One of the most common male-specific diseases is undoubtedly prostatitis.The probability of meeting him at a young age is significantly lower than at an older age.Therefore, for this disease the common truth that health must be protected from a young age is absolutely true.
What is prostatitis
Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland, accompanied by swelling.As the prostate increases in size, it compresses the urethra, around which the gland is located.This interferes with the complete exit of urine from the body, causing characteristic pain and difficulty emptying the bladder.
In addition, with prostatitis, the biochemical properties of prostate juice, one of the most important components of sperm, change.Prostate juice is the secretion of the prostate gland, responsible not only for sperm fertility, but also for the antimicrobial protection of this important male organ.Male sexuality directly depends on the qualitative and quantitative composition of the secretion.
Causes of prostatitis in men
The prevalence of this disease is due to the fact that there are many reasons that can provoke 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, sometimes even tooth decay);
- Fungal diseases;
- Stagnation of blood in the pelvic organs.This unfavorable phenomenon can occur in people who lead a sedentary lifestyle (office workers and drivers), have irregular sexual relations (long periods of abstinence or, conversely, a promiscuous sexual life), frequent constipation and high weight;
- Frequent hypothermia;
- Stressful situations;
- Lesions in the pelvic area;
- Poor circulation in the prostate gland;
- Weakening of the body's immune defense.
Types of prostatitis
The popular classification of prostatitis is based on the reasons for its occurrence:
- Infectious (viral, bacterial, fungal);
- Non-infectious (stagnant);
- Hormone-dystrophic (disorders in the hormonal system of the body);
- Allergic (allergic reactions and autoimmune diseases);
- Vegetovascular (alteration of blood circulation in the prostate).
Other classifications are less relevant to the general public and are more designed to make it easier for doctors to make a diagnosis.Therefore, based on the nature of the disease, acute and chronic prostatitis are distinguished, based on the degree of involvement of the glandular tissue in the inflammatory process: catarrhal, parenchymal and follicular, etc.
Separately in medicine, the following types of prostatitis are distinguished:
- Chronic asymptomatic prostatitis which, as the name suggests, occurs without showing any signs.The only symptom of the disease is the periodic detection of bacteria and leukocytes in the urine;
- Chronic granulomatous prostatitis.A rather rare disease in which the prostate tissue is replaced by fibrous tissue with the formation of numerous granulomas (small nodules).
How do the symptoms of prostatitis manifest themselves?
The initial symptoms of prostatitis depend on the nature of the disease.The first symptoms of acute prostatitis are pronounced malaise, headache and fever.
Specific signs of acute prostatitis:
- Frequent and painful urination that brings no relief.In more severe cases, acute urinary retention may develop;
- Painful bowel movements;
- Burning in the perineal area.
Indirect signs of acute prostatitis include painful nocturnal erection, reduced or absent sexual desire, and accelerated ejaculation.Additionally, severe pain during sexual intercourse can make it difficult for a man to achieve orgasm.If you notice these signs, see a doctor immediately!In the initial stage, prostatitis is easily treatable.
Chronic prostatitis is slow and has a rather mild clinical picture, so many people do not pay due attention to their health.Chronic prostatitis actively manifests itself only in the acute phase.On average, it appears 1-2 times a year with symptoms characteristic of the acute form of the disease.
Methods for diagnosing the disease
A urologist must diagnose prostatitis in a patient.First of all, conduct an in-depth interview with the patient.The doctor may ask the following questions:
- How long has the patient been suffering from this disease?
- How often does it flare up?
- What symptoms does the patient notice?
- What is the nature of the individual's sexual activity (regular/irregular)?
- What risk factors does the patient have for this disease (previous sexually transmitted diseases, surgery in the pelvic area, other chronic inflammatory processes)?
After taking the medical history, the doctor begins the patient's examination, which includes a digital rectal exam and palpation of the scrotum.If palpation does not reveal changes in the prostate, the doctor must exclude other diseases of the genitourinary system.
As a rule, already at this stage an experienced specialist can make the correct diagnosis.But sometimes the doctor prescribes additional tests.As a rule, this is necessary in controversial cases or to select the most effective treatment regimen.
Laboratory diagnostic methods
- General analysis of urine and blood;
- Urethral swab;
- Spermogram;
- PCR analysis (detects hidden infections);
- Study of prostatic juice (for chronic prostatitis).For men over the age of 50, a PSA (prostate specific antigen) level test is required if prostate cancer is suspected.
Instrumental diagnostic methods
- Ultrasound of the prostate.This is the most accessible and informative way to examine the prostate gland.It can be performed externally through the abdominal wall or transrectally.The last method is extremely unpleasant, 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;
- Uroflowmetry.Allows you to determine the speed of urine flow.Using this study, the doctor can evaluate the permeability of the urinary canal and the contractility of the bladder.
There are many other auxiliary diagnostic methods prescribed by a doctor in special cases (cystoscopy, CT scan of the pelvic organs, biopsy, transurethral examination).
Methods of treatment of prostatitis
Like any other disease, prostatitis is effectively treated only in its acute form.Chronic prostatitis is extremely difficult to treat and often only significant remission can be achieved.
Treatment of acute prostatitis
A patient with acute prostatitis must be hospitalized, since such a condition is dangerous due to its complications, including the development of sepsis.
The main point in the treatment of acute prostatitis isantibiotic therapy.An acute condition requires timely therapeutic measures, so drugs are prescribed before obtaining tests to identify the causative agent of the disease.According to WHO recommendations, the patient is regularly prescribed fluoroquinolones.If the analysis reveals a causative agent of acute prostatitis that is not sensitive to this antibiotic, the treatment is reconsidered.
In addition to antibiotics, the patient is prescribed strict bed rest and a ban on prostate massage, as it can provoke the development of sepsis.Analgesics and NSAIDs (eliminating pain), rheological solutions (in case of severe intoxication of the body) and drugs that normalize blood microcirculation will help relieve the symptoms of prostatitis.
Surgery is necessary only in case of complete inability to empty the bladder and in the presence of abscesses.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis
In the treatment of chronic prostatitis, the use of antibiotics is still controversial.Some doctors believe that they should be prescribed without fail, others - only if bacterial flora in the prostate secretion is detected.
Prostate massage is also a dubious procedure.This procedure involves only the lower part of the prostate gland.Massage, of course, will not do any harm, but its benefits cannot overcome the psychological and physical discomfort that the patient feels during rectal manipulation.Therefore, today the optimal treatment regimen for chronic prostatitis is as follows:
- Taking NSAIDs, immunomodulators and drugs that improve blood circulation;
- Taking sedatives and antidepressants if you have erection problems;
- Physical 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 hazel and aspen bark, pumpkin seeds and parsley juice.It is worth remembering that natural remedies should be used only in combination with treatment prescribed by the doctor.Otherwise, the disease could progress, leading to disastrous consequences.
Consequences of prostatitis
The 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 develop impotence, which most often has a psychological cause;
- Infertility;
- Formation of cysts and stones in the prostate gland;
- Prostatic sclerosis is the replacement of the functional tissue of the cicatricial gland, which leads to the interruption of its functioning;
- Prostate adenoma is a benign tumor of the prostate gland that can only be removed surgically;
- Prostate cancer.It is a consequence of an untreated adenoma.
Considering the ease with which prostatitis is treated in the early stages and the severity of its consequences, 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, visit a bathhouse, ideally before sexual intercourse;
- Establish a regular sex life;
- Avoid stressful situations;
- Don't get too cold.It is better to equip the car seat with heating;
- Avoid cigarettes and alcoholic beverages, which increase blood pressure.
A healthy lifestyle has never hurt anyone and also plays an important role in preventing prostatitis.
Timely diagnosis and adequate treatment of prostatitis are a guarantee of successful recovery.Be healthy!