Prostatitis is a common problem of young and middle aged men. It means the prostate has been infected with bacteria and should be treated with antibiotics. Prostatitis often manifests itself with pain in the lower back, lower abdomen, testicles and penis. Prostatitis occurs most frequently in patients with HIV. Anal sex does not seem to cause prostatitis. Prostatitis can become a chronic problem that requires long-term antibiotic treatment. There is also a condition call prostatodynia (pro-stat-o-dynia) which means that the prostate can hurt without a good cause. Prostatitis often causes the PSA (Prostatic Specific Antigen) to be elevated. Remember the PSA is the test that is used to screen for prostate cancer. Once the infection has been treated appropriately the PSA should be repeated to see if it has decreased. Prostatitis can cause the PSA to be as high as 100. Prostatitis can reoccur especially if there is trauma to the area where the prostate is located or if the patient has experienced frequent bladder infections. Sometimes STDs like gonorrhea can cause prostatitis.

Now here’s a word about the PSA test and African American Men. Some physicians feel that a PSA level that has doubled since the last time it was taken is cause for concern and the patient should be evaluated for Prostate cancer. Others feel that it depends on the age of the patient and other factors and that a more conservative approach should be taken. Watching and waiting is ok sometimes. The bottom line is that the PSA should be discussed thoroughly with the patient before anything is done. Every situation is different. This concludes the State of the Prostate. Please talk with your physician and take care of yourself. I am Dr. Thaddeus J Bell--- Closing the Gap in Health Care.

Bell Update Vol. 34
Copyright September 2006