Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia & Prostatitis And Interstitial Cystitis
“Advice from our experienced, passionate & knowledgeable team, combined with our impressive armament of progressive beneficial tools, is all that anybody needs to guide them back to true health and wellness. Help us to help you fight BPH, CP & prostate cancer by contacting us today” – Studio Team
Close to a quarter-million new prostate cancer cases are diagnosed in the USA every year, claiming the lives of 35 thousand men annually, severely impacting quality of life and causing untold worry and concern to the patient and to the people that they love. Prostate cancer is the second most fatal cancer amongst males in the US and as with any form of cancer, early diagnosis remains the single most powerful intervention in maximizing survival rates & quality of life.
Treating Prostatitis to Prevent Prostate Cancer
Inflammation is present in around 17% of cancer cases, with prostatitis defined as the inflammation of the prostate gland. This tells us that inflammation is a key risk factor for a heightened vulnerability to prostate cancer.
Recent studies confirm this significant association between chronic prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate) and prostate cancer. Many epidemiological studies, for example, have concluded definitively that inflammation is highly correlated with several types of cancer, with biological studies evidencing the role that active oxygen and nitrogen radicals produced by inflammation tissue play in increasing the risk of cancer, suppressing antitumor activity & stimulating carcinogenesis.
Other studies also highlight the role of transcription factors NF-kB and STAT3 in the link between inflammation and cancer. As prostatitis is literally defined as inflammation of the prostate gland, this places prostatitis sufferers at higher risk of contracting prostate cancer. This link holds for all kinds of prostatitis, whether that is bacterial or non-bacterial prostatitis or even non-inflammatory prostatitis. Perhaps most worryingly, asymptomatic prostatitis also carries an increased cancer risk.
Prostatitis already accounts for around 2 million hospital visits a year in the US, with the worrying revelation that the number of men suffering from asymptomatic prostatitis is likely to be significantly higher than those with symptoms. This is extremely concerning, adding weight to calls that prostatitis & prostate cancer testing should be considered as a routine, regular scan for all men, especially as they age because symptoms are not always obvious.
Researchers recently discovered, for example, those inflammatory cells were found in the prostates of men who recorded no history or side effects of prostatitis, and who would obviously not have sought treatment due to their status as asymptomatic.
Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and Chronic Prostatitis (CP)
Inflammation is a common causative agent for two very similar prostate conditions – Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and Chronic Prostatitis (CP).
BPH is a very common chronic disorder amongst elderly men (NB. hyperplasia means the growth of tissue, which can lead to the gross enlargement of an organ). It is a non-malignant progressive proliferation of prostatic epithelial tissue and smooth muscle tissue, which causes increased prostate volume. It is not common in young men, with an estimated 50-75% of sufferers over 50 years of age, with the incidence rising sharply with age, particularly in the over-70 age group. Around 15 million men in the US suffer from BPH. Symptoms are extremely similar to those of CP, many of which are classified as LUTS – Lower Urinary Tract Infections – with comorbidities of BPH including cardiovascular disease, diabetes & disorders of the digestive system.
BPH (prostatic growth) and CP (prostatic inflammation) clearly both share similar pathologies & symptoms. We asked Dr. Lisbeth Roy, founder of the Doctors Studio, to share her thoughts about diagnosing & treating Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH) and Chronic Prostatitis (CP).
“Although many people make a big distinction between BPH and CP, I strongly believe they are part of a spectrum of chronic prostatic conditions, and as such, they share root causes. Understanding these root causes and creating medical plans specific to them, will allow the resolution of these chronic ailments and thus reduce the chance of developing prostate cancers down the road.”
Our treatments subsequently take a comprehensive, medically informed approach to diagnosing & exploring common root problems & symptoms & treating them in the context that they represent risk factors for prostate cancer. We don’t just want to stop your symptoms. We want to learn EXACTLY what caused them to stop them returning, & therefore eradicate the future threat of prostate cancer from your life.
Treating BPH & CP
At the Doctors Studio, we are experienced in helping men alleviate symptoms of prostatic dysfunction, and eradicating BPH & CP, both of which are risk factors for prostate cancer. 1 in 7 men will contract prostate cancer at some point in their lives, so it is vital that we screen for prostatic conditions so that we become empowered in the early detection of prostate cancer.
We have a vast portfolio of treatments & therapies that we utilize for this purpose. For example, LI-SWL (Low-Intensity Shockwave Therapy) soundwaves offer an innovative therapeutic solution, whilst Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) shots can also offer impressive benefits, rejuvenating tissue, promoting angiogenesis (new cell development) & the breaking up of intra-prostatic calcification. We can prescribe oral antibiotics depending on the individual needs of the patient, but we generally find that intra-prostatic injections provide a more localized and effective treatment, also maintaining the health of the intestinal tract (antibiotics can lower good bacteria in the gut, which can subsequently negatively impact immunity).
Utilizing next-gen testing techniques such as prostatic fluid genome testing, we generate customized anti-infection cocktails that we then inject directly into the prostate. These intra-prostatic injections of medication in combination with varied another progressive (& rigorously clinically tested) therapies & treatments such as ozone therapy, UVBI, and customized IV (intravenously) allow us to target the prostatic tissue directly & effectively, breaking up calcifications (where inflammatory-stimulating pathogens are likely to be found).
Alongside these technologically advanced treatments, we also create nutrient, lifestyle & dietary plans to ensure the fastest relief from symptoms, facilitating the removal of bladder irritants from the diet (such as carbonated drinks, acidic foods, spicy foods, alcohol, or caffeine). We generally find that a combination of treatments offers the fastest, most effective, outcomes.
A Holistic Approach: Addressing Local & Systemic Causes
BPH and CP display localized (e.g., inflamed prostate tissue) causes and systemic (e.g., lowered immune system, poor gut health) causes, all of which need to be addressed. A bad diet high in acidic foods, for example, combined with a stressful lifestyle & inadequate water intake can contribute to urinary tract infections & subsequent prostatic inflammation. Hormone imbalance can also prove a contributory cause, and we have extensive experience in screening for and rapidly treating any kind of hormonal imbalance. By addressing these systemic causes through dietary & lifestyle intervention, as well as highly localized treatments such as intra-prostate injections, we can not only eradicate your BPH/CP but also stop them from ever returning.
Stated another way, the Doctors Studio possesses the ability to not only test for BPH/CP but to also understand the root causes of it, then to obliterate all signs of it permanently, by addressing whatever those causes may be. That’s not a claim that many performance health centers can make.
What Can I Expect?
Let’s drill down to some of the leading tests, treatments & therapies that we engage with to cure you of your BPH/CP for good.
TESTING Protocol at the Doctors Studio
We offer a range of advanced testing protocols, including:
- Advanced Diagnostics testing using blood & urine samples allow us to identify inflammatory markers, genetic variables, hormonal levels, metabolic markers, autoantibodies, immunological markers, kidney & liver function data, electrolyte levels, proteins, pancreatic enzymes, key nutrient levels, the presence of bacteria, toxins & pathogens to get to the root cause of your dysfunction.
- Expressed Prostatic Secretion (EPS) testing using fluid secreted by the prostate allows us to isolate pathogens that may be causing infections & irritation. This offers an extremely effective way of focusing in on the exact causes of prostatic inflammation & dysfunction and of the cause of urinary symptoms such as disrupted urine flow, or pain during urination.
- EPS genome testing allows us to simultaneously screen for the presence of 37, 000 microbiomes that may be causing your inflammation.
- Advanced Prostate Imaging allows us to perform multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging of the pelvis and prostate (mp-MRI) alongside a prostate ultrasound to quantify calcium and biofilm presence, and to detect or rule out the presence of cancer. It also allows us to accurately measure the prostate size and allows us to perform a comprehensive anatomical evaluation of the prostatic region to identify any possible musculoskeletal issues that might be contributing to your BPH/CP.
- Validated Questionnaires (The International Index of Erectile Dysfunction (IIEF) & Sexual Health Inventory for Men (SHIM)) offer us extensive personal data that we can draw on to supplement medical testing & interventions.
- Thermography (thermal imaging) offers an amazing non-invasive, fast, painless & safe means of scanning the body for anomalous heat patterns that can immediately indicate dysfunction, tumors, an increased metabolic activity that could indicate malignant tumor formation, injuries, inflammation, and other dysfunction that would require further investigation. Musculoskeletal Thermography (MSU) also helps us to clearly identify the exact areas that need to receive injection therapy or other therapies & treatments such as Li-SWL (Low-Intensity Shockwave Therapy), PRP (Platelet Rich Plasma), and LI-ECSWT (Low-Intensity Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy).
THERAPIES & TREATMENTS at the Doctors Studio
Once we have identified the cause (or causes) of your prostatic dysfunction, we will develop a sophisticated treatment plan that will eradicate the dysfunction from your system and prevent it from returning. These progressive, next-gen, clinically backed treatments & therapies include:
- Low-Intensity Shockwave Lithotripsy (Li-SWL) and Low-Intensity Extracorporeal Shock Wave Therapy (LI-ECSWT) enable us to disperse calcification within the prostate that cause irritation, and which shields pathogens (multiple parasites, bacteria & viruses) that are often the cause of prostatic inflammation. Shockwave therapy uses low-frequency acoustic waves to stimulate the formation of new blood vessels & improves blood flow, vastly improving the health of the prostatic region. It is non-invasive and delivers results quickly and represents a vital weapon in our anti-inflammation armor.
- An expert ultrasound-guided Intra-prostatic injection can be used effectively to deliver a highly customized anti-infection cocktail of medication directly to the localized prostatic site, rapidly dealing with the pathogens, bacteria, and underlying causes of your symptoms.
- Medical IV (Intravenous) Ozone can be directly injected into the prostate to reduce swelling and inflammation.
- Ultraviolet Blood Irradiation Therapy (UVBI) enables the body to produce more antibodies, allowing your immune system to fire into action and fight powerful antibiotic-resistant bacteria and viruses.
- Platelet Rich Plasma (PRP) Therapy helps to mobilize the body’s own beneficial capabilities by concentrating the rich plasma-based immune-boosting capacities of PRP direct to the localized site – in this case, the prostate – that needs it most. Studies show that PRP can be extremely effective in restoring blood flow, promoting angiogenesis & positively improving the cellular health of the body.
Ultimately, we know that inflammation is a major risk factor for cancer, alongside a range of other life-threatening diseases & conditions such as heart disease, diabetes, rheumatoid arthritis, metabolic syndrome, and polycystic kidney disease. Dealing with inflammation remains key to preventing a dysfunction from becoming a disease – when treatment options have to become more aggressive, and patient outcomes become less positive.
Early diagnosis remains the most powerful weapon in the hands of a physician, so routine screening for prostatitis or BPH – even if you have no symptoms (given that you can present asymptomatically with CP or BPH) – might not only help you to enjoy a greater quality of life. It might even SAVE your life.
At the Doctors Studio, we are considered leaders in performance-based therapies & treatments. Let us work with you to ensure that you are not only healthy but your health is optimized – that you are not only dysfunction-free but that your dysfunctions will not return or become something more serious. Contact us today if you or someone you love would benefit from our BPH/CP testing, therapies &/or treatments.
WHAT IS CHRONIC PROSTATITIS?
Prostatitis is the most common prostate problem in men under the age of 50, with some urologists estimating that up to 10% of all men have prostatitis at any given time. If you feel alone & embarrassed by this condition – don’t be. It is more common than you think, maybe indicative of a more serious condition, & it will get even worse if you don’t seek treatment. Most importantly, we can rapidly obliterate it from your life, so why wait?
Chronic Prostatitis (CP) is a disease of the prostate that causes pain in the groin, painful urination and general discomfort, stinging, burning, difficulties urinating, &/or a sensation of heat & itching. Prostatitis can be bacterial or non-bacterial, with the bacterial kind often caused by bacteria in urine leaking into your prostate. You might be experiencing long-term pain, or the constant need to urinate. Pelvic floor dysfunction might have caused tightening of the urinary sphincter which is why you might notice that you urinate with a weak stream, or experience frequent urgency, dribbling after urinating, inflammation, ejaculatory dysfunction &/or pain. It is often considered the male equivalent of Interstitial Cystitis (IC), a common condition affecting women that causes chronic inflammation of the bladder & urethra. The three main types of CP are:
- Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis (CBP): caused by a bacterial infection, where the prostate becomes inflamed and white blood cells are found in the urine (causes around 10% of all CP cases)
- Inflammatory Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome: prostatitis, but no bacteria present, often with white blood cells present in urine, and often accompanied by a low-grade infection (responsible for around 90% of cases)
- Prostadynia: prostatitis symptoms are present, but no infection & inflammation can be observed, possibly a result of pressure in the urinary tract, irritation caused by an autoimmune or chemical process, or pain in pelvic nerves &/or muscles).
Thought to be a contributor to prostate cancer if present long term, CP can also interfere with sexual function, potentially undermining the quality of your intimate relationships, removing your satisfaction & enjoyment of sex, and robbing you of the joy and hormonally positive effects of regular orgasms.
The good news is that the Doctors Studio can effectively test for prostatitis with our in-office Aperiomics EPS Test, before embarking on a treatment plan that will eradicate the condition, bacteria &/or other variables that have caused this inflammation & disease to occur within your body. In fact, the Aperiomics EPS Test can identify every known bacterium, virus, fungus & parasite out there & simultaneously scan for 37, 000 different microbiomes.
We can also undertake a comprehensive physical exam to identify & isolate the possible biomechanical, musculoskeletal, or structural causes that might have caused your pain & discomfort (such as a digital rectal exam, alongside a range of other sophisticated next-gen methods of pathogen & bacteria identification). Getting to the exact root cause of your prostatitis means treating it more effectively & more rapidly.
Are You Suffering From CP?
You may be suffering from CP if you experience one or more of the following symptoms:
- Pain during sex or orgasm
- Difficulty urinating
- A constant feeling of the need to urinate
- Blood in your urine
- A feeling that you cannot empty your bladder after urinating
- Uneven &/or weak flow when you urinate
- Burning pain when you urinate
- Pain in the lower abdominal region, above the pubic region, between the anus & testes, &/or lower back
- Possible fever or chills if you have bacterial prostatitis
What causes Chronic Prostatitis?
It is thought that around 90% of CP sufferers have the non-bacterial version of prostatitis. Whilst medical theorizations of the root causes of non-bacterial CP differ, it is thought that the majority of patients might have some kind of musculoskeletal problem, in particular pelvic floor dysfunction, which often results from structural dysfunction of the sacroiliac, lumbosacral and hip joints. This could have originated from injury, sports that place stress on the pelvic floor (such as horse riding, gymnastics, etc.), or previous trauma to the sacrum. A childhood history of urinary retention (holding your pee through being afraid to go to an unfamiliar bathroom, or a disinclination to interrupt playing, for example), is sometimes also linked to a later onset of the condition.
Whilst many types of bacteria can cause the bacterial version of the disease – CBP – it is thought that the most common culprit is Escherichia coli or other gram-negative Enterobacteriaceae.
Interstitial Cystitis (IC)/Bladder Pain Syndrome (BPS)
You may not be suffering from prostatitis, but from a condition known as Interstitial Cystitis (IC)/Bladder Pain Syndrome, a chronic bladder issue that creates pain & a feeling of pressure in the pelvic & bladder region. While it is more common in women, men certainly can suffer from it, too.
To be diagnosed with IC, you will generally have experienced this pain alongside other urinary tract symptoms for 6 weeks or more, where the cause of the symptoms will not have been attributed to another medical condition or infection. In the case of IC/BPS, patients often feel more pain as the bladder fills with urine, and may also feel pain in the lower abdomen, lower back, pelvic or perineal area (i.e., between the scrotum and penis). The pain can be intermittent or continuous.
This is generally also accompanied by an increased need to urinate (usually during the day and night), sometimes suddenly becoming urgent – an urgency that might not disappear after urinating. It can cause painful orgasms, but leaking urine is usually a sign of other dysfunctions. The risks of suffering IC & BPS tend to increase with age, and it is thought that some men are often diagnosed with prostatitis when IC/BPS is really the diagnosis that they should have received. Stress can make the symptoms feel worse, with symptoms potentially escalating to the point where life, work, and sleep become difficult.
Potential causes include a defect in bladder tissue that may allow bacteria and irritants in the urine to penetrate the bladder, histamine & other chemicals released by mast cells in the body (a type of inflammatory cell), foreign substances of some kind in the urine, dysfunction in the nerves that signal that the bladder is filling, causing anomalous pain where there should be none, the presence of an erroneous substance in urine that inhibits the growth of cells in the bladder tissue, &/or autoimmune irregularities where the body’s immune system attacks the bladder.
Treatments & Therapies at the Doctors Studio
The great news is that you’ve come to the right place if you want to rid yourself of your bladder problems for good. We utilize a range of prostatic fluid genomic testing to create a highly customized cocktail of anti-infection medication that can be injected directly into the perineal area to provide efficient localized treatment.
We can use Platelet Rich Plasma therapy, depending on the root cause of your urinary problems, &/or LI-SWL therapy (Low-Intensity Shockwave Lithotripsy. We are also well-versed in communicating the lifestyle & dietary changes that you can make that will minimize the symptoms that you are experiencing & prevent them from ever happening again.
RECLAIM YOUR LIFE!
Ultimately, we want to help you regain control over your life once again, and not have bladder & pelvic pain disrupt & dictate your sex life, social life, professional life, & general ability to have fun & take advantage of everything that life has to offer.
We will help you to get to the root cause of your bladder or pelvic discomfort or pain swiftly & effectively, using cutting-edge, next-gen testing & treatment methodologies to place you on the path to truly optimized health once again. So if you feel that you or someone you love would benefit from bladder & urinary therapies & treatments at the Doctors Studio, please do not hesitate to get in touch. We are waiting to take your call and restore you to wellness as soon as we can!
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