Understanding chronic prostatitis and the difficulties in its treatment

Chronic prostatitis is considered a long-term inflammatory process localized in the prostate gland.In this case, a person may feel only slight discomfort, so he does not always consult a doctor.The pathology has an ICD 10 code – N41.1.

sedentary lifestyle

Forms of prostatitis

The disease develops in case of incorrect treatment of the acute form or in the absence of any therapy.The pathology manifests itself not only in adults, but also in young people, which is dictated by a decrease in physical activity.The morphology and functionality of the organ are impaired.Treatment of chronic prostatitis should begin immediately after the first symptoms appear.Otherwise, the functioning of the gland will be permanently impaired.Therapy largely depends on what caused the pathological process.The presented disease can be divided into several groups:

  1. By causative factor: infectious;viral;bacterial;caused by fungi, mycoplasma;gonorrhoeal;mixed.
  2. According to the pathogenetic factor, chronic prostatitis is of the following types: hematogenous (the infection enters the prostate gland from a pathological focus through the blood);infected by contact (through the walls of neighboring organs);lymphogenic (penetration of pathogens through the lymph).

Damage to the prostate gland may be stagnant (congestive).It develops due to poor outflow of prostatic secretion.The fluid stagnates and an inflammatory process occurs.If the problem is caused by clogging of the channels of the organ with concretions (stones), then in this case we can talk about a calculous type of pathology.Chronic prostatitis can also be bacterial or abacterial.In the first case, a pathogen is necessarily present;the second form occurs as a result of mechanical damage to the gland or under the influence of other factors, among which there are no pathogens.It is the abacterial variant that occurs in 80% of cases.

Causes and provoking factors

Before treating chronic prostatitis in men, specialists must find out the cause of their appearance.The following conditions can provoke pathology:

  • sexually transmitted infections: chlamydia, ureaplasmosis, herpes, gonococcus, fungus;
  • violation of microcirculation in the tissues and blood circulation in the pelvic organs;
  • urological pathology;
  • the presence of infectious foci in the body;
  • hemorrhoids, as well as chronic constipation;
  • injury to the genital organs or spinal cord;
  • weakened immunity;
  • tumor process;
  • hormonal imbalance, disruption of the functionality of the endocrine system;
  • heart failure;
  • previous surgical intervention, including abdominal organs.

These are the main causes of chronic prostatitis.There are other negative factors that contribute to the development of the disease:

  • frequent general or local hypothermia;
  • inactive lifestyle;
  • long-term abstinence from sexual activity;
  • frequent exposure to stress, mental and physical overload;
  • smoking;
  • alcohol abuse;
  • dietary mistakes: frequent consumption of fatty foods;
  • long-term use of drugs.

Only by establishing the cause can you choose the right tactics for treating chronic prostatitis.

Symptoms of the disease

The course of the chronic form of the disease is usually hidden.That is, the symptoms are weak, the man rarely pays attention to them and does not recognize the problem until it becomes more pronounced.He is ashamed and afraid to go to the doctor.However, the lack of therapy will lead to serious complications, so a visit to a specialist should not be delayed for a long time.Manifestations depend on what stage of chronic prostatitis a person is in.The following general signs of the disease can be identified:

  1. Discomfort and pain that can radiate to other parts of the body: legs, anus.The unpleasant sensations have been present for more than 3 months.
  2. Problems urinating.They are caused by the fact that the enlarged prostate puts pressure on the excretory duct.In this case, the biological fluid cannot come out completely.This leads to increased visits to the toilet at night.
  3. Sexual dysfunction.Erections may be irregular and ejaculation may be premature.During intercourse, a man may feel pain.
  4. Increased irritability, short temper, anxiety.

Also, a person gets physically tired faster, develops apathy, which gradually turns into a depressive state.The exacerbation of a chronic process is characterized by the following manifestations:

  • increased intensity of pain;
  • burning in the urethra;
  • increased desire to go to the toilet;
  • increased sweating, trembling;
  • severe discomfort in the lower abdomen, rectum and perineum;
  • significant decrease in sexual activity;
  • pain syndrome during defecation.

Only 2-3 signs of prostatitis can appear at once, so a person is in no hurry to undergo an examination.At the same time, the chronic process of destruction inside the tissue continues.Gradually, changes in the prostate become irreversible, and it will no longer be possible to get rid of them completely.

Diagnostic features

Treatment of chronic prostatitis is necessary only after differential diagnosis of the disease.Otherwise, the patient will be prescribed drugs that can harm him.During the research, the following methods are used:

  1. Microscopic analysis of urethral discharge.
  2. Mucosal scraping and its examination by polymerase chain reaction.
  3. Microscopic and bacterial analysis of prostatic secretion.
  4. Determination of immune status.
  5. Transrectal ultrasound.The main echo sign of chronic prostatitis is the increase in the size and volume of the organ, the change in its structure and the presence of pathological neoplasms.However, such a study is contraindicated in hemorrhoids, inflammation of the rectum and fissures in the anus.
  6. MRI.The specialist makes a layered image of the prostate.Only differential diagnosis can help specialists understand the causes of the disease, as well as the characteristics of its development.

Treatment of pathology

difficulty urinating

Treatment of chronic prostatitis is not a short-term process.Getting rid of the pathology will take a long time and be complicated.The scheme includes not only medicines, but also physiotherapy procedures and folk remedies.Many patients need the help of a psychologist.Balneotherapy in specialized institutions is also useful.It will not be possible to completely eliminate the disease if it has already reached an advanced stage.Drug treatment will allow you to quickly relieve the symptoms, as well as eliminate the cause of the disease itself.In addition, the patient is prescribed drugs that stimulate metabolic processes.In order to increase the chances of recovery, in addition to medicines, a person also needs proper nutrition.The diet includes the exclusion of fatty and spicy foods, canned foods, smoked foods, sweets and spices.It is better to limit your salt intake.Alcohol and cigarettes are strictly prohibited.

Non-drug treatment

In addition to medication, the person will need physical therapy.Consolidates the positive effect of the main scheme.Such treatment affects not only the affected tissues, but also blood circulation and metabolism.The main condition for successful therapy is the use of several techniques.The patient is usually prescribed the following procedures:

  1. Electrophoresis.Stimulates the regenerative properties of the affected tissues and relieves pain.Thanks to the procedure, drugs penetrate deeper and blood flow is activated.
  2. Phonophoresis.
  3. Laser therapy.
  4. Magnet treatment.
  5. Microwave therapy.It has a regenerative effect and improves metabolic processes.Nerve conduction is restored.
  6. Ultrasound.It has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect, helps restore sexual function and relieves pain.
  7. Inductometry.
  8. Instillation into the urethra.

Mud baths and therapeutic enemas are considered no less useful.All these procedures can be used both as monotherapy and in combination with other means.Thanks to physiotherapy, it is possible to consolidate a lasting positive effect.Prostate massage is considered popular.Eliminates stagnant processes and improves the drainage of prostatic secretions and activates microcirculation.In bacterial forms of pathology, it is used more often.However, there are some contraindications for use: cancer of an organ, adenoma or other formation, stones in the ducts, hemorrhoids or fissures in the anus.

Folk recipes

If the pathological process becomes chronic, then it is necessary to undergo treatment.Folk remedies will help to achieve a stable remission.But they should be used at an early stage of the disease.The following recipes will be effective:

  1. Kalanchoe leaves.It is necessary to squeeze the juice from the plant and mix it with the same amount of water.You should consume 100-150 ml per day for one month.
  2. Bearberry tincture.You will need dry grass and vodka in a ratio of 1:10.The mixture should be infused for 14 days in the refrigerator.The medicine is taken twice a day for 15 drops.The course of therapy lasts one month.
  3. Pear compote.
  4. Parsley seeds and juice.The ingredients can be added to food.
  5. Bee pollen.You need to mix it with water in a ratio of 1:3.It is worth drinking 1 glass a day.Treatment in this way will take 1 month.
  6. A mixture of honey and pumpkin seeds.All components are taken in equal amounts.Roll the resulting porridge into balls.They are stored in a refrigerator.The patient should eat 2-3 pieces per day.The course of treatment lasts 30 days.
  7. Rectal suppositories based on propolis.They should be treated for at least a month.

Chronic prostatitis can be treated at home, but the disease cannot be completely cured without the intervention of doctors.In addition, such therapy will last more than a year.

Surgical intervention

Chronic prostatitis is not the end or a death sentence.It is important for one to understand this.But if the therapy is not carried out completely correctly or when conservative methods are ineffective, then the patient will need surgical intervention.There are several types of operations:

  1. Endoscopic transurethral resection.It is performed under anesthesia and is considered the safest option.Thanks to the procedure, it is possible to reduce the pressure of the prostate on the urinary canal.The recovery period lasts no more than a week.
  2. Laser removal of the affected tissue.This operation is safe and characterized by the absence of blood loss.
  3. Prostatectomy.It can be partial or complete.At the same time, experts try to preserve a man's erectile function.

There must be certain indications for surgical intervention: constant problems with urination, risk of developing an oncological process, a significant reduction in the patient's quality of life.

Possible complications

If the therapy was started late, then the consequences cannot be avoided.The following complications of chronic prostatitis are distinguished:

  • urethritis;
  • impotence or other erectile problems;
  • infertility;
  • difficulty urinating;
  • reduced ejaculate formation or its complete absence;
  • cystitis, kidney damage;
  • development of a malignant process;
  • spread of the inflammatory process throughout the reproductive system;
  • scarring of the prostate tissue, in which the affected areas cannot perform the necessary functions.

Complications of chronic prostatitis cannot always be eliminated, so it is better to prevent their occurrence.

Prognosis and prevention

The prognosis depends on the stage at which treatment is started and how effective it is.Chronic prostatitis is curable if the patient is treated in the early stages of its development.Otherwise, the inflammatory process will exist for a long time and gradually deteriorate the quality of life of a person.People with this diagnosis are not accepted into the army.The appearance of pathology can be prevented.To do this, you must observe the following prevention rules:

  1. Do not neglect sexual hygiene.
  2. Try not to change sexual partners often.
  3. Treat all urogenital diseases promptly.
  4. Normalization of nutrition and regularity of sexual activity.
  5. Do exercise, move more.
  6. Avoid the development of constipation.In addition, bladder emptying must be timely.
  7. Avoid hypothermia and overheating of the genitals.
  8. Avoid stressful situations, physical and mental overload.

Chronic prostatitis is a complex disease that requires long-term therapy.One will have to admit one's diagnosis and come to terms with it.Only in this case will he be able to get rid of the problem.