Prostatitis (lat. prostatitis) is an acute or chronic inflammation of the prostate gland, which is diagnosed in 35-40% of men aged 25-55. The older the patient, the higher the risk of developing prostatitis.
When inflammation occurs, the prostate increases in size and begins to compress the urethra. This process leads to the narrowing of the urethral lumen, as a result of which the man has a frequent urge to urinate and a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder. At the initial stage, the symptoms of prostatitis can be mild. However, over time, prostatitis becomes the cause of sexual disorders. In addition, the pathology can cause a number of complications:
- prostate abscess;
- Cystitis.
Prostatitis or prostate adenoma?
These two diseases are often confused or confused. At the same time, they have different nature and flow patterns.
Peculiarities |
prostatitis |
BPH |
Age of the patient |
20-45 years |
More than 45 years |
nature of the disease |
inflammatory process |
Tumor |
Pain syndrome |
present in an acute form |
Appears in the 2-3 stages of the disease |
action |
Expressed |
not present |
Urinary disorder |
Appears in an acute form |
is always present |
Weakening of potency |
observed in both cases |
|
Prostatitis first requires medical treatment, while prostate adenoma is a benign tumor that is surgically removed. In addition, prostate adenoma can cause prostatitis, which is why any inflammatory process in the organs of the pelvic cavity requires timely examination and treatment.
Causes of prostatitis
infectious
Prostatitis can be caused by:
- Staphylococcus bacteria;
- enterococcus;
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa;
- sexually transmitted infections;
- chronic infectious diseases (tonsillitis, sinusitis, etc. );
- Other opportunistic pathogens.
stagnation
Prostatitis occurs for the following reasons:
- lifeless lifestyle;
- sedentary work;
- long periods of abstinence;
- excessive sexual activity;
- Cessation of sexual intercourse.
The listed factors contribute to the disruption of capillary blood flow and the formation of stagnation processes in the prostate tissue.
Prostatitis begins to develop more intensively when favorable factors appear, which include:
- chronic constipation;
- hypothermia;
- unbalanced diet;
- urological diseases;
- frequent stress;
- intoxication of the body due to smoking or drinking alcohol;
- Perineal injuries.
Types and symptoms of prostatitis
According to the form of its occurrence, prostatitis in men is divided into:
Acute prostatitis. One of the first signs of the course of the disease is a pronounced pain syndrome, which appears against the background of a rapidly developing inflammatory process. Swelling of the prostate gland occurs under the influence of pathogenic microflora. The condition requires immediate medical attention. On the other hand, acute prostatitis can have the following forms:
- catarrhal (frequent painful urination, pain in the palate and perineum, difficulty in defecation);
- follicular (pain intensifies and starts radiating in the anus, when going to the toilet, urine comes out in a thin stream, body temperature rises to 37. 5 ºС);
- Parenchymal (body temperature rises to 38-40 ºС, general intoxication of the body is observed, there is a sharp throbbing pain in the groin area, acute urinary retention occurs).
Chronic prostatitis is practically asymptomatic or has mild symptoms. In men, the temperature occasionally rises to 37-37. 5 ºС, there is a slight pain in the perineum, which intensifies during urination or defecation. In addition, you may experience:
- weakening of erection;
- accelerated ejaculation;
- Decreased intensity of sexual sensations.
In some cases, chronic prostatitis becomes the result of an acute process, when the patient reports a so-called false improvement and refuses to see a urologist. As a rule, the result of self-treatment at home is a number of complications: abscess or prostate adenoma, inflammation of the urinary bladder, loss of fertility, etc. Sh.
Depending on the cause, prostatitis can be:
- herpetic,
- bacterial,
- infectious,
- fungal,
- purulent,
- chlamydial,
- gonorrhea,
- calculus,
- fiber,
- stagnation.
Diagnosis of prostatitis
Palpation allows you to determine the size, shape and structure of the tissue of the organ.
Laboratory research. It allows you to diagnose prostatitis and other prostate diseases in the early stages or in chronic cases in the absence of pronounced symptoms.
- general analysis of blood and urine;
- A biochemical blood test is performed to clarify the picture of the disease and to determine the involvement of other internal organs and systems in the inflammatory process;
- PSA blood test;
- Urine culture with antibiotic sensitivity testing.
- Swabs for urogenital infections to detect STDs.
Ultrasound is performed to determine structural changes in the prostate tissue and to detect neoplasms (cysts, tumors).
TRUS is performed through the rectum and allows you to get the most complete information about the state of the gland and bladder.
MRI allows you to get a detailed layer-by-layer image of the prostate and surrounding tissues in three different projections.
Treatment of prostatitis
Treatment methods depend on the detected causative agent of prostatitis, so the patient should undergo a comprehensive examination.
Treatment of acute prostatitis
Antibacterial therapy. Before prescribing antibiotics, the doctor refers the patient to tests to determine the causative agent of the infection. After that, drugs are selected that will help suppress the activity of pathogenic microorganisms and eliminate the inflammatory process.
Symptomatic treatment. In addition, the urologist can prescribe antipyretic, painkillers, diuretics, laxatives, vitamins, immunomodulators and other drugs.
surgery. It is carried out in case of complications. For example, if an abscess develops, the doctor may perform a transurethral or transrectal opening of the abscess, in case of acute urinary retention, a cyst may be necessary.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis
Antibacterial therapy. The course of treatment is 14-28 days, and it should be completed even if after a week the symptoms of prostatitis disappear. Antibiotics are used to eliminate infection and suppress inflammatory processes in the body.
Symptomatic treatment. Depending on the indications, the urologist may prescribe painkillers, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, vascular and other drugs to the patient.
Manual or machine massage. One of the most effective methods of treating prostatitis in men. Prostate massage helps remove stagnant secretions, improves blood and lymph flow, and restores metabolism in the affected organ.
Physiotherapy treatment. Depending on the indication, the urologist can prescribe electrostimulation, laser or magnetic therapy. Procedures help improve blood circulation, have an anti-inflammatory effect and help restore reproductive function.
Prevention of prostatitis
Prevention of prostatitis is much easier than later treatment. To do this, simply follow the following recommendations:
annual exam. It is necessary to visit a urologist every year, even if there are no complaints about your health.
Sports activities. Regular physical activity helps improve metabolic processes throughout the body, including the prostate.
Refusal of indecent intercourse. Sex is very important for men's health, but frequent changes of sexual partners can lead to bacterial prostatitis and related complications.
A balanced diet. It is necessary to eat at least 3 times a day. The diet should include lean fish and meat, cereals, fermented milk products, fresh vegetables and fruits. It is advisable to limit the consumption or completely avoid carbonated drinks, fatty and smoked foods, baked goods and spices.
rejection of bad habits. Drinking alcohol and smoking reduces immunity and puts additional stress on the body, which creates favorable conditions for the development of many diseases.
Questions and answers
Question: How to distinguish acute prostatitis from chronic?
Answer: We must start from the fact that the disease in its acute form usually occurs in people aged 30-35 years. Chronic prostatitis is considered non-aging. The disease in its acute form usually manifests quickly with the following symptoms:
- sharp increase in body temperature (up to 40 degrees);
- A severe headache occurs;
- Fever begins.
Acute prostatitis is also characterized by constant pain in the groin, back and perineum.
In its chronic form, prostatitis, on the contrary, may not show symptoms for a long time. Over time, a person develops fever and intermittent pain in the anus, scrotum, back, and perineum.
Urination is disturbed, purulent discharge from the anus and urethra begins. Chronic prostatitis also causes erectile dysfunction. Ejaculation begins to be painful and sexual intercourse is not pleasant.
Q: What happens if prostatitis is not treated?
Answer: If a person does not receive treatment for diagnosed prostatitis, complications and accompanying pathologies may develop.
- vesiculitis. This disease is characterized by inflammatory processes in the seminal vesicles. As a result, pus gets into the ejaculate and the sperm quality decreases. Vesiculitis often leads to complete loss of reproductive functions.
- Coliculitis. A disease in which inflammatory processes affect testicular tuberculosis. As a result, a man experiences severe pain during sex, which causes the orgasm to stop. Without therapy, a person develops psychological impotence.
- Abscess. It is produced in the prostate and causes intoxication of the body. Its disruption can lead to worsening symptoms, and in some cases, death.
- Infertility. This happens against the background of deterioration of sperm quality and inflammatory processes in testicles, sperm marrow and vesicles.
- Against the background of prostatitis, immunity often deteriorates. Without therapy, about a third of all cases of the disease end in the development of oncology. Prostatitis should be treated in a specialized andrological clinic.
Question: Where should I go for prostatitis treatment?
Answer: The diagnosis is usually made by a urologist based on the study of symptoms. Various studies are usually prescribed to confirm prostatitis:
- general blood and urine tests;
- smear for STD;
- secret research;
- uroflowmetry;
- Ultrasound.
In some cases, biopsy and spermogram are prescribed.