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 30-45.Almost every third visit to the urologist is related to this disease.
Important!
The information from this article cannot be used for self-diagnosis and self-treatment.In order to make a correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment, you should always consult a doctor.
The appearance of pathology is often facilitated by reduced immunity, hypothermia, the presence of bad habits and a sedentary lifestyle, lack of regular sex and sexually transmitted infections.Treatment of prostatitis can be quite long, 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 disease development, symptoms and causes, as well as about modern methods of treatment.
What is the prostate?
The prostate gland (or prostate) is an unpaired male organ that is responsible for producing secretions to maintain sperm activity.The organ is located below the bladder and surrounds the urethra.It is small in size – about the size of a walnut, but extremely important for men's health.
The prostate supports the production of spermatozoa, ensures their movement and ejaculation, participates in the formation of sexual desire and the occurrence of orgasm, affects the activity of the testicles 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 ability to fertilize decreases.In addition, the risk of urinary tract infections increases, because the prostate normally prevents bacteria from entering the urethra.
Unfortunately, diseases that require prostate treatment are quite common.It is usually a question of various tumor and hormonal processes.Prostatitis is considered one of the most common organ pathologies, as it has a different pathogenesis.
Symptoms of the disease
Symptoms of prostate inflammation can vary depending on the form of the disease diagnosed in a man.Regardless of the form, a comprehensive treatment aimed at eliminating existing symptoms is chosen.
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 intense during or after sexual activity or urination.
- Dysuric syndrome.Due to the increase in the size of the prostate, there is increased pressure on the ureters, which leads to a gradual reduction of the lumen.The patient has problems with urination, and after going to the toilet, 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 arousal.Often with prostatitis, orgasmic feelings disappear, and 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 men is frequent urination and discomfort in the groin area.There is a burning sensation in the urethra, which intensifies when going to the toilet.There is general fatigue, reduced potency, accelerated or painful ejaculation.However, the disease is not always characterized by the appearance of appropriate symptoms.There are forms of prostatitis that are asymptomatic in the early stages.This means that diagnosing the pathology in such cases will be difficult.
Causes
Often the disease occurs against the background of reduced immunity, in the presence of sexually transmitted infections or accompanying 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 single out the main ones:
- Hypothermia.Hypothermia leads to severe stress in the body, which can cause weakened immunity.As a result, pathogenic microflora begins to multiply actively, 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.For this reason, normalizing body weight is considered one of the main ways to prevent prostate disease.
- The presence of chronic pathologies.A source of chronic infection in the body increases the risk of prostate inflammation.
- Chronic constipation.Retention of feces in the intestines puts pressure on the prostate, which causes circulation problems.In addition, constipation often contributes to the proliferation of pathogens.
- Organ injuries.In the case of traumatic damage to the prostate or pelvic organs, blood flow deteriorates and local immunity declines.This increases the risk of developing prostatitis.
- Characteristics of sexual activity.An excessively active sex life or prolonged abstinence can also cause the disease.
In addition, 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 diseases
Often the symptoms of the pathology depend on its type and the nature of its course.There are several types of prostatitis, each of which has its own characteristics:
- Bacterial.The most common type of disease that occurs as a result of bacterial infection and reduced immunity.There are acute and chronic forms of pathology.As a rule, a person is concerned about pain and discomfort in the perineum, problems with urination, deterioration of general health and elevated 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 relapses of the disease.In chronic prostatitis, the symptoms may be "blurred" or may not appear.
- Abacterial.In this case, the disease has an inflammatory and non-inflammatory nature, often called chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS).In this form of prostatitis, destructive changes are observed in the muscle tissue of the gland.The causative agents are autoimmune diseases, organ development abnormalities and chronic cystitis.
- It stagnates.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 absence of sexual intercourse for a long time, because this causes stagnation of secretions in the prostate.Most often, patients with this form of the disease have erectile dysfunction, problems with urination and discomfort in the groin area.
- Calculated.The development of this form of prostatitis is facilitated by the appearance of stones in the prostate tissues.As a rule, the disease occurs in patients older than 55-60 years.The causes of pathology are improper treatment of chronic prostatitis or urolithiasis.The characteristic symptoms of such prostatitis in men are difficulty urinating, weakening of the erection and the appearance of blood in the urine.
- Purulent.A dangerous consequence of improper treatment of acute prostatitis can be a purulent form of the disease.In this case, an acute pain syndrome develops, affecting the entire area of the perineum and groin.A person experiences a sudden rise 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 an abscess 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 first consultation, the specialist collects the patient's medical history, inquires about existing complaints and performs a rectal examination of the prostate.After that, a series of additional examinations are prescribed, which are necessary to diagnose the existing type of prostatitis and prescribe competent treatment.
Overview includes:
- Ultrasound (TRUS) of pelvic organs.
- Clinical blood test.
- General urinalysis.
- Microscopic analysis of prostate secretions.
- A swab from the urethra and a 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!
The information from this article cannot be used for self-diagnosis and self-treatment.In order to make a correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment, you should always consult a doctor.
Treatment methods
Lack of proper treatment of 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 choice of therapy is extremely important.
As a rule, the treatment of prostatitis involves a comprehensive approach, including medication and supportive care.In severe cases, the patient undergoes surgery.
As part of drug therapy, antibiotics are prescribed to stop the inflammatory process.If the disease is of an infectious-bacterial nature, then additional antibacterial treatment is carried out.
Also, as part of drug therapy, drugs are used to relieve existing symptoms.These can be:
- Painkillers.
- Antispasmodics and muscle relaxants.
- Diuretics.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Medicines for the normalization of prostate function.
- Medicines to restore an erection.
It is mandatory to follow a number of recommendations:
- Drink enough water during the day (1.5-2 liters).
- Following a diet, excluding spicy, fatty and salty food from the diet.
- Elimination of alcohol.
Medicinal herbal preparations that have a bactericidal effect are sometimes used to relieve inflammation.However, taking infusions and decoctions is allowed only after consultation with a urologist.Remember that folk remedies are not a cure for the disease and only help with the symptoms, but do not remove the cause.
An important component of treatment is prostate massage.It is performed in the absence of contraindications.The essence of this procedure is the removal of accumulated inflammatory secretions from the organs.Therefore, it is possible to improve blood circulation in tissues, eliminate congestion, stimulate local immunity and restore the patency of secretory channels.
Another popular way is to use physical therapy.In the 21st century, it is difficult to imagine quality modern treatment of chronic prostatitis without the application of complex physiotherapy.With its help, it is possible to restore blood circulation in the pelvic organs, enhance the effect of medicines and eliminate congestion.Ultrasound, laser, thermal or electromagnetic effects are used in the therapy.
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 aimed at improving the protective functions of the body and general 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 numerous complications, including infertility.That is why it is not done on young men of reproductive age.
Symptoms and treatment of acute prostatitis
Acute prostatitis is characterized by rapid onset and development.It is worth noting that it occurs quite rarely - in about 5% of cases.
The inflammatory process in the prostate develops progressively, so several phases of the acute form can be distinguished:
- Catarrhal.The inflammatory process affects individual organ lobes and affects the structure of the mucous membrane and submucous layer.As a result, congestion occurs in the follicles of the gland.
- Follicular.Focal suppuration of the affected lobes occurs.
- Parenchymatous.There is multiple organ damage;almost all tissues are involved in the inflammatory process.An abscess is formed that can rupture and release purulent contents into the bladder, urethra, or rectum.
Symptoms of acute prostatitis include: intense pain, elevated body temperature, chills, profuse sweating and weakness.This condition can be caused by various microorganisms.The most common causative agents are Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter.
Treatment of the pathology must begin immediately after the first symptoms appear.As a rule, in such cases it is possible to avoid complications and health consequences.The patient is prescribed a combination of antibiotics that are 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 process of urination normalizes and signs of infection disappear.
In the absence of the necessary therapy, obstruction of the urinary tract and abscess 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 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 the pathology, patients notice an increase in sexual desire and spontaneous erection.However, at the same time, signs of chronic prostatitis appear, such as a decrease in the duration of sexual intercourse and painful ejaculation.As the disease progresses, the symptoms become less pronounced, but the deterioration of 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 feels pain in the genital area, 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 required, which will include an anamnesis, a rectal examination of the prostate and a series of laboratory tests.In some cases, additional instrumental methods are used.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis in its chronic form lasts from 3-4 weeks to 6-12 months.It is of primary importance to remove the cause of the inflammatory process in the prostate.Otherwise, it will not be possible to rule out the recurrent nature of the pathology.
Preventive measures
In order 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 that predispose to the development of the disease persist, its recurrence is possible.Proper nutrition, adequate sleep and physical activity, and a regular sex life play a key role in prevention.
In addition, urologists advise to follow the following recommendations to avoid inflammation of the prostate:
- Avoid hypothermia.
- When working while sitting, 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 regarding the existing problem).
- Have a regular sex life with a regular partner.
- After the age of 40, undergo annual preventive examinations by a urologist.
And, of course, it is worth remembering that if any signs of prostatitis appear, consult a doctor immediately.It is the only way to eliminate dangerous health consequences.