Prostatitis is the most common urological pathology, characterized by an inflammatory process in the prostate.According to statistics, it occurs in almost 40% of men;The main risk group is patients aged 30 to 45 years.Almost one in three visits to a urologist is related to this disease.
Important!
The information in this article cannot be used for self-diagnosis and self-medication.To make a correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment, you should always consult a doctor.
The occurrence of pathology is often facilitated by decreased immunity, hypothermia, the presence of bad habits and a sedentary lifestyle, lack of regular sex life and sexually transmitted infections.Prostatitis treatment can be quite time-consuming, especially in the later stages of development.The sooner a man seeks medical help, the greater the chances of 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 mechanisms of development of the disease, symptoms and causes, as well as modern methods of treatment.
What is the prostate?
The prostate (or prostate) is an unpaired male organ responsible for producing secretions to maintain sperm activity.The organ is located under the bladder and surrounds the urethra.It is small in size - about the size of a walnut, but is extremely important for human health.
The prostate supports the production of sperm, ensures their movement and ejaculation, participates in the formation of sexual desire and the onset of orgasm, affects the activity of the testicles and the synthesis of androgens (male sex hormones).
Any pathological processes in the prostate affect the composition of prostate secretion.As a result, sperm quality deteriorates and its fertilizing capacity decreases.Furthermore, it increases the risk of urinary tract infections, as the prostate normally prevents bacteria from entering the urethra.
Unfortunately, diseases that require prostate treatment are quite common.Usually we are talking about various tumor and hormonal processes.Prostatitis is considered one of the most common pathologies of the organ, as it has a different pathogenesis.
Symptoms of the disease
Symptoms of prostate inflammation may vary depending on the form of the disease diagnosed in men.Regardless of the form, a comprehensive treatment is selected that aims to eliminate existing symptoms.
There are 3 groups of symptoms characteristic of prostatitis:
- pain syndrome.Pain in prostatitis can vary in intensity and location.Sometimes the pain syndrome spreads to the lower abdomen, scrotum, perineum, anus and lower back.The more the inflammation develops, the more painful the patient becomes.The pain may become more severe during or after sexual activity or when urinating.
- dysuric syndrome.Due to the increase in the size of the prostate, pressure on the ureters increases, which leads to a gradual decrease in the lumen.The patient has problems urinating and, after going to the bathroom, the feeling of a full bladder remains.
- Sexual deviations.In some cases, a man may experience frequent painful spontaneous erections or a complete lack of sexual excitement.Often with prostatitis, orgasmic sensations disappear, and sexual intercourse itself becomes short-lived, 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 intensifies when going to the bathroom.There is general fatigue, decreased potency, accelerated or painful ejaculation.However, the disease is not always characterized by the appearance of corresponding symptoms.There are forms of prostatitis that are asymptomatic in the early stages.This means that it will be difficult to diagnose the pathology in these cases.
Causes
Often the disease occurs against a background of decreased immunity, in the presence of sexually transmitted 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 the pathology, let's highlight the main ones:
- Hypothermia.Hypothermia causes severe stress on the body, which can weaken immunity.As a result, pathogenic microflora begins to actively multiply, which leads to an inflammatory process.
- Inactive lifestyle.Sedentary work and lack of physical activity negatively affect blood circulation in the pelvic organs.This leads to stagnation and inflammation.
- Excess body weight.As a rule, overweight patients lead an inactive lifestyle, which leads to poor circulation of internal organs.Congestion and inflammation develop in the prostate tissues.Therefore, normalizing weight is considered one of the main ways to prevent prostate diseases.
- Presence of chronic pathologies.A source of chronic infection in the body increases the risk of prostate inflammation.
- Chronic constipation.Stool retention in the intestine causes pressure on the prostate, which causes circulatory problems.Furthermore, constipation often contributes to the proliferation of pathogens.
- Organ injuries.In case of traumatic damage to the prostate or pelvic organs, blood flow worsens and local immunity decreases.This increases your risk of developing prostatitis.
- Features of sexual activity.Excessively active sex life or prolonged abstinence can also cause the disease.
Additionally, any conditions that suppress the immune system can contribute to the development of the disease.We are talking about constant stress, lack of sleep, overwork.
Types of disease
Often, the symptoms of a pathology depend on the type and nature of the course.There are several types of prostatitis, each with its own characteristics:
- Bacterial.The most common type of disease that occurs as a result of a bacterial infection and decreased immunity.There are acute and chronic forms of pathology.As a rule, men are worried about pain and discomfort in the perineum, problems with urination, deterioration in general health and an increase in body temperature.In severe cases of the disease, the presence of blood or pus in the urine is noted.However, these symptoms are more typical of the acute phase and relapses of the disease.In chronic prostatitis, symptoms may become “blurred” or not appear at all.
- Abacterial.In this case, the disease has an inflammatory and non-inflammatory nature, 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, anomalies in organ development and chronic cystitis.
- Stagnant.This condition develops against 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 prolonged absence of sexual intercourse, as it causes stagnation of secretions in the prostate gland.Most often, patients with this form of the disease experience erectile dysfunction, problems urinating and discomfort in the groin area.
- Calculation.The development of this form of prostatitis is facilitated by the appearance of calculi (stones) in the prostate tissues.As a rule, the disease occurs in patients over 55-60 years of age.The causes of the pathology are inadequate treatment of chronic prostatitis or urolithiasis.The characteristic symptoms of this prostatitis in men include difficulty urinating, weakening of the erection and the appearance of blood in the urine.
- Purulent.A dangerous consequence of inadequate treatment of acute prostatitis can be a purulent form of the disease.In this case, an acute pain syndrome develops, which affects the entire perineum and groin area.The man has a sharp increase in temperature, serious problems with urination and the presence of purulent inclusions in the urine.Purulent prostatitis is considered the most dangerous, as if left untreated it can cause an abscess and lead to death.
Prostatitis diagnosis
The diagnosis of the disease is made by a urologist - it is worth making an appointment with him if characteristic symptoms appear.At the initial consultation, the specialist collects the patient's medical history, asks about existing complaints and performs a rectal examination of the prostate.After that, a number of additional tests are prescribed, which are necessary to diagnose the existing type of prostatitis and prescribe competent treatment.
The exam includes:
- Ultrasound (TRUS) of the pelvic organs.
- Clinical blood test.
- General urine analysis.
- Microscopic analysis of prostate secretion.
- A swab of the urethra and bacterial culture of the discharge to detect the presence of sexually transmitted infections.
If necessary, the patient can be referred for additional studies: spermogram, computed tomography (or magnetic resonance imaging) of the pelvic organs.
Important!
The information in this article cannot be used for self-diagnosis and self-medication.To make a correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment, you should always consult a doctor.
Treatment methods
Lack of adequate 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 the correct selection of therapy is extremely important.
As a rule, treating prostate inflammation involves a comprehensive approach, including medications and supportive care.In difficult cases, the patient undergoes surgery.
As part of drug therapy, antibiotics are prescribed to stop the inflammatory process.If the disease is infectious-bacterial in nature, additional antibacterial treatment will be carried out.
Also, as part of drug therapy, medications are used to eliminate existing symptoms.These could be:
- Painkillers.
- Antispasmodics and muscle relaxants.
- Diuretics.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Medicines to normalize prostate function.
- Medicines to restore erection.
It is mandatory to follow a series of recommendations:
- Drink plenty of water throughout the day (1.5–2 liters).
- Follow a diet, excluding spicy, fatty and salty foods from the diet.
- Elimination of alcohol.
Sometimes herbal medicinal preparations with a bactericidal effect are used to relieve inflammation.However, taking infusions and decoctions is only allowed in consultation with a urologist.Remember that folk remedies are not a panacea for the disease and only help to treat the symptoms, but do not eliminate the cause.
An important component of the treatment is prostate massage.It is carried out in the absence of contraindications.The essence of this procedure is to remove the inflammatory secretion accumulated in the organ.As a result, it is possible to improve blood circulation in tissues, eliminate congestion, stimulate local immunity and restore the patency of the secretory ducts.
Another popular way is to use physical therapy.In the 21st century, it is difficult to imagine high-quality modern treatment of chronic prostatitis without the use of complex physiotherapy.With its help, it is possible to restore blood circulation in the pelvic organs, enhance the effect of medications and eliminate congestion.Therapy uses ultrasound, laser, thermal or electromagnetic effects.
With a prolonged course of the inflammatory process and a decrease in immunity, the patient is prescribed immunotherapy.It includes taking immunomodulators and multivitamin complexes that are aimed at improving the body's protective functions and general well-being.
Sometimes a conservative treatment regimen for prostatitis does not bring the necessary results, which is why the patient requires surgical intervention.
Of course, surgery requires a long recovery and often causes a number of complications, including infertility.This is why it is not performed on young men of childbearing age.
Symptoms and treatment of acute prostatitis
Acute prostatitis is characterized by rapid onset and development.It is important to note that this occurs rarely - in about 5% of cases.
The inflammatory process in the prostate develops progressively, so several stages of the acute form can be distinguished:
- Catarrhal.The inflammatory process affects individual lobes of the organ and affects the structure of the mucous membranes and the submucosal layer.As a result, congestion occurs in the follicles of the gland.
- Follicular.Focal suppuration of the affected lobes occurs.
- parenchymal.There are multiple damages to the organ;almost all tissues are involved in the inflammatory process.An abscess forms, which can rupture 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.
Treatment of the pathology should begin immediately after the first symptoms appear.As a rule, in these cases it is possible to avoid complications and health consequences.The patient is prescribed a combination of antibiotics that is effective against the existing causative microorganism.In this case, the effect of therapy is observed after 2–3 days.In men, almost all symptoms disappear, the urination process is normalized and signs of infection disappear.
In the absence of the necessary therapy, obstruction and abscess of the urinary tract may occur.Such conditions will require urgent hospitalization and often surgical intervention.
Symptoms and treatment of chronic prostatitis
The chronic form of the disease is characterized by slow development.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 pathology, patients note increased sexual desire and spontaneous erections.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 a lack of morning erection, decreased libido and increased sweating in the groin area.
During an exacerbation of prostatitis, a man feels pain in the genital region, difficulty urinating and fever.However, other symptoms of the pathology may be absent, which often complicates the diagnosis.
To make an accurate diagnosis, a comprehensive examination is necessary, which will include a medical history, rectal examination of the prostate, and several laboratory tests.In some cases, additional instrumental methods are used.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis in its chronic form takes from 3 to 4 weeks to 6 to 12 months.Of primary importance is to eliminate the causes of the inflammatory process in the prostate.Otherwise, it will not be possible to exclude a recurrence of the pathology.
Preventive measures
To prevent prostatitis in men, it is recommended to correct your lifestyle and give up bad habits.This is due to the fact that if the factors predisposing to the development of the disease persist, its recurrence is possible.A key role in prevention is played by proper nutrition, adequate sleep and physical activity, and regular sex life.
Additionally, urologists advise adhering to the following recommendations to avoid prostate inflammation:
- Avoid hypothermia.
- When working sedentary, take regular short breaks and light warm-ups.
- Include physical activity and walking in your routine.
- Normalize your diet and get rid of constipation (it is better to consult a specialist about the existing problem).
- Have a regular sex life with a regular partner.
- After age 40, have annual preventive exams with a urologist.
And, of course, it is worth remembering that if any signs of prostatitis appear, you should immediately consult a doctor.This is the only way to eliminate dangerous health consequences.