Author of this article: Wang Zhihua 丨 Tongji Hospital Affiliated to Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology
The prostate gland is a male-specific organ that is involved both in the prostate gland that makes up the urethra and in one of the important gonads. The prostate gland has a certain peculiarity, it belongs to both the urinary system of men and the reproductive system of men.
First, the 4 major functions of the prostate
At present, it is believed that the prostate has the following main functions:
1. Secretes prostatic fluid, participates in the composition of semen, provides nutrition for sperm and facilitates sperm activity, which is the main function of the prostate.
2. The prostate is rich in 5α-reductase, which converts testosterone into more active DIHYDRotestosterone. Dihydrotestosterone plays an important role in the pathogenesis of benign prostatic hyperplasia.
3. Control urination. The prostate gland surrounds the urethra, and its ring-shaped smooth muscle fibers are involved in forming the intraurethral sphincter. During urination, the detrusor muscles of the bladder contract, the sphincter in the urethra relaxes, and urine is discharged smoothly.
4. Shipping function. When ejaculation occurs, the contents of the vas deferens and seminal vesicle glands are excreted into this part of the urethra and then excreted from the body.
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The prostate is only a very small organ in the human body, but almost all adult men will be affected, young adults are acute and chronic prostatitis of the high incidence of people, in old age, there may be benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer, seriously endangering physical and mental health, so "small prostate" will also have "big trouble".
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2. 8 habits that are not good for prostate health
So, how can you protect the prostate from the risk of disease? Note the following bad habits:
1. Smoke addiction
Smokers have been shown to have a 1 to 2 times higher prevalence of prostate disease than non-smokers, and the more they smoke, the greater the prostate damage [1].
2. Diet is not controlled
Regular consumption of spicy, acidic foods and long-term drinking of strong alcohol can cause blood vessels to dilate, promote prostatic congestion, and thus induce prostatitis.
Obesity is also associated with prostate disease, and increased intake of total protein and fat may also potentially increase the risk of prostatic hyperplasia and prostate surgery, while vegetables, fruits, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and vitamin D have the potential to reduce prostatic hyperplasia.
3. Cold and cold
There are abundant adrenergic receptors in the prostate, which can easily cause sympathetic excitement when cold, resulting in gland contraction, increasing pressure in the urethra, affecting urination; and difficulty urinating, which will adversely affect the prostate, forming a vicious circle and causing lesions in the prostate.
4. Sexual impropriety
People who continue to have multiple sexual intercourse in a short period of time are more likely to develop acute prostatitis. On the contrary, people with strong sexual desire cannot excrete normally for a long time for some reasons, which will make a large amount of prostate fluid "hoarding", resulting in excessive prostate expansion and congestion, and can also cause inflammation.
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5. Squeeze
Sedentary or often cycling will make the prostate be squeezed for a long time, resulting in poor local blood circulation and passive congestion. Especially when riding a bicycle, the saddle and the perineum rub, irritate the upper section of the urethra and the prostate, etc., promote chronic hyperplasia, stiffness, swelling, and even inflammation of the subcutaneous tissue, compress the urethra and prostate, and easily cause prostate disease.
6. Infection
After a patient went to the hospital to guide urine several times, he bought two catheters and a bottle of glycerin, slightly urinating poorly, he intubated himself to catheterize, the result was more and more frequent, and finally he could not pull out. After testing, there are a large number of white blood cells in the urine. It turned out that the patient's own intubation caused the infection, aggravating the enlarged prostate and making it more difficult to urinate.
7. Holding urine
Frequent artificial holding of urine can make the bladder full and swollen, resulting in weak urination and aggravating the symptoms of prostatic hyperplasia.
8. Constipation
A large amount of stool accumulates in the rectum of a person with constipation, which can aggravate the congestion of the adjacent prostate. At the same time, constipation patients often use too much force during defecation, increase abdominal pressure, and compress the prostate, which can make the urethra thinner and urinate blocked, which is not good for prostate health.
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bibliography:
Zhou Hailin, Mak Shiqi, Zhang Jinwei, et al. Analysis of prostate disease and related risk factors of traffic police[J].Chinese Journal of Occupational Diseases of Labor Health,2018,36(6):432-435.
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