One of the most common specific male diseases is undoubtedly prostatitis.The probability of meeting at a younger age is significantly lower than at an older age.Therefore, the common truth that health must be protected at a young age is absolutely true for this disease.
What is prostatitis
Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate accompanied by swelling.As the prostate increases in size, it compresses the urethra, around which the gland is located.This interferes with the complete emptying of urine from the body, which causes characteristic pain and difficulty in emptying the bladder.
In addition, prostatitis changes the biochemical properties of prostatic juice, one of the most important components of sperm.Prostatic juice is the secretion of the prostate gland, which is 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 secretions.
Causes of prostatitis in men
The prevalence of this disease is due to the fact that it can be caused by many reasons.Causes of prostatitis:
- Viral and bacterial infections.The cause of prostatitis can be not only venereal 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 an irregular sex life (long abstinence or, on the contrary, a gentle sex life), frequent constipation and high weight;
- Frequent hypothermia;
- Stressful situations;
- Injuries in the pelvic area;
- Poor circulation in the prostate gland;
- Weakening of the body's immune defenses.
Types of prostatitis
The popular classification of prostatitis is based on the causes of its occurrence:
- Infectious (viral, bacterial, fungal);
- Non-infectious (stagnant);
- Hormonal-dystrophic (disorders of the body's hormonal system);
- Allergic (allergic reactions and autoimmune diseases);
- Vegetovascular (prostate blood circulation disorder).
Other classifications are less relevant to the general public and serve more to make diagnosis easier for doctors.Thus, according to the nature of the disease, acute and chronic prostatitis are distinguished, according to the degree of participation of glandular tissue in the inflammatory process - chronic, parenchymal and follicular, etc.
In medicine, the following types of prostatitis are distinguished separately:
- Asymptomatic chronic prostatitis, which, as the name suggests, occurs without any symptoms.The only symptom of the disease is the periodic detection of bacteria and leukocytes in the urine;
- Chronic granulomatous prostatitis.A fairly rare disease in which the prostate tissue is replaced by fibrous tissue with the formation of many granulomas (small lumps).
How do the symptoms of prostatitis appear?
The initial symptoms of prostatitis depend on the nature of the disease.The first symptoms of acute prostatitis are malaise, headache and fever.
Specific symptoms of acute prostatitis:
- Frequent and painful urination that does not bring relief.In severe cases, acute urinary retention may develop;
- Painful bowel movements;
- Burning in the perineal area.
Indirect signs of acute prostatitis include painful erections at night, decreased or absent sexual desire, and accelerated ejaculation.In addition, severe pain during sexual intercourse can make it difficult for a man to reach orgasm.If you notice these signs, see a doctor immediately!In the initial stage, prostatitis is easy to treat.
Chronic prostatitis has a slow and rather mild clinical picture, as a result of which many people do not pay enough attention to their health.Chronic prostatitis is actively manifested only in the acute stage.On average, it appears 1-2 times a year with symptoms typical of the acute form of the disease.
Methods of diagnosing the disease
The urologist must diagnose prostatitis in the patient.First, he conducts a thorough interview with the patient.The doctor may ask the following questions:
- How long has the patient suffered from this disease?
- How often does it flare up?
- What symptoms does the patient experience?
- What is the nature of sexual activity (regular/irregular)?
- What risk factors does the patient have for this disease (previous STIs, pelvic surgeries, other chronic inflammatory processes)?
After collecting the medical history, the doctor begins the examination of the patient, which includes a digital rectal examination and palpation of the scrotum.If palpation does not reveal changes in the prostate, the doctor must rule out other diseases of the urogenital system.
As a general rule, an experienced specialist can make the correct diagnosis already at this stage.But sometimes the doctor prescribes additional tests.This is usually 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 (detection of hidden infections);
- Examination of prostate juice (in case of chronic prostatitis).If prostate cancer is suspected in men over 50, a PSA (prostate specific antigen) level test is required.
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 determination of urine flow rate.With this test, the doctor can evaluate the permeability of the urethra and the contractility of the bladder.
There are several additional diagnostic methods that are prescribed by a doctor in special cases (cystoscopy, CT examination of the pelvic organs, biopsy, transurethral examination).
Methods of treating prostatitis
As with any other disease, prostatitis can only be effectively treated in its acute form.Chronic prostatitis is extremely difficult to treat and often only significant remission is achieved.
Treatment of acute prostatitis
A patient with acute prostatitis should be hospitalized, as the complications of such a condition are dangerous, including the development of sepsis.
The main point of treatment of acute prostatitis isantibiotic therapy.The acute condition requires immediate therapeutic measures, therefore drugs are prescribed before conducting tests to identify the causative agent of the disease.According to WHO recommendations, the patient is routinely prescribed fluoroquinolones.If the analysis reveals the causative agent of acute prostatitis, which is not sensitive to this antibiotic, the treatment should be revised.
In addition to antibiotics, the patient is prescribed strict bed rest and a ban on prostate massage, as this can provoke the development of sepsis.Analgesics and NSAIDs (pain relief), rheological solutions (in case of severe intoxication of the body) and drugs that normalize blood microcirculation help relieve the symptoms of prostatitis.
Surgery is only necessary if the bladder is completely unable to empty and abscesses are present.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis
The use of antibiotics in the treatment of chronic prostatitis is still controversial.Some doctors believe that they must be prescribed, others only if they detect bacterial flora in the secretions of the prostate.
Prostate massage is also a dubious procedure.This procedure affects only the lower part of the prostate.Of course, massage does no harm, but its benefits cannot exceed the psychological and physical discomfort that the patient feels during the manipulation of the rectum.Therefore, today the optimal treatment regimen for chronic prostatitis is as follows:
- Taking NSAIDs, immunomodulators and blood circulation-improving drugs;
- taking sedatives and antidepressants if you have erectile problems;
- Exercise therapy and physiotherapy (electrophoresis, UHF, magnetic laser therapy, etc.).These therapeutic methods play a leading role in the treatment of chronic prostatitis.
Traditional remedies for the fight against prostatitis offer infusions of hazelnut and poplar bark, pumpkin seeds and parsley juice.It is worth mentioning that natural remedies should only be used in combination with treatment prescribed by a doctor.Otherwise, the disease can progress, which can lead to serious 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 differences, impotence often develops in men, which most often has psychological causes;
- Infertility;
- Formation of cysts and stones in the prostate gland;
- Sclerosis of the prostate is a replacement of the functional tissue of the scar gland, which leads to a disruption of its function;
- A prostate adenoma is a benign tumor of the prostate gland that can only be removed surgically;
- Prostate cancer.This is the result of an untreated adenoma.
Considering how easy prostatitis is to treat in its early stages and how serious the consequences are, men should put aside their false modesty and see a doctor before it's 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 bath, ideally before sexual intercourse;
- Developing a regular sex life;
- Avoid stressful situations;
- Don't get too cold.It is better to heat the car seat;
- Avoid cigarettes and alcoholic beverages, which increase blood pressure.
A healthy lifestyle has never harmed anyone, and it also plays a big role in the prevention of prostatitis.
Timely diagnosis and appropriate treatment of prostatitis is the guarantee of successful recovery.Be healthy!