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Alternative Answers for Bacterial Prostatitis
Acute bacterial prostatitis is characterized by a very tender, warm, swollen, firm gland. When acute bacterial prostatitis is suspected, prostate massage should be avoided because of the risk of causing the presence of bacteria in the blood (bacteremia).
Chronic bacterial prostatitis is the occurrence of relapsing urinary tract infections. They often involve the same bacterial pathogen. Chronic bacterial prostatitis is often differentiated between:
Nonbacterial prostatitis: refers to a condition that affects patients who present with symptoms of prostatitis without a positive result after urine culture or expressed prostate secretion (EPS) culture.
Chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS): also referred to as Prostatodynia, is unexplained pelvic pain in men. This pain is associated with painful urination symptoms and/or pain located in the groin, genitals or perineum, with no signs of pus cells (pyuria) or bacteria (bacteriuria) seen on microscopic analysis of the urine. There does tend to be excess WBCs or bacteria seen on gram stain and culture of expressed prostatic secretions (EPS). Cytokines, which are special signaling molecules, are produced by white blood cells (WBC), among other cells, may play a role in CPPS syndrome. While certain cytokines stimulate an inflammatory reaction, others inhibit inflammation. The same cytokine may act as either an antagonist influence or an inhibiting influence in different areas under varying conditions.
Chronic bacterial prostatitis is relapsing urinary tract infections, often interspersed with asymptomatic periods, and are common in men with chronic bacterial prostatitis. Although some men are diagnosed because of asymptomatic bacteriuria, most have varying degrees of painrful urination (dysuria), frequency, and urgency. Some men report feelings of vague discomfort in the pelvis and perineum. Chronic bacterial prostatitis may be associated with symptoms of perineal, scrotal, and low back discomfort. Sometimes blood in the sperm (hematospermia) or clear urethral discharge may occur. For a more precise diagnosis, prostatic fluid, semen culture and postmassage urine cultures should be taken. There maybe vague discomfort in pelvis, perineum, lower abdomen, back and testicles. Physical findings on palpation (digital rectal exam) are often unremarkable. An elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) level may typically indicated prostatitis including bacterial prostatitis.
A urine culture with greater than 100,000 colony-forming units (CFU) of Escherichia coli (E coli), the most common pathogen in acute and chronic prostatitis.
-The other members of the Enterobacteriaceae family -Klebsiella species
-Enterobacter species
-Proteus enterococci species
-Pseudomonas species
-Staphylococcus species
are also known pathogens. Chlamydia trachomatis has been implicated as a cause of chronic bacterial prostatitis. This organism is unlikely to play a major role in the etiology of chronic bacterial prostatitis.
E coli infection accounts for 80% of cases of chronic bacterial prostatitis.
prostatic calculi are associated with a higher risk of chronic bacterial prostatitis. They are rarely (felt) palpable on a prostate examination. Prostatic calculi, although an unspecific finding, often develop in men with chronic bacterial prostatitis; prostatic calculi may serve as a nidus for recurrent infection. A newly described entity termed nanobacteria is thought to play a significant role in urologic stone disease, including prostatic calculi.2 Nanobacteria may play a role in the chronic nature of this condition. Studies are currently underway to further delineate the role of these organisms in chronic bacterial prostatitis.
The actual routes of prostatic infection are unknown in most cases. Various etiologies may be found as a cause including ascending urethral infection, previous gonococcal prostatitis, as well as the finding of identical organisms in prostatic fluid and Intraprostatic urinary reflux (urine backing up).
Western Medical Approach for Bacterial Prostatitis
Treatment should be decided based on urinary culture results. Antimicrobial agents that most effectively penetrate into the prostatic fluid, such as fluoroquinolones and TMP-SMZ, are the treatment choices for chronic bacterial prostatitis.
An initial course of therapy, typically about 4 weeks, should prompt longer courses of treatment as best results have been observed with a 12 week course of therapy. High bactericidal activity has been demonstrated against the Enterobacteriaceae group of bacteria and P aeruginosa using fluoroquinolones, a class of antimicrobial agents that inhibits bacterial DNA replication and protein synthesis.
Penicillins are ineffective, with the exception of carbenicillin indanyl sodium at 500 mg/d. Carbenicillin may be effective for Enterobacteriaceae or Pseudomonas infections. Large-scale studies are not available.
Eastern Approach for Bacterial Prostatitis
Following the guide for urinary tract infections (aka candidiasis) is a crucial form of treatment for Bacterial Prostatitis.
Zinc supplements have been suggested as part of a holistic therapy, A zinc-containing polypeptide called prostatic antibacterial factor (PAF) may be an important antimicrobial factor within the prostate. Although the body may be deficient, only a very little zinc is needed and safe.
Magnesium, calcium, and lysozyme have been found in prostate fluid, also rich in spermine, which has activity against gram-positive bacteria.
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories and hot sitz baths are often used clinically for symptomatic relief.
Frequent prostate massage is advocated by some in the treatment of difficult cases with persistent positive cultures.
Preliminary findings suggest that anti-nanobacterial therapy improves symptoms and decreases or eliminates prostatic calculi in patients with chronic bacterial prostatitis
Exercise advice suggests patients to avoid bicycling or other activities that may put pressure on the perineal region.
Nutritional Advise
There has been a direct correlation between obesity, diabetes and high glucose levels, which contribute to prostatitis and BHP.
One of the single most preventatives is a proper diet. Because diet strongly influences sex hormone production, including testosterone, it is important to cut back on excess meat consumption (which triples the risk), full fat, dairy products (which doubles the risk) and a lack of vegetables and fruits in the diet (which quadruple the risk).
Include legumes in your diet such as beans and peas. Eat healthy helpings of antioxidant fruits and vegetables such as blueberries, cranberries, blackberries, raspberries, strawberries, apples, cherries, black plums, avocados and pears.
Cooked tomatoes and tomato sauce are known to have the phytonutrient, lycopene, which has shown to fight off prostate cancer by 35 to 45 percent in those who eat it ten times or more a week. Proper absorption is key and that includes lycopene with some good fat, which tomato sauce has. Ten tablespoons of spaghetti sauce will do the trick as opposed to 164 raw tomatoes per week.
Diet specific information for inflammatory problems include avioding spicy and caffeine-containing foods, sugar and carbohydrates high on the glycemic index. For any type of prostate troubles, consider juice therapy including all fruit juices in season and a blend of carrot, asparagus, lettuce and spinach as a drink, twice a day.
A recent study in rats found that garlic was superior to placebo in terms of anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial effect. This study also demonstrated a statistically significant synergistic effect of ciprofloxacin plus garlic compared with ciprofloxacin alone. Studies in humans are needed to determine if these effects would translate into a clinical setting.
Supplements
With your lycopene, take 200 micrograms of Selenium a day to decrease your risk of prostate (and other cancers) by 50%. Selenium is a mineral found in vegetables such as garlic, which absorb selenium from the soil.
Consider Vitamin E, especially mixed tocopherols, which appears to work in synergy with lycopene to help reduce the risk of prostate cancer. Take 400 IU daily.
Vitamin C works in synergy with Vitamin E and helps increase its function. Take 600-1000 mg, twice a day.
A diet that includes Flaxseed, flaxseed oil and fish oils contain omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids appear to help protect against prostate cancer. Take 3 grams daily.
Folate (800 mg daily), a B complex and Zinc (15 mg daily) have shown to increase fertility and improve sperm motility.
Saw Palmetto has been clinically proven to inhibit the enzyme involved in converting testosterone into dihydrotestosterone. These powerful berries from the saw palmetto palm tree, improve urine flow and decrease inflammation of the prostate gland. Take 160 mg, twice daily.
L-arginine (2 grams daily), an amino acid found in pumpkin seeds and L-citrulline (500 mg twice daily) may possibly increase nitric oxide production, which in turn increases blood flow and therefore can prevent erectile dysfunction and increase sperm count. Foods high in both these amino acids include pumpkin seeds, almonds, cocoa and real (dark) chocolate, garbanzo beans, peanuts, salmon, soy and walnuts.
Zinc supplements have been suggested as part of a holistic therapy, A zinc-containing polypeptide called prostatic antibacterial factor (PAF) may be an important antimicrobial factor within the prostate. Although the body may be deficient, only a very little zinc is needed and safe.
Magnesium, calcium, and lysozyme have been found in prostate fluid, also rich in spermine, which has activity against gram-positive bacteria.
Consider the Full Spectrum Diet, which includes: phytochemicals (5-7 servings of fruits and vegetables daily), 30 grams of fiber, flavinoids (found in red and purple grapes, red wine and black tea).
Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) is the oldest, continually practiced, and professionally administered health care system in the world. It is a documented medical system spanning over 2,500 years based on comprehensive philosophies, rational theories, clinically tested and empirically verified by over 100 generations of highly educated practitioners. Chinese Medicine is a total system of internal medicine which is comprised of a diagnostic procedure based on signs, symptoms and treatment styles including acupuncture, herbal medicine, exercise, diet and meditation. It's foundation is based on the principles of balance; the interdependent relationship of Yin and Yang. Through this balance, health is achieved and maintained.
Herbs are the "medicinals" in holistic healing. Chinese herbs are specifically used to create a decoction or "tea" and is a very powerful part of healing dis-ease. Herbal decoctions may also be given in "tea pills", tinctures, granules or as an external patch, compress, or bath.
Acupuncture for treating prostatitis helps with decreasing inflammation, helps the body fight ascending urethral infection, gonococcal prostatitis, as well as decreasing organisms in prostatic fluid and Intraprostatic urinary reflux (urine backing up).
Andrew Pacholyk, MS. L.Ac
http://www.peacefulmind.com/prostate.htm
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