Prostatitis (Latin: Prostatitis) is an acute or chronic inflammation of the prostate gland, diagnosed in 35-40% of men aged 25-55 years. The older the patient, the higher the risk of developing prostatitis.
When the prostate becomes inflamed, it enlarges and begins to compress the urethra. This process leads to a narrowing of the lumen of the ureter, as a result of which the man feels a frequent urge to urinate and feels the feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder. In the early stages, symptoms of prostatitis may be mild. However, over time, prostatitis becomes the cause of sexual disorders. In addition, the pathology can lead to a number of complications:
- prostate abscess;
- Cystitis.
Prostatitis or prostate adenoma?
These two diseases are often confused or mistaken for the same disease. Now they have different natures and flow patterns.
particularities |
Prostatitis |
BPH |
Age of the patient |
20-45 years |
over 45 years |
Type of disease |
inflammatory process |
tumor |
Pain syndrome |
present in acute form |
occurs in stages 2–3 of the disease |
Fever |
pronounced |
absent |
Difficulty urinating |
occurs in an acute form |
always present |
Weakening of potency |
observed in both cases |
|
Prostatitis requires primarily drug treatment, while prostate adenoma is a benign tumor that is removed through surgery. At the same time, prostate adenoma can cause prostatitis, which is why any inflammatory process in the pelvic organs requires timely examination and treatment.
Causes of Prostatitis
Contagious
Prostatitis can be caused by:
- Staphylococcus aureus;
- enterococci;
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa;
- sexually transmitted infections;
- chronic infectious diseases (tonsillitis, sinusitis, etc. );
- other opportunistic pathogens.
Stagnant
Prostatitis occurs as a result of:
- sedentary lifestyle;
- sedentary activity;
- long periods of abstinence;
- excessive sexual activity;
- Interruption of sexual intercourse.
The listed factors contribute to the disruption of capillary blood flow and the formation of stagnant processes in the prostate tissue.
Prostatitis begins to develop more intensively when favorable factors appear, including:
- chronic constipation;
- hypothermia;
- unbalanced diet;
- urological diseases;
- frequent stress;
- Poisoning of the body due to smoking or drinking alcohol;
- Perineal injuries.
Types and symptoms of prostatitis
Depending on 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 that occurs against the background of a rapidly developing inflammatory process. Swelling of the prostate occurs, triggered by contact with pathogenic microflora. The condition requires urgent medical attention. Acute prostatitis can take the following forms:
- catarrhal (frequent painful urination, pain in the sacrum and perineum, difficulty in defecation);
- follicular (the pain intensifies and begins to radiate into the anus, when going to the toilet, urine flows out in a thin stream, the body temperature rises to 37. 5 ° C);
- parenchymal (body temperature rises to 38-40 ° C, general intoxication of the body is observed, sharp throbbing pains are noted in the groin, acute urinary retention occurs).
Chronic prostatitis is practically asymptomatic or has mild symptoms. In men, the temperature from time to time rises to 37-37. 5 ° C, there is slight pain in the perineum, which increases during urination or bowel movements. In addition, the following may occur:
- weakening of erection;
- accelerated ejaculation;
- Decrease in the severity of sexual sensations.
In some cases, chronic prostatitis is the result of an acute process when the patient notes a so-called false improvement and refuses to see a urologist. The consequence of self-medication at home is usually a number of complications: abscess or prostate adenoma, cystitis, loss of fertility, etc.
Depending on the cause, prostatitis can be:
- herpes,
- bacterial,
- contagious,
- Mushroom,
- purulent,
- chlamydia,
- Gonorrhea,
- calculated,
- fibrous,
- stagnates.
Diagnosis of prostatitis
Palpation allows you to determine the size, shape and structure of the organ tissue.
Laboratory research. Allows you to diagnose prostatitis and other prostate diseases in the early stages or in chronic cases without pronounced symptoms.
- general blood and urine analysis;
- a biochemical blood test is carried out to clarify the clinical picture and determine the involvement of other internal organs and systems in the inflammatory process;
- PSA blood test;
- Urine culture with antibiotic susceptibility test.
- Smear for genitourinary infections to detect sexually transmitted diseases.
Ultrasound is performed to detect structural changes in prostate tissue and detect neoplasms (cysts, tumors).
TRUS is carried out through the rectum and allows you to obtain the most complete information about the condition of the gland and bladder.
MRI allows you to obtain detailed layer-by-layer images of the prostate and surrounding tissues in three different projections.
Treatment of prostatitis
Treatment methods depend on the identified pathogen of prostatitis, so the patient must undergo a comprehensive examination.
Treatment of acute prostatitis
Antibacterial therapy. Before prescribing antibiotics, the doctor will refer the patient for tests to identify the causative agent of the infection. After that, drugs are selected that help suppress the activity of pathogenic microorganisms and eliminate the inflammatory process.
Symptomatic treatment. In addition, the urologist can prescribe antipyretics, painkillers, diuretics, laxatives, vitamins, immunomodulators and other medications.
Surgery. Performed in case of complications. For example, if an abscess develops, the doctor may perform a transurethral or transrectal opening of the abscess; if there is acute urinary retention, the creation of a cystoma may be necessary.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis
Antibacterial therapy. The duration of treatment is 14-28 days and must be completed even if the signs of prostatitis disappear after a week. Antibiotics are used to eliminate infections and suppress inflammatory processes in the body.
Symptomatic treatment. Depending on the indications, the urologist can prescribe painkillers, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, vascular and other drugs to the patient.
Manual or hardware massage. One of the most effective methods of treating prostatitis in men. Prostate massage helps to remove stagnant secretions, improve blood and lymph flow, and restore metabolism in the affected organ.
Physiotherapeutic treatment. Depending on the indication, the urologist can prescribe electrical stimulation, laser or magnetic field therapy. The procedures help improve blood circulation, have an anti-inflammatory effect and help restore reproductive function.
Prevention of prostatitis
Preventing prostatitis is much easier than treating it later. To do this, simply follow the following recommendations:
Annual audit. It is necessary to visit a urologist every year, even if there are no complaints about your health.
Sports. Regular physical activity helps improve metabolic processes throughout the body, including the prostate.
Refusal of promiscuous sexual intercourse. Sex is very important for men's health, but frequent changes in sexual partners can lead to bacterial prostatitis and related complications.
Balanced nutrition. You must eat at least three times a day. The diet should include low-fat fish and meat, cereals, fermented milk products, fresh vegetables and fruits. It is advisable to limit consumption or completely avoid carbonated drinks, fatty and smoked foods, baked goods and spices.
Rejection of bad habits. Alcohol consumption and smoking weaken immunity and place additional stress on the body, which creates favorable conditions for the development of many diseases.
questions and answers
Question: How can you distinguish acute from chronic prostatitis?
Answer: We should start with the fact that the disease in its acute form most often occurs in people under 30-35 years old. Chronic prostatitis is considered non-aging. In the acute form, the disease usually manifests itself quickly with the following symptoms:
- a sharp increase in body temperature (up to 40 degrees);
- severe headaches occur;
- Fever begins.
Acute prostatitis is also characterized by constant pain in the groin, back and perineal area.
In its chronic form, however, prostatitis may not show any symptoms for a longer period of time. Over time, a person develops a fever and periodically experiences pain in the anus, scrotum, back and perineum.
Urination is impaired, purulent discharge begins from the anus and urethra. Chronic prostatitis also leads to erectile dysfunction. Ejaculation begins to be painful and intercourse is not fun.
Question: What happens if prostatitis is not treated?
Answer: If a person does not receive treatment for diagnosed prostatitis, complications and comorbidities may occur
- Vesiculitis. This disease is characterized by inflammatory processes in the seminal vesicles. This causes pus to enter the ejaculate and sperm quality decreases. Vesiculitis often leads to complete loss of reproductive functions.
- Colliculitis. A disease in which inflammatory processes affect the seminiferous tubercle. As a result, a man feels severe pain during sex, which leads to interruption of orgasm. Without therapy, a person develops impotence of a psychological nature.
- Abscess. It forms in the prostate and leads to poisoning of the body. Its rupture can lead to increased symptoms and, in some cases, death.
- Infertility. It occurs against the background of a deterioration in sperm quality and inflammatory processes in the testicles, spermatic cord and vesicles.
- Against the background of prostatitis, immunity often deteriorates. Approximately a third of all cases of disease without treatment end in the development of oncology. Prostatitis must be treated in a specialized andrological clinic.
Question: Where should I go for treatment of prostatitis?
Answer: Diagnosis is usually made by a urologist based on an examination of symptoms. To confirm prostatitis, various studies are usually prescribed:
- general blood and urine tests;
- smear for sexually transmitted diseases;
- secret research;
- uroflowmetry;
- Ultrasonic.
In some cases, a biopsy and a spermogram are also prescribed.