 3 fatty acids are consumed on a regular basis.

9.     Prevents breast cancer

Various researches have shown that omega 3 fatty acid is able to prevent breast cancer in women. 

Therefore, try to have foods that are rich in omega 3 fatty acids to stay away from various harmful diseases.

So, the role of omega 3 fatty acids in human body can’t be ignored as it keeps various harmful diseases at bay along with improving the health.

Source:     Importance Of Omega 3 Fatty Acids

9 Causes Of Low Sperm Count

For Men – 9 Things You Do Every Day That Lowers Your Sperm Count

Put down the Bacon! And the iPhone! And all the other things he loves that harm his fertility.

Remember when we all thought Mountain Dew affected a guy’s sperm count? Luckily, those days are gone … and we’re hoping no one actually used the soda as a form of birth control.

But, there still are some very ordinary things that do influence a man’s fertility.

From the unhealthy habits, such as drinking, to the stranger ones, like putting on sunscreen, we’re counting down the things he loves doing that are decreasing his sperm production.

1. Wearing Sunscreen

Lathering up before a day in the sun may actually be protecting him against skin cancer but it’s also potentially impairing his fertility.

A brand new study from Longitudinal Investigation of Fertility and the Environment (LIFE) found that chemicals commonly found in sunscreen can impair male fertility by 30 percent.

When the skin absorbs chemicals which filter out UV rays, like BP-2 or 3OH-BP, it can interfere with his hormones.

Researchers say men concerned about fertility should wash off

sunscreen when they head indoors.

2. Eating Processed Meat

Trying to conceive? He may want to re-think those BLTs he’s been scarfing down every day.

A new study found that processed meat, like sausage or bacon, can significantly harm sperm quality.

I know, I know, he’s probably thinking, take my eyes but not the bacon, but the Harvard University researchers found that men who ate half a portion of processed meat a day had 5.5 percent ‘normal’ shaped sperm cells, compared to 7.2 percent who ate less.

Instead, they found that fish are possibly the secret to better sperm. Bacon, egg and halibut sandwich, anyone?

3. Watching TV

Another reason he should hand over that remote?

The couch isn’t doing much for his health, as you may have guessed. But, it’s not just his physique and motivation that are at risk as he kicks his feet up on the sofa and inhales a bag of Doritos.

A study from the British Journal of Sports Medicine confirmed that men who watch a lot of TV have fewer sperm than men who exercise

moderately or vigorously each week.

Couch potatoes who viewed more than 20 hours of television a week had 44 percent lower sperm count than men who watched almost no television.

Time to get moving, fellas.

4. Drinking

Turns out, the beer belly isn’t the only bad side effect from his favorite beverage.

Drinking alcohol can lower testosterone levels, which in turn leads to decreased sperm quality and production.

Moderation is key with drinking —

and hopefully he stops doing it on the couch watching TV, too.

5. Not Having s*x

While we just ruled out some of his favorite activities, he will probably be more apt to help remedy this sperm-zapper.

While some have said “saving sperm” until a woman is most fertile could help couples who are trying to conceive, it actually has no

benefit and can make matters worse.

For guys with low sperm counts, abstaining from even one day of s*x can decrease their production even further, according to researchers at Soroka University Medical Centre in Israel.

Abstaining from s*x also causes sperm to change in shape, a sign that the sperm is going stale.

6. Stressing

Stress is bad for numerous emotional and physical reasons, but his fertility is at risk too.

Whether he’s anxious about work or even having a low sperm count, severe or prolonged stress can interfere with testosterone

production. We know some fun stress-busters for you and you guy. 

Wink, wink.

11 Tips To Overcome Anxiety

Feeling anxiety is a part of life. Feelings of anxiousness can be positive or negative. Anxiety can be prevent us from making poor decisions, but it can also constrain us in negative ways. Whether it's helpful or not, anxiety doesn't feel good. We feel helpless to control our emotions, but it's not true.

Rid yourself of anxiety and take control with these techniques:

1. Laugh.

It's not easy to feel anxious while you're genuinely laughing. Think about the funniest experience you've ever had. Watch a TV show or movie that makes you laugh. Read a book of jokes. Find a way to laugh.

2. Call a friend.

Good friends always know what to say to lighten the mood. Everyone needs a little support from time to time. Reach out to someone that can help.

3. Remember that life is short.

All the people in the local cemetery experienced anxiety, too. Eventually, we all end up in the same place. None of the things you worry about will matter in the end. It's not easy to maintain a long-term perspective, but not much is truly worthy of fear and anxiety.

4. Think positive thoughts.

You can't be stressed unless you're thinking stressful thoughts. While it's very challenging, you can choose your thoughts. It only makes sense to make them positive. Recall your favorite memories. Make a list of the positive things in your life.

5. Turn off the news.

Visit your local library and read a newspaper from the 1800s. The news hasn't changed. People are still complaining about the economy, taxes, politicians, and war. If the news is upsetting to you, turn it off. Ignorance can be bliss.

6. Exercise.

The chemicals and neurotransmitters that create the physical sensations we call "anxiety" are mitigated by physical activity. It's amazing how much relief you can find from 30 minutes of strenuous exercise.

7. Meditate.

Meditation and mindfulness have been getting a lot of attention lately. Meditation is focused awareness. It's up to you to choose the object of your focus. Experts suggest keeping your mind on your current activity or breathing. If you're 100% focused on tying your shoes or driving your car, you can't experience anxiety.

8. Start the day positively.

The mental wheels start turning as soon as our eyes open in the morning. Take control of your thoughts immediately. Focus on the great things you're going to accomplish. Think about the wonderful people in your life. Remember your favorite childhood vacation.

9. End the day positively.

End your day in the same way. While lying in bed, keep your mind focused on the positive. Drift off to sleep with pleasant thoughts in your head.

10. Deal with the issue causing the anxiety.

Rather than upsetting yourself, take action and find a solution. Worrying isn't a cure. It's a symptom. If you can resolve the situation, do it.

11. Distract yourself.

If there's nothing you can do about the situation, find a distraction. Some distractions are better than others. Drugs and alcohol are poor choices that make life more challenging. Watching TV or surfing the internet are neutral. Reading, volunteering, or exercising are positive options.

Anxiety is a part of life, but you don't have to take it lying down. There are many ways to reduce or eliminate anxious feelings. Try a few of these techniques the next time you feel worried. Stacking a few tips can be especially helpful. Try walking on a treadmill while focusing on your breath. You'll reduce the amount of anxiety present in your life.

 To your success