OVERVIEW OF PROSTATITIS

    The prostate is a walnut-sized gland that forms part of the male reproductive system. The gland is made of two lobes, or regions, enclosed by an outer layer of tissue. The prostate is located in front of the rectum and just below the bladder, where urine is stored. The prostate also surrounds the urethra, the canal through which urine passes out of the body.

    Scientists do not know all the prostate's functions. One of its main roles, though, is to squeeze fluid into the urethra as sperm move through during sexual climax. This fluid, which helps make up semen, energizes the sperm and makes the vaginal canal less acidic.

    Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland.  Prostate inflammation can be sudden and acute or chronic.  The symptoms of prostatitis are nonspecific and mimic many other urologic and nonurologic diseases.  Symptoms vary greatly with some patients experiencing no notable symptoms while other patients have symptoms so sudden and severe that they must seek emergency medical care. Symptoms, when present, can include any of the following:

• fever,
• chills,
• urinary frequency,
• frequent urination at night,
• difficulty urinating,
• burning or painful urination,
• perineal (referring to the perineum, the area between the scrotum and the anus) and low-back pain,
• joint or muscle pain,
• tender or swollen prostate,
• blood in the urine,
• painful ejaculation.

    Prostatitis can have many causes including:

• infections caused by bacteria, fungus or viruses,
• trauma (mechanical or chemical),
• autoimmune processes in which the immune system attacks the body's own cells.

    Because of the various potential causes, prostatitis may be classified into three types:

• acute infectious prostatitis,
• chronic infectious prostatitis,
• noninfectious prostatitis.

    Acute infectious prostatitis is uncommon and is usually caused by bacteria.  Standard medical treatment typically involves antimicrobial medication or antibiotic. Acute infectious prostatitis comes on suddenly, and its symptoms such as frequency, urgency, lower abdominal pain and pressure, burning on urination, and including chills and fever can be severe and life threatening.

    Chronic infectious prostatitis is also caused by bacteria and is usually treated with antimicrobial medication or antibiotic. Unlike an acute prostate infection, the only symptoms of chronic infectious prostatitis may be recurring infectious cystitis (bladder infection). While its chronic symptoms may not be as severe as acute infectious prostatitis, it is as potentially debilitating due to it chronic recurrent nature and it can impact on one's quality of life significantly.

    Noninfectious prostatitis is reserved for prostatitis not caused by bacteria.  This class of prostatitis is difficult to treat successfully.  Standard medical therapy usually involves medication, surgery, and behavioral therapies such as biofeedback.  It is generally a chronic recurrent process that can wax and wane in severity.

EDGAR CAYCE'S PERSPECTIVE

    Edgar Cayce gave many reading for men suffering from the various forms of prostatitis. Consistent with the modern medical literature, Cayce recognized a variety of factors which can cause inflammation of the prostate gland resulting in the symptoms associated with this illness.  For example, reading 5357-1 attributes the prostate inflammation to infection.

    Whereas modern medicine is confounded by noninfectious prostatitis, the Cayce readings provide a number of clues to understanding the causes of this type of  disease.  Several readings discuss the role of nerve reflexes from the spinal centers.  Usually the lower areas of the spine were involved.  Typically the nerve reflexes were transmitted via the ileum plexus, a nerve ganglia associated with the pelvic organs and reproductive system.

    Whether the prostatitis was caused by nerve reflexes or other factors, invariably other organs of the digestive and eliminating systems were involved in the etiology of the disorder.  Problems with the liver, kidneys, pancreas, and colon were often associated with the prostatitis.  Thus prostatitis is best viewed from a specific (local) and systemic (general) perspective with regard to causation and treatment.

    Several forms of specific (local) treatments for prostatitis were recommended by Edgar Cayce.  The most common was the Elliott machine.  The Elliott machine is a form of hydrotherapy consisting of a rectal tube containing hot water (130 degrees Fahrenheit).  Unfortunately, this form of hydrotherapy is no longer available.

    Prostate massage is another specific therapy for prostatitis recommended in the Cayce readings.  This therapy is also recognized by modern medical science as an effective treatment for prostatitis.

    The sitz bath is a form of hydrotherapy recommended by Edgar Cayce which is also part of the medical therapeutic regimen for prostatitis.  A sitz bath involves sitting in a tub of hot or cold water, sometimes alternating between the two.  Stimulation to the lower circulation can help to relieve the discomfort of prostatitis.

    The general (systemic) treatments recommended in the Cayce readings on prostatitis are mainly directed toward improving the digestive, circulatory, and eliminating systems.  Diet, moderate exercise, a mild form of electrotherapy (Radial Appliance), spinal manipulations and general massage, colon irrigation, and castor oil packs are therapies intended to improve these vital systemic functions, thus assisting in the healing of the prostate.  Generally speaking, surgery was not recommended for prostatitis.  As was typical of Cayce's holistic approach, the mental and spiritual aspects of therapy were emphasized.

    Here are the basic therapies recommended for the treatment of prostatitis based on the Cayce information on this disorder:

1. INTERNAL CLEANSING: Hydrotherapy includes drinking six to eight glasses of pure water daily, colonic irrigations (preferably) or enemas, and a cleansing diet of fresh fruits and vegetables.
   Castor oil packs across the abdomen are recommended to improve eliminations through the liver and colon.  Mild laxatives may be helpful if constipation is a problem.  Fume baths assist with elimination of toxins through the skin.
2. MANUAL THERAPY (SPINAL MANIPULATION AND MASSAGE): Osteopathic or chiropractic treatment is recommended to relieve any pressures that may be hindering circulation and decreasing eliminations.  Gentle massage is suggested to relax the body and improve circulation and eliminations.  Internal massage of the prostate may be helpful (talk with your physician on the appropriateness of this therapy).
3. DIET: The Basic Cayce Diet is intended to improve assimilation and elimination.  The diet focuses heavily on keeping a proper alkaline/acid balance while avoiding foods which produce toxicity and drain the system.  Essentially, the diet consists mainly of fruits and vegetables while avoiding fried foods and refined carbohydrates ("junk food").  Certain food combinations are emphasized.
4. ENERGY MEDICINE: In addition to the above therapies which will tend to improve circulation, the Radial Appliance is recommended to further assist in balancing circulation.
5. ATTITUDES AND EMOTIONS: The mental and emotional aspects of healing are frequently discussed the Cayce readings.  Particularly, an attitude of desiring and expecting to be healed is important.   A positive mental and emotional attitude and can be created and maintained by focusing on a high purpose (ideal) for being healed.