Many people are still embarrassed or hesitant to talk about certain diseases.This is especially true of urogenital problems, which simultaneously create discomfort and affect sexual activity.More than 70% of men do not consult doctors in the early stages of the disease, while treatment is most effective if the disease is not very advanced.Timely detection of disease symptoms is important for prevention and early treatment.
What is prostatitis?
The prostate or prostate gland is located in the center of the pelvis, connected to the bladder and the spermatic duct.The main function is the production of a substance responsible for the viability and movement of sperm.From a chemical point of view, this secretion is the basis of immunoglobulins with the addition of vitamins, zinc, iodine - the basis of sperm nutrition and activity.Fluid composition is an important diagnostic parameter that helps to recognize symptoms at an early stage.
As you can guess from the name, the disease includes inflammatory processes in the prostate gland.This pathology is always associated with the presence of a bacterial infection, although it does not necessarily occur in a form that is noticeable to humans.The type of disease progression largely depends on age, predisposition, associated factors and body characteristics.
Usually, the prostate gland is not felt and does not attract attention.However, despite its rather deep location in the pelvis, this organ is one of the most vulnerable in the male body.There is an opinion that only elderly people can experience the symptoms of prostatitis, but this is not true: the disease is characteristic of men aged 20 to 60 years.
It is quite difficult to identify the disease in the early stage.Signs may appear from time to time, then bother you, then disappear without a trace.Doctors note that the psychology of men, especially young men, plays a role: not everyone is ready to go to the doctor and admit a "shameful" disease.
At the same time, the disease is characterized by dangerous complications, including:
- Infertility due to sperm motility disorders.Sometimes asymptomatic or mild chronic prostatitis becomes the only reason for the absence of a child in a couple.A woman can undergo as many tests as she wants, but it will not help her until her husband decides to test his fertility.
- Prostate adenoma is a benign tumor, which, however, can become very dangerous for men.This is due to the anatomical structure - the urinary and blood vessels are located in such a way that if the prostate gland grows abnormally, it prevents normal urination.There is a risk of a large number of complications, including bladder rupture.
- Prostate cancer, according to statistics, is one of the most common diseases in men.Oncological disease is one of the ten main causes of death for people over 50 years of age;It is at this age that long-term chronic prostatitis degenerates into a life-threatening condition.
- Psychological problems related to erectile dysfunction, infertility, problems related to natural functions.This is a side symptom, but it also significantly affects the patient's quality of life.
One in twenty men over thirty and more than half over fifty have symptoms of prostatitis.This is one of the most common diseases.Prevention, early diagnosis and careful treatment can alleviate the attacks and complications of the disease.
acute (bacterial)
The disease can occur in men at any age.And if the chronic forms of this disease are more characteristic of older people, then the acute bacterial types of the disease can theoretically be experienced by anyone.Bacteria that cause symptoms of prostatitis can be pathogenic or opportunistic.
Here are some things to remember about this form:
- You can be infected at any age, including during unprotected sex.
- Prostatitis is not the same as classic STDs (sexually transmitted diseases), such as gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, but can be manifested as a secondary infection on the background of another disease.
- You can get it from your partner if they have candidiasis, ovariitis, vulvitis or vulvovaginitis, or you can pass the infection on to them.It happens that one of the couples becomes a "carrier" of the infection, and even within a permanent couple it is possible to constantly re-infect each other.
- The main cause of acute bacterial prostatitis is unprotected sexual intercourse, followed by hypothermia and other situations that lower local immunity.
chronic bacterial
In the absence of proper treatment and ignoring the symptoms in its acute form, as well as regular re-infection, there is a high risk of developing a chronic pathological process.This is due to the fact that the prostate gland is a favorable place for the reproduction of pathogenic organisms: high temperature, humidity, nutrients.Chronic prostatitis is characterized by exposure to opportunistic strains that cause a slow but unpleasant reaction, which significantly worsens the quality of life.
Features:
- Paroxysmal course: the symptoms are almost no different from the acute form, but if it appears at first, then the chronic form recurs regularly.Many people try to relieve the symptoms of prostatitis in men with analgesics and other emergency methods.This works but does not solve the problem.
- Indeed, symptoms often disappear by themselves, without additional methods of therapy, especially in young people: the body suppresses bacterial activity using its own immune resources.As a rule, it is impossible to completely destroy the infection, so relapses return again and again.Each can become more severe than the last.
- Recurrences are dangerous due to the appearance of purulent foci and damage to neighboring organs: bladder, penis, testicles, kidneys.
Chronic bacterial prostatitis is the most common type of disease.Some men suffer from it for years, getting relief from the attacks with painkillers but not getting rid of the underlying problem.The condition worsens over time.
Chronic non-bacterial
Treatment of this form of prostatitis will always be one of the most difficult.The disease is not related to the activity of bacteria, which also complicates the diagnosis and identification of provoking factors.Its causes are extremely diverse: from an unhealthy lifestyle to working conditions associated with heavy lifting - for example, it is often found in loaders, builders and other persons whose professional activities are related to such activities.
An attack of the disease can be caused by neurological problems, stress, poisoning, damage to the prostate and pelvic muscles - this happens in professional athletes.In most cases it is curable.Often the etiology remains unclear.
Asymptomatic chronic
Another "insidious" type of prostatitis in men, because it develops without symptoms characteristic of the disease, as a result of which a person does not suspect that he has the disease.The reasons can be different, but more often they are related to the activity of bacteria and lifestyle characteristics.
The biggest risk is that without symptoms, a person rarely gets tested.In this regard, doctors recommend people over 40 years of age to undergo preventive diagnostics: urine donation for the content of leukocytes, as well as for the fluid secreted by the prostate.Asymptomatic prostatitis is one of the common causes of male infertility.
Causes of the disease
The most obvious cause of symptoms is bacteria entering the genital tract.Systemic urogenital infections are very common, i.e. a person suffers from pyelonephritis at the same time.
Among the predisposing factors:
- Unhealthy lifestyle - improper nutrition, alcohol abuse, it is believed that excess weight also contributes to the development of the disease;
- hypothermia;
- Irregular or promiscuous sex life;
- unprotected sex with people who may be carriers of the infection;
- Physical inactivity, constant sitting - prostatitis is characteristic of professional drivers;
- Injuries in the pelvis.
The main factor always remains age: if not so many twenty-five-year-old men suffer from prostatitis, then after fifty years - more than half of all men.The quality of treatment of prostatitis depends on early diagnosis, so after forty years everyone should consult a doctor for examination.
symptoms
The intensity of the symptoms depends on the form of the disease.We should not forget the asymptomatic type, which does not appear at all, but also has a devastating effect on health.For the treatment of prostatitis, you should consult a doctor in case of the following symptoms:
- pain, burning during urination;
- painful intercourse, deterioration of potency;
- pain during bowel movements;
- Difficulty urinating - a dangerous symptom that causes stones;
- high temperature - acute form;
- Blood in urine, semen.
All signs vary in intensity.Treatment of prostatitis should begin with diagnosis;Even one such manifestation is the reason for examination by a doctor.Painful sensations can change location, but are most often felt in the lower abdomen and rectum.In acute cases, they are unbearable, increasing pain is a bad sign, indicating the purulent form of the disease.
diagnosis
Correct diagnosis is required for the treatment of prostatitis.The patient is sent for a general urine analysis to determine the formula of leukocytes, which indicates the presence of inflammation.Be sure to check the blood, as well as the sperm count - this helps determine sperm activity and often reveals infertility.Prostate secretions are taken for analysis, as well as smears to identify specific pathogens and to prescribe antibiotics for prostatitis.
treatment
Prostatitis treatment methods are complex, including physical therapy, treatment techniques, adjusting the patient's diet and lifestyle.Even advanced chronic forms can be cured without serious complications if you follow the recommendations and proper therapy.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is used in chronic forms and is prescribed only by a doctor, since in some cases it is contraindicated.
Among the methods, the following are the most effective:
- Prostate massage - helps to get rid of swelling;
- warming up in warm baths;
- ultrasound therapy;
- electropheresis;
- Acupuncture.
The technique depends on the type of disease, as well as the condition of the body.For example, warming up at high temperatures and acute forms is contraindicated;You must first conduct prostatitis drug therapy.
Medicine
In the case of pain in the perineum, prostatitis drugs with analgesic effect are prescribed.Bacterial forms require the use of antibiotics, and a specific drug is prescribed only after determining the BAC culture and sensitivity of microorganisms to a specific group.
Other drugs:
- Drotaverine - tablets to relieve spasms and pain in prostatitis;
- Tamsulosin is an alpha blocker, prostatitis tablets that improve smooth muscle contraction, improve urine flow;
Self-help with antibiotics is contraindicated, but most often drugs from the group of cephalosporins are prescribed - they work well for almost all types of urogenital infections in men and women.
Candles
Rectal suppositories, also known as prostatitis suppositories, are great for relieving pain, inflammation and all the discomfort associated with the disease.Most recommended by doctors:
- Prostate extract - prostatitis suppositories with a complex effect;
- Ketoprofen - relieves pain, swelling;
- Indomethacin.
Most of the drugs are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Administration as a rectal suppository not only improves efficacy but also helps minimize side effects.
diet
Diet therapy also becomes part of the overall treatment strategy.Overweight people are advised to normalize their weight in order to get rid of swelling in the pelvis.It is prescribed to exclude fatty foods, limit carbohydrates and avoid alcohol, which is often not compatible with antibiotics.Seafood, nuts, avocados and lean meats are healthy, unless there are other contraindications.Proper nutrition also serves as a prevention of prostatitis.
forecast
Complete cure is possible with timely diagnosis.The main thing is that the disease does not become chronic, otherwise complications are inevitable: from prostate adenoma to cancer.In general, with appropriate therapy and compliance with the patient's treatment conditions, the prognosis is favorable.
Prevention
Prostatitis is a "growing youth" disease: recently it has been observed even in teenagers, and men between thirty and thirty-five years old are more and more often faced with the problem.Therefore, it is important to prevent prostatitis, which consists of:
- correct thermal mode - the pelvic organs should neither overheat nor cool down;
- prevent general hypothermia;
- sexual activity using personal protective equipment - condoms effectively block the path of bacteria;
- proper nutrition;
- Avoid both a sedentary lifestyle and irrational stress, especially lifting heavy objects.
All these methods will help prevent the development of an unpleasant disease.In the elderly and the elderly, even in the absence of complaints, it is necessary to visit a doctor from time to time: a urologist and an andrologist.