Prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate) is one of the most common diseases of the genital and reproductive system in men today. This is a pathological condition that can be associated with inflammation of the prostate gland itself and around it. There are several types of this disease, each of which has different symptoms.
Some men with this disease may experience severe pain, while others will not be affected by the disease; For others, prostatitis symptoms are intermittent and chronic. However, the symptoms of the disease significantly worsen a person's quality of life.
reasons
The prostate is a nut-shaped gland that is part of the male reproductive system. The main function of the prostate is to produce fluid, which is responsible for the quality of sperm. The gland surrounds the urethra at the bladder neck and prevents sperm from returning to the bladder. It, as a natural valve, separates two systems - urinary and reproductive systems. This organ stores urine in the bladder and allows it to be expelled when needed. Prostate inflammation has a negative effect on both the male reproductive function and the state of his urinary tract.
Acute bacterial prostatitis is the least common type of prostatitis, but the most easily recognized. It is usually caused by a sudden outbreak due to a bacterial infection. It is easily diagnosed because it has a number of characteristic symptoms and signs. This severe urinary tract infection is most often accompanied by high fever and chills, and an immediate visit to the doctor or hospital is necessary. Men of all ages are susceptible to this disease, especially those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of this form of prostate disease include painful urination; difficulty or inability to completely empty the bladder, cramping pain in the lower abdomen, perineum, back or pelvis; Chills and fever.
The chronic bacterial form of prostatitis is similar in its symptoms to the acute bacterial form, but develops gradually and its symptoms are less serious. It is characterized by recurrent urinary tract infections in men; This inflammation occurs in representatives of various age groups, but is most common in young men and men of reproductive age.
Non-bacterial chronic prostatitis (chronic pelvic pain syndrome, non-bacterial prostatitis, prostatodynia), the most common type of the disease. The exact causes of this type of inflammation are unknown. However, the disease can begin with an acute or low-grade chronic infection, followed by inflammation or provoked muscle spasm in the pelvis.
In this case, inflammation of the prostate may occur without any symptoms, or the symptoms may disappear. Sometimes patients experience pain in the genitals, discomfort in the pelvis, difficulty or pain during urination, and sometimes pain during or after ejaculation.
Asymptomatic prostatitis is also common. The diagnosis is made only when the patient has another disease and the main complaints are related to symptoms not associated with prostatitis. In such cases, it is confirmed by tissue biopsy or urine and sperm analysis.
What causes prostatitis?
The immediate causes of prostatitis are not clearly defined by the medical community. However, there are several accepted theories. In the most frequently studied cases, the inflammatory process of the prostate is clearly associated with acute or chronic bacterial infections. They enter the prostate from the urethra. Bacterial prostatitis is not contagious and cannot be transmitted sexually. A sexual partner cannot "catch" this infection.
Certain specific conditions or medical procedures associated with diagnosis or treatment increase the risk of bacterial prostatitis. Because of treatment for a urinary tract infection or bladder infection, there is a good chance that a person will have a catheter or other instrument inserted into the urethra.
Prostatitis can be caused by atypical microorganisms such as chlamydia, mycoplasma (transmitted by sexual contact) and ureaplasma. It can also be caused by a chemical or immunological reaction to the original injury or infection. A muscle spasm in the pelvis can cause pain in the prostate area. It can also be a response to an infection or inflammation of the prostate gland.
Doctor's opinion:
Prostatitis is an inflammatory disease of the prostate that can cause various unpleasant symptoms, such as pain in the genital system, urinary problems and general weakness. Doctors recommend seeking help at the first signs of the disease, since irrational treatment or its absence can lead to chronic prostatitis and complications. In order to make an accurate diagnosis and determine the optimal treatment, you need to contact a urologist who will conduct the necessary examinations and select the appropriate therapy. It is important to remember that prostatitis requires a comprehensive approach to treatment, including drug therapy, physical therapy and regular monitoring by a specialist.
prostatitis. How to quickly cure inflammation of the prostate.
symptoms
Symptoms depend on the type of prostatitis and the infection causing it. Often patients do not notice any signs of the disease, and some have symptoms similar to urinary tract infections. Please note that other diseases can cause the same or similar symptoms. It is very important to be diagnosed by a medical professional to determine if the patient actually has prostatitis and what type it is.
Symptoms of acute bacterial prostatitis are severe and require immediate medical attention. Common: chills, fever, burning during urination, heaviness in the lower abdomen, inability to empty the bladder.
In chronic bacterial prostatitis, the symptoms are similar to acute bacterial prostatitis infections, but there is no fever. Other symptoms: burning during urination; frequent urge to urinate, especially at night; pain in the perineum, pain in the testicles, bladder and lower back; Pain during ejaculation. Symptoms can be episodic, with flares and remissions. The started process goes into calculous prostatitis.
Symptoms of nonbacterial prostatitis (chronic pelvic pain syndrome) include difficulty and sometimes painful urination, discomfort or pain in the perineum, bladder, testicles, and penis, and difficult or painful ejaculation. Sometimes, or even most often, these symptoms may differ from the symptoms of chronic bacterial prostatitis described above.
Diagnosis of prostatitis
Correct diagnosis is very important for the treatment of any disease and especially for prostatitis. Because the treatment of its various forms differs not only in duration, but also in the range of methods and means. In addition, it is very important to distinguish the symptoms from other similar symptoms, such as urethritis, cystitis, prostate enlargement, adenoma or cancer. To make the most accurate diagnosis, you will need several types of tests and examinations.
One of the tools that doctors use in diagnosis is the study of symptoms using a special questionnaire that the patient fills out. In addition to filling out a questionnaire, the doctor may order a physical examination.
To check the state of the prostate gland, the doctor will perform a digital rectal examination. This is a simple examination during which the specialist inserts a lubricated (gloved) finger into the patient's rectum. The prostate is located in front of the rectum and slightly below the bladder; Palpation allows the doctor to easily find and examine the problem organ.
In this way, the doctor can determine whether the prostate gland is enlarged. Abnormalities may indicate the presence of prostate cancer. The specialist will also be able to assess the degree of pain or discomfort that the patient experiences when the doctor presses on the muscles and ligaments of the pelvic floor and perineum. If the patient really has prostatitis, this manipulation may cause immediate pain or discomfort, but not cause either destruction or significant long-term pain.
If the doctor requires a more accurate diagnosis or decides that a biopsy is necessary, he may prescribe a transrectal ultrasound, which allows him to visualize the prostate gland.
If the specialist suspects that you have prostatitis or another disease of the prostate, he may refer you to a urologist, a doctor who specializes in diseases of the urinary tract and male reproductive system, to confirm the diagnosis.
The urologist will repeat some of the tests and may analyze various urine samples as well as samples of prostate fluid obtained by massaging the prostate during rectal palpation. Urine and prostate secretion samples are examined for signs of inflammation and infection. These tests will help your urologist diagnose your problem more accurately: whether there is inflammation or infection in the urethra, bladder, or prostate gland.
Some doctors may order blood and sperm tests to look for abnormal organisms, white blood cell counts, or other signs of infection.
A urologist may prescribe a cystoscopy, during which a small special telescope is inserted through the urethra and examines the bladder, urethra, and prostate. A urologist can also order urine flow tests to help measure the intensity of the flow and the presence of obstructions caused by spasms of the prostate gland, urethra, or pelvic muscles.
Interesting facts
- Prostatitis can occur in men of any age: Although it is more common in men over the age of 50, even young men can develop prostatitis.
- There are many causes of prostatitis:The most common causes are bacterial infections, inflammation, and blockage of the prostate ducts. In some cases, the cause may be unknown.
- Prostatitis can have different symptoms:It can range from mild discomfort while urinating to severe pain, fever and chills. Symptoms often depend on the type of prostatitis and its severity.
other people's experiences
Prostatitis is a common disease in men that causes inflammation of the prostate gland. People who are faced with this problem note that the symptoms of prostatitis can be quite unpleasant and interfere with a normal life. Many people express concern about pain in the perineum, urinary problems and general discomfort. However, it is important to remember that prostatitis is a reversible disease, and timely consultation with a doctor, proper treatment and lifestyle changes will help you deal with it. People are advised not to delay a visit to a specialist and follow the recommendations for a quick recovery.
treatment
Treatment of prostatitis directly depends on the type of bacterial infection that was detected during the study.
In acute bacterial prostatitis, the patient will need to take antibiotics for at least 14 days. Sometimes patients need hospital treatment and intravenous antibiotics. If the patient has difficulty urinating, a catheter will be needed. If the disease does not respond to treatment, the doctor prescribes other antibiotics and the course continues until complete recovery.
It is important to know that you should always follow your doctor's instructions when taking antibiotics. Don't miss another appointment or stop treatment early just because you think your symptoms are gone.
If chronic bacterial prostatitis is diagnosed, it is necessary to take antibiotics for a longer period than in acute form. About 75 percent of all cases of chronic bacterial prostatitis resolve completely within 6-7 months. Sometimes the symptoms return and the antibiotic treatment has to be repeated again and again. In cases that do not respond to this treatment, long-term, low-dose antibiotic therapy is recommended to relieve symptoms. In some rare cases, surgery may be necessary if the patient has specific anatomical problems, such as scar tissue in the urethra, which prevents treatment of the prostate.
A patient may not need antibiotics if they are diagnosed with chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Urologists often face difficulties when trying to decide whether a patient has bacterial or nonbacterial prostatitis. Sometimes previous antibacterial therapy hides the diagnosis. In such cases, antibiotics may be prescribed, at least initially, even when the final diagnosis of bacterial prostatitis is not made. Your response to antibiotic therapy will determine whether it should be continued.
Many patients without an actual infection may feel better with antibiotic therapy because most antibiotics have a direct anti-inflammatory effect.
Depending on the symptoms and dynamics of treatment, patients may be prescribed several methods to quickly restore health. Some specialists prescribe alpha blockers in addition to antibiotics. These medications help relieve spasm and relax the muscles around the prostate and bladder base, relieving pain during urination. Folk remedies are often successfully used - anti-inflammatory herbal preparations, analgesic infusions, muscle relaxants, herbal extracts (quercetin and/or bee pollen). Massaging the prostate releases fluid that causes prostate pressure and pain.
Hot baths, mud baths, or other various heat treatments (applying local heat in the form of a hot water bottle or heating pad) can provide relief and temporarily relieve discomfort associated with the infection. If sitting becomes too uncomfortable, patients are advised to use a special pillow.
Acupuncture, reflexology, and relaxation exercises, in addition to primary treatments, may also help relieve some symptoms. You may be advised to follow a special diet, avoid certain foods (such as spices) and drinks (such as caffeinated, acidic drinks), and avoid triggers (such as cycling) that can aggravate prostate pain.
Only preventive measures, timely diagnosis and an integrated approach to prostate treatment will preserve a man's health for many years. Watch out for the second heart - the prostate!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I know if I have prostatitis?
Pain, burning during urination Difficulty urinating Leakage of urine Frequent urination Cloudy urine Blood in urine (hematuria) Pain in abdomen, armpit, suprapubic area General symptoms of weakness (fever, weakness)
What is prostatitis and why is it dangerous?
Prostatitis is an inflammatory process in the prostate gland. The main danger of such an inflammatory process is that it may not be detected for a long time. Sometimes a person can be sick for several years and not even realize that he needs treatment.
Why does prostatitis appear in men?
Causes of prostatitis Its symptoms usually appear in men aged 30-50. Most often, the cause is an infectious injury due to the penetration of pathogenic flora from the urogenital canal or the glands of the genital system. This is explained by the proximity of the urethra and anus.
How can you get prostatitis?
Bacteria that enter the prostate gland through the urethra, blood flow, lymph, disruption of the rhythm of sexual life, decreased immunity, sexually transmitted infections (gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, chlamydia, etc. ), injuries of pelvic organs and tissues.
Useful tips
Tip #1
Signs of prostatitis can be different, including pain in the perineum, frequent urination and increased body temperature. At the first suspicion of prostatitis, be sure to consult a urologist for diagnosis and treatment.
Tip #2
Watch your lifestyle: lead an active lifestyle, drink more water, give up bad habits, include more fruits and vegetables in your diet. This will help strengthen the immune system and prevent the development of prostatitis.
Tip #3
Regularly undergo preventive examinations with a urologist, even if there are no obvious symptoms of the disease. Early detection of prostatitis will allow you to start treatment at an early stage and prevent complications.