According to statistics, more than 75% of men over the age of 40-45 have prostate diseases. A strong circulation of lymph and blood in the vessels of the small pelvis often causes swelling and swelling of the organ. In addition, the prostate gland is well innervated, so the symptoms of the disease in men include severe pain.
What is the prostate gland?
The prostate or prostate gland is a male reproductive organ, part of the reproductive system. It is located in the small pelvis, below the bladder, partially covering the urethra and ejaculatory ducts. The prostate consists of two lobes and an isthmus that connects them. In addition, the body is divided into upper, base, front and back parts. The shape of the prostate is similar to a chestnut, it is elastic, it consists of glandular and muscular cells. The prostate gland performs three main functions:
- motor. Prostate muscle cells form a sphincter in the urethra that holds urine.
- secretarial. The gland produces a special secret that ensures the mobility of spermatozoa, liquefying spermatozoa.
- barrier. Prevents the spread of infection from the urethra.
Prostate disease in men
Pathologies are usually associated with organ damage by pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms, swelling or neoplasms (both malignant and benign). >Prostate diseases include the following:
- inflammation (prostatitis);
- Benign gland hyperplasia (adenoma);
- malignant neoplasm (cancer);
- cystic neoplasms;
- Prostate abscess.
Many factors that create a favorable environment and conditions for the penetration and reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms (fungi, viruses, bacteria) can provoke the development of pathology and signs of prostate inflammation in men. In addition, they can cause the development of benign or malignant tumors. Unfavorable factors include:
- improper nutrition;
- hypovitaminosis;
- venereal diseases;
- hypothermia of the body;
- hypodynamia;
- long-term antibiotic therapy;
- blood stagnation in the pelvis;
- bad habits;
- endocrine pathologies;
- Reproductive system pathology;
- oncological diseases in history;
- Prolonged fatigue.
Symptoms of prostate disease in men
Signs of prostate gland dysfunction depend on the cause of the disease, its localization and the nature of pathological processes. As a rule, the patient complains of weakness, decreased performance, general fatigue and irritability. In addition, symptoms of prostatitis and prostate adenoma in men, stones or abscess can be manifested as follows:
- Urinary disorder;
- erectile dysfunction;
- infertility;
- pain, burning in the urethra;
- rise in temperature;
- chills;
- painful intercourse;
- lack of ejaculation;
- Pain in the perineum with sudden movements;
- Offensive discharge from urethra.
prostatitis
Inflammatory damage to the prostate gland, prostatitis, is one of the most common diseases of the male genital area. The main cause of the pathology is considered to be a violation of blood circulation in the pelvis, which causes a strong increase in the proportions of the organ and its swelling. Symptoms of prostate inflammation depend on the type of disease. There are several types of pathology:
- acute inflammation. Caused by pathogenic microbes (eg, E. coli or enterobacteria). Acute prostatitis is manifested by severe pain and pain in the urethra, urination disorders: urine is excreted with difficulty, sometimes drop by drop. Some patients report an increase in temperature.
- Chronic bacterial inflammation. As a rule, it is caused by sexual infections (chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, etc. ). Symptoms of chronic inflammation of the prostate may be mild or absent. Characteristic signs include sexual dysfunction (erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation), painful urination (mainly at night) and mucous discharge from the urethra.
- Chronic non-bacterial inflammation. The disease develops as a result of inflammatory processes of other organs (pyelonephritis, cystitis), blood stagnation, heart failure, hypothermia. Such prostatitis often has one symptom - difficulty urinating. Often the result of the pathology is a kidney disorder, discomfort in the waist area.
BPH
Prostate disease, characterized by the growth of benign tissue and the formation of nodules, which gradually suffocate the urethra and seminal ducts, the urinary bladder. Hyperplasia can cause a violation of the concentration of hormones in the blood. Signs of prostate adenoma in men vary depending on the stage of the disease:
- compensated. As a rule, men do not notice specific symptoms at this stage. Sometimes there is a desire to urinate at night.
- Subcompensated. The main symptoms are a feeling of heaviness in the bladder, its incomplete emptying. During urination, fluid is difficult, patients complain of difficult ejaculation.
- Decompensated. It is characterized by a significant decrease in the volume of the bladder muscles and their tone. In addition, adenoma develops chronic fatigue, pain and cramps when trying to urinate. In the absence of treatment, the growth of the tumor, the intensity of pain increases significantly, defecation may be disturbed due to the compression of the rectum.
Prostate adenoma is considered a pre-cancerous disease, so when this growth of tissue is detected, a biopsy is needed to detect atypical cells and ultrasound (ultrasound) for a detailed study of the structure of the organ. Glandular hyperplasia usually progresses slowly, which allows timely diagnosis and treatment.
Cyst
A pathological cavity with fluid or a prostate cyst develops under the influence of inflammatory processes of the gland, in which the ducts that secrete the organ are blocked and the flow of secretions is disrupted. Pathology can be provoked by constant stress, nervous strain, chronic diseases and tumors of neighboring organs, sclerosis of prostate tissues. Signs of cystic formation are:
- burning in the urethra;
- enlargement of the gland;
- decreased libido;
- increase in body temperature;
- feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder;
- Reproductive dysfunction.
stones
Formation of stones in the prostate occurs due to a sedentary lifestyle, injuries in the groin area, inflammatory diseases of the organ. It gradually increases in size, calculi violate the integrity of the ducts of the gland, urine begins to enter the prostate tissue. Stones are usually composed of phosphates, urine and oxalic acid salts, protein and ductal epithelium. The main signs of pathology are:
- weak erection;
- pain during urination;
- frequent exacerbation of inflammation;
- pain during ejaculation;
- Rings in the gland and pain on examination.
Cancer
A malignant neoplasm that develops from the secretory epithelium of the prostate is called cancer or carcinoma. Tumor development is preceded by long inflammatory processes. The risk group includes men over 40 who abuse alcohol and smoke. Symptoms of oncological damage to the prostate are non-specific and are manifested by organ dysfunction. In the early stages, the disease is usually not detected. As the tumor develops, the following symptoms develop:
- hematuria;
- painful urination;
- pain in the lower abdomen;
- swelling of the legs;
- Violation of the chair;
- impotence.
Abscess
Infectious-inflammatory pathology accompanied by purulent fusion of tissues is called abscess. Such a process develops due to the transfer of pathogenic bacteria from the primary focus of infection to the prostate gland through the bloodstream. For a long time, the abscess may be asymptomatic. The main signs of the presence of a purulent focus in prostate tissues are: >
- fever and chills;
- pain during sexual intercourse, urination;
- Discharge of purulent pus in the urine (when an abscess ruptures).
Purulent formation in the prostate is diagnosed with the help of instrumental and laboratory studies. An increase in the number of leukocytes, an increase in the sedimentation rate of erythrocytes is observed in the blood analysis. Leukocyturia and pathogenic microflora were detected during urine analysis. Palpation through the rectum shows the presence of a rounded mass.
Basic methods of prostate gland treatment
Pathology treatment methods depend on the specific disease, course stage and severity. Therapy of prostate diseases is selected individually depending on the age of the patient, the results of laboratory tests, instrumental studies, and the presence of accompanying pathologies. Get to know the basic principles of treatment of prostate diseases:
The disease |
Treatment methods |
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prostatitis |
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Adenoma |
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Cyst |
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stones |
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Cancer |
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Abscess |
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Prevention
To prevent the development of prostate diseases, you should follow the principles of a healthy lifestyle. Reduces the risk of prostate pathologies by following the recommendations:
- Follow a balanced diet.
- Get regular exercise.
- Take multivitamin complexes, immunomodulating drugs.
- Refrain from smoking alcohol, tobacco, drugs.
- Avoid hypothermia.
- Consult a doctor as soon as symptoms appear.