We often talk about problems that are related to the prostate gland, but do we know as to what is the function of this organ in the body. It is an organ that is located at the base or the outlet of the urinary bladder. this gland forms the very first part of the urethra. the urethra is a part or rather a passage through which the urine drains from the bladder and exits the human body. the basic and the most important function of the prostate gland is to help control the amount of urination by pressing directly against the part of the urethra that it surrounds. this gland also produces some of the substances that are found in normal semen, such as minerals and sugar. Semen is the fluid that transports the sperm to assist reproduction.

In a young man, the size of the prostate is just like a walnut. As and when the aging occurs in the human being the gland starts growing big in size. this hormone-related enlargement with aging is called benign prostatic hyperplasia but this condition has nothing to do with the occurrence of prostate cancer in the body. but this problem can cause as much difficulty to the person as it would do to the person suffering from prostate cancer. for example, an enlarged prostate gland can squeeze or impinge on the outlet of the bladder or the urethra and make it difficult for the person to pass urine normally. some other symptoms that are seen occurring are slowing of the urinary stream, or urinating quite frequently specially at night. Such patients should make a deliberate effort to seek advice from their urologist or physician if such symptoms persist for a long time.Talking about prostate cancer, it is a malignant tumor that comprises of cells from the prostate glands. Generally the tumor grows slowly and remains confined to the gland for several years. during this time the tumor does not produce any symptom in the body that would indicate toward the growth of prostate cancer. however all the prostate cancers are quite different in nature. they all produce different signs and symptoms before they actually start occurring. Few aggressive types of tumor grow rapidly in the body than the others would do and cause a significant shortening of life expectancy in the individual. the severity of prostate cancer aggressiveness is the Gleason score that is calculated by a trained pathologist observing prostate biopsy specimens under the microscope. As the cancer grows it can spread over to the other areas in the body too. It can also spread over areas like the bones, lungs and liver. but the main indicators of prostate cancer are the signs and symptoms associated with it.

CAFFEINATED energy drinks may trigger a psychotic episode in people with mental illness, an expert has warned after documenting the case of a young man with schizophrenia.

the 27-year-old Maori man had two separate psychotic events a week apart linked to his intake of the drink Demon Shot.

Professor David Menkes said these events occurred at a time when the man, who was prone to persecutory thought and hallucinations, was otherwise responding well to anti-psychotic medication.

in the first instance, the man drank two 60ml bottles of Demon Shot and later reported experiencing recurrent thoughts, over several hours, of "people wanting to harm him".

"one week later, he drank three Demon Shots over 15 minutes," said Prof Menkes, who is Associate Professor of Psychiatry at Auckland University.

"he was observed to be emotionally labile (moving from one point to another) – initially laughing and talkative, later becoming restless, withdrawn and argumentative."

other symptoms included a rapid pulse and insomnia, which took 24 hours to subside.

the man described again having had paranoid thoughts over several hours and an experience "consistent with a psychotic episode".

"the fact that our patient had the same reaction on two distinct occasions is important," Prof Menkes said.

he said there was known cases where a high intake of caffeine may exacerbate a psychotic condition though this appeared to be the first linked to consuming energy drinks.

the man's case was "evidence that some patients with treated schizophrenia may be vulnerable to exacerbation of their illness by caffeine-containing energy drinks", he said.

Demon Shot drinks are widely available in Australia and new Zealand and they contain 200mg caffeine plus taurine, B vitamins and guarana, which may have other stimulant properties.

according to its website, each Demon Shot provides a "massive energy hit that delivers up to six hours of concentrated mental and physical responsiveness".

the drinks also carry a warning, which says it should not be consumed by people sensitive to caffeine, and no more than two drinks a day.

the case is detailed in a letter published in the latest edition of the Medical Journal of Australia.

“Black Box Experience” – Panhandle Community Theater

The Panhandle Community Theatre presentation of the “Black Box Experience” offers an evening of short plays guaranteed to make you laugh, surprise you, or pull at your heart strings. Throw in a guy with a moral issue, a bride trying to sell her wedding dress while another fights “a curse,” stir in two souls looking for love, a golfer who gets an amazing offer,, and a recently retired sanitation worker who loses control when his wife takes the remote and you have the ingredients for an entertaining evening. the play will be presented at 7:30 each night, which began Friday night, tonight (21st), Friday, Saturday evenings Aug. 27-28. call 221-7599 for reservations. Tickets are $12. the theatre is located at 4614 Woodbine Road in Pace in the Storage Masters storefront.

Auditions will be held Aug. 23-24 from 6:30 to 8 p.m. for the comedy “over the River and Through the Woods.” This play calls for two men and two women who play grandparents, young man and woman in their 30s. Auditions will be held at the theatre. For more information and directions visit their website at panhandlecommunitytheatre.com.

“Solution for Acid Reflux” Free Seminar presentation

Baptist Health Care is presenting a Free Educational Seminar featuring Jonathan Lohrbach, M.D. general surgeon on Tuesday, August 24, at 5:30 (dinner), 5:45 p.m. program at the Andrews Institute Athletic Performance & Research Pavilion, Conference Rooms. is reflux or heartburn affecting your quality of life? want to stop the pain, the pills, and get back to living? Baptist Health Care now offers a incisionless surgical procedure called TIF that provides relief from acid reflux. the TIF procedure treats the cause, not the symptoms. Join Dr. Lohrbach to learn more. Reservations for this free community education event are needed. please call 850.469.7897.

Senior Dance on Monday

Senior Citizens Dance is every Monday from 7 to 9:30 p.m. at the Fleet Reserve at 6409 Fleet Avenue in Milton.  there will be a live band!  the Half-Century dance is fun for all senior citizens.  Cost will be $4.00 at the door. please bring a covered dish to share.  For more information call Billy or Pat at 850-626-1826 or 910-1500.

Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital Autism Services Program moves to new location

Sacred Heart Children’s Hospital’s Autism Center is now located at 5190 Bayou Blvd, Bldg. 2 in the Seton Medical Office Park on Sacred Heart Hospital’s main campus. Current services include a diagnostic clinic and an autism-training program that provides education and hands-on practice opportunities for parents, teachers, therapists, students, community service providers, and other professionals working with individuals on the autism spectrum. Instruction is geared toward individual skills and abilities and involves a team approach with a focus on carry-over into the child’s natural environment.

In addition, the autism training program coordinator works to ensure that all area healthcare providers, especially pediatricians, are familiar with autism spectrum disorders and have the most current information regarding early indicators, screening tools and referral for appropriate services. For more information on the Autism Center at Sacred Heart, please contact our office at (850) 416-4933 or visit us online at sacred-heart.org/childrenshospital.

Community Supported Agriculture Program – Season two Participation Deadline

All area residents wishing to participate in season two of the Community Supported Agriculture (CSA) program, courtesy of TEAM Santa Rosa through Panhandle Fresh Marketing Association, must register by Monday, August 23. there are a limited number of shares still available. the CSA includes a weekly allocation of locally grown in-season fresh fruits and vegetables. the 2010 fall season will consist of such items as broccoli, collards, green peanuts, herbs, tomatoes, cut flowers, Satsuma oranges at the end of the season, and more. Deliveries will be made to four community locations each Saturday morning. these sites are Pensacola Seed and Feed, Galleria Lighting and Shades in east Pensacola, Flowerama of Gulf Breeze, and Floridatown Station in Pace. Shares for the program are $30 per week. a minimum 13-week commitment is required. Payment for the 13-week season must be made in full with registration. Season two begins August 28 and ends November 20. those interested are encouraged to participate with family and friends to divide large quantities and to offset weekly cost. the CSA program is shared project between the community and its farmers. Variable weather conditions can lead to inconsistency in crop production. Produce items will be determined on a week-by-week basis and are subject to change. please contact Andrea Sutrick, PFMA Marketing Manager, via email at with inquiries or to register at panhandlefresh.com/csa.htm.