Prostatitis in men

What kind of disease is prostatitis and what are the first symptoms it causes, every man should know.Prostatitis is a common urological pathology in which inflammatory processes progress in the prostate gland.The disease is mainly diagnosed in men aged 35-40 years.Predisposing factors that contribute to the appearance of the disease are reduced immunity, an inactive lifestyle, abuse of bad habits and poor nutrition.Diagnosis and treatment of pathology is carried out by a doctor called a urologist.It is with him that you should make an appointment for a consultation if you are worried about the characteristic symptoms.It is important for everyone to remember - the earlier the disease is diagnosed and its treatment is started, the greater the chances of recovery and full recovery.Lack of timely treatment can lead to serious consequences, including male infertility and prostate cancer.

The essence of pathology

Inflammation of the prostate gland is called prostatitis.The prostate is a male organ responsible for producing secretions that maintain normal sperm activity.In most cases, the disease is infectious in nature.Infection can occur through the urethra, bloodstream or lymphatics, when the infection moves throughout the body from distant inflammatory foci.Microorganisms that can provoke an inflammatory complication:

• coli;
• staphylococci;
• enterococci;
• protein;
• Klebsiella etc.

All these microscopic organisms are opportunistic microflora, whose active life is suppressed by the human immune system.But as soon as the immune system weakens, under the influence of predisposing factors, the infection becomes more active, causing inflammation in the glandular tissue.

Depending on the nature of the flow, the following forms of prostatitis are distinguished:

• acute;
• chronic.

Acute is characterized by pronounced symptoms;with timely medical help, it can be successfully cured.The chronic type of pathology occurs as a result of inadequate or premature treatment of the acute form.The disease is characterized by repeated infection, which manifests itself with unclear symptoms.Chronic prostatitis cannot be completely cured, but properly selected therapy and preventive measures help prolong remission.

reason

The main causes of prostatitis are decreased immunity, untreated urological and venereal infections.Inflammation often occurs against the background of a bacterial infection, which, with the proper functioning of the immune system, is in a latent state.But once the immune system weakens, pathogens become more active, causing inflammation of the prostate tissue.

What causes prostatitis:

• Hypothermia.Hypothermia causes stress in the body, promotes vasospasm, poor circulation and reduced immunity.
• Inactive lifestyle.With a sedentary lifestyle, the blood supply to the pelvic organs deteriorates, which leads to stagnation and the development of inflammation in them.
• Chronic constipation.Hardened feces, which remain in the intestine for a long time, put pressure on the gland, disrupting microcirculation.This creates favorable conditions for the life of pathogenic microflora.
• Injuries.Traumatic damage to the prostate contributes to a deterioration of blood flow and a decrease in local immunity.
• Excess body weight.People who are overweight move less, which causes blood circulation in their internal organs to deteriorate.Stagnant processes lead to swelling and inflammation of the prostate tissue.
• Disturbance of the rhythm of sexual activity.Prostatitis can be caused both by an overly active sex life and by prolonged abstinence.
• The presence of chronic pathologies.Any source of chronic infection can be potentially dangerous to the prostate and can cause inflammation.
• Conditions that contribute to the suppression of the immune system.The general condition of the body is negatively affected by chronic stress, overwork, regular lack of sleep and physical overload.

Types of prostatitis

The symptoms of prostatitis depend on its type and the nature of the course.There are several types of the disease, each with its own characteristics.

Bacterial

The main cause is a bacterial infection that develops against a background of weakened immunity.Bacterial prostatitis appears:

• spicy;
• chronic.

In acute cases, pronounced prostatitis syndromes are worrying:

• a sharp rise in temperature;
• urinary discomfort;
• pain, discomfort in the perineum;
• purulent, bloody inclusions in the urine;
• deterioration of general health.

In a chronic course, the symptoms are vague and appear poorly.But in case of relapse, the intensity of the symptoms resembles an acute process.

count

This type of pathology is diagnosed mainly in men over 55 years old.An inflammatory complication develops against the background of the formation of stones in the prostate tissue.Most often, stones are formed due to improper treatment of chronic prostatitis.Another common root cause is untreated urolithiasis.

Characteristic signs of calculous prostatitis:

• urinary discomfort;
• hematuria;
• weakening of the erection.

Stagnant

It develops against the background of chronic prostatitis and is associated with impaired microcirculation in the pelvic organs.Also, the stagnant form can occur with a long absence of sexual intercourse, which leads to stagnation of secretions in the gland.

Characteristic symptoms of congestive prostatitis:

• problems with urination;
• discomfort in the groin and testicles;
• erectile dysfunction.

purulent

Purulent prostatitis develops against the background of an acute form of the disease, the treatment of which is incorrect or completely absent.The pathology is characterized by a significant increase in body temperature, impaired urination, the presence of purulent inclusions in the urine and acute pain in the groin and perineum.If the medication is not started immediately, there is a high probability of developing an abscess and blood poisoning, which can lead to the death of the patient.

Symptoms

Symptoms and treatment of prostatitis depend on the stage of its progression:

• Catarrhal.At this stage, the patient complains of frequent urination, pain when going to the toilet, discomfort in the perineum during physical activity.
• Follicular.The pain symptom becomes more pronounced, bothers you even at rest and may radiate to the bottom of the abdomen or the lower back.The process of urination is interrupted, the fluid flows in a thin stream, and sometimes urinary retention occurs.
• Parenchymatic.An advanced stage, during which the general intoxication of the body develops, the body temperature rises significantly, unbearable pains appear in the perineum and problems with urination become more pronounced.

Pain syndrome

There are no pain receptors in the prostate, but pain occurs due to the increase in the size of the gland and the irritation of nearby nerve fibers.The more advanced the disease, the stronger the pain that bothers the person.The pain syndrome can change intensity with sexual abstinence or increased sexual activity.The discomfort spreads to the lower abdomen, the lumbar region, the perineum and the scrotum.

Dysuric syndrome

When inflamed, the prostate increases in size and begins to exert pressure on the ureters, which is why their lumen gradually decreases.The patient begins to worry about frequent urination, and after visiting the toilet there remains a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder.

Sexual deviations

In the initial stages of the development of the pathology, a man may be disturbed by frequent erections or, conversely, by the lack of sexual arousal.Accelerated ejaculation is explained by a decrease in the sensitivity threshold of the excitation center.If the treatment of prostatitis is not started in the initial stages, complications develop that lead to impotence and infertility.

Diagnosing

If you have characteristic symptoms, you should consult a doctor.Diagnosis and treatment of prostatitis is carried out by a urologist.It is with her that a man should make an initial date.During the examination, the doctor will ask about disturbing symptoms, complaints, collect the anamnesis and perform a rectal examination of the prostate gland.To confirm the diagnosis, the urologist will give a reference for additional diagnostic examination, including the following procedures:

• clinical analysis of blood and urine;
• PCR research;
• uroflowmetry;
• examination of glandular secretions;
• Ultrasound of the prostate;
• CT or MRI.

Treatment

The treatment regimen is determined taking into account the nature of the course and the degree of neglect of the pathology.If the patient's condition is serious, the doctor decides on hospitalization.Otherwise, the treatment is carried out on an outpatient basis.The patient must strictly follow the instructions of the urologist, adhere to the treatment plan and not self-medicate.

Drug therapy

Antibiotics will help stop the inflammatory process and destroy pathogenic microflora.If prostatitis is caused by viruses or fungi, the antibacterial treatment regimen is supplemented with appropriate groups of drugs.

To eliminate pathological symptoms, the following groups of drugs are additionally prescribed:

• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• pain relievers;
• muscle relaxants;
• antispasmodics;
• alpha blockers;
• diuretics;
• drugs that normalize prostate function.

If a man complains of problems with potency and sexual dysfunction, the doctor prescribes drugs that stimulate blood circulation in the penis and restore erection.

Maintenance therapy

The effect of drug therapy will increase with supportive measures, including the following rules:

• Drink the necessary amount of fluids - at least 1.5 - 2 liters per day.
• Maintaining bed rest.
• Warm therapeutic baths.
• Following a soft diet, during which salty, spicy, fatty foods, alcohol, coffee and sour drinks are excluded from the diet.

The patient's condition is favorably affected by regular sexual life, which ensures drainage of the prostate and prevents stagnation of secretions.

Surgical intervention

If conservative treatment does not bring the desired effect, the doctor decides to perform surgery.In modern urology, the following surgical methods are practiced for the treatment of prostatitis:

• Transurethral resection (TUR).During the operation, the surgeon removes all the affected tissue of the gland.
• Prostatectomy.It involves removal of the prostate, adjacent tissue and seminal vesicles.

Surgery is not performed on young people because any surgery can cause infertility.

Folk remedies

In addition to complex drug therapy, alternative medicine can be used.The treatment regimen should be agreed with the doctor.Self-medication is unacceptable.

Medicinal herbs rich in useful substances and elements that have a bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effect are used to combat inflammation and disturbing symptoms.On the basis of medicinal plants, infusions, tinctures and decoctions are prepared, which can be taken orally, made into compresses and creams and added to the bath.

The following herbs are used to treat prostatitis:

• wise;
• calendula;
• chamomile;
• liquorice;
• yarrow;
• nettle;
• parsley;
• St. John's wort;
• blackberry;
• rosemary;
• centaury;
• ginseng;
• sweet clover;
• chestnut.

For chronic prostatitis, bee propolis is widely used, which is famous for its anti-inflammatory properties and analgesic effect.Fans of alternative medicine advise to make suppositories from propolis, which are inserted into the rectum.The recipe is:

1. Grind 20 g of propolis into powder.
2. Combine the main ingredient with 200 ml of alcohol and evaporate on low heat.
3. Add 2 g of cocoa butter to the resulting mass.
4. Form a candle from the finished composition.
5. The product is inserted into the rectum at night.The treatment is carried out in one course and lasts 1 month.

The consequences

Lack of proper treatment or self-medication can result in serious health problems.The spread of infection leads to the development of such negative consequences as:

• cystitis;
• pyelonephritis;
• vesiculitis;
• colliculitis and urethritis;
• epididymitis;
• sclerosis of the prostate.

Against the background of such complications, erectile and psychological disorders occur.In severe cases, the disease can progress to the stage of chronic calculous prostatitis, causing an abscess and other life-threatening complications.Frequent relapses often cause the development of male infertility, adenoma and even prostate cancer.

Preventing

Preventing prostatitis is much easier than fighting the disease and its consequences.The following simple and affordable preventive measures will help prevent inflammation of the prostate or prolong remission in the chronic form:

• active lifestyle;
• control of proper feeding and water regime;
• elimination of bad habits;
• elimination of stress factors;
• strengthening;
• maintaining basic personal hygiene;
• normalization of body weight;
• timely and adequate treatment of infectious pathologies;
• regular, high-quality, protected sex;
• annual preventive visit to the urologist.