Internet Info 1997 December/Internet_Info_CD-ROM_Walnut_Creek_December_1997.iso/faqs/sci/answrs/sci.med.prostate.prostatitis_FAQ_4_5

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Subject: sci.med.prostate.prostatitis FAQ 4/5
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Archive-name: medicine/prostatitis-faq/part4
Posting-Frequency: monthly

sci.med.prostate.prostatitis FAQ Part 4 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 XXIV -k through XXIV - z.

K-Y Jelly:  A slippery substance similar to VASELINE but
preferred in medical procedures because it washes off easily
with water.

Kai Kit Wan:  Chinese herb pills which have been reported to
assist in draining the acini.  See
http://www.prostate.org/chinese.html

Leukocyte:  White blood cell.

Libido:  Sexual desire.

Lobe:  A subsection of the prostate.  There are two lateral
(side) lobes, a median (center) lobe, an anterior (front) lobe and a
posterior(rear) lobe.

LOL:  Net shorthand for:  Laughing Out Loud.

Lomefloxacin:  An antibiotic of the quinolone family.  More at:
http://www.searlehealthnet.com/pi/maxaquin.html

MACROBID:  Trade name for nitrofurantoin, an antibiotic.
More at:
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/nitro25m.htm

MACRODANTIN:  Trade name for nitrofurantoin, an
antibiotic.  More at:
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/nitro25m.htm

Meares-Stamey:  A test where cultures of the urine are taken
before and after a DRE.  Currently the standard test used by
some urologists to determine whether the prostatitis is
bacterial or not.

Medscape:  A website which acts as a medical newsletter.
Currently a free service but you must register and use a
password to access full text of articles.  See
http://www/medscape.com

Metronidazole: Generic name for FLAGYL.  An antibiotic
used against anaerobic bacterial infections.  More at:
http://www.searlehealthnet.com/pi/flagyl375.html

MINIPRESS:  A drug used to treat BPH.  Similar in effect to
HYTRIN.

MINOCIN:  Trade name for minocycline.  More at:
http://www.housecall.com/databases/ami/convert/001723.html

Minocycline:  An antibiotic of the tetracycline family.  More
at:
http://www.housecall.com/databases/ami/convert/001723.html

Morbidity.  1)The number of cases of a
                      disease
                     2)Unhealthy consequences and
                      complications resulting from
                      treatment.

MOTAS:  Net shorthand for:  Member Of The Appropriate Sex.
Replaces MOTOS (where the second O stood for opposite).  See
SO.

MRI:  Magnetic Resonance Imaging.  An expensive high tech
device for viewing soft tissue inside the body.  Can be used to
detect cancer, blood flow problems, cysts, and dead cells.

NBCP:  Short for Non-Bacterial Chronic Prostatitis.

Nephritis:  Chronic or acute infection of the kidney(s).

Net:  Short for the internet or world wide web.

Newbie:  A newcomer to the net.

Nitrofurantoin:  An antibiotic.  More at:
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/nitro25m.htm

Nocturia:  Waking up in the middle of the night to urinate.

Norfloxacin:  An antibiotic of the quinolone family.  More at:
http://www.cheshire-
med.com/services/pharm/meds/quinolones.html

Nosocomial:  Hospital caused.  Disease or problem acquired at
a hospital or as a result of medical treatment.

NTK:  Net shorthand for:  Nice To Know.

NYSTATIN:  Trade name for Mycostatin.  An antifungal.  More
at:
http://www.aidsnyc.org/network/access/drugs/nyst.html

ONNA or ONNTA:  Net shorthand for:  Oh, No, Not (This)
Again.

Orchiectomy:  Removal of one or both testicles.

Orchitis:  An inflammation of one or both of the testicles.

Orofloxacin:  Antibiotic of the quinolone family.  More at:
http://www.cheshire-
med.com/services/pharm/meds/quinolones.html

OTOH:  Net shorthand for:  On The Other Hand.

Overflow Incontinence:  A condition in which the bladder
retains too much urine after voiding.  As a consequence, the
bladder remains full most of the time, resulting in involuntary
seepage of urine from the bladder.

Palliative Treatment:  Medical care which aims to reduce the
symptoms without curing the patient.

Pca:  Short for Prostate Cancer.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease:  See PID

Perineal:  Having to do with the perineum.

Perineum:  The area between your legs from the anus to the
scrotum.

PID:  Short for Pelvic Inflammatory Disease.  A general term
referring to infection involving the lining of the uterus, the
Fallopian tubes, or the ovaries.

pH:  A measurement of the alkalinity or acidity of a solution.
Neutral is 7.0.  Lower numbers are acidic, higher alkaline.

Placebo:  A non working imitation of the real drug or
procedure.  Used during effectiveness testing as a control to
eliminate psychological effects of taking medicine.  (Some
people will get better just because they think the medicine they are
taking will help them.)

Prazosin:  A drug used to treat BPH symptoms.  Similar to
HYTRIN.

Prednisone:  A synthetic hormone used as an anti-
inflammatory.  More at:
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/pred.htm

Priapism:  A painful erection that does not go away.

Prognosis:  A forecast of the course of a disease, and future
prospects of the patient.

Proloprim:  Trade name for trimethoprim, an antibacterial
drug.  More at:
http://www.ami-med.com/mhc/scr/003956sc.htm

PROSCAR:  Tradename for Finasteride.  A drug used to
shrink the prostate.  See Testosterone.  More at:
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/finas.htm

Prostate:  A small organ wrapped around the urethra which
provides some of the seminal fluid.  During ejaculation the fluid is
squeezed out of the prostate by contractions of the smooth muscles in
the prostate.  (III)  See http://www.prostate.org/tarf/p3.htm for
drawing.

Prostate Cancer:  A malignant tumor growing in/on the
prostate.  See sci.med.prostate.cancer newsgroup or
http://www.prostate.com
http://cancer.med.upenn.edu/disease/prostate/prostate_lit1.html
http://medhlp.netusa.net/general/cancer2/600066.TXT
http://rattler.cameron.edu/prostate/prostate.html
http://www.comed.com/Prostate/index.html
http://rattler.cameron.edu:80/strum/

Prostate Drainage:  A technique perfected by Dr. Feliciano
which uses maximum finger pressure on the prostate during a
DRE in order to squeeze as much of the trapped prostatic fluid
as possible.  (XIII, XIX)

Prostate Massage:  An old remedy which was once the only
treatment for prostatitis.  During a DRE, the doctor gently
strokes and pushes on the prostate.  This helps to drain some of the
trapped fluid.

Prostate-Specific Antigen:  See PSA.

Prostate Stone:  A small rock-like formation sometimes found
in the prostate.  Believed by some to be the result of
calcification.

Prostatectomy:  A surgical operation where some or all of the
prostate is removed.  More at:
http://www2.ari.net/icare/radprost.html
http://oncolink.upenn.edu/specialty/surg_onc/ahcpr_radpc.html
http://www.surg.med.umich.edu/urology/urology.profiles.5.html

Prostatitis:  An inflammation of the prostate. (YY)

Prostatodynia:  A word which means simply "prostate pain."
Used as a diagnosis for patients when there is no sign of
inflammation, even though there is pain in the prostate.

Prostatosis:  General term for any disease of the prostate.

PROSTATRON:  A device used to treat BPH symptoms using
microwaves. (YY)

PSA: Short for Prostate-Specific Antigen.  This term is usually
used when talking about a blood test which measures gamma-
seminoprotein activity.  Gamma-seminoprotein is a protein
which is a key component in the liquification of semen.  PSA is
usually found in high levels in the prostate but low levels in the
blood.  When something such as cancer or an infection or injury breaks
down prostate tissue, PSA is released into the blood stream.  It has
been found that high PSA test levels may indicate the presence of
prostate cancer up to four years before it can be detected otherwise.


There are several ways to interpret the PSA levels.  One system
uses 4.0 as the dividing line.  Lower is OK higher is suspect.
Another system uses a sliding number based on age: 49 and
below = 2.5, 50-59 = 3.5, 60-69 = 4.5, 70+ = 6.5.  Non-whites
should subtract 10 years from each scale.  A third system does
not worry too much about the absolute value but instead
concentrates on the rate of increase over time.

A recent article in Urology (Dec 96 or Jan 97) reported that
there are actually two types of PSA.  One is termed "free" and
the other "bound to ACT."  ACT is a protein of some sort.  The
ratio of "free" to "bound" was found to detect cancer up to 10
years in advance of other detection methods and is claimed to
be so accurate that biopsies would no longer be required.
Unfortunately the PSA ratio test is not yet in use.

The level of PSA can be influenced by: An ejaculation within 72
hours of the test, prostatitis, allopurinol, and PROSCAR.  All
but PROSCAR can raise the PSA level.  Also recent studies
(New England Journal of Medicine July 96.  Oesterling)
indicate that there is a significant difference in the way the
PSA results should be interpreted for non-whites.  A recent
study also shows that HYTRIN also lowers PSA.  See:
http://www.mediconsult.com/noframes/prostate/conference/0517
96/brown.html

The level of PSA may or may not be influenced by Saw
Palmetto or a DRE prior to the test.  Some recent studies have
claimed there were no or only minor effects (0 for Saw
Palmetto, +.1 for a DRE) but these are controversial.  No
information is available on the effect of a Dr. Feliciano style
prostate drainage but chances are it could raise the PSA level.

Lately, there have been several reports of DHEA raising the
PSA level.

More on PSA at:
http://www.tms.tribune.com/rjt_health/proanti.htm
http://www.hslib.washington.edu/hsl/grand_rounds/95-
96/17aug95.html
http://medhlp.netusa.net/general/cancer2/600066.TXT
http.//rattler.cameron.edu/prostate/strum/latepc.html

Pubis:  The area of the body just above the base of the penis.

Pyuria:  Pus in the urine.

Quinolone:  Any of a family of synthetic antibiotics.  CIPRO,
FLOXIN are the two most commonly prescribed.  More at:
http://www.cheshire-
med.com/services/pharm/meds/quinolones.html

Radical Prostatectomy:  An operation to remove the entire
prostate gland and seminal vesicles.

RBC:  Short for Red Blood Cells.  Sometimes found in the EPS
or urine.  May indicate an infection.

Rectum:  The terminal portion of the large intestines.

Reflux:  Flowing back.  Usually refers to the entry of urine into the
prostate.

Reiter's Syndrome:  An inflammatory disease effecting
several  body systems in more-or-less random order: urinary
tract, eyes, joints, and skin.  Not all persons have the complete set
of symptoms, in which case it is called incomplete Reiter's.  Men are
effected more than women.  The urinary tract symptoms are typical of
URI's -- burning, urgency, etc -- prostatitis can occur as well.  The
eye symptoms can be either conjunctivitis or iritis.  The joint
problems are primarily confined to the spine and pelvic region with
some peripheral joints involved. Reiter's effects the tendons,
ligaments, etc more than the joint itself. Tendonitis, particularly of
the Achilles tendon is typical. So is fascitis of the foot.  Permanent
damage to joints is rare.  The skin problems include rashes and
painless sores in the mouth.  The disease is typically episodic with
flare- ups and remissions.

Reiter's is thought to be an auto-immune disease which like
rheumatic fever follows an infection somewhere else in the
body.  Susceptible persons usually (about 70%) have an antigen
called HLA B27  which can be identified from a blood test. The
infections that trigger Reiter's can be either urinary tract
related or GI related.  Multiple organisms have been
implicated.

Remission:  Complete or partial disappearance of the signs
and symptoms of the disease.

Residual Urine:  The amount of urine remaining in the
bladder after urination.

Retrograde Ejaculation:  A condition where the semen is
sent to the bladder instead of the penis.  Common after a
TURP.

Retropubic Prosectomy:  Similar to the suprapubic
prosectomy except the bladder is not opened.  More at:
http://www.surg.med.umich.edu/urology/urology.profiles.html

ROFL or ROTFL:  Net shorthand for: Rolling On (The) Floor
Laughing.  Used as a response to joke or funny statement.

ROTO-ROOTER:  Trademark of a drain cleaning service in
the USA which uses a rotating device on a flexible hose.  Often
used jokingly as a synonym for a TURP.

Safranine:  A dye used in Gram's method.

Saw Palmetto:  A member of the palm family which grows
wild in Florida and the southeastern United States. Technically
known as Serenoa repens.  Often used as a treatment to relieve
symptoms of enlarged prostate or BPH.  See
http://www.cruzio.com/~mendosa/sawpalm.html for more
information.

Scrotum:  The pouch which contains the testicles.

Selenium:  An element.  Thought to be required by the human
body and often in short supply.  Supplements of 200 mg per day
have been recommended as a possible cancer prevention
measure.  More at:
http://www.solgar.com/nutrition_library/healthy_living/seleniu
m.html

Semen:  The fluid produced by an ejaculation.

Seminal Vesicles:  Two glands which provides about two-
thirds of the fluid which makes up the semen.  These are
located to the left and right of the prostate.  Output of the
seminal vesicle mixes with the sperm from the vas deferens and
flows through a duct which then passes the fluid through the
prostate to the urethra.  This duct can also be blocked by a
swollen prostate and/or a spreading of the infection.

Sensitivity Testing:  A method of determining which
antibiotic works best against a particular bacteria.

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

Shoskes, Dr.:  A doctor who has been recently active on the
newsgroup.  He has a clinic in Torrance, California which offers good
diagnostic service for prostate disorders and (among other treatments)
a treatment similar to that advocated by Dr. A. E. Feliciano.  (310)
222-5189.

Sexoton.  A type of Chinese herb pills.  It appears they may
open the acini and allow them to drain more easily.  A web page
dedicated to information on Chinese herbs can be found at:
http://www.prostate.org/chinese.html.

Sitz Bath:  A fancy term for sitting in a tub of hot water.  May bring
temporary relief of some prostatitis symptoms.

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

SO:  Short for Significant Other.  (Sexual partner).

Sperm or spermatozoa:  The little tadpole like organisms
which actually fertilize the egg.

Sphincter:  A ringlike muscle that constricts a bodily passage
or opening to control the flow through the passage or opening.
Sphincters to control the flow of urine in men are found at the
bladder neck and on the penis side of the prostate.

Sphincter, Urinary:  A ring-like muscle which contracts to
cut off urine flow.  Located on around the urethra at the exit
from the prostate.

Staph:  Short for Staphylococcus.  A spherical gram-positive
bacterium.

Static Obstruction:  Blockage of the urethra due to the
pressure of the swollen prostate.

Stent:  A hollow tube placed in the urethra to keep it open.
Still experimental.

Stricture:  The narrowing of a passageway.

Strep:  Short for Streptococcus.  An ovoid gram-positive
bacterium which causes Scarlet Fever and Strep throat.

Stress Incontinence:  The involuntary discharge of urine
when there is increased pressure upon the bladder, as in
coughing or straining to lift heavy objects.

Sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim:  An antibacterial.
BACTRIM, SEPTRA.  Stay out of the sun while taking this
drug.  More at:
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/trisulf.htm

Superior Pole:  When used in reference to the prostate refers
to the upper end of the prostate.  The end farthest from the
anus.

Suprapubic Prosectomy:  A prosectomy where the incision is
made between the navel and the penis.  The bladder is cut open
during this procedure.

Terazosin:  Generic name for HYTRIN.  More at:
http://www.rxlist.com/cgi/generic/teraz.htm

Testes:  Another name for testicles.

Testosterone:  The male sex hormone.  This hormone is
produced mostly by the testes but the adrenal gland also
produces a small amount.  You need a supply to maintain your
prostate's current size.  Castration cuts off the major source of
supply and results in shrinkage of the prostate so this is sometimes
used to shrink or slow the growth of prostate cancer.  Testosterone
can not be used directly by the prostate however but must first be
converted to Dihydrotestosterone by the action of a prostate enzyme
called 5-alpha reductase.  PROSCAR (used to shrink the prostate in
some BPH cases) works by interfering with this conversion.

Tetracycline:  An antibiotic.  More at:
http://vet.purdue.edu/depts/bms/courses/chmrx/tetra.htm

TIA:  Net shorthand for "Thanks In Advance."

TLIP:  Transurethral Longitudinal Incision of the Prostate.
Surgery which makes longitudinal cuts in the urethra in order
to relieve some of the obstruction.  Not as effective as a TURP
but may be easier on the patient's sex life. (YY)

Tobramycin:  An antibiotic.  More at:
http://www.ami-med.com/mhc/scr/001732sc.htm

Total Incontinence:  The loss of control over the sphincters of
the bladder neck and urethra, resulting in total loss of retentive
ability.

Trabeculation:  Irregular configuration of the bladder caused
by an obstruction.

Trimethoprim-sulfa:  An antibacterial compound.  Appears to
be a version of sulfamethoxazole/trimethoprim.

TRUS:  Short for TransRectal UltraSound.  A device which
uses ultrasound to check the prostate for tumors and cysts.
Also gives an idea of the size and shape of the prostate.  Most
have the capability to do a biopsy.

TULIP:  Transurethral Ultrasound-guided Laser Incision of
the Prostate.  A high tech version of the TUIP.

TUNA:  A relatively new method for treating BPH.  There was
a good article in the Dec.    '96 Newsweek (the one with the red
Dilbert on the cover).

TURP:  Short for TransUrethral Resection of the Prostate.
Surgical removal of the prostate's innermost core by an
approach through the urethra, with no external skin incision;
the most common treatment for symptomatic BPH.

Urethra:  the tube that carries urine from the bladder and
semen from the prostate and other sex glands out through the
tip of the penis  See http://www.prostate.org/tarf/p3.htm for
drawing.

Urinalysis: examination of the urine for
abnormalities.

Uro:  Short for urologist.

Urologist:  A doctor who specializes in diseases of the urinary
tract and the male reproductive system.

UTI:  Short for Urinary Tract Infection.

Utricle:  The remnant of the tissue which would in a woman
have developed into the uterus.  Located in the uretha between
the two ejaculatory duct openings.  In some men this can form a
cyst which can mimic prostatitis.  See
http://www.prostate.org/tarf/p3.htm for drawing.

Vas Deferens:  This is one of the tubes which they cut when
you have a vasectomy.  There is one for each testicle.  Plural is vasa
deferens.  The lower end actually attaches to the epididymis.  The
upper end is slightly swollen and serves as a storage area for mature
sperm.  This end is sometimes called the ampullary vas.  See
http://www.prostate.org/tarf/p3.htm for drawing.  Note that it is
labeled Deferent Duct in the drawing.

Verumontanum:  Sometimes shortened to veru.  A small
protuberance (3-4 mm)on the urethra where the ejaculatory
ducts enter.  See http://www.prostate.org/tarf/p3.htm for
drawing.

VLAT:  Visually directed Laser Ablation of the Prostate.  A
high tech version of the TURP.

Void:  To urinate.

Watchful Waiting: A strategy of management in which the
patient is monitored but receives no active treatment.

WBC:  Short for White Blood Cells.  Examination of the EPS or
urine sometimes reveals the presence of white blood cells.  This is
usually considered a sign of infection.

Website:  Usually refers to the website of the Prostatitis
Foundation;  http://www.prostate.org.  Note that
http://www.prostate.com  is the website for Prostate Cancer.

WT:  Net shorthand for:  Without Thinking.

WTR:  Net shorthand for:  With Respect To.

WTTM:  Net shorthand for:  Without Thinking Too Much.

Xatral:  A French alpha-1 blocker used to treat BPH
symptoms.

YMMV:  Net shorthand for:  Your Mileage May Vary.  Used to
indicate that something may work differently for someone else.

Yohimbine:  A bark extract used as a treatment for impotence.
Warning:  Some over-the-counter versions may contain added
methyltestosterone which can increase the growth of prostate
tumors.

Yohimbine HCL:  The purified prescription form of
yohimbine.

Zap:  To kill or to heat up something in the microwave.