Prostatitis (lat. prostatitis) is an acute or chronic inflammation of the prostate, which is diagnosed in 35-40% of men aged 25-55. The older the patient, the greater the risk of developing prostatitis.
When inflamed, the prostate gland increases in size and begins to compress the urethra. This process causes a narrowing of the lumen of the ureter, as a result of which the man has a frequent urge to urinate and a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder. In the initial stage, the symptoms of prostatitis may be mild. However, over time, prostatitis becomes a cause of sexual disorders. In addition, the pathology can lead to many complications:
- prostate abscess;
- cystitis.
Prostatitis or prostate adenoma?
These two diseases are often confused or mistaken for the same thing. Meanwhile, they have a different nature and flow pattern.
Peculiarities |
Prostatitis |
BPH |
Age of patient |
20-45 years |
Over 45 years old |
The nature of the disease |
inflammatory process |
tumor |
Pain syndrome |
present in an acute form |
appears in stages 2-3 of the disease |
Fever |
uttered |
missing |
Urinary disorder |
appears in an acute form |
it is always present |
Weakening of potency |
can be observed in both cases |
|
Prostatitis primarily requires medical treatment, while prostate adenoma is a benign tumor that is surgically removed. At the same time, prostate adenoma can cause prostatitis, therefore any inflammatory process of the pelvic organs requires timely examination and treatment.
Causes of prostatitis
Infectious
Prostatitis can be caused by:
- Staphylococcus aureus;
- enterococcus;
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa;
- sexually transmitted infections;
- chronic infectious diseases (tonsillitis, sinusitis, etc. );
- other opportunistic pathogens.
Stagnant
Prostatitis has the following consequences:
- sedentary lifestyle;
- sedentary work;
- prolonged abstinence;
- excessive sexual activity;
- interruption of sexual intercourse.
The listed factors contribute to the disruption of capillary blood flow and the development of stagnant processes in the prostate tissue.
Prostatitis develops more intensively when favorable factors appear, such as:
- chronic constipation;
- hypothermia;
- unbalanced diet;
- urological diseases;
- frequent stress;
- poisoning of the body due to smoking or alcohol consumption;
- perineal injuries.
Types and symptoms of prostatitis
According to the form of its occurrence, prostatitis in men is divided into the following:
Acute prostatitis. One of the first signs of the course of the disease is the pronounced pain syndrome, which appears against the background of the rapidly developing inflammatory process. Swelling of the prostate gland occurs, which is triggered by exposure to pathogenic microflora. The condition requires emergency medical attention. Acute prostatitis, on the other hand, can have the following forms:
- catarrhal (frequent painful urination, pain in the sacrum and perineum, difficulty in defecation);
- follicular (the pain intensifies and radiates to the anus, when going to the toilet, urine flows out in a thin stream, the body temperature rises to 37. 5 ºС);
- parenchymal (body temperature rises to 38–40 ºС, general intoxication of the body is observed, sharp throbbing pain is observed in the groin area, acute urinary retention occurs).
Chronic prostatitis is practically asymptomatic or has mild symptoms. In men, the temperature rises from time to time to 37-37. 5 ºС, there is a slight pain in the perineum, which increases during urination or defecation. In addition, you may experience:
- weakening of the erection;
- accelerated ejaculation;
- a decrease in the severity of sexual feelings.
In some cases, chronic prostatitis will be the result of an acute process, when the patient notices the so-called false improvement and refuses to visit the urologist. As a rule, home self-medication results in many complications: abscess or prostate adenoma, cystitis, loss of fertility, etc.
Depending on the cause, prostatitis can be:
- herpetic,
- bacterial,
- infectious,
- mushroom,
- purulent
- chlamydia,
- gonorrhea,
- calculator
- fibrous,
- stagnant
Diagnosis of prostatitis
Palpation makes it possible to determine the size, shape and structure of organ tissue.
Laboratory research. It allows the diagnosis of prostatitis and other prostate diseases in the early stages or in chronic cases, in the absence of pronounced symptoms.
- general blood and urine analysis;
- 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 test.
- smear for urogenital infections to detect STDs.
Ultrasound is performed to identify structural changes in the prostate tissue and to detect tumors (cysts, tumors).
TRUS is performed through the rectum and allows obtaining the most complete information about the state of the gland and bladder.
MRI enables a detailed layer-by-layer image 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 refers the patient to a test to identify the causative agent of the infection. After that, drugs are selected that help suppress the activity of pathogenic microorganisms and stop the inflammatory process.
Symptomatic treatment. In addition, the urologist may prescribe antipyretics, pain relievers, diuretics, laxatives, vitamins, immunomodulators, and other medications.
Surgery. It is performed in case of complications. For example, if an abscess develops, the doctor can perform a transurethral or transrectal opening of the abscess, in case of acute urinary retention, a cystoma is required.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis
Antibacterial therapy. The course lasts 14-28 days and must be completed even if the signs of prostatitis have disappeared after a week. Antibiotics are used to eliminate infection and suppress inflammatory processes in the body.
Symptomatic treatment. Depending on the indications, the urologist may prescribe pain relievers, antispasmodics, 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 remove stagnant secretions, improves blood and lymph flow, and restores metabolism in the affected organ.
Physiotherapy treatment. Depending on the indications, the urologist may prescribe electrical stimulation, laser or magnetic therapy. The procedures 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, follow the recommendations below:
Annual exam. You should visit the urologist every year, even if you have no complaints about your health.
Sports activities. Regular physical activity improves metabolic processes throughout the body, including the prostate.
Refusal of promiscuous sexual relations. Sex is very important for men's health, but frequent changes of sexual partners can cause bacterial prostatitis and related complications.
A balanced diet. You should eat at least 3 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 or completely avoid the consumption of carbonated drinks, fatty and smoked foods, baked goods and spices.
Rejection of bad habits. Drinking alcohol and smoking reduces immunity and causes additional stress in the body, creating favorable conditions for the development of many diseases.
Questions and answers
Question: How can acute prostatitis be distinguished from chronic prostatitis?
Answer: Let's start with the fact that the acute form of the disease usually occurs in people under the age of 30-35. Chronic prostatitis is not considered aging. In its acute form, the disease usually manifests quickly with the following symptoms:
- a sharp increase in body temperature (up to 40 degrees);
- a severe headache appears;
- fever starts.
Acute prostatitis is 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 a fever and intermittent 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 becomes painful and intercourse is not pleasant.
Question: What happens if prostatitis is not treated?
Answer: If a person does not receive treatment for diagnosed prostatitis, complications and concomitant pathologies may develop.
- Vesiculitis. This disease is characterized by inflammatory processes in the seminal vesicles. As a result, pus enters the ejaculate and sperm quality decreases. Vesiculitis often leads to complete loss of reproductive functions.
- Colliculitis. A disease in which inflammatory processes affect the testicles. As a result, the man experiences severe pain during sex, which leads to the interruption of orgasm. Without therapy, a person develops psychological impotence.
- Abscess. It is formed 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 deterioration of sperm quality and inflammatory processes in the testicles, spermatic cord and bladder.
- Against the background of prostatitis, immunity often deteriorates. Approximately one third of the diseases without therapy end in the development of oncology. Prostatitis must be treated at a specialized andrology clinic.
Question: Where should I go to treat prostatitis?
Answer: The diagnosis is usually made by a urologist based on an examination of the symptoms. Various tests are usually prescribed to confirm prostatitis:
- general blood and urine tests;
- smear for STDs;
- secret research;
- uroflowmetry;
- ultrasonography.
In some cases, a biopsy and spermogram are also prescribed.