According to statistics, more than 75% of men over the age of 40-45 suffer from prostate disease. The strong lymph and blood circulation in the vessels of the small pelvis often provokes swelling and congestion of the organ. In addition, the prostate 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 part of the male reproductive system. It is located in the pelvis, below the bladder, and partially covers the urethra and the ejaculatory ducts. The prostate consists of two lobes and an isthmus connecting them. In addition, the upper, base, front and back parts are distinguished in the organ. The shape of the prostate resembles a chestnut, it is flexible and consists of glandular and muscle cells. The prostate performs three main functions:
- Engine. The muscle cells of the prostate form a sphincter in the urethra that holds urine.
- Secretary. The gland produces a special secret that ensures sperm mobility and liquefies sperm.
- Barrier. Prevents the spread of infection from the urethra.
Prostate disease in men
Pathologies are usually associated with damage to the organ by pathogenic and opportunistic microorganisms, congestion or neoplasms (malignant and benign). >Diseases of the prostate include:
- inflammation (prostatitis);
- benign hyperplasia of the gland (adenoma);
- malignant tumor (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 prostatitis in men. They can also cause the development of benign or malignant tumors. Unfavorable factors include:
- malnutrition;
- hypovitaminosis;
- venereal diseases;
- hypothermia of the body;
- hypodynamia;
- long-term antibiotic treatment;
- stagnation of blood in the pelvis;
- bad habits;
- endocrine pathologies;
- pathology of the reproductive system;
- oncological diseases in history;
- prolonged fatigue.
Symptoms of prostate disease in men
The signs of prostate disorders depend on the cause of the disease, its localization and the nature of the pathological processes. In general, the patient complains of weakness, reduced performance, general fatigue and irritability. In addition, in men, the symptoms of prostatitis and prostate adenoma, stones or abscess can be manifested as follows:
- violation of urination;
- erectile dysfunction;
- infertility;
- pain, burning sensation in the urethra;
- temperature rise;
- chills;
- painful intercourse;
- lack of ejaculation;
- pain in the perineum with sudden movements;
- offensive discharge from the urethra.
Prostatitis
Inflammatory change of the prostate, prostatitis, is one of the most common diseases of the male genital organs. The main cause of the pathology is considered to be a violation of blood circulation in the pelvis, which leads to a strong increase in the proportion and edema of the organ. The symptoms of prostatitis depend on the type of disease. There are several types of pathology:
- Acute inflammation. It is caused by pathogenic microbes (e. g. E. coli or enterobacteria). Acute prostatitis manifests itself in severe urethral and urethral pain, urinary incontinence: urine is passed out with difficulty, sometimes in drops. Some patients report an increase in temperature.
- Chronic bacterial inflammation. It is usually caused by sexual infections (chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, etc. ). Symptoms of chronic inflammation of the prostate may be mild or absent. Typical signs include sexual dysfunction (erectile dysfunction, premature ejaculation), painful urination (especially at night) and discharge of mucus from the urethra.
- Chronic non-bacterial inflammation. The disease develops as a result of inflammatory processes in other organs (pyelonephritis, cystitis), blood stasis, heart failure, and hypothermia. Such prostatitis often has one symptom - difficulty urinating. Often the result of the pathology is damage to the kidneys, discomfort in the lower back.
BPH
A disease of the prostate, characterized by benign tissue growth and the formation of nodules, which gradually compress the urethra and seminal ducts, the bladder. Hyperplasia can lead to a violation of the concentration of hormones in the blood. In men, the symptoms of prostate adenoma vary depending on the stage of the disease:
- Compensated. As a general rule, men do not notice specific symptoms at this stage. Sometimes the urge to urinate at night increases.
- Undercompensated. The main symptoms are a feeling of heaviness in the bladder and incomplete emptying. Fluid is difficult to pass during urination, patients complain of difficult ejaculation.
- Decompensated. It is characterized by a significant decrease in bladder muscle and tone. In addition, the adenoma causes chronic fatigue, pain, and cramping during urination. In the absence of treatment, the growth of the tumor and the intensity of the pain increase significantly, defecation may be disturbed due to compression of the rectum.
Prostate adenoma is considered a precancerous disease, therefore, if this tissue growth is detected, a biopsy is needed to detect atypical cells and an ultrasound (ultrasound) to study the structure of the organ in detail. Hyperplasia of the gland usually progresses slowly, which allows timely diagnosis and treatment.
A cyst
As a result of the inflammatory processes of the gland, a pathological cavity with fluid or a prostate cyst is formed, in which the excretory channels of the organ are compressed and the outflow of the secretion is disturbed. The pathology can be provoked by constant stress, nervous strain, chronic diseases and tumors of the adjacent organs, sclerosis of the tissues of the prostate. The signs of cystic formation are as follows:
- burning in the urethra;
- enlargement of the gland;
- decreased libido;
- rise in body temperature;
- a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder;
- reproductive dysfunction.
stones
The formation of stones in the prostate occurs due to a sedentary lifestyle, lumbar injuries, and inflammatory diseases of the organ. As the calculus gradually increases in size, it violates the integrity of the ducts of the gland, urine begins to enter the tissue of the prostate. Stones usually consist of phosphates, salts of uric and oxalic acid, protein and the epithelium of the ducts. The main signs of pathology are:
- weak erection;
- pain during urination;
- frequent exacerbation of inflammation;
- pain during ejaculation;
- seals in the gland and pain on probing.
Cancer
A malignant tumor arising from the secretory epithelium of the prostate is called cancer or carcinoma. Prolonged inflammatory processes prevent tumor formation. The risk group includes men over 40 who survive alcohol and smoking. The symptoms of oncological damage to the prostate are non-specific and are manifested by a violation of the function of the organ. In the early stages, the disease is usually not manifested. With the development of the tumor, the following symptoms develop:
- hematuria;
- painful urination;
- pain in the lower abdomen;
- swelling of the legs;
- violation of the chair;
- impotence.
Abscess
An infectious-inflammatory pathology accompanied by purulent fusion of tissues is called an 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. An abscess can be asymptomatic for a long time. The main signs of the presence of a purulent focus in the tissues of the prostate: >
- fever and fever;
- pain during intercourse, urination;
- discharge of foul-smelling pus in the urine (when the abscess ruptures).
Purulent formation of the prostate is diagnosed with the help of instrumental and laboratory tests. During blood tests, an increase in the number of leukocytes and an increase in the sedimentation rate of erythrocytes are observed. During the examination of the urine, leukocyturia and pathogenic microflora are detected. Palpation through the rectum shows the presence of a rounded formation.
The main methods of treating the prostate gland
The methods of treatment of pathologies depend on the particular disease, the stage and severity of the course. Therapy for prostate diseases is selected individually, depending on the age of the patient, the results of laboratory tests, instrumental tests and the presence of concomitant pathologies. Get to know the basic principles of prostate disease treatment:
Disease |
Treatment methods |
|---|---|
Prostatitis |
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Adenoma |
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A cyst |
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stones |
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Cancer |
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Abscess |
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Prevention
In order to prevent the development of prostate diseases, you must follow the principles of a healthy lifestyle. It reduces the risk of prostate pathologies by following the recommendations:
- Stick to a balanced diet.
- Get regular exercise.
- Take multivitamin complexes, immunomodulatory drugs.
- Avoid alcohol, smoking, and drugs.
- Avoid hypothermia.
- See your doctor immediately if symptoms appear.