Prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate) is one of the most common diseases of the genitourinary and reproductive system in men today. This is a pathological condition that can combine inflammation of the prostate gland itself and the area around it. There are several types of this disease, each of which has different symptoms.
Some men with this disease may experience intense pain, while others will not be bothered by the disease; For others, symptoms of prostatitis appear periodically and are chronic. However, the symptoms of the disease significantly impair 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 neck of the bladder and prevents sperm from returning to the bladder. It, like a natural valve, separates two systems - the urinary and reproductive systems. This organ holds urine in the bladder and allows it to pass out when needed. Inflammation of the prostate negatively affects both the reproductive function of a man and the condition of his urinary tract.
Acute bacterial prostatitis is the least common type of prostatitis, but the most easily recognized. Usually caused by a sudden outbreak due to a bacterial infection. It is easily diagnosed as it has a number of characteristic symptoms and signs. This severe urinary tract infection is most often accompanied by high fever and chills, and in this case, an immediate visit to the doctor or hospital will be required. 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. Characterized by recurrent urinary tract infections in men; this inflammation occurs in representatives of different age categories, but is most common among young people and men of reproductive age.
Non-bacterial chronic prostatitis (chronic pelvic pain syndrome, non-bacterial prostatitis, prostatodynia), the most common type of 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 by muscle spasms in the pelvic area.
In this case, inflammation in the prostate may occur without any symptoms, or the symptoms may be erased. Sometimes patients experience pain in the genitals, discomfort in the pelvic area, difficulty or pain when urinating, and sometimes pain during or after ejaculation.
Asymptomatic prostatitis is also common. The diagnosis is made only when the patient presents for 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 semen 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 commonly studied cases, the inflammatory process in 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 contracting bacterial prostatitis. There is a high chance that the person has had a catheter or other instrument inserted into the urethra due to treatment for a urinary tract infection or bladder infection.
Prostatitis can be caused by atypical microorganisms, such as chlamydia, mycoplasma (transmitted through sexual contact), and ureaplasma. It can also be triggered by a chemical or immunological reaction to an initial injury or infection. Muscle spasms in the pelvic area can cause pain in the prostate area. It may also be a response to infection or inflammation of the prostate gland.
Doctor's opinion:
Prostatitis is an inflammatory disease of the prostate that can lead to various unpleasant symptoms, such as pain in the genitourinary system, urinary problems and general malaise. Doctors recommend seeking help at the first signs of the disease, since irrational treatment or its absence can lead to chronic prostatitis and complications. 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 prostate inflammation.
Symptoms
Symptoms depend on the type of prostatitis and the type of infection that caused it. Often patients do not notice any signs of the disease, while some experience symptoms similar to urinary tract infections. Please be aware that other diseases may cause the same or similar symptoms. It is very important that a diagnosis be made by a medical professional to determine whether the patient actually has prostatitis and what type it is.
In acute bacterial prostatitis, symptoms are severe and require immediate emergency medical attention. Common ones are: chills, fever, burning during urination, heaviness in the lower abdomen, inability to empty the bladder.
In chronic bacterial prostatitis, 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, testicles, bladder and lower back pain; pain during ejaculation. Symptoms can be episodic, with outbreaks and remissions. The started process turns into calculous prostatitis.
Symptoms of nonbacterial prostatitis (chronic pelvic pain syndrome) include difficulty and sometimes painful urination, discomfort or pain in the perineal area, bladder, testicles and penis, and difficult or painful ejaculation. Sometimes, or even most often, these symptoms may be indistinguishable from those described above for chronic bacterial prostatitis.
Diagnosis of prostatitis
Correct diagnosis is very important for the treatment of any disease, and especially for prostatitis. Because the treatment of its different forms differs not only in duration, but also in the range of methods and means. In addition, it is extremely important to distinguish symptoms from other similar ones, such as urethritis, cystitis, prostate enlargement, adenoma or cancer. To make the most accurate diagnosis, you will need several types of tests and studies.
One of the tools that doctors use in diagnosis is the study of symptoms using a special questionnaire that is filled out by the patient. In addition to filling out the questionnaire, your doctor may order a physical exam.
To check the condition of the prostate gland, the doctor will perform a digital rectal examination. This is a simple examination in which a specialist inserts a lubricated (gloved) finger into the patient's rectum. The prostate is located just in front of the rectum and slightly below the bladder; palpation allows the doctor to easily detect and examine the problematic organ.
This way the doctor can determine whether the prostate gland is enlarged. Irregularities may indicate the presence of prostate cancer. The specialist will also be able to assess the degree of pain or discomfort 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 does not cause either destruction or significant long-term pain.
If the doctor requires a more precise diagnosis or decides that a biopsy is necessary, he may order a transrectal ultrasound, which allows him to visualize the prostate gland.
If a specialist suspects that you do have prostatitis or another prostate disease, 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. Samples of urine and prostate secretions are examined for signs of inflammation and infection. These tests will help your urologist more accurately diagnose your problem: whether there is inflammation or infection in the urethra, bladder or prostate gland.
Some doctors may order blood and semen tests to look for the presence of abnormal microorganisms, white blood cell counts, or other signs of infection.
A urologist may order a cystoscopy, in which a small special telescope is inserted through the urethra and the bladder, urethra and prostate are examined. The urologist may also order urine flow tests, which help measure the intensity of the flow and the presence of obstructions caused by inflammation of the prostate gland, urethra, or pelvic muscle spasm.
Interesting facts
- Prostatitis can affect men of any age:Although it is more common in men over 50, even younger men can develop prostatitis.
- There are many causes of prostatitis:The most common causes include bacterial infections, inflammation, and blocked prostatic ducts. In some cases, the cause may be unknown.
- Prostatitis can have a variety of symptoms:These can range from mild discomfort during urination 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 among men that causes inflammation of the prostate gland. People facing this problem note that the symptoms of prostatitis can be quite unpleasant and interfere with 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 can help cope with it. People are advised not to delay visiting a specialist and follow the recommendations for a quick recovery.
Treatment
Treatment of prostatitis directly depends on the type of bacterial infection that was diagnosed during the study.
For acute bacterial prostatitis, the patient will need to take antibiotics for at least 14 days. Sometimes patients require 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 when taking antibiotics you should always follow your doctors instructions. Don't miss another appointment or stop treatment early just because you think your symptoms have gone away.
If chronic bacterial prostatitis is diagnosed, you will need to take antibiotics for a longer period than in the acute form. About 75 percent of all cases of chronic bacterial prostatitis are completely cured within 6-7 months. Sometimes symptoms return and antibiotic therapy must be repeated over and over 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, that is interfering with treatment of the prostate.
The patient may not require antibiotics if diagnosed with chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Urologists often encounter difficulties when trying to decide whether a patient has bacterial or non-bacterial prostatitis. Sometimes previous antibacterial therapy conceals the diagnosis. In such cases, antibiotics may be prescribed, at least initially, even when a definitive diagnosis of bacterial prostatitis has not been made. Your response to antibiotic therapy will determine whether it should be continued.
Many patients without an actual infection may feel better during antibiotic treatment, this is 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 base of the bladder, eliminating pain when urinating. Folk remedies are often successfully used - anti-inflammatory herbal preparations, analgesic infusions, muscle relaxants, plant extracts (quercetin and / or bee pollen). Prostate massages will release fluid that is causing pressure and pain in the prostate.
Hot baths, mud baths, or other various heat treatments (applying local heat in the form of a hot water bottle or heating pad) will 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 treatment 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 may aggravate your sore prostate.
Only preventive measures, timely diagnosis and an integrated approach to the treatment of the prostate gland will preserve men's health for many years. Take care of your second heart - the prostate!
Frequently asked questions
How can I tell if I have prostatitis?
Pain, burning when urinating Difficulty urinating Urine leakage Frequent urination Cloudy urine Blood in the urine (hematuria) Pain in the abdomen, groin, suprapubic area General symptoms of malaise (fever, weakness)
What is prostatitis and why is it dangerous?
Prostatitis is an inflammatory process in the prostate gland. The main threat of such an inflammatory process is that it may not manifest itself for a long time. Sometimes a man can be sick for several years and not even realize that he needs treatment.
Why does prostatitis occur in men?
Causes of prostatitis Its symptoms usually appear in men aged 30-50 years. Most often, the cause is an infectious lesion due to the penetration of pathogenic flora from the urogenital canal or glands of the genitourinary 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, bloodstream, lymph, Disturbances in the rhythm of sexual life, Reduced immunity, Sexually transmitted infections (gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, chlamydia, etc. ), Injuries to 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 avoid complications.