Prostate stones

　　Prostate diseases are not uncommon among male friends, especially among middle-aged and elderly men, who are the high-risk group for prostate diseases. It is a disease that men are prone to get, with a long course of illness and significant harm to patients. Experts say that the incidence of prostate stones among various male prostate diseases is increasing year by year. Patients with prostate stones will experience obvious difficulties in urination and severe pain. So why do men get prostate stones? Generally speaking, the formation of prostate stones is due to chronic inflammation of the prostate acini and excretory ducts, leading to the expansion of acini and the narrowing of the prostate ducts. After urine reflux, some salts precipitate on the normal prostate gland tissue, forming prostate stones.

　　1, Eating spicy and irritating foods

　　Eating chili can stimulate the digestive and urinary tracts, causing congestion, which is easy to cause constipation. These are all very unfavorable to the local metabolism of the prostate and can induce inflammation, leading to prostatic calculi.

　　2, Long-term habitual constipation

　　Due to the anatomical characteristics, the posterior lobe of the prostate is closely attached to the rectum. If constipation occurs, the fecal mass in the rectum compresses the prostate, causing local blood circulation disorders. Additionally, constipation can produce some toxins that enter the blood and cause systemic dysfunction, reducing the body's immune level and increasing the chance of developing prostatic calculi.

　　3, Excessive alcohol consumption

　　Drinking alcohol can cause the venules throughout the body to engorge, causing slight edema. The prostate is no exception, and the surrounding area is mainly muscular fibrous connective tissue. Therefore, the edema is mainly inward and into the glandular tissue, making it easy to be infected and develop prostatic calculi.

　　4, Long sitting

　　Some are due to occupational reasons. On one hand, the increased abdominal pressure on the prostate, on the other hand, when sitting, the prostate gland is in a horizontal position, and its urethral prostate part and the orifices of the prostatic ducts are at the same plane position, so if there are bacteria in the urine, they are easy to reflux into the ducts and cause calculi.

　　5, Not drinking enough water

　　For the formation of prostatic diseases, not drinking enough water causes urine to become concentrated, and harmful toxic substances accumulate in the urine, which is easy to reflux into the prostatic duct, causing harm and causing disease. Therefore, people who do not like to drink water are more prone to prostatic diseases. This is also one of the reasons for prostatic calculi.

　　Experts say that prostatic calculi gradually increase around an organic core, like a snowball. The organic core is often a blood clot, bacteria, necrotic tissue, or a substance called 'amyloid body'. The amyloid body is a small round or oval radiate structure formed by the encapsulation of desquamated epithelium with fat, nucleoprotein, crystalline purine, cholesterol, etc. When urine flows through the urethra, it can reflux from the orifice of the prostatic duct to the distal prostatic duct. The calcium salts in the urine can deposit layer by layer on the organic core, gradually increasing and forming calculi.

　　Most prostatic calculi are small, round or oval, with a smooth surface, scattered or aggregated within the acinar substance. The vast majority of prostatic calculi are accompanied by benign prostatic hyperplasia or chronic prostatitis, and occasionally prostatic cancer and tuberculosis lesions. The formation of calculi is complex and the result of the interaction of multiple factors.

　　Small prostatic calculi can cause chronic inflammation, with inflammatory cell infiltration, the acinar cavities filled with debris and desquamated epithelium, thus causing expansion. The size and shape of the acinar cavity can change, and the epithelial lining may disappear. There is also inflammatory cell infiltration and fibrosis between the acini, and the prostatic stroma around the calculi is also fibrotic.

　　Large prostatic calculi can occupy the entire prostatic acinar cavity, leaving only a small amount of glandular tissue. Inflammation and suppuration can cause periprostatic inflammation. Severe infection can lead to abscess formation, even rupture and the formation of fistulas. Therefore, prostatic calculi often accompany recurrent urinary tract infections.

　　Many diseases have obvious symptoms after onset, such as headache, fever, runny nose, and cough after a cold. It is because of these symptoms that people know it is a cold. However, for some diseases, patients are not very clear about their symptoms, such as prostatic calculi in men. What symptoms will men have after suffering from prostatic calculi? Generally, they are manifested as symptoms of prostatic hyperplasia, urethral stricture, or chronic prostatitis. Some small calculi can be excreted with urine, and some patients may have pain in the lumbar sacral region, perineum, or penile region. Some may have sexual dysfunction. Patients with prostatic abscess may have deep perineal and scrotal pain, which worsens during defecation, accompanied by fever and systemic symptoms, and the prostate is obviously tender. The following will give a detailed introduction.

　　1. Stone morphology

　　Prostatic calculi generally refer to calculi originating in the acini and ducts of the prostate. The formation of prostatic calculi is related to the reflux of urine. The size of prostatic calculi varies greatly, as does the number, ranging from one to hundreds. The color is brown, brown, or black, and the texture is relatively hard.

　　2. Whether there is difficulty in urination

　　Most patients with prostatic calculi are men over 40 years old. Prostatic calculi themselves have no special symptoms, but when prostatic calculi are combined with prostatic hyperplasia or urethral stricture, they may manifest symptoms such as difficulty in urination, frequent urination, thin and weak urinary stream, and even dribbling. They are often found incidentally during rectal examination, or discovered during X-ray, V-ultrasound, and other examinations for diseases such as prostatic hyperplasia and chronic prostatitis.

　　3. Pain symptoms

　　When chronic prostatitis, urethral stricture, or prostatic hyperplasia occurs, corresponding symptoms may appear. For example, when chronic prostatitis occurs, there may be pain in the lumbar sacral region, perineum, penile region, and anal region, and there may be secretion from the urethral orifice. When concurrent urethral stricture or prostatic hyperplasia occurs, there may be symptoms such as difficulty in urination, weak urinary stream, and dribbling. When prostatic abscess occurs, there may be pain in the perineum and deep rectum, which may worsen during defecation, with fever and urinary retention. Some cases may have terminal hematuria and sexual dysfunction. Small calculi may be excreted spontaneously, or small calculi may be excreted during prostate massage.

　　4. Influence on libido

　　Most patients with prostatic calculi are asymptomatic. Many elderly men often have nocturnal urinary frequency or difficulty in urination, and it is only when they are examined that they find out that they have early symptoms of prostatic calculi. The calculi can be present in the prostate for many years without discomfort. When the calculi are large, there may be symptoms such as frequent urination, hematuria, difficulty in urination, pain, and sometimes low libido, seminal blood, impotence, etc.

　　The above is the detailed introduction collected by the editor about the symptoms and manifestations of prostatic calculi. Through the introduction of patients above, it is hoped that it will be helpful to the friends. It is suggested that everyone should pay attention to protecting the prostate in daily life, and if similar symptoms occur in daily life, they should be highly valued, and it is necessary to seek medical examination and treatment in regular hospitals to avoid the aggravation of the disease.

　　Prostatic calculi are one of the common diseases in men. The occurrence of this disease can bring severe pain to patients. So, how should we prevent this disease? The following introduction will be provided for everyone.

　　1. Prevent excessive sexual activity, especially be vigilant about sexual interruption. Participating in cultural and sports activities and practicing qigong can help alleviate symptoms.

　　2. Regular exercise can also reduce urinary calculi. Excessive alcohol consumption can cause congestion in the prostate and bladder neck, leading to urinary retention.

　　3. Do not overwork. Overwork can consume the middle qi, leading to weak urination and an increased risk of urinary retention.

　　4. Reduce the intake of spicy and刺激性 foods, as they can cause congestion in the sexual organs, exacerbate hemorrhoids and constipation symptoms, compress the prostate, and worsen urinary difficulties.

　　5. Urinate promptly and do not hold urine. Holding urine can cause overfilling of the bladder, weaken the detrusor muscle tension, cause urinary difficulties, and easily lead to acute urinary retention. Therefore, it is necessary to urinate whenever there is a need.

　　6. Prostatic massage. Massaging the lower abdomen, pressing the Qihai and Guanyuan points, etc., is beneficial for the recovery of bladder function. After urination, slight pressure massage can promote bladder emptying and reduce residual fluid.

　　7. Pay attention to keeping warm. Prevent colds from late autumn to early spring when the weather changes frequently. Cold weather often worsens the condition. Therefore, patients must pay attention to keeping warm and preventing colds and upper respiratory tract infections.

　　8. Avoid strenuous activities and long periods of sitting or cycling. Prolonged sitting can exacerbate hemorrhoids and other diseases, and it is easy to cause congestion in the perineum, leading to urinary difficulties and easily triggering calculi.

　　9. Drink plenty of water regularly to dilute urine and flush out calculi in the urine. Insufficient water intake not only causes dehydration but also hinders the flushing effect of urine on the urinary tract, and it is easy to lead to concentrated urine and the formation of insoluble stones. Therefore, except for reducing water intake at night to prevent overfilling of the bladder during sleep, more water should be consumed during the day.

　　10. Reduce the intake of foods that increase uric acid, such as meats and high-protein foods. Elderly patients with the condition should have a light diet, eat more green vegetables and fruits, and consume more sugarcane, apples, oranges, grapes, pomelos, pineapples. Avoid eating chocolate and spinach in large quantities. The daily salt intake should be less than 10g.

　　11. Some medications can worsen urinary difficulties, and in high doses, they can cause acute urinary retention. The main ones include atropine, belladonna tablets, ephedrine tablets, isoprenaline, etc. In recent years, calcium channel blockers and verapamil have been found to promote prolactin secretion and weaken the contraction of the detrusor muscle, thereby exacerbating urinary difficulties. Therefore, it is advisable to use or avoid certain medications with caution.

　　12. Do not drink alcohol, or only consume a small amount of low-alcohol beverages, even during holidays or social gatherings.

　　13. Stand up and move around after sitting for about an hour, and exercise more. Pay attention to personal hygiene, and wash the lower body every night.

　　14. Maintain an optimistic and open-minded attitude, and deal with negative emotions in a timely manner. Defecate at a fixed time each day, and eat more vegetables in daily diet. Consume moderate amounts of fruit and engage in physical activities. Treat constipation promptly.

　　Prostatic calculi are true calculi formed in the prostatic acini and ducts, and generally, several examinations need to be done:

　　1. Digital rectal examination

　　The prostate is often enlarged, and stones can be felt locally, or friction or crepitus may be caused by moving the stones, or a nodular sensation may be present. Digital rectal examination can palpate a normal or enlarged prostate, and larger stones may also be palpated or a sensation of stone friction may be felt.

　　2. Ultrasound examination

　　Ultrasound examination can show echoes of mass stones.

　　3. X-ray

　　X-ray films usually show three types of X-ray manifestations, namely, diffused (multiple small stones), annular (stones are round), and horseshoe-shaped (stones resemble a horseshoe, distributed on both sides of the prostate). The X-ray diagnosis of this disease can often confirm the diagnosis. X-ray films can observe the number, size, and shape of prostate stones.

　　4. Urethroscope examination

　　Urethroscope examination can detect prostate stones protruding into the urethra to distinguish them from prostate urethral stones originating from the urinary system.

　　5. EPS examination

　　EPS examination may show red blood cells or a small number of white blood cells. If it is seen with chronic prostatitis, the white blood cell count is ≥10 cells/μL, or it is seen in clusters.

　　Prostate stones bring a lot of trouble to our lives. To recover as soon as possible, patients need to do a good job of their care work. They not only need to actively cooperate with various treatments from doctors but also pay attention to dietary care, which is the most critical in the process of patient recovery. Let's take a look at how to nourish patients with prostate stones together.

　　Firstly, dietary principles for patients with prostate stones

　　1. Eat more food rich in vitamin A to maintain the health of the urinary tract mucosa and help prevent the recurrence of stones. Such foods include carrots, broccoli, melon, pumpkin, beef liver, but high doses of vitamin A are toxic, and it is best to consult a doctor before taking it.

　　2. Most gastric drugs contain a high amount of calcium. If suffering from calcium stones, it is advisable to choose brands with less calcium when taking gastric drugs.

　　3. Do not eat too much food rich in oxalates, including beans, beets, celery, chocolate, grapes, green peppers, coriander, spinach, strawberries, and tea.

　　4. Taking magnesium and vitamin B6 can reduce the recurrence rate by 90%.

　　5. It is necessary to control the intake of calcium, avoiding excessive calcium intake, but not to be prohibited.

　　6. Engage in more physical activity to prevent calcium from depositing in the blood.

　　7. Reduce the intake of protein, including meat, cheese, fish, and chicken.

　　8. Reduce the intake of salt, and eat less food with high salt content.

　　9. Limit the intake of vitamin C, especially for patients with calcium oxalate stones.

　　Secondly, dietary recommendations for patients with prostate stones

　　1. Ginger has a strong diuretic effect

　　Excessive secretion of prostaglandins in the body can lead to an increase in mucin in bile, resulting in the precipitation of stones. Ginger can inhibit the synthesis of prostaglandins, thereby relatively reducing the formation of mucin in bile, achieving the purpose of inhibiting the formation of stones.

　　2. Prevent the formation of stones

　　Walnuts are rich in oleic acid, which can inhibit the formation of cholesterol in the body, thereby reducing the concentration of cholesterol in bile, and hence prevent the formation of gallstones. Walnuts also contain unsaturated fatty acids, which can improve the composition of bile, facilitating the excretion of stones.

　　3. Pumpkin can dissolve stones

　　Practice has proved that pumpkin has an anti-stone effect that should not be underestimated. Drink two bowls of pumpkin porridge in the morning, boiling an egg in the porridge. Eat some steamed pumpkin or stir-fried pumpkin as dishes in the afternoon. In the evening, also drink pumpkin porridge, eat some steamed buns, drink a glass of milk, and other dishes can be eaten as usual. But it is best not to eat dishes cooked with animal oil or greasy foods.

　　4. Black fungus makes stones scale off

　　Black fungus has the characteristic of promoting the secretion of various glands in the digestive system, can lubricate the internal and external bile ducts, differentiate and invade gallstones, make the stones continuously scale off and shrink, and excrete through the bile duct. For patients with initial gallstones, if they persist in eating 1-2 times of black fungus every day, the symptoms such as pain, nausea, and vomiting can be relieved in a short period of time, and the stones can disappear in about 10 days. For chronic and hard stones, if they persist in using black fungus for a long time, the stones can also be reduced in size.

　　Reminders: Patients should quit smoking and drinking, drink more water. Smoking and drinking are not conducive to postoperative recovery and may induce the risk of infection and inflammation in patients, so it is best to quit smoking and drinking as much as possible. Drinking more water and urinating more are conducive to the excretion of stones.

　　Traditional Chinese medicine believes that the pathological location of prostate stones is in the bladder, as the bladder is governed by the kidney, therefore the kidney and bladder are the main internal organs involved in the disease. This disease can be divided into liver qi stagnation, damp-heat in the lower jiao, and blood stasis in the lower jiao. The treatment methods for different types of prostate stones are different, and the therapeutic effects also vary.

　　1. Treatment of Liver Qi Stagnation with Traditional Chinese Medicine

　　Emotional discomfort, irritability, bitter and dry throat, difficulty in urination, distension of the hypochondrium and abdomen, tongue red, thin and slightly yellow coating, pulse wiry and rapid. Method should be to regulate qi, clear heat and cool the fire first, the formula used is Shen Xiang San modified, composed of Shen Xiang, Chen Pi, Bai Shao, Danggui, Wang Bu Xing, Shi Wei, Dong Kui Zi, etc.

　　2. Treatment of Lower Jiao Damp-Heat with Traditional Chinese Medicine

　　Frequent, urgent and painful urination, red and turbid urine, abdominal distension, constipation, bitter and sticky mouth, prostate examination may feel stones or crepitus, tongue red, coating yellow and greasy, pulse slippery and rapid. Method should be to clear heat and promote diuresis in the lower jiao, the formula used is Bajing San, with Mutong, Qumai, Xü, Cheqianzi, Da Huang, Shanzhi, etc.

　　3. Treatment of Lower Jiao Stasis with Traditional Chinese Medicine

　　Difficult urination, urine thin as a thread, or intermittent,涩痛难忍，tongue purple and dark, coating white, pulse thin and涩。Method should be to resolve blood stasis, disperse nodules and promote diuresis, the formula selected is Dai Di Dang Wan, composed of Danggui Wei, Chuan Shan Jia, Taoren, Da Huang, Mang Xiao, Hong Hua, etc.