Health Essentials
What is in your prostate?
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The abrofo-nkatie sized gland found only in men wants to be known and referred to as the prostate gland and not prostrate gland as many of us choose to call it. It has also made a strong case that it has more to it than the feared prostate cancer.
The prostate gland is lodged comfortably between the bladder and the penis and behind it is the rectum. The urethra that carries urine and semen passes through the centre of the prostate gland. Many of the problems associated with this gland start with the structures listed above that are close to it.
The prostate is not useless as some may refer to it as. It toils to secrete fluid that nourishes, protects and transports sperm.
A brief look at Prostatitis, BPH (benign prostatic hyperplasia) and Prostate Cancer will put things in the right perspective. These three conditions share some symptoms.
PROSTATITIS
This is an infection of the prostate gland and may present with
• Chills and a fever, pus-like urethral discharge
• Frequent urin ation, painful urination, pain in groin and testes
• Painful orgasms, new onset erectile dysfunction
Seek professional help. Do not self-medicate or second guess yourself.
BENIGN PROSTATIC HYPERPLASIA (BPH)
This condition is an increase in size of the prostate but it is not cancerous. The actual cause of this enlargement not known but male hormones may play a role.
MEN WITH BPH MAY SHOW SYMPTOMS SUCH AS:
• Frequent urination especially at night, urge incontinence ( where one may soil self if you don’t quickly urinate when you feel the urge)
• Difficulty starting to urinate (straining), poor urine stream
• Painful urination, blood in urine
• Terminal dribbling (urine continues to drip after one finishes urinating)
• May end up with not being able to pass urine (referred to in emergency rooms in Accra as sham) baa i.e. the urine won’t or can’t come). This is extremely painful and you will find men sweat, scream and do all sorts of things. In fact some have compared it to labour pains.
PROSTATE CANCER
It is one of the commonly diagnosed cancers in men and many of these cancers are slow growing. In general it is commoner among black men and has an earlier age of onset and quite often more aggressive and lethal.
WHO IS AT RISK?
• Age; the older you are the higher the chance
• Race ; blacks at more risk
• Family History ; higher risk if a family member has had it
• Obesity
WHAT ARE SOME OF THE SYMPTOMS?
• Urinating frequently including at night, straining to urinate, blood in urine /semen
• Weak or interrupted urine flow
• New onset erectile dysfunction
WHEN THERE IS SPREAD
• Fatigue, unexplained weight loss, change in bowel habits
• Pin in back, hips, shoulders, thighs etc.
DIAGNOSIS
This will require proper history taking from the client and then an examination and tests
• Digital rectal examination, where the doctor inserts a gloved lubricated finger through your anus to feel the prostate. It often will have an irregular , hard surface if cancerous
• PSA (prostate specific antigen) may also be elevated in a few other circumstances
• Biopsy, Ultrasound Scan
• CT Scan/MRI/PET Scan
• Bone Scan
MANAGEMENT
A holistic approach including watchful waiting, medication, surgery, radiation, cryotherapy. Always ask that all the options are discussed with you.
RISK REDUCTION
• Screening
• Healthy diet with a variety of fruits and vegetables. Carrots and tomatoes seem to have been discussed quite often. But variety is key. Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, kale and a few others may also be worth having in your healthy diet.
• Choose healthy foods over supplements
• Keep weight in check
• Exercise at least five days a week
Do remember to go the extra mile and share the information. The prostate too needs support!!!
AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)
Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
Health Essentials Ltd/ Mobissel
(dressel@healthessentialsgh.com)
*Dr. Essel is a medical doctor, holds an MBA and is ISSA certified in exercise therapy, fitness nutrition and corrective exercise. He is the author of the award-winning book, ‘Unravelling The Essentials of Health & Wealth.’
Thought for the week – “This year, World Heart Day (29th September) aims to encourage people to look after themselves, others, and nature as well. Putting in coordinated efforts to improve one’s own lifestyle and diet and motivating others to do the same can lead to a reduced number of people with heart and blood vessel disease.”
I look forward to interacting with you at The La Palm Royal Beach Hotel Corporate Healthy Lifestyle Programme on Saturday 30th September 2023 at 6am.
Let’s walk, exercise, network and share ideas that will keep us healthy.
By Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
These last few months of 2026, I am embarking on a new journey. Over the past several months I have tried out some aspects of my “new way of life” but not in the manner I am doing now and I am sure you are doing same too. Draft your own points based on what is important to you and let us begin the journey together. It is never too late.
Many of the things I am working on now are guided by years of interaction with different people, what may be my purpose in my opinion, great family and friends and the type of wisdom that comes only with years.
- Self-Care
Quite often we try to take care of everything and everyone without ensuring we are appropriately “charged”. There is nothing to give out if you are empty. Self-care is NOT a luxury and it has taken me years to appreciate this;
- I will add a new hobby I have been toying with.
- Surrounding myself with like-minded people who energise me, make me laugh and be the best version of myself. Building Social capital pays.
- I am spending quality time with God daily
- Spending time in nature is key and I ensure that I take much needed breaks
- Spending a few minutes a day to meditate, exercise and spoil myself sometimes
- I will have some hours each day that will be blocked out as “no phone time”
- Keeping a Goal Diary
Many people have described ways of putting down your goals and seeing them happen. My coach taught me the power of VISUALISATION but over the years I went off that golden path. It’s time to get back. This is what I am doing now;
- In a diary I am writing everything I want to be or do as long as I have breath. No pressure.
- I am writing in the present tense; “I am spending an amazing week in a 7-Star resort with the people I love the most”
- I will look at this list everyday
- Start a Gratitude Bank
I listened to this recently and though it was not referred to as a Gratitude Bank, I believe that is exactly what it is
- I picked a diary to write in but others choose a transparent container to drop in written points. Choose what you are comfortable with.
- At the end of each week I will write something(s) I am grateful for and put in the container.
- Whenever I feel “ungrateful” I will read through them to remind myself how blessed I am and surely I will be holding the “evidence”
- On December 31, I will go through the list irrespective of my mood.
- Practice. Practice. Practice
This is exactly as it is – whatever you have written out in your diary to do from self-care through your goals etc. prioritise or focus on a few at a time. As you practice e.g. meditating, exercising, eating right and the many great things you want to do, these will all GROW. Whatever you practice GROWS.
- Make the world a better place
I believe that we can make a difference in our corner no matter the challenges.
- That smile will change someone’s life
- An act of kindness is contagious and the giver, receiver and all those observing benefit immensely. Let us spread kindness.
- The Blood Bank on my mind for this year and beyond.
What are you focusing on, what are you practicing?
Do share your list with me via email.
AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)
Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
Health Essentials Ltd/ Medics Clinic
(dressel@healthessentialsgh.com)
*Dr. Essel is a Medical Doctor with a keen interest in Lifestyle Medicine, He holds an MBA and is an ISSA Specialist in Exercise Therapy, Fitness Nutrition and Corrective Exercise. He is the author of the award-winning book, ‘Unravelling The Essentials of Health & Wealth.’
Thought for the week –“Never change your originality for the sake of others because no one can play your role better than you. So be yourself. You are the best.” – Unknown
References:
- Unravelling the Essentials of Health & Wealth; Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
When it comes to cancer risk factors; ALL RISK FACTORS ARE NOT CREATED EQUAL. Someone may have several risk factors but remain perfectly fine while another may have only one or none yet end up with breast cancer or other cancers.
We cannot say with certainty that we can do all it takes to prevent cancer BUT we can do a lot to reduce our risk.
TEN (10) TIPS TO CANCER RISK REDUCTION
- Weight Control – being overweight or obese increases risk to SEVERAL cancers.
- Smoking – cigarette smoking predisposes one to several cancers including lung cancer. Other forms of air pollutants serve as risks too.
- Alcohol – limit intake or avoid. It has the power to expose one to several cancers as well especially when we can’t apply brakes to how much we consume.
- Healthy Eating
- Limit intake of processed food and sugar
- Limit intake of red meat
- Fruits and vegetables should be a mainstay of our diet.
- An antioxidant rich food like cocoa should be part of our food. The purer the cocoa, the better
- Fibre in your food is crucial.
- Exercise – on its own reduces risk for breast and colon cancers directly and many others through weight control.
- Also increases immunity.
- Cancer Screening – be regular so cancers can be detected early and managed aggressively.
- Vaccinations – take vaccines where needed e.g. Hep B vaccine or vaccine against HPV (human papilloma virus accounts for the majority of cervical cancers)
- Know your Family History
- Anyone in your family with a cancer? Necessary to be on your guard but also remember that you may be the first person in your family with a particular cancer.
- Start your family early and breast feed for as long as possible to reduce risk of breast cancer.
- Check exposure to Ultraviolet Light and other forms of radiation. Protect your skin.
- Practice SAFE SEX
- HPV infection leading to cervical cancer is commoner when one is exposed to sex early, directly or indirectly has multiple partners but NOT everyone follows this rule. As in many situations, outliers do exist.
- Conditions such as HIV/AIDS may suppress your immune system if not managed appropriately.
Do add two (2) others of your choice and send to me via email. Together we can protect ourselves.
Will treating H. Pylori infections be a game changer too?
ALWAYS remember that CANCER PREVENTION HAS NO QUICK FIX – we need to follow these points over and over.
AS ALWAYS LAUGH OFTEN, ENSURE HYGIENE, WALK AND PRAY EVERYDAY AND REMEMBER IT’S A PRICELESS GIFT TO KNOW YOUR NUMBERS (blood sugar, blood pressure, blood cholesterol, BMI)
Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
Health Essentials Ltd/ Medics Clinic
(dressel@healthessentialsgh.com)
*Dr. Essel is a Medical Doctor with a keen interest in Lifestyle Medicine, He holds an MBA and is an ISSA Specialist in Exercise Therapy, Fitness Nutrition and Corrective Exercise. He is the author of the award-winning book, ‘Unravelling The Essentials of Health & Wealth.’
Thought for the week – “WHERE YOU LIVE SHOULD NOT DETERMINE IF YOU LIVE.”- WHO
By Dr. Kojo Cobba Essel
