Understanding Prostatitis Prevalence in Southern and Northern Students
In China, the Yangtze River serves as a natural boundary separating the northern and southern regions. Recent studies indicate that students from the south exhibit a significantly higher prevalence of wet-heat and liver-kidney deficiency syndromes compared to their northern counterparts. There is, however, a slight increase in kidney-yang deficiency among southern students, while blood stasis syndrome appears to be less common. Interestingly, students from better economic backgrounds show a higher incidence of blood stasis syndrome compared to those from poorer financial conditions, while kidney-yang deficiency is lower in the former group.
Notably, the occurrence of wet-heat and liver-kidney deficiency syndromes presents a "U-shaped" distribution—high at both ends and lower in the middle. This raises the question: are southern students more susceptible to prostatitis? Let's delve into the insights shared by experts at Jishantang.
Why Southern Students Are More Prone to Prostatitis
The climate in southern China is characterized by high humidity and elevated temperatures, which create an environment conducive to the proliferation of damp-heat pathogens. When these pathogens accumulate in the reproductive area, they can lead to chronic prostatitis, a condition often referred to in traditional Chinese medicine as "turbid essence."
Moreover, students from rural and economically disadvantaged backgrounds often face poorer sanitary conditions before attending school. This lack of hygiene can heighten their risk of prostatitis, particularly the damp-heat type. The prevalence of the damp-heat syndrome is notably higher among southern, rural, and lower-income students.
Understanding the Blood Stasis Syndrome
Blood stasis syndrome in prostatitis is often linked to the lack of smooth circulation, resulting in a buildup of "qi" and stagnated blood flow. University students aged 22 and above are approaching graduation and may experience heightened stress regarding job prospects and academic performance. Coupled with a demanding study curriculum and limited social interactions, students may develop psychological stress that manifests as depressive symptoms, leading to liver qi stagnation and poor blood flow.
These factors create an environment ripe for blood stasis, contributing to a higher percentage of this syndrome among students.
How to Interpret Prostate Fluid Test Results
pH Level
Normal prostate fluid typically has an acidic pH level ranging from 6.2 to 6.5. In cases of prostatitis, this pH can increase significantly.
Appearance
The normal appearance of prostate fluid is thin and pale white. Inflammatory conditions may change the color to yellow or light red, with increased cloudiness.
Lecithin Granules
In healthy prostate fluid, lecithin granules are abundant and usually appear as +++ to ++++. During prostatitis, these granules may diminish to a count of + to ++, often clustering together.
Red Blood Cells
Normal prostate fluid generally contains few or no red blood cells, with counts not exceeding 10 per high-power field. In prostatitis cases, this can rise to 10-15 or more.
White Blood Cells
Under typical conditions, prostate fluid has fewer than 10 white blood cells per high-power field. In the presence of prostatitis, this number can significantly exceed 10, reflected on test results as + to +++ (each "+" indicating approximately 10 white blood cells).
Sperm Presence
During a prostate massage, if the seminal vesicles are compressed, sperm may appear in the prostate fluid.
Infection Indicators
Normal prostate fluid should be free of trichomonas and fungi. The presence of these pathogens indicates infection and can be detected in the fluid analysis.
Understanding these factors not only highlights why certain populations may be more susceptible to prostatitis but also emphasizes the importance of awareness and early intervention.