Internet Info 1997 December/Internet_Info_CD-ROM_Walnut_Creek_December_1997.iso/faqs/sci/answers/medicine/prostatitis-faq/part3

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Archive-name: medicine/prostatitis-faq/part3
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sci.med.prostate.prostatitis FAQ Part 3 of 5

I. About sci.med.prostate.prostatitis
II. About this FAQ
III. What is the prostate and what is prostatitis?
IV. What are the symptoms of prostatitis?
V. How is prostatitis distinguished from prostate cancer
and BPH?
VI. How common is prostatitis?
VII. Are there different kinds of prostatitis?
VIII. What causes prostatitis?
IX. Can prostatitis be cured?
X. What can be done to alleviate symptoms?
XI. Why is this newsgroup necessary?
XII. How can we work towards a cure?
XIII. What is a DRE?
XIV. Is there some way to make bike riding less painful?
XV. Is there some way to make sitting more comfortable?
XVI. What happens during a TRUS?
XVII. What happens during a cystoscopy and why should I
have one?
XVIII. What can be done to prevent prostatitis
XIX. What is Prostate Drainage and why does it help?
XX. Can prostatitis be sexually transmitted?
XXI. Does vasectomy lead to prostatitis?
XXII. How can I post a question to the newsgroup if I don't
have a news reader or news service
XXIII. Are the Newsgroup posts Archived anywhere?
XXIV. The Glossary
XXV    Beginners guide to do-it-yourself prostate massage.

This segment contains XXI through XXIV-i.

XXI DOES A VASECTOMY LEAD TO PROSTATITIS?

A very controversial question.  The usual answer is no.
However, there have been many reports of prostatitis
developing after a vasectomy.  Whether this is coincidence or
not is hard to determine.  But it seems reasonable to assume
that any intervention surgical or otherwise in the area of the
prostate has the potential to introduce bacteria or other
pathogens into the area.

Per Dr. Alexis Te of Columbia-Presbyterian Medical Center in
NY on his website at:
http://cpmcnet.columbia.edu/dept/urology/prostatitis.html

"You are at higher risk for getting prostatitis if you recently have
had a medical instrument, such as a urinary catheter or tube, inserted
during a medical procedure,..."

Patients undergoing biopsies of the prostate are routinely given
strong doses of antibiotics to ward off infection which might be
introduced into the area by the procedure.

XXII HOW CAN I POST A QUESTION TO THE
NEWSGROUP IF I DON'T HAVE A NEWS READER OR
NEWS SERVICE?

If your internet service offers the newsgroups but you don't
have a news reader program (or you can't get Microsoft's to
work) you can get a nice news reader (NewsXpress 2.0) free
from http://www.malch.com/nxfaq.html:

If you do not have access to the newsgroups at all but do have
internet access you can use Deja News to post.  Go to:
http://www.dejanews.com
Then do a search for newsgroups with the topic "prostatitis"
(use the second box).  That should bring up
sci.med/prostate.prostatitis.

Click on it and you will get a list of some 5000 articles from the
newsgroup sorted by newest first.  Click on an article and you will
then have a button at the top labeled "Post Article."  Click on it and
fill out the form.

You can read any answers the same way though whole
procedure is pretty slow.

A better way might be to subscribe to the List Server.  Then
you get an email with all of the posts once a day and can reply
to them.

To SUBSCRIBE to the Prostatitis list:
    1.Send electronic mail to this e-mail address:

      [e-mail]

    2.Subject is ignored, but put in a dash if your software
requires something

    3.Place the following message in the body of the mail:

      subscribe prostatitis Firstname Lastname

    4.where Firstname and Lastname is your first and last
name; you may also include a single letter middle initial.

See http://www.prostate.org/prosmailist.html for more details.

XXIII  ARE THE NEWSGROUP POSTS ARCHIVED
ANYWHERE?

Yes.  All posts of any value have been archived on the
Prostatitis Foundation Website:
http://www.prostate.org/textarchive.html

 Most are also available and searchable using Deja News.  (See
XXII)

The Glossary

This is a collection of terms and acronyms which you may run
into on the newsgroup, on the website or in your doctor's office.
Where a separate entry in the FAQ exists which explains a term in more
detail this will be indicated by the entry number in parentheses.
Trademark names are in all caps.  For medical terms in languages other
than English try: http://www-sci.lib.uci.edu/HSG/Phealth.html#DICTION

Acidophilus:  Any of several species of bacteria which thrive
in an acid environment.  Cultures of these bacteria are often
used to replace those in the intestines killed off by antibiotic
therapy.  Available as pills or in Sweet Acidophilus milk.

Acinus:  One of the 20 to 50 fluid producing ducts found in the
prostate.  Plural is acini.  During an ejaculation the fluid is
pressed out of the ducts by contractions of the smooth muscle of the
prostate.  See http://www.prostate.org/tarf/p3.htm for drawing.  (YY)

Acronym:  A word formed from the initials of a phrase.  For
net acronyms not found here see:
http://www.uni-karlsruhe.de/~uplj/acronym.html

Adjuvant.  An additional treatment used to increase the
effectiveness of the primary therapy.  Radiation therapy and
hormonal therapy are often used as adjuvant treatments
following a radical prostatectomy.

Aerobic:  With air/oxygen.  Said of bacteria which thrive in the
presence of oxygen.

AFAIK:  Net shorthand for:  As Far As I Know.

Alanine:  An amino acid.  See Feinblatt/Gant Study.

Allopurinol:  A drug used to treat gout which has been found
to be useful in relieving symptoms in some cases of prostatitis.  More
at: http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/allopur.htm

Alpha Blocker:  Any of a number of drugs which interfere
with the nerve stimulation of the muscle cells.

Alpha-1 Blocker:  An alpha blocker which interferes with
signals to the muscles surrounding the urethra and the blood
vessels without interfering with signals to the bladder, thus
reducing urine back pressure and blood pressure at the same
time.  HYTRIN, CARDURA, and MINIPRESS are all alpha-1
blockers. Major side effects are those of low blood pressure
(dizziness, fainting) plus some men experience problems with
erections or ejaculation.  Usually prescribed in gradually
increasing doses.  Recommendation is to stop increasing the
dose when the first positive effects are noticed.  This reduces
the chance of side effects and leaves room to increase the
dosage should the prostate continue to grow.  More at:
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/teraz.htm

Amoxicillin:  An antibiotic of the penicillin family.  More at:
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/amox.htm

Ampullary vas:  See Vas Deferens.

Anaerobic:  Without air/oxygen.  Said of bacteria which thrive
in the absence of oxygen.

Anal Canal:  The narrow passage between the anus and
rectum.

Androgen:  A hormone that produces male characteristics.
See Testosterone.

Anesthetic:  A drug that produces general or local loss of
physical sensations, particularly pain.  A "spinal" is the
injection of a local anesthetic into the area surrounding the
spinal cord.

Antibody:  A protein, produced by the body, that counteracts
the toxic effects of a foreign substance, organism, or disease
within the body.

Antifungal:  A drug used against fungal infections.

Antigen:  A substance which stimulates the production of an
antibody.

Antihistamine:  Any of a variety of drugs commonly found in
over-the-counter cold and allergy medicine.  Most can cause a
worsening of urine flow related problems and increased
prostate pain in men with prostatitis or BPH.

Anus:  Often confused with rectum.  This is the external
opening of the anal canal which leads to the rectum.

Apex:  The narrow end of the prostate on the side going to the
penis.

Augmentin:  A combination of Amoxicillin and Clavulanate
potassium. It is added to Amoxicillin due to its ability to
inactivate beta-lactamases. These are substances
produced by bacterial defenses.  More at:
http://www.cdlr.tamu.edu/dentist/chemo4.html
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/amoxclav.htm

Auto-immune Disease:  A disease caused by the body's
protective mechanism becoming confused and attacking a part
of the body which is not an invader.

BACTRIM:  Trademark name for
sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim.  A combination of antibacterial
drugs used for urinary and prostatic infections.  Stay out of the sun
while taking this drug.  Also: SEPTRA, SMZ-TMP.  More at:
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/trisulf.htm

Balloon Dilation:  A procedure where a balloon like object is
inserted in the urethra via the penis.  When the device reaches
the prostate the balloon part is inflated.  This opens up the
urethra and in some patients provides temporary relief of BPH
related problems.

Base:  An alkaline substance.  Opposite of acid.

Biopsy:  A procedure where a small hollow needle is inserted
into a suspicious body part in order to obtain a specimen for
laboratory analysis.  Usually used to check for the presence of
cancer.

Bladder:  Storage organ for urine.  During urination the
bladder contracts to force urine out.

Bladder Neck:  Outlet of the bladder.

BPH:  Short for Benign Prostatic Hypertrophy (or Hyperplasia).
Noncancerous enlargement of the prostate.  This enlargement
often results in urinary flow problems in men.  Also see the
newsgroup at sci.med.prostate.bph.  See:
http://isis.nlm.nih.gov/ahcpr/bph/www/bphctxt.html for more
details.  These are the guidelines for BPH diagnosis and
treatment recommended by a government panel and thus give a
good idea of the mindset of the average uro.  They also contain
quite a bit of information on the various tests which you may
run into.

For an idea of the UK approach to BPH see:
http://www.docnet.org.uk/germed/mar96/urology.html

Brachytherapy:  The insertion of a radioactive source into a
patient.  A therapy used to treat prostate cancer where
radioactive beads are implanted in the prostate.  See:
http://www.grand-rounds.com/3no1ProsBrachy.html

BTW:  Net shorthand for:  By The Way.

Calcification:  The body's attempt to render invading bacteria
harmless by coating them with calcium.  This can result in
prostate stones which may cause problems of their own.  Small
stones may migrate out of the prostate into the urethra causing
"sand" in the urine.

Candida albicans:  A fungal organism usually responsible for
yeast infections in women.  May be responsible for some cases
of prostatitis.  More at:
http://alces.med.umn.edu/candida.html

Candidiasis:  A vaginal infection caused by Candida albicans.
More at:
http://www.netline.net/novus/crohn/aug95/research.html

Carbenicillin: An antibiotic of the penicillin family.  More at:
http://www.gsm.com/clinphrm/docs/content/generics/G0101/G01
0101.html

CARDURA:  Tradename for Doxazosin.  An alpha-1 blocker
used to treat BPH symptoms.  May also help against
impotence!  More at:
http://www.pslgroup.com/dg/839a.htm

CAT Scan:  Short for Computerized Axial Tomography.  A
technique using X-rays and a computer to produce a three
dimensional picture of a part of the body.

Catheter:  A tube inserted in the bladder (via the penis) to
allow the bladder to drain.

Chinese Herbs:  Recently many readers have been trying
Chinese herb pills; Kai Kit Wan and  Sexoton.  It appears they
may open the acini and allow them to drain more easily.  A web
page dedicated to information on these herbs can be found at:
http://www.prostate.org/chinesepills.html

Chlamydia:  A group of spherical-shaped non-bacterial
organisms which can infect the urinary tract and the prostate.
Considered a sexual transmitted disease.  More widespread
than gonorrhea.  Often symptom-free though may cause
orchitis or epididymitis in men.  In women it causes pelvic
inflammatory disease (PID) which can lead to infertility.  If
acquired during pregnancy can cause blindness in the baby.
Symptoms in males: burning sensation during urination,
discharge from the penis, testicular tenderness or pain, lower
abdominal tenderness.  Dr. Feliciano reports finding Chlamydia
in 40% of his prostatitis patients.

In females the symptoms may be: burning sensation during
urination, vaginal discharge, symptoms of PID.  More at:
http://www.ppca.org/chlam.html

CIPRO:  Trademark name for ciprofloxacin.  One of the family
of quinolones.  Can cause sore or broken tendons as a side
effect.  Do not take antiacids while taking this drug.  More at:
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/cipro.htm
http://www.cdlr.tamu.edu/dentist/chemo6.html

Ciprofloxacin:  An antibiotic of the quinoline family.  Used to
treat urinary and prostatic infections.  Can cause sore or
broken tendons as a side effect.  Do not take antiacids while
taking this drug.  Relatively new and expensive.  More at:
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/cipro.htm
http://www.cdlr.tamu.edu/dentist/chemo6.html

Circumcision:  Surgical removal of the foreskin.

CNBP:  Short for Chronic Non-Bacterial Prostatitis.

Coitus:  The sex act.

Colloidial Silver:  A silver based preparation reported (but
not proven) to have antibacterial properties.  Generally
considered a scam.  Build up of silver can be irreversible.  Not
recommended.

Computerized Axial Tomography:  See CAT Scan.

Corpura Amylacea:  Small semi-solid bodies sometimes found
in the prostate or the seminal fluid.  Thought to be formed
when seminal fluid remains too long in the prostate.

Cryogenic Prostate Surgery:  A technique using liquid
nitrogen to freeze (and kill) the surrounding tissue in hopes of
removing the obstruction or cancerous cells.

Crystal Clear Wand:  A commercial device which can be used
to self-drain the prostate.  Cost is about $50.  Open Enterprises in
San Francisco (800-289-8423). 938 Howard St. Suite 101, San Francisco,
CA 94103.  More at: http://www.prostate.org/wand.html

Culture:  A sample of a bodily fluid is placed into a nutritive
medium and allowed to sit for 24 hours or longer.  At the end of the
time period the sample is inspected for any bacteria which may have
grown.  The technician can then count and identify the bacteria which
were present in the bodily fluid.  A culture can also be used to
determine which antibiotic is most effective on the bacteria.  This is
then called sensitivity testing.

Cyst:  A pocket of fluid.

Cystitis:  Inflammation of the bladder. More at:
http://203.17.138.60/websex/adult/problems/Cystitis.HTMl
http://homearts.com/rb/health/05infeb2.htm

Cystoscopy:  An examination of the bladder and urethra using
a tube inserted in the urethra. (XVII)

Decongestant:  Any of a variety of drugs commonly found in
over-the-counter cold and allergy medicines.  Most can cause a
worsening of urine flow related problems and increased
prostate pain in men with prostatitis or BPH.

DHEA:  Short for dehydroepiandrosterone.  The most common
steroid hormone found in circulation in the human body.
Currently being touted as a "fountain of youth" supplement
which gives you energy, builds muscles, takes off fat, and cures
whatever is wrong with you.  Not recommended for men with prostate
problems.  May increase the likelihood of prostate cancer or speed up
the growth of already existing cancer.

Diazepam:  Generic name for the tranquilizer VALIUM.  More
at:
http://www.mentalhealth.com/drug/p30-v01.html.

DIFLUCAN:  Trade name for fluconazole, an antifungal.  More
at:
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/flucon.htm
http://www.biostat.wisc.edu/cgi-
clinsci/amc.pl?drug=Fluconazole

Digital Rectal Exam:  See DRE.  (XIII)

DIY:  Short for Do-It-Yourself.  Usually refers to do-it-yourself
prostate drainage.  More at: http://www.prostate.org/doityourself.faq

Doxazosin:  Generic form of Cardura.  See alpha-1 blocker.

Doxycycline:  An antibiotic of the tetracycline family.  More
at:
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/doxycyc.htm

Dr. F:  Short for Dr. A. E. Feliciano, the doctor in the
Philippines who has been able to cure several members of the
newsgroup when no one else could.

Dr. Fuzzy:  Short for Dr. Fugazzotto.  A doctor who has been
able to cultivate bacteria in cultures when the standard
procedures failed.

DRE:  Short for Digital Rectal Exam.  You bend over and the
doctor inserts his gloved finger (covered with lots of K-Y jelly) into
your rectum via the anus so that he can feel the size, shape, and
condition of the prostate.  (XIII)

DS:  Short for Double Strength.  Often used as part of the
trademark name for a drug to indicate a stronger than usual
dosage.  Example:  BACTRIM DS.

Dynamic Obstruction:  Blockage of the urethra due to the
tightening of the smooth muscle tissue in the prostate.

Dysuria:  Burning feeling during urination.

Ejaculation:  Forceful expulsion of semen during an orgasm.

Ejaculatory Duct:  Term for the duct between the junction of
the seminal vesicle & vas deferens and the urethra.

Epididymis:  This is the duct which brings the sperm from the
top of the testicle to the vas deferens.  There are two.  Plural is
Epididymides.  It is coiled for extra length and plays a role in the
maturation of sperm.  It can also become infected and then you have
epididymitis.

Epididymitis:  An infection of the epididymis.  See
Epididymis.  More at:
http://www.duj.com/epididymitis.html

EPS:  Short for Expressed Prostatic Secretion.  The fluid
pressed out of the prostate during a DRE or prostate drainage.
Note that "Expressed" is used here with the meaning of
"pressed out" not "overnight delivery."

Erythromycin:  An antibiotic.  More at:
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/erythro.htm

FAQ:  Short for Frequently Asked Questions.  A list of common
questions with answers.  Always read the FAQ before posting a
question in a newsgroup.

Feinblatt/Gant Study:  A study published in March of 1958 in
the Journal of the Maine Medical Association Volume 49
Number 3 which reported that patients given a combination of
three amino acids (glycine, alanine, and glutamic acid) resulted in
considerable improvement in BPH symptoms in most patients.

Feliciano, Dr A. E.:  A doctor in the Philippines who has been
able to successfully treat several members of the newsgroup
when no one else could.

Feliciano, Dr. A. N.:  Another doctor in the Philippines who
has recently become very active on the newsgroup.  He says
that contrary to earlier reports Dr. A. E. Feliciano is not his
son.  He also advocates prostate drainage but prefers giving
multiple antibiotics simultaneously.

Finasteride:  Generic name for PROSCAR.  See Testosterone.
More at:
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/finas.htm
http://www.mediconsult.com/noframes/prostate/conference/0517
96/brown.html

FLAGYL:  Trade name for metronidazole.  An antibiotic used
against anaerobic bacterial infections.  More at:
http://www.searlehealthnet.com/pi/flagyl375.html
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/metronid.htm

Fluconazole:  Generic name for DIFLUCAN, an antifungal.
More at:
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/flucon.htm

FLOXIN:  One of the quinolone family of antibiotics.  More at:
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/oflox.htm

Foley:  A catheter which is held in place by a small balloon
inside the bladder.

Foreskin:  The loose fold of skin which covers the glans in
uncircumcised men.

GEOCILLIN:  Trade name for carbenicillin, an antibiotic of
the penicillin family.  More at:
http://www.gsm.com/clinphrm/docs/content/generics/G0101/G01
0101.html

Glans:  The tip of the penis.

Gleason Score:  A measurement of the potential
aggressiveness of prostate cancer.  The Gleason scale is from 2
to 10 with 10 being the worst.  2 is the lowest score because the
scale is made up of the results of two estimates (rated on a scale of
1 to 5), one of the more immature malignant scales and then the rest.

Gram's method:  A staining technique in which the bacteria
are stained with crystal violet, treated with iodine, decolorized with
alcohol, and counterstained with safranine (a dye). Results of this
procedure are used to characterize bacteria as either Gram-positive or
Gram-negative.  This information is useful in classifying the bacteria
and in determining which type of antibiotic might be effective.

Gram-negative:  A term used to describe bacteria which do
not retain the violet stain used in Gram's method.

Gram-positive:  A term used to describe bacteria which retain
the violet stain used in Gram's method.

Glutamic Acid:  An amino acid.  See Feinblatt/Gant Study.

Glycine:  An amino acid.  See Feinblatt/Gant Study.

Hematospermia:  Blood in the seminal fluid.

Hematuria:  Blood in the urine.

Hemospermia:  Blood in the seminal fluid.

Hesitancy:  Slowness to start urination.

HTH:  Net Shorthand for:  Hope This Helps.

Hydrocele:  An accumulation of fluid in a body cavity, esp. in
the scrotum.  More at:
http://www.duj.com/hernia.html

HYTRIN: Tradename for terazosin.  An alpha blocker used to
treat the symptoms of BPH.  More at:
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/teraz.htm

IC:  Short for Interstitial Cystitis

IMHO:  Net shorthand for "In My Humble Opinion"

Immunofluorescence: The use of fluorescein-stained or
labeled antibodies to locate antigen in tissues. The antibodies
combine with their specific antigen.  The combination gives off
a visible glow under the proper light (Ultra-violet?).  Used as a test
for certain infective agents.  More at:
http://www.ami-med.com/std/top/003521.htm.

IMO:  Net shorthand for "In My Opinion"

Impotence:  The loss of ability to produce and/or sustain an
erection.

Incontinence:  A loss of urinary control.  There are various
kinds and degrees of incontinence.  Overflow, stress, and total
incontinence are listed separately.

Indoramin: An alpha-1 antagonist used to treat BPH in the
UK.  Presumably similar in effect to HYTRIN.  Generic form of
DORALESE.
http://www.docnet.org.uk/germed/mar96/urology.html

Infarction:  Death of tissue due to a lack of blood supply.
Common in BPH.

Inflammation:  Redness or swelling caused by injury or
infection.

INPO:  Net shorthand for:  In No Particular Order.

Intermittency:  Starting and stopping during urination.

Interstitial:  Located in the spaces between organs.

Interstitial Cystitis:  An  inflammation of the bladder wall
which results in symptoms similar to BPH.  See:
http://www.sonic.net/~jill/icnet/icnet.html

IOW:  Net shorthand for:  In Other Words.

IRL:  Net shorthand for:  In Real Life.