Many people are still embarrassed or hesitant to talk about certain illnesses.This is especially true for urogenital problems that both cause discomfort and affect sexual activity.More than 70% of men do not consult a doctor in the early stages of the disease, while treatment is most effective when the disease is not too advanced.Timely identification of the symptoms of the disease 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 urinary bladder and the spermatic duct.The main function is the production of a substance responsible for sperm viability and motility.From a chemical point of view, this secretion is the basis of immunoglobulins, with vitamins, zinc, iodine - the basis of sperm nutrition and activity.The composition of the liquid is an important diagnostic parameter that helps in early detection of symptoms.
As you can guess from the name, the disease involves inflammatory processes of the prostate.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 depends to a large extent on age, predisposition, related factors and the characteristics of the body.
Normally, the prostate cannot be felt and does not attract attention.However, despite the fact that it is located quite deep in the pelvic area, this organ is one of the most vulnerable in the male body.There is an opinion that the symptoms of prostatitis can only be experienced by older people, but this is not true: the disease is typical for mature men aged 20-60.
In the early stages, it is quite difficult to identify the disease.Signs may appear from time to time, then bother you, and then disappear without a trace.Doctors mention that the psychology of men, especially young men, also plays a role: not everyone is ready to go to the doctor and admit a "shameful" disease.
However, the disease is characterized by dangerous complications, including:
- Infertility due to impaired sperm motility.Sometimes asymptomatic or mild chronic prostatitis is the only reason a couple is childless.A woman can take as many tests as she wants, but it won't help until her husband decides to test his own fertility.
- Prostate adenoma is a benign tumor, but it can be very dangerous for men.This is due to the anatomical structure - the urinary tract and the vas deferens are located in such a way that if the prostate grows abnormally, it interferes with normal urination.There is a risk of a large number of complications, including bladder rupture.
- According to statistics, prostate cancer is one of the most common diseases in men.Oncological disease is one of the ten main causes of death for people over 50;at this age, long-standing chronic prostatitis tends to turn into a life-threatening condition.
- Psychological problems related to erectile dysfunction, infertility, natural functions.This is a side symptom, but it also significantly affects the patient's quality of life.
One in twenty men over the age of thirty and more than half of men over the age of fifty have experienced symptoms of prostatitis.This is one of the most common diseases.Prevention, early diagnosis and careful treatment can reduce the attacks and complications of the disease.
Acute (bacterial)
The disease can appear 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 occur in anyone.Bacteria that cause signs of prostatitis can be pathogenic or opportunistic.
Here are some things to note about this form:
- You can get infected at any age, including unprotected sex.
- Prostatitis is not the same as classic STDs (sexually transmitted diseases), such as gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, but can manifest itself as a secondary infection against the background of another disease.
- You can get it from your partner if you have candidiasis, oophoritis, vulvitis or vulvovaginitis, or you can pass it on to them.It happens that one of the couple becomes a "carrier" of the infection, and continuous re-infection of each other is possible even within a permanent couple.
- The main cause of acute bacterial prostatitis is unprotected sexual intercourse, followed by hypothermia and other situations that reduce local immunity.
Chronic bacterial
In the absence of proper treatment and ignoring the symptoms in their acute form, as well as in the case of regular re-infection, there is a high risk of developing a chronic pathological process.This is due to the fact that the prostate is a suitable place for the multiplication of pathogenic organisms: high temperature, humidity, nutrients.Chronic prostatitis is characterized by exposure to opportunistic strains that cause a slow but uncomfortable response that significantly impairs quality of life.
Features:
- Paroxysmal course: the symptoms are almost no different from the acute form, but if it appears initially, the chronic form recurs regularly.Many people try to relieve the symptoms of prostatitis in men with pain relievers and other emergency methods.This works but doesn't solve the problem.
- In fact, the symptoms often go away on their own without additional therapeutic methods, especially in young men: the body suppresses the bacterial activity using the resources of its own immunity.As a general rule, the infection cannot be completely eradicated, so relapses return again and again.Each can be more difficult than the last.
- Relapses 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 the disease.Some men suffer from it for years, relieve the attacks with painkillers, but do not get 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 makes it difficult to diagnose and identify the provoking factors.The reasons for this are extremely diverse: from an unhealthy lifestyle to working conditions involving heavy lifting - for example, it often occurs among loaders, builders and other people whose professional activities are related to such activities.
An attack of the disease can be triggered by nervous system problems, stress, poisoning, damage to the prostate and pelvic muscles - this happens in professional athletes.In many cases it can be treated.Often the etiology remains unclear.
Asymptomatic chronic
Another "insidious" type of prostatitis in men, as 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 simultaneously related to the activity of bacteria and the peculiarities of lifestyle.
The biggest risk is that without symptoms, a person rarely thinks to get tested.In this regard, doctors recommend that people over 40 years of age undergo preventive diagnostics: provide urine for the content of leukocytes, as well as the fluid secreted by the prostate.Asymptomatic prostatitis is one of the most common causes of male infertility.
Causes of the disease
The most obvious cause of the symptoms is bacteria entering the urogenital tract.Systemic urogenital infections are extremely common, that is, a person simultaneously suffers from, for example, pyelonephritis.
Among the predisposing factors:
- unhealthy lifestyle - improper diet, alcohol consumption, excess weight is believed to contribute to the development of the disease;
- hypothermia;
- irregular or promiscuous sex life;
- unprotected sex with persons who may be carriers of infection;
- physical inactivity, constant sitting position - prostatitis is characteristic of professional drivers;
- injuries in the pelvic area.
The main factor always remains age: if not so many twenty-five-year-old men suffer from prostatitis, then after fifty - more than half of men.The quality of prostatitis treatment depends on early diagnosis, so everyone after forty should see a doctor for an examination.
Symptoms
The intensity of the symptoms depends on the form of the disease.We must not forget the asymptomatic type, which does not appear at all, but also has a detrimental effect on health.You should see a doctor for prostatitis treatment if you experience the following symptoms:
- pain, burning sensation during urination;
- painful sexual intercourse, deterioration of potency;
- pain during defecation;
- difficulty urinating - a dangerous symptom that causes stones;
- high temperature - in acute form;
- blood in the urine, semen.
Each signal has a different intensity.Treatment of prostatitis should begin with diagnosis;any of these manifestations is a reason to be checked by a doctor.Painful sensations can change their location, but are most often felt in the lower abdomen and rectum.In acute cases, they are unbearable, increasing pain is a bad sign and indicates the purulent form of the disease.
Diagnostics
Treatment of prostatitis requires a correct diagnosis.The patient is sent for a general urinalysis to identify the leukocyte formula, which indicates the presence of inflammation.Be sure to check the blood and semen - this helps determine sperm activity and often reveals infertility.The discharge from the prostate is taken for analysis, and a smear is prepared to identify specific pathogens and prescribe antibiotics for prostatitis.
Treatment
The methods of treating prostatitis are complex, including physical therapy, medical techniques, and correction of the patient's diet and lifestyle.Even advanced chronic forms can be cured without serious complications if you follow the recommendations and the appropriate therapy.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is used in chronic forms and is prescribed only by a doctor, as it is contraindicated in some cases.
Among the methods, the most effective are the following:
- prostate massage - helps to get rid of congestion;
- warming up in a warm bath;
- ultrasound therapy;
- electropheresis;
- acupuncture.
The technique depends on the type of disease and the condition of the body.For example, warming up at high temperatures and in acute forms is contraindicated;you must first undergo therapy with drugs for prostatitis.
Medicine
For pain in the perineum, pain-relieving anti-prostatitis drugs are prescribed.Bacterial forms require the use of antibiotics, and a specific drug is prescribed only after the culture of the BAC and the identification of the sensitivity of the microorganisms to a particular group.
Other medicines:
- Drotaverine - tablets for prostatitis to relieve spasms and pain;
- Tamsulosin is an alpha-blocker prostatitis tablet that improves smooth muscle contractions and improves urine flow;
Self-administration of antibiotics is contraindicated, but drugs belonging to the group of cephalosporins are most often prescribed - they work well for almost all types of urogenital infections in men and women.
Candles
Rectal suppositories, also known as prostatitis suppositories, are excellent for relieving pain, inflammation and reducing all the discomfort associated with the disease.Most recommended by doctors:
- Prostate extract - complex prostatitis suppositories;
- Ketoprofen - relieves pain, swelling;
- Indomethacin.
Most drugs are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Taking it as a rectal suppository not only improves effectiveness, but also helps minimize side effects.
Diet
Dietary therapy also becomes part of the comprehensive treatment strategy.Overweight people are advised to normalize their body weight to get rid of pelvic congestion.It is prescribed to exclude fatty foods, limit carbohydrates and avoid alcohol, which is often incompatible with antibiotics.Seafood, nuts, avocados and lean meat are healthy if there are no other contraindications.The right diet is also used to prevent prostatitis.
Forecast
Complete recovery is possible with timely diagnosis.The most important thing is not to let the disease become chronic, otherwise complications are inevitable: from prostate adenoma to cancer.In general, it can be said that with appropriate therapy and compliance with the treatment conditions of the patients, the prognosis is favorable.
Prevention
Prostatitis is a "youthful" disease: lately it has been diagnosed in teenagers as well, and men aged thirty to thirty-five are increasingly faced with this problem.Therefore, it is important to prevent prostatitis, which consists of:
- correct thermal system - the pelvic organs should not be overheated or overcooled;
- avoid general hypothermia;
- sexual activity with personal protective equipment - the condom effectively blocks the path of bacteria;
- proper nutrition;
- Avoid a sedentary lifestyle and irrational stress, especially those associated with lifting heavy objects.
All these methods help to prevent the development of an unpleasant disease.Even in the absence of complaints in the elderly, it is necessary to see a doctor from time to time: a urologist, andrologist.