Prostatitis is the most common urological pathology, which is characterized by an inflammatory process in the prostate gland.According to statistics, it occurs in almost 40% of men;the main risk group is patients aged 30-45 years.Almost every third visit to a urologist is related to this disease.
Important!
Information from this article should not be used for self-diagnosis and self-treatment.To make a correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment, you should always see a doctor.
The occurrence of pathology is often facilitated by decreased immunity, hypothermia, the presence of bad habits and an inactive lifestyle, lack of regular sex life, and sexual infections.Treatment of prostatitis can be quite long, especially in the late stages of development.The sooner a man seeks medical help, the greater the chance for a successful recovery.Without timely treatment, the risk of serious consequences increases, including infertility, problems with sexual function and urination.
In the article we will talk about the mechanism of disease development, symptoms and causes, as well as modern treatment methods.
What is the prostate?
The prostate (or prostate gland) is an unpaired male organ responsible for producing secretions to maintain sperm activity.This organ is located below the bladder and surrounds the urethra.It is small in size - about the size of a walnut, but very important for men's health.
The prostate gland supports the production of sperm cells, ensures their movement and ejaculation, participates in the formation of sexual desire and the onset of orgasm, affects testicular activity and the synthesis of androgens (male sex hormones).
Any pathological process in the prostate affects the composition of prostate secretions.As a result, the quality of the sperm deteriorates and its fertilization ability decreases.In addition, the risk of urinary tract infection increases, because normally the prostate gland prevents bacteria from entering the urethra.
Unfortunately, diseases that require prostate treatment are quite common.Usually we talk about various tumor and hormonal processes.Prostatitis is considered one of the most common organ pathologies, because it has a different pathogenesis.
Disease symptoms
Symptoms of prostate inflammation may vary depending on the form of the disease diagnosed in a man.Regardless of its form, comprehensive treatment is chosen aimed at eliminating existing symptoms.
There are 3 groups of symptoms characteristic of prostatitis:
- Pain syndrome.Pain with prostatitis can vary in intensity and location.Sometimes the pain syndrome spreads to the lower abdomen, scrotum, perineum, anus and lower back.The more inflammation develops, the more painful it is for the patient.The pain may be worse during or after sexual activity or urination.
- Screened syndrome.Due to the increase in the size of the prostate, increased pressure is placed on the ureter, which leads to a gradual decrease in the lumen.The patient has problems with urination, and after visiting the toilet there is still a feeling of a full bladder.
- Sexual deviation.In some cases, a man may experience a painful spontaneous erection or a complete lack of sexual stimulation.Often with prostatitis, the orgasmic sensation fades, and the sexual intercourse itself becomes short or the erection may disappear completely during sexual intercourse.
One of the first signs of the development of prostatitis in a man is frequent urination and discomfort in the groin area.There is a burning sensation in the urethra, which increases when going to the toilet.There is general fatigue, decreased potency, accelerated or painful ejaculation.However, this disease is not always characterized by the appearance of corresponding symptoms.There is an asymptomatic form of prostatitis in the early stages.This means that diagnosing pathology in such cases will be difficult.
Cause
Often this disease occurs on the background of decreased immunity, with the presence of sexual infections or concomitant pathologies.A common cause of prostatitis is a bacterial infection, which causes inflammation of the prostate tissue.
There are many risk factors for the development of pathology, let's highlight the main ones:
- Hypothermia.Hypothermia leads to severe stress in the body, which can cause weak immunity.As a result, the pathogenic microflora begins to multiply actively, which leads to the inflammatory process.
- Inactive lifestyle.Sedentary work and lack of physical activity have a negative effect on blood circulation in the pelvic organs.This leads to stagnation and inflammation.
- Excess body weight.As a rule, overweight patients lead a sedentary lifestyle, which leads to poor circulation of internal organs.Congestion and inflammation develop in the tissue of the prostate gland.For this reason, normalizing body weight is considered one of the main ways to prevent prostate disease.
- The presence of chronic pathology.Sources of chronic infection in the body increase the risk of prostate inflammation.
- Chronic constipation.Retention of feces in the intestine leads to pressure on the prostate, which causes blood circulation problems.In addition, constipation often contributes to the proliferation of pathogens.
- Organ injury.In the event of traumatic damage to the prostate or pelvic organs, blood flow declines and local immunity decreases.This increases the risk of prostatitis.
- Characteristics of sexual activity.An overly active sex life or prolonged abstinence can also cause this disease.
In addition, any condition that suppresses the immune system can contribute to the development of the disease.We are talking about constant stress, lack of sleep, too much work.
Types of diseases
Often, pathological symptoms depend on the type and nature of its course.There are several types of prostatitis, each with its own characteristics:
- Bacteria.The most common type of disease occurs as a result of bacterial infection and decreased immunity.There are acute and chronic forms of pathology.As a rule, a man is worried about pain and discomfort in the perineum, urinary problems, general health deterioration and increased body temperature.In severe cases of the disease, the presence of blood or pus in the urine is observed.However, such symptoms are more typical for the acute stage and relapse of the disease.With chronic prostatitis, symptoms may be "blurred" or not appear at all.
- Bacteria.In this case, the disease has an inflammatory and non-inflammatory nature, it is often called chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS).With this form of prostatitis, destructive changes in the muscle tissue of the gland are observed.The causative agents are autoimmune diseases, organ development abnormalities, and chronic cystitis.
- Stagnant.This condition develops on the background of chronic prostatitis and is associated with impaired microcirculation and blood circulation in the pelvic organs.In addition, the pathology can manifest itself in the absence of sexual intercourse for a long time, because this creates a stagnation of secretions in the prostate gland.Often, patients with this form of the disease experience erectile dysfunction, urinary problems and discomfort in the groin area.
- Calculate.The development of this form of prostatitis is facilitated by the appearance of calculi (stones) in the tissue of the prostate gland.As a rule, this disease occurs in patients over 55-60 years old.Pathological causes are incorrect treatment for chronic prostatitis or urolithiasis.Characteristic symptoms of prostatitis in men include difficulty urinating, weakened erections and the appearance of blood in the urine.
- Sustained.A dangerous consequence of improper treatment of acute prostatitis can be the purulent form of the disease.In this case, an acute pain syndrome develops, which affects the entire perineum and groin area.The man had a sudden increase in temperature, severe problems with urination and the presence of purulent inclusions in the urine.Purulent prostatitis is considered the most dangerous, because if left untreated it can cause abscesses and lead to death.
Diagnosis of prostatitis
The diagnosis of the disease is carried out by a urologist - it is worth making an appointment with him if characteristic symptoms appear.During the initial consultation, the specialist collects the patient's medical history, asks about existing complaints and conducts a rectal examination of the prostate gland.After this, several additional examinations are prescribed, which are necessary to diagnose the existing type of prostatitis and prescribe competent treatment.
Exams include:
- Ultrasound (TRUS) of the pelvic organs.
- Clinical blood tests.
- General urine analysis.
- Microscopic analysis of prostate secretions.
- A smear from the urethra and bacterial culture of secretions for the presence of sexually transmitted infections.
If necessary, the patient can be referred for additional studies: spermogram, CT (or MRI) of the pelvic organs.
Important!
Information from this article should not be used for self-diagnosis and self-treatment.To make a correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment, you should always see a doctor.
Treatment methods
Lack of proper treatment for prostatitis can lead to serious health problems.Patients are often diagnosed with complications such as cystitis, vesiculitis, pyelonephritis, infertility and erectile dysfunction.That is why choosing the right therapy is so important.
As a rule, the treatment of prostate inflammation involves a comprehensive approach, including drugs and supportive care.In severe cases, patients undergo surgery.
As part of drug therapy, antibiotics are prescribed to stop the inflammatory process.If the disease is infectious-bacterial in nature, then additional antibacterial treatment is carried out.
Also, as part of drug therapy, drugs are used to eliminate existing symptoms.This could be:
- Painkillers.
- Antispasmodic and muscle relaxant.
- Diuretic.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Medicines to normalize prostate function.
- Medicines to restore erection.
It is mandatory to follow some recommendations:
- Drink enough water throughout the day (1.5-2 liters).
- Following a diet, excluding spicy, fatty and salty foods from the diet.
- Elimination of alcohol.
Sometimes medicinal herbal preparations that have a bactericidal effect are used to relieve inflammation.However, taking infusions and decoctions is allowed only in consultation with a urologist.Remember that folk remedies are not a cure for this disease and only help with the symptoms, but do not eliminate the cause.
An important component of treatment is prostate massage.It is done if there are no contraindications.The essence of this procedure is to remove accumulated inflammatory secretions from the organ.Due to this, it is possible to improve blood circulation in tissues, eliminate congestion, stimulate local immunity and restore the patency of secretion channels.
Another popular way is to use physical therapy.In the 21st century, it is difficult to imagine high-quality modern treatment for chronic prostatitis without the use of complex physiotherapy.With its help, it is possible to restore blood circulation in the pelvic organs, increase the effect of drugs and relieve congestion.Therapy uses ultrasound, laser, heat or electromagnetic effects.
With a prolonged inflammatory process and decreased immunity, patients are prescribed immunotherapy.It includes taking immunomodulators and multivitamin complexes aimed at improving the body's protective functions and overall well-being.
Sometimes the conservative treatment regimen for prostatitis does not bring the necessary results, so the patient needs surgical intervention.
Of course, surgery requires a long recovery and often causes several complications, including infertility.That is why it is not done to young men of fertile age.
Symptoms and treatment of acute prostatitis
Acute prostatitis is characterized by the appearance and rapid development.Keep in mind that it happens quite rarely - in about 5% of cases.
The inflammatory process in the prostate gland develops progressively, so several stages of the acute form can be distinguished:
- Catarrhal.The inflammatory process affects the individual lobes of the organ and affects the structure of the mucous membrane and submucosa layer.As a result, congestion occurs in the follicles of the gland.
- follicular.Focal suppuration of the affected lobe occurs.
- Parenchymatous.There are various damages to organs;almost all tissues are involved in the inflammatory process.Abscesses form, which can burst and release purulent contents into the bladder, urethra or rectum.
Symptoms of acute prostatitis include: severe pain, increased body temperature, chills, profuse sweating and weakness.This condition can be caused by various microorganisms.The most common causes are Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Enterobacter.
Pathological treatment must begin immediately after the first symptoms appear.As a rule, in such cases it is possible to avoid complications and health consequences.Patients are prescribed a combination of antibiotics that are effective against the existing causative microorganisms.In this case, the therapeutic effect is observed after 2-3 days.In a man, almost all symptoms disappear, the urination process becomes normal and signs of infection disappear.
If no therapy is needed, urinary tract obstruction and abscesses may develop.Such conditions require immediate hospitalization, and often surgical intervention.
Symptoms and treatment of chronic prostatitis
The chronic form of the disease is characterized by slow progression.Symptoms are inconsistent or absent, so many men ignore their presence for years and do not seek medical help.
At the same time, at the beginning of the development of the pathology, the patient noted an increase in sexual desire and spontaneous erection.However, at the same time, signs of chronic prostatitis appear, such as a reduction in the duration of sexual intercourse and painful ejaculation.As the disease progresses, the symptoms become less pronounced, but the deterioration in well-being increases.Many people complain of lack of morning erection, decreased libido and increased sweating in the groin area.
During an exacerbation of prostatitis, a man experiences pain in the genital area, difficulty urinating and fever.However, other pathological symptoms may be absent, which often complicates the diagnosis.
To make an accurate diagnosis, a thorough examination is required, which will include medical history, rectal examination of the prostate gland and several laboratory tests.In some cases, additional instrumental methods are used.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis in its chronic form takes from 3-4 weeks to 6-12 months.The main importance is to eliminate the causes of the inflammatory process in the prostate gland.Otherwise, it is not possible to exclude the recurrent nature of the pathology.
Preventive measures
To prevent prostatitis in men, it is recommended to correct lifestyle and abandon bad habits.This is due to the fact that if the predisposing factors to the development of the disease continue, it may recur.The main role in prevention is played by proper nutrition, adequate sleep and physical activity, and a regular sex life.
In addition, urologists advise following the following recommendations to avoid inflammation of the prostate gland:
- Avoid hypothermia.
- When working inactively, take frequent short breaks and warm up.
- Include physical activity and walking in your routine.
- Normalize your diet and get rid of constipation (it is better to consult a specialist about existing problems).
- Have a normal sex life with a normal partner.
- After 40 years, undergo an annual preventive examination with a urologist.
And, of course, it should be remembered that if any signs of prostatitis appear, you should immediately see a doctor.This is the only way to eliminate harmful health consequences.