Health and Prostate

The prostate is easily overlooked by the average male for about the first four decades of his life. It seldom causes overt symptoms during this time. However, as males age, their attitudes toward health may change. They often begin paying attention to lay publications that stress the importance of obtaining regular prostate checkups. This heightened awareness may be partly due to the fact that half of all men aged 50 and above begin to experience symptoms of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Although this condition is not serious for most males, they may mistake its symptoms for those of prostate cancer. As large numbers of male “baby-boomers“ enter their early 50s, pharmacists will receive more questions about such matters as BPH, prostatitis and prostate cancer, as well as medications that affect the prostate. This month’s patient information page describes BPH, while the balance of this article raises some medication-related issues with regard to the prostate. Nasal Decongestants Nonprescription nasal decongestants may have an adverse effect on urinary flow. Oral and topical OTC Read more [...]