The immune system’s basic job is to discriminate between self and non-self entities, which is to say things that belong and those that don’t belong. Examples of some the things, which do not belong are sugar protein covering a virus, or the cell wall of a bacterium. When the immune system is working correctly, it will react promptly to invading things, which do not belong in several different ways in order to get rid of the foreign body. There are times during the course of our life when our immune system will stop working, as it should. When this happens the immune system will be unable to tell the difference between the things, which belong and those, which don’t and will begin to eject the things, which do belong and are necessary to the body.

This group of diseases is known as the autoimmune disease. Examples of this type of disease are rheumatoid arthritis, lupus erythematosis, and ulcerative colitis just to name a few. When a substance has been identified as an immune booster, we have found something, which is very valuable because it helps the immune system to react as it should and regulates the cellular and humoral immune functions.

The immune system recognizes, identifies and remembers the things it comes across. The humoral refers to material, which is dissolved in plasma, serum, extracellular fluid spaces, which includes what the immune system cells produce as a reaction to certain signals made by invaders and then released into the serum, plasma or the fluid surrounding cells of tissues and organs as a way to protect them. These substances are a form of signals, which create other effects, or they can become protein molecules, which are also known as antibodies, which attach themselves only to certain targets the ones they were created for. Once they have attached themselves the antibody attracts other cells of the immune system. The other come and the target is destroyed, which then releases another molecules to signal other cells to come clean-up the mess.

All the cells, which respond to signal and have certain tasks to perform such as identify, recognize, remember, signal, destroy, and clean up are the all part of the cellular community of the immune system and its function. Without the work of these cells we would be sick a lot more often than we are. Aloeride is a substance, which gives our immune system the boost it needs to ensure it stays in good working order.

Copyright 2008 - Battle Prostate Cancer

Canadian men are more susceptible to prostate cancer, which normally grows at a snail’s pace. Besides prostate cancer, there are other forms of cancer that take place in the prostate gland including small cell carcinomas, sarcomas, and transitional cell carcinomas, although their occurrence is very rare. Prostate cancer grows and spreads very slowly. This was proven by a study which suggested that older men who died because of other health complications were also suffering from undiagnosed prostate cancer. Moreover, the study also proved that 70% to 90% of men suffer from prostate cancer by the time they reach 80 years old, but many doctors fail to discover it.

Most doctors believe prostate cancer starts with a pre-cancerous state known as Prostatic Intraepithelial Neoplasia (PIN). Most men in their 20’s begin to develop PIN and by the time they reach 50 the problem is full blown. The prostate will appear abnormal under the microscope and be classified as a low-grade or high grade change. A low grade change is a normal condition while a high grade change is abnormal. Once a biopsy is performed and a high grade PIN is indicated, there is a high probability that prostate cancer may form or exists. Most doctors will ask the patient to undergo repeated biopsies.

Studies also point to a condition known as Atypical Small Acinar Proliferation, known as Atypia or ASAP, as another cause of cancer. Under a microscope the cells look cancerous although their numbers are too small to be certain. There is a 40% to 50% chance of prostate cancer when ASAP is present. Doctors will also direct the patient to obtain a repeat biopsy after a few months.

Copyright 2008 - Battle Prostate Cancer

The symptoms of prostate cancer that you should be aware of include:

• Suddenly start to experience an uncontrollable need of relief.
• Trouble initializing the flow of urine.
• Penis continues to dribble after urination.
• There is a felt decrease in pressure when urinating.
• Presence of blood or pus in the urine.
• Uncontrollable visits to the bathroom, especially during the night.

Some men feel pain when they ejaculate and a burning sensation when urinating. Once these signs become apparent, it would be highly sensible to consult a physician as soon as possible for a proper diagnosis.

Most physicians will ask the patient to undergo a digital prostate examination by inserting a lubricated, gloved finger inside the rectum to feel the prostate. The prostate should be firm in normal cases. Hard spots may indicate the presence of cancer cells and the physician may prescribe a blood test to check the levels of prostate specific antigens known as a PSA test. All men have prostate-specific-antigens, but those with cancer have a high level of antigen.

Prostate cancer is a condition which cannot be neglected. It ranks next to skin cancer as being one of the most significant types of cancer afflicting men. Approximately 179,300 men in the United States alone are diagnosed with prostate cancer each year. 3.4 % of prostate cancer victims risk dying from the complications brought about by the disease, which is more common among men 50 and older, although younger men may also suffer from it.

Men should have yearly prostate examinations when they reach 45 years of age. African men, as well as those whose relatives suffered from prostate cancer, are most likely to contract the disease. Even though the disease may slowly affect your body, the threat to your life is too much to ignore. Like any other kind of cancer, time is of the essence. Act now for your own health and for the peace of mind for you and your family.

Copyright 2008 - Battle Prostate Cancer

Unfortunately, the symptoms of prostate cancer are not all that obvious. In fact, it is estimated that 40 percent of prostate cancer patients were not aware of their problem until it became much worse. If detected early, there are many successful treatments for prostate cancer which include:

Surgery

This is only advisable for patients that have undergone a proper assessment and discussion of the possible effects of surgery. The family as well as the patient himself should be aware of the probable events which may occur. Moreover, this is only suggested as management therapy of stage A and B prostate cancers. The surgery may take several hours and require a stay in the hospital for about 5 to 7 days.

Radiation Therapy

This is the most common treatment among patients who are at stage A, B, or C prostate cancer. For those who are unable to have surgical treatment, radiation therapy is an effective alternative and can be done externally or internally. External radiation therapy is performed at an oncology center typically as an outpatient. The oncologist marks the area to be treated with a special pen. The radiation is administered by an apparatus that resembles an ordinary x-ray machine. It is a painless procedure, though side affects include fatigue, cystitis, redness or irritation of the skin, loss of appetite, diarrhea, rectal burning sensation, and blood in the urine. Internal radiation therapy places radioactive seeds within the body next to the tumor and is known as brachytherapy. The seeds are very small and undetectable by the patient. Also, since the seeds are directed at the prostate, the surrounding tissue is not affected.

There are other options available for the treatment of prostate cancer. You should discuss these alternative treatments with your doctor to determine what would be best for you.

Copyright 2008 - Battle Prostate Cancer

Start your life by learning everything you can about your condition. Ask around for worthwhile advice from people who, like you, are suffering from prostate cancer. Your health provider may also offer advice and supply detailed booklets that may answer many of your questions. Have a heart-to-heart talk with your doctor to learn all of the available alternative treatments. It would also be a good idea to get to know the team of medical professionals who will handle your case:

• Urologist - who is knowledgeable about the urinary and male reproductive system.
• Medical Oncologist - Someone who specializes in treating cancer.
• Radiation Oncologist - Doctor which specializes in treating cancer by the use of high energy x-rays.
• Pathologist- Doctor who studies cells and tissues to learn your bodily ailment.
• Anesthesiologist - Doctor who provides the needed medication to lessen the intensity of pain.
• Nurses and therapists - Provide proper care as well teach you how to properly care for yourself.

If you have to undergo surgery, the doctor should advise you that when the prostate is removed semen can no longer be ejaculated during sex, although there are some men who can still achieve erection since it largely depends upon the degree of nerve tissue that had been removed. Sometimes, living with prostate cancer after surgery may mean living with impotency, but medication can help. Bear in mind, however, that some drugs for erectile dysfunction can pose a risk such as low blood pressure and other heart-related problems. There are some men who can experience a dry orgasm and reach sexual climax even without the discharge of semen. Also, those who may want a child in the future should consider having their sperm frozen prior to surgery.

Living with prostate cancer does not mean giving up a joyful past and living a hopeless life. Men should look at this time in their lives as a winnable challenge; build up your confidence knowing that there many prostate cancer survivors. You will be one of them. Perform every prescribed treatment and dutifully follow your doctor’s advice. Doing this can lessen the complications of treatment and greatly improve your chance of survival.

Copyright 2008 - Battle Prostate Cancer

The cause of this problem has not been discovered although there are findings that point to the possibility that BPH is linked to hormonal changes as men grow old. The hormone testosterone, created by the testes, may be altered into dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and estradiol. When the level of dihydrotestosterone rises, testosterone may also rise leading to hyperplasia. The reason why DHT increases in quantity remains a subject of research.

How would one know if they are suffering from benign prostatic hyperplasia? Here are some signs and symptoms to watch out for:

• The presence of blood in the urine
• Experiencing dribbling just after voiding
• Constant feeling that the bladder is not fully emptied after urination
• Frequent trips to the bathroom to urinate particularly at night time
• Weak urine stream
• Always experiencing a leakage of urine

For severe cases, a person may experience the condition of acute urinary retention which is the inability to urinate. This may be triggered by alcoholism, long periods of inactivity, and postponing urination for long periods. It may also be caused by allergy, cold temperatures, or cold medications that contain antihistamines or decongestants.

When these symptoms are present a doctor’s advice is needed as soon as possible. A digital rectal examination can be done and only takes a minute. The doctor inserts a gloved finger into the rectum in order to examine the prostate gland. The American Urological Association BPH Symptom Index Questionnaire (AUA) can also be given to establish the gravity of the urinary problem. The patient answers a series of questions to reveal the condition of benign prostatic hyperplasia, but the AUA questionnaire is not considered a viable substitute for a doctor’s examination. If you obtain a score of 0 to 7, then the problem is still mild; 8 to 19 is a moderate condition, and 20 to 35 is severe.

Copyright 2008 - Battle Prostate Cancer

If you suspect that you have prostate cancer. Go to your doctor and ask for a Prostate Specific Antigen test. This is the common test used to detect the disease.

The systems of the disease are:

• A general pain in the prostate area

• A need to urinate frequently, especially at night time

• Difficulty in urinating, both in starting or holding back

• Interrupted or weak flow of urine

• The presence of blood and in urine and semen

• Pain or burning sensation when urinating

• Erectile dysfunction (inability to have or sustain an erection)

• Uncomfortable or painful ejaculation

• A frequent pain or stiffness in the upper thighs, hips, or lower back.

Some of the mentioned symptoms can also be related to other reproductive diseases other than prostate cancer. Ask your doctor.

Tip 2

Use Soy based products in your diet. Soy is very rich in isoflavones. Although the benefit of isoflavones to treat prostate cancer is not yet fully proven, their general health benefits are undoubtedly beneficial to overall health, which is what is needed.

Tip 3

You may very well enjoy this tip: have a single glass of red wine every evening. Drink ten cups of green tea, which is thought to contain an adequate amount of polyphenol to obstruct the growth of prostate cancer cells.

Tip 4

Get to love the humble tomato for it contains antioxidants, which can help reduce the risk of the prostate cancer developing. In the winter months when fresh tomatoes are not in season, use tomato sauce or tinned tomato; cooking does not affect the antioxidants. You can also have watermelon for desert for a double dose of Lycopene.

Tip 5

It is vital to make sure you are and remain at your ideal weight when it comes to prostate cancer. Being very overweight or obese makes it very tough to become aware of prostate cancer. There is also the fact that not being the right weight has a harmful effect on the outcome of the disease.

Tip 6

For a neutral balanced lifestyle weight management and fitness are vital and should be part of your overall strategy to fight prostate (or any other sickness for that matter). This means being sensibly active and eat a variety of foods particularly fruits and vegetables, you are far less likely to become ill. What ever we are talking about: having a cold or getting cancer, people who exercise and eat the right food are at a great advantage.

Tip 7

Exercising does not necessary mean standing in the middle of a room waving your arms or legs about. You can have fun doing it and have a very good social life at the same time. Join a walking club. Go out and do whatever sport takes your fancy. The main thing is get off the couch and make a start.

Tip 8

It is key that you get serious about habitual exercises. It is highly suggested that you do at least 30 minutes of exercise a day no less than three times a week. Certainly, you should try to go beyond this bare minimum, but start there. Have a look at the following link for help:

Tip 9

Exercises that stretch you, will persevere the flexibility of your body and limber. Exercises that will get your heart healthy like jogging, walking, and cycling will help to burn lots of calories. If you need to build up your muscles and strengthen your body, consider resistance training.

Tip 10

Modern scientific studies have shown that pollen helps the prostate function properly. The reason is that it contains many vitamins and minerals important for glandular function. Pollen also contains testosterone, which is the essential male hormone. Warning: Asthmatics should not use bee pollen.

Tip 11

Eat pumpkin seeds; these have been found to contain large amounts of magnesium, which the French have proven to be effective in the treatment of prostate ailments.

Tip 12

It is true to say that most cases of prostate cancer grow so slowly that action is rarely needed. Most of the time it is a case of “watchful waiting”. Which means the doctor will place you under surveillance and routine testing. If the cancer reaches a point in which it becomes a danger to the patient, other treatment methods will come into play. These methods consist of radiotherapy, hormone therapy, or surgery.

It is not yet even known precisely why some people get prostate cancer, but a high fat high carbohydrate diet, obesity, race and family history all play a part. It is now up to you to choose if you want to reduce the risk of dying from prostate cancer.

If you do have treatment for a prostate cancer, your aftercare would benefit a lot towards a speedy recovery if: you keep as mobile as possible and maintain a good level of fitness.

Tip 13

If you find you need emotional support, look for local support groups. Most major cancer centers have support groups for everyone in the community. If you are fortunate enough to live near one, you should have no troubles at all finding one on hand. However, if you don’t live near a cancer center, you may need to talk with your doctor to get an idea of where to begin. And to finish if you think you have prostate cancer: the first thing to do is to see your doctor.

Richard Haigh is the webmaster for http://www.aloeveraexpress.com

It’s the scary but true fact of getting old as a man. For instance, every man should know that prostate cancer is one of the most common prostate problems out there. It tops the list of cancers that afflict men, happening in nearly as many men, roughly speaking, as breast cancer in women. Prostate cancer doesn’t get the press that breast cancer does, however, probably because most men would rather not speak about what’s happening down there.

Second thing most men don’t, but should, know is exactly what that prostate is. A prostate is actually part of a man’s sexual organs. Located just below the bladder in a man, wrapped around the urethra, the prostate is about the size of a walnut. Its main job in the birds-and-bees scheme of things is to add fluid to your sperm during ejaculation.

And most of the time, men don’t even realize they have a prostate because it’s a hidden internal organ, but all men find out quickly what and where their prostate is when they suffer a common prostate problem.

For instance, all men should know that prostate issues aren’t just for older men. Men under 50 can get prostatitis, or an extremely painful infection of their prostate. This is a swelling of the prostate that can cause fever, a burning sensation during urination, and fatigue.

And all men over 50 should be aware of their number one most common prostate problem, which is an enlarged prostate, or benign prostatic hypertrophy. This benign, or nonfatal condition, is actually far more common in older men than prostate cancer, which should give some relief to older men when they know it.

Men should all be aware of the symptoms of benign prostatic hypertrophy, such as leaking and dribbling during urination, a weak urine stream, trouble getting started with urination, and even small amounts of blood in the urine.

And though benign prostatic hypertrophy is more common than prostate cancer, men should be aware that the two can go hand in hand. It’s not always the case, and many men with an enlarged prostate will never develop into cancer. But it’s good to keep your eyes out for both, because they can have similar symptoms.

By S.A. Nickerson, writing for http://www.prostate-help-infosite.com.

However, there are many good foods that may already be a part of your everyday diet that can help thwart the onset of prostate problems.

Tomatoes, watermelons, red grapefruit, papaya and red berries are all great sources of lycopene, a health-promoting plant pigment known for its cancer-battling ability. It also promotes a strong immune system and helps support prostate health in men.

Though fresh are always an excellent option, the lycopene in cooked tomatoes is actually absorbed more readily by the body. It is also your ally in the battle against heart disease.

Quercetin, a flavonoid that forms the backbone of many other flavonoids, may have positive effects in combating or helping to prevent many different types of cancer, including prostate. It also acts as an antihistamine and has anti-inflammatory properties, which may be helpful in relieving the pain of an inflamed prostate.

Foods rich in quercetin include apples, black and green tea, onions, raspberries, red wine, red grapes, citrus fruits, broccoli and other leafy green vegetables, and cherries. Quercetin can also be found in honey and sap, including the type from eucalyptus and tea tree flowers.

It is vital to remember to get a healthy balance of foods to keep your prostate healthy, including antioxidants, vitamin E from nuts and seeds, and drink plenty of clear fluids to help flush the bladder.

Try to avoid caffeine, alcohol, and spicy foods. Keeping your weight in check will also help maintain a healthy prostate.

Alex Fir shares a wealth of information on his website Prostate Cancer Information. To read more about prostate cancer prevention go to http://www.cancer-data.com/blog/

The statistics are alarming. It’s estimated that over 50% of all men will suffer from prostatitis some time in their lives. And what’s worse is prostatitis is no respecter of age. It can strike any adult male - and with painful consequences.

According to the American Foundation for Urologic Disease, 25% of all office visits by young and middle-aged men for genital and urinary problems are the result of prostatitis. It hits men in the prime of life and also is considered to be the most common of all diseases among middle-aged men.

Adding to the problem is the fact that contemporary medicine really doesn’t know much about prostatitis. The Prostate Foundation has termed it “the bastard child” of urology. Though it is the most widespread disease of the prostate, it’s also the least understood and the least researched. As a consequence, it is frequently misdiagnosed.

Physicians sometimes have difficulty distinguishing between the symptoms of prostatitis and benign prostate enlargement (BPH). A Harvard University study showed that urologists seeing patients with the same symptoms diagnosed them with prostatitis if they were under 50 and with BPH if they were over 50. In addition, there are four types of prostatitis, the most common of which is unfortunately the one that is the most baffling.

Prostatitis can be either acute or chronic. That is to say that it can have a sudden onset and be relatively short-lived, or be an ongoing and aggravating problem.

Acute prostatitis is likely to occur intermittently. It can cause fever, bladder discomfort, frequent and burning urination, and blood or pus in the urine. It can also result in infertility.

Chronic prostatitis is ongoing and usually increases with time. Its symptoms may include frequent urination, blood in the urine, a burning sensation, discomfort in the prostate area and lower back, painful ejaculation and even impotence.

Nonbacterial prostatitis is the most common form of the disease, but because it is also the least understood, it’s the most difficult to treat. Nonbacterial prostatitis is frequently a chronic, painful condition found in men of any age. Symptoms may disappear and then return suddenly. Though no evidence of bacteria is found, semen and other prostate fluids contain cells that the body produces to fight infection.

Doctors often treat nonbacterial prostatitis with antibiotics and drugs that relax the muscles of the prostate gland, but these treatments have not been proven to be effective. In fact, they often do not work at all and can have unpleasant side effects as well.

The good news is, there are several herbal remedies that have been shown in clinical studies to help fight and in many cases - conquer prostate problems, including prostatitis. These herbs include pygeum africanum, saw palmetto and nettle root extract.

To learn more about treating prostatitis and other prostate health conditions, please visit our web site at http://www.prostatehealthtips.com

The medicinal part of ‘Serenoa Repens’ or the Saw Palmetto is derived from the partially dried ripe fruit of the plant. The Saw Palmetto herb is indigenous to Southeastern United States but is most prevalent in Florida. It is the sterols and the fatty acids that are found in the berry that are the active ingredients. In Germany ninety percent of treatments for BPH use the saw palmetto herb, while in Italy it is fifty percent. Their successes have been many since BPH is nearly universal in the aging process of men.

A Study done in Russia tested 150 men with an enlarged prostate who had been diagnosed with BPH and other prostatic problems. Their findings concluded that Permixon, a European brand of standardized saw palmetto herb extract, had a long term efficacy and acceptability as therapy for BPH. The test was conducted over a period of 24 months and it was found that the quality of life from the base line study improved dramatically. The men had decreased prostate size, better urinary flow and increased sexual activity. The saw palmetto herb works by protecting the gland from irritating testosterone levels and will promote it to shrink.

Even better news about the herb saw palmetto, is that when used to combat enlarged prostate its side effects are almost none and it is non-toxic. Some men complained of gastrointestinal disorders but these were relieved when the herb was taken with food. There were some concerns in the early stages of study that the saw palmetto herb would mask prostate cancer by lowering the prostate-specific antigen (PSA) levels. After much more study this was found not to be true.

Many studies show that you must buy a brand that is ’standardized with at least 85-95 percent fatty acids’ with 320 grams of the herb. In a few cases when large amounts where used it caused diarrhea in some patients. Studies have shown that the saw palmetto extract is effective in 90% of the men in clinical trials in over a four to six week period. Pharmaceutical drugs have been shown to need up to a year for significant improvement. Another benefit is that saw palmetto extracts are about one quarter of the price of pharmaceutical drugs.

There have been other herbs that have be cited as beneficial to enlarged prostate such as, stinging nettle, pumpkin seed, zinc, green tea, South African star grass and melatonin. None are as effective or show the promise of the saw palmetto herb.

In conclusion the benefits of the Saw Palmetto herb for an enlarged prostate are many. It will reduce symptoms of BPH, with occasional mild gastrointestinal distress but this is infrequent. The herbal remedy will not interfere with a prostate cancer diagnosis and it has no known drug interactions. The dosage has widely been agreed on by scientists as 320 grams per day and will cost you significantly less then a prescription drug.

If you have an enlarged prostate and you are looking for an herbal remedy speak to your Doctor about taking the saw palmetto herb to relieve your symptoms. Always speak to your Doctor before adding any medicines to your regime whether they are natural herbs, vitamins or supplements.

Copyright © Mary Hanna, All Rights Reserved.