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!
The information in this article cannot be used for self-diagnosis and self-treatment.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 life and sexually transmitted infections.Treatment of prostatitis can be quite long, especially in the later stages of development.The sooner a person seeks medical help, the greater the chance 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 modern methods of treatment.
What is the prostate?
The prostate (or prostate gland) 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 - the size of a walnut, but it is extremely important for men's health.
The prostate gland supports the production of spermatozoa, ensures their movement and ejaculation, participates in the formation of sexual desire and the occurrence of orgasm, influences the activity of the testicles and the synthesis of androgens (male sex hormones).
All pathological processes in the prostate affect the composition of the prostate secretion.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 normally the prostate gland prevents bacteria from entering the urethra.
Unfortunately, diseases requiring treatment of the prostate are quite common.Usually it is 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 inflammation of the prostate can vary depending on the form of the disease diagnosed in the man.Regardless of the form, a comprehensive treatment is chosen, aimed at eliminating the existing symptoms.
There are 3 groups of symptoms characteristic of prostatitis:
- Pain syndrome.Prostatitis pain can vary in strength 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 urinating, and after visiting the toilet there is a feeling of a full bladder.
- Sexual deviations.In some cases, a man may experience frequent painful spontaneous erections or a complete lack of sexual arousal.Often, with prostatitis, orgasmic sensations fade and the intercourse itself becomes short, or the erection may completely disappear during 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 increases 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 the corresponding symptoms.There are forms of prostatitis that are asymptomatic in the early stages.This means that diagnosing pathology in such cases will be difficult.
reasons
Often the disease occurs against the background of reduced immunity, in the presence of sexually transmitted infections or concomitant pathologies.A common cause of prostatitis is a bacterial infection that 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 a weakening of immunity.As a result, the 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 impaired blood circulation of the internal organs.Congestion and inflammation develop in the tissues of the prostate gland.For this reason, 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.Retention of stool in the intestine leads to pressure on the prostate, which provokes problems with blood circulation.In addition, constipation often contributes to the spread of pathogens.
- Organ injuries.In case of traumatic damage to the prostate or pelvic organs, blood flow worsens and local immunity decreases.This increases the risk of developing prostatitis.
- Characteristics of sexual activity.An overly 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 the 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 is an acute and chronic form of pathology.As a rule, a man is worried about pain and discomfort in the perineum, problems with urination, deterioration of general health and increased body temperature.In severe cases of the disease, the presence of blood or pus in the urine is noted.But such symptoms are more characteristic of the acute stage and relapses of the disease.In chronic prostatitis, the symptoms may be "blurred" or not manifest.
- Abacterial.In this case, the disease has an inflammatory and non-inflammatory nature, it is often called chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS).In this form of prostatitis, destructive changes are observed in the muscle tissue of the gland.The causes are autoimmune diseases, abnormalities in the development of organs and chronic cystitis.
- At a standstill.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 intercourse for a long time, as this provokes stagnation of secretions in the prostate gland.Most often, patients with this form of the disease experience erectile dysfunction, problems with urination and discomfort in the groin area.
- Calculous.The development of this form of prostatitis is facilitated by the appearance of concretions (stones) in the tissues of the prostate gland.As a rule, the disease occurs in patients older than 55-60 years.The causes of the pathology are the incorrect treatment of chronic prostatitis or urolithiasis.The characteristic symptoms of such prostatitis in men include 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 that affects the entire area of the perineum and groin.The man experiences a sharp 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 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 initial consultation, the specialist collects the patient's medical history, asks about existing complaints and conducts a rectal examination of the prostate gland.After that, a number of additional tests are prescribed, which are necessary to diagnose the existing type of prostatitis and prescribe competent treatment.
The review includes:
- Ultrasound (TRUS) of the pelvic organs.
- Clinical blood test.
- General analysis of urine.
- Microscopic analysis of prostatic secretion.
- Urethral smear and bacterial culture of discharge for sexually transmitted infections.
If necessary, the patient can be referred for additional tests: spermogram, CT (or MRI) of the pelvic organs.
important!
The information in this article cannot be used for self-diagnosis and self-treatment.To make a correct diagnosis and prescribe treatment, you should always consult a doctor.
Methods of treatment
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 the right choice of therapy is extremely important.
As a rule, the treatment of inflammation of the prostate involves a complex approach, including medication 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 of an infectious-bacterial nature, then additional antibacterial treatment is carried out.
Also, as part of drug therapy, drugs are used to eliminate existing symptoms.They can be:
- Pain relievers.
- Antispasmodics and muscle relaxants.
- Diuretics.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Medicines to normalize prostate function.
- Medicines to restore an erection.
A number of recommendations must be followed:
- Drink enough water throughout the day (1.5-2 liters).
- Follow a diet excluding spicy, fatty and salty foods from the diet.
- Eliminating alcohol.
Sometimes medicinal herbal preparations, which have a bactericidal effect, are used to relieve inflammation.However, taking infusions and decoctions is permissible only after consultation with a urologist.Remember that folk remedies are not a panacea for the disease and help only with the symptoms, but do not eliminate the cause.
An important component of treatment is prostate massage.It is performed in the absence of contraindications.The essence of this procedure is to remove the accumulated inflammatory secretion from the organ.Thanks to this, it is possible to improve blood circulation in tissues, remove 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 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 drugs and eliminate congestion.The therapy uses ultrasound, laser, heat or electromagnetic impact.
In the case of 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 body's protective functions and overall well-being.
Sometimes the conservative treatment regimen for prostatitis does not give the necessary results, so the patient needs surgical intervention.
Of course, the operation requires a long recovery and often provokes a number of complications, including infertility.Therefore, it is not used in young men of childbearing 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 gland 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.
- Parenchymatous.There are multiple injuries to the organ;almost all tissues are involved in the inflammatory process.An abscess forms, which may 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 causative agents are Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacter.
Treatment of the pathology should begin immediately after the appearance of the first symptoms.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 the man, almost all symptoms disappear, the urination process normalizes and the signs of infection disappear.
In the absence of the necessary treatment, urinary tract obstruction and abscess may develop.Such conditions will require urgent hospitalization and often surgery.
Symptoms and treatment of chronic prostatitis
The chronic form of the disease is characterized by slow development.Symptoms are intermittent 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 note an increased sexual desire and spontaneous erections.But at the same time, signs of chronic prostatitis appear, such as a decrease in the duration of 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 experiences pain in the genital area, difficulty urinating and fever.However, other symptoms of the pathology may be absent, which often complicates the diagnosis.
In order to make an accurate diagnosis, a comprehensive examination is required, which will include a medical history, a rectal examination of the prostate gland and a number of laboratory tests.In some cases, additional instrumental methods are used.
The treatment of chronic prostatitis in its chronic form takes from 3-4 weeks to 6-12 months.The removal of the causes of the inflammatory process in the prostate gland is of primary importance.Otherwise, it will not be possible to exclude the recurrent nature of the pathology.
Preventive measures
To prevent prostatitis in men, it is recommended to adjust the 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, sufficient sleep and physical activity, as well as a regular sex life.
In addition, urologists advise to follow the following recommendations to avoid inflammation of the prostate gland:
- Avoid hypothermia.
- For sedentary work, 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 40 years, undergo annual preventive examinations by a urologist.
And, of course, it is worth remembering that if signs of prostatitis appear, you should immediately consult a doctor.This is the only way to eliminate the dangerous health consequences.