Methods of prostate examination, interpretation of prostate fluid test results, and daily care

[Methods for examining the prostate] The simplest method is to examine the prostate via digital rectal examination. This can check the size, shape, and tenderness of the prostate, thus providing a preliminary diagnosis and screening for prostate diseases.

At the same time, prostate massage can be performed to examine changes in the properties and composition of prostate fluid.

Ultrasound is a common method for examining the prostate. There are transrectal and transabdominal transpubic methods, which can make accurate measurements of the prostate with an error of no more than 5%.

It has important diagnostic significance for various prostate diseases and has the advantages of being simple, non-invasive, non-damaging, and fast.

X-ray examination is of great value in the diagnosis of prostate diseases.

Plain X-rays can detect whether there are calcifications or stones in the prostate.

Imaging can help check for benign prostatic hyperplasia or prostate cancer.

CT scans are of great significance in the differential diagnosis of prostate diseases.

Prostate biopsy is very useful for determining the nature of a prostate mass and is extremely helpful in clarifying the histological classification and cytological characteristics of prostate tumors.

Biopsy can be performed via rectal needle aspiration or perineal puncture. It involves some pain and trauma, but it is absolutely necessary.

In addition, urodynamic testing of the lower urinary tract is very helpful in diagnosing benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), and cystoscopy can directly observe the hyperplasia of the posterior urethra, seminal colliculus, and the middle and lateral lobes of the prostate, which is also very important for diagnosing prostate diseases.

[Prostate fluid test report] (1) pH value: Normal prostate fluid is acidic, with a pH value of 6.2~6.5.

When you have prostatitis, your pH level may increase.

(2) Appearance: Normal prostatic fluid is thin and light milky white. When suffering from prostatitis, the secretion is thick, yellow or light red, and turbid.

(3) Lecithin bodies: In normal prostatic fluid, lecithin bodies almost fill the field of view, and are marked as +++ to ++++ on the examination report.

When suffering from prostatitis, lecithin bodies decrease, to only + to ++, and tend to aggregate.

(4) Red blood cells: There are few or no red blood cells in normal prostatic fluid, i.e., no more than 10 per high power field.

In cases of prostatitis, there may be more than 10 to 15 per high-power field.

(5) White blood cells: There are no more than 10 white blood cells per high power field in normal prostatic fluid.

When a patient has prostatitis, the white blood cell count exceeds 10, and the test results may show a range of + to +++ (each "+" sign represents approximately 10 white blood cells).

(6) Sperm: If the seminal vesicles are compressed during prostate massage, sperm can be detected in the prostatic fluid.

(7) Trichomonas and fungi: Under normal circumstances, there are no trichomonas or fungi in prostatic fluid.

Trichomonas and fungal infections can be detected in prostatic fluid.

[Protect your prostate from a young age] Concentrated urine can irritate the prostate, and long-term adverse stimulation is harmful to the prostate.

Drinking plenty of water can not only dilute the blood, but also effectively dilute the concentration of urine.

Once the bladder is full and you feel the urge to urinate, you should urinate promptly. Holding in urine is bad for both the bladder and the prostate.

Before boarding a long-distance bus, you should empty your bladder before getting on the bus. If you need to urinate during the journey, you should inform the driver and get off the bus to urinate. Never hold your urine.

Sexual activity should be moderate, neither excessive nor abstinent.

Frequent sexual activity can cause the prostate to be in a state of congestion for a long time, which can lead to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

During adolescence, when sexual desire is relatively strong, it is important to moderate sexual activity to avoid repeated congestion of the prostate and allow the prostate sufficient time to recover and rest.

Conversely, excessive abstinence can also cause prostate discomfort and fullness, which is also detrimental to the prostate.

Taking a warm bath can relieve muscle and prostate tension and alleviate discomfort.

Sitz baths with warm water on the perineum 1-2 times a day can yield good results.

Do not sit on cold stones for a long time, as cold can increase the excitation of the sympathetic nervous system, leading to increased pressure in the urethra and causing reflux.

Friction in the perineal area can worsen prostate symptoms and cause significant discomfort to patients. To prevent harmful local friction, one should ride a bicycle less often, and especially avoid riding a bicycle or motorcycle for extended periods or long distances.

You should try to avoid drinking alcohol and eat less spicy and irritating foods such as chili peppers and ginger to prevent repeated congestion of the prostate and bladder neck, which can aggravate the feeling of local distension and pain.

Since constipation can worsen symptoms of prostate swelling, it is advisable to eat more vegetables and fruits to reduce the occurrence of constipation.

**II. Prevention and Treatment of Common Prostate Diseases**

[Prostatitis] Prostatitis is a common disease of the male reproductive system in young and middle-aged men. It can be divided into nonspecific bacterial prostatitis, idiopathic bacterial prostatitis, specific prostatitis (caused by gonococci, tuberculosis, fungi, parasites, etc.), nonspecific granulomatous prostatitis, prostatitis caused by other pathogens (such as viruses, mycoplasma, chlamydia, etc.), prostatic congestion, and prostatodynia.

Typical symptoms of acute prostatitis may include systemic symptoms such as chills, fever, and fatigue.

Local symptoms include a feeling of pressure in the perineum or suprapubic region, which worsens with prolonged sitting or defecation and radiates to the lower back, lower abdomen, back, and thighs. If a small abscess forms, the pain intensifies and defecation becomes impossible.

Urethral symptoms include burning sensation during urination, urgency, and frequency, which may be accompanied by terminal hematuria or purulent urethral discharge.

Rectal symptoms include rectal fullness, urgency to defecate, and the urge to defecate. White discharge may be seen from the urethra during defecation.

Chronic prostatitis is divided into bacterial prostatitis and prostatosis.

Chronic bacterial prostatitis often develops from acute prostatitis.

Prostate diseases are often caused by viral infections, urinary tract stones, chronic congestion of the prostate, etc.

Interrupted intercourse, frequent sexual activity, and chronic constipation are all causes of prostate congestion.

The clinical manifestations of chronic prostatitis include dizziness, lower back pain, frequent and urgent urination, incomplete urination, post-void discharge of mucus, decreased libido, erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation, and testicular swelling and pain.