One of the most common specific diseases in men is certainly prostatitis.The likelihood of encountering it at a younger age is significantly less than at an older age.Therefore, for this disease, the popular notion that one must protect one's health from a young age is completely correct.
What is prostatitis?
Prostatitis is a condition in which the prostate gland becomes inflamed, accompanied by swelling.Increasing in size, the prostate compresses the urethra, around which there is a gland.This prevents complete drainage of urine from the body, causing characteristic pain and difficulty emptying the bladder.
In addition, with prostatitis, the biochemical properties of prostatic fluid, one of the most important components of sperm, will change.Prostate juice is a secretion of the prostate gland, which is not only responsible for ensuring sperm fertility, but also provides antibacterial protection for this important male organ.Male sexuality directly depends on the qualitative and quantitative composition of secretions.
Causes of prostatitis in men
The prevalence of this disease is due to the many reasons that can cause it.Causes of prostatitis:
- Viral and bacterial infections.The cause of prostatitis can be not only sexually transmitted diseases, but also chronic inflammatory processes in the body (tonsillitis, bronchitis, tuberculosis, even sometimes tooth decay);
- Fungal diseases;
- Blood stagnation in the pelvic organs.This adverse phenomenon can occur in people with a sedentary lifestyle (office workers and drivers), irregular sexual intercourse (prolonged abstinence or, conversely, promiscuous sex life), frequent constipation, high weight;
- frequent hypothermia;
- stressful situations;
- Injuries to the pelvic area;
- Poor circulation in the prostate;
- Weakens the body's immune defenses.
Types of prostatitis
The common classification of prostatitis is based on the reason for its appearance:
- Infectious (virus, bacteria, fungus);
- Non-infectious (stasis);
- Hormonal disorders (disruptions in the body's hormonal system);
- Allergy (allergic reactions and autoimmune diseases);
- Vegetation (impaired blood circulation in the prostate).
Other classifications are less relevant to the general public and are designed more to make diagnosis easier for doctors.So, according to the nature of the disease, acute and chronic prostatitis are distinguished by the degree of participation of glandular tissue in the inflammatory process - catarrhal, parenchymal and follicular, etc.
Separately in medicine, the following types of prostatitis are distinguished:
- Chronic asymptomatic prostatitis, as the name suggests, occurs without any signs.The only symptom of the disease is the periodic detection of bacteria and white blood cells in the urine;
- Chronic granulomatous prostatitis.A fairly rare disease in which prostate tissue is replaced by fibrous tissue with the formation of numerous granulomas (small nodules).
How do the symptoms of prostatitis appear?
The initial symptoms of prostatitis depend on the nature of the disease.The first symptoms of acute prostatitis are malaise, headache and fever.
Specific signs of acute prostatitis:
- Frequent and painful urination that does not bring relief.In severe cases, acute urinary retention may develop;
- Painful bowel movements;
- Burning in the perineal area.
Indirect signs of acute prostatitis include painful nocturnal erections, decreased or lost sexual desire, and rapid ejaculation.Additionally, severe pain during sex can make it difficult for men to reach orgasm.If you notice these signs, consult your doctor immediately!In the early stages, prostatitis can be easily treated.
Chronic prostatitis progresses slowly and has mild clinical manifestations, so many people do not pay enough attention to their health.Chronic prostatitis manifests itself actively only in the acute stage.On average, it appears 1-2 times a year with symptoms characteristic of the acute form of the disease.
Methods of diagnosing diseases
The urologist must diagnose prostatitis in the patient.First, he conducts a thorough interview with the patient.Your doctor may ask the following questions:
- How long has the patient had this disease?
- How often does it flare up?
- What symptoms does the patient notice?
- What is the nature of the subject's sexual activity (regular/infrequent)?
- What risk factors does the patient have for this disease (previous sexually transmitted diseases, surgery in the pelvic area, other chronic inflammatory processes)?
After collecting the medical history, the doctor begins to examine the patient, including a digital rectal examination and palpation of the scrotum.If palpation does not detect changes in the prostate, the doctor must rule out other diseases of the genitourinary system.
As a rule, at this stage an experienced specialist can make an accurate diagnosis.But sometimes doctors prescribe additional tests.As a rule, this is necessary in controversial cases or to choose the most effective treatment regimen.
Laboratory diagnostic methods
- General analysis of urine and blood;
- Urethral swab;
- sperm;
- PCR analysis (detects hidden infections);
- Research on prostate juice (for chronic prostatitis).For men over 50 years of age, a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) level test is required if prostate cancer is suspected.
Specific diagnostic methods
- Prostate ultrasound.This is the most accessible and informative way to examine the prostate.It can be performed externally through the abdominal wall or through the rectum.The last method is extremely annoying, but the most informative.Ultrasound can detect the presence of abscesses and stones in the affected organ, as well as the degree of narrowing of the urethra;
- Measure urine flow.Allows you to determine the urine flow rate.Using this study, the doctor can evaluate the permeability of the urinary tract and the ability of the bladder to contract.
There are a number of other auxiliary diagnostic methods prescribed by doctors in special cases (cystoscopy, CT scan of pelvic organs, biopsy, transurethral examination).
Treatment methods for prostatitis
Like any other disease, prostatitis is effectively treated only in acute form.Chronic prostatitis is extremely difficult to treat and only dramatic remission can often be achieved.
Treatment of acute prostatitis
Patients with acute prostatitis must be hospitalized because the condition is dangerous due to complications, including the development of sepsis.
The main point in the treatment of acute prostatitis isantibiotic therapy.Acute conditions require timely therapeutic measures, so medications are prescribed before conducting tests to identify the causative agent.According to WHO recommendations, patients are regularly prescribed fluoroquinolones.If the analysis shows that the agent causing acute prostatitis is not sensitive to this antibiotic, the treatment will be reconsidered.
In addition to antibiotics, the patient is required to strictly rest in bed and prostate massage is forbidden because it can provoke the development of sepsis.Analgesics and NSAIDs (eliminate pain), rheological solutions (in case of severe intoxication of the body) and drugs that normalize blood microcirculation will help reduce the symptoms of prostatitis.
Surgical intervention is only necessary if there is a complete inability to empty the bladder and an abscess is present.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis
In the treatment of chronic prostatitis, the use of antibiotics remains controversial.Some doctors believe that they should be prescribed with certainty, others - only if bacterial flora is detected in prostatic secretions.
Prostate massage is also a questionable procedure.This procedure involves only the lower part of the prostate.Of course, massage will not cause any harm, but its benefits cannot outweigh the psychological and physical discomfort that the patient feels during rectal manipulation.Therefore, currently the optimal treatment regimen for chronic prostatitis is as follows:
- Taking NSAIDs, immunomodulators and drugs that improve blood circulation;
- Take sedatives and antidepressants if you have erection problems;
- Exercise therapy and physiotherapy (electrophoresis, UHF, magnetic laser therapy, etc.).These therapeutic methods play a leading role in the treatment of chronic prostatitis.
Traditional medicine to combat prostatitis offers infusions of witch hazel and poplar bark, pumpkin seeds and parsley juice.It is worth mentioning that natural remedies should only be used in conjunction with treatments prescribed by a doctor.Otherwise, the disease can progress more seriously, leading to serious consequences.
Consequences of prostatitis
Complications of this disease are quite serious.Here are the main ones:
- Loss of sexual desire and erection.Against the background of these deviations, men often suffer from impotence, which often has psychological causes;
- Infertility;
- Formation of cysts and stones in the prostate;
- Prostatic sclerosis is the replacement of the functional tissues of the scar gland, leading to its dysfunction;
- Prostatic adenoma is a benign tumor of the prostate that can only be removed surgically;
- Prostate cancer.It is the result of an untreated adenoma.
Considering how easy it is to treat prostatitis in the early stages and its severity, men should put aside false modesty and consult a doctor before it is too late.
Prevention of prostatitis
Simple recommendations will help prevent prostatitis:
- Lead an active lifestyle.Morning exercises are the best option, squats are especially useful;
- Take a contrast shower, take a shower, ideally before having sex;
- Establish a regular sex life;
- Avoid stressful situations;
- Don't be too cold.It's better to equip your car seats with heating;
- Avoid tobacco and alcoholic beverages, which increase blood pressure.
A healthy lifestyle has never harmed anyone and it also plays an important role in preventing prostatitis.
Timely diagnosis and proper treatment of prostatitis are a guarantee of successful recovery.Be healthy!