By prostatitis, urologists understand inflammatory processes in the prostate gland that arise for various reasons.The prostate belongs to the genitourinary system and is surrounded by other organs and tissues, so the symptoms, especially in the initial stage, do not allow one to identify the disease.Let's try to understand what the first signs of prostatitis can indicate the onset of the disease and tell you where to turn for help.
Signs of chronic bacterial prostatitis
The disease appears due to damage to the prostate tissue or due to the influence of a number of other factors:
- sedentary lifestyle and accompanying blood microcirculation disorders;
- reflux of urine in the prostate gland;
- narrowing of the urethral lumen due to a tumor, stone or inflammatory process;
- sharp contraction of pelvic muscles;
- hypothermia, smoking, alcohol abuse.
Symptoms of this form appear gradually, their severity increases over time.At first, men may complain of a frequent urge to urinate, accompanied by a burning sensation in the area of the urethral opening.
At this stage, prostatitis can be confused with urethritis, so laboratory diagnosis is important.
As the inflammatory process progresses in the tissues of the prostate gland, other signs of the disease appear:
- the urge to urinate at night;
- pain in the perineum (may radiate to the head of the penis, anus, thighs and lower abdomen);
- absent or weak erection;
- pain during ejaculation;
- increase in body temperature to 37.5-37.8 °C.
If the integrity of the tissue of the prostate or adjacent areas of the urethra is damaged, blood can be observed in the urine or semen.The man pays attention to small flakes of bright red or brown color.
Signs of acute bacterial prostatitis
Bacterial prostatitis is caused by pathogenic and opportunistic microflora.Microorganisms can live in a person's gut or skin;if the rules of hygiene are not observed, they can enter the prostate through the urethra and develop rapidly in the tissue of the gland.Another option is the penetration of the pathogen into the urethra and further into the prostate during unprotected sexual intercourse.It is also possible to become infected if the prostate biopsy is performed incorrectly.
Since in the mucous membrane of the prostate gland, bacteria develop rapidly, the colony literally grows in 2-3 days.The first signs of prostatitis in this case will be:
- chills, fever, increased body temperature;
- pain in the perineum, lower back or lower abdomen;
- urinary disturbance (pain, intermittent flow of urine, frequent urge).
Without treatment or incorrect treatment tactics, the disease will progress.After a few days, constipation, acute urinary retention, pain in muscles, joints and lymph nodes may appear.Signs of intoxication are also possible - nausea, vomiting, weakness.
The interval between the first symptoms and the most striking clinical picture can be 3-4 days.
Signs of chronic bacterial prostatitis
The chronic form of bacterial prostatitis occurs due to improper treatment of acute flow, as well as due to damage to the bladder and improper catheterization.It is possible that the inflammatory process in the adjacent organs spreads to the prostate gland.
A man may miss the first signs of chronic prostatitis - the symptoms of this form are characterized by mild severity, periods of remission are possible.The disease can be suspected based on the following symptoms:
- problems with urination;
- dull, aching pain in the perineum;
- erection problems.
Periods of irritation alternate with calmness.A man may mistakenly think about healing and not visit a doctor.This attitude is dangerous - the inflammatory process progresses, the prostate tissue degenerates and the organ loses its functions.As a result, prostatitis can lead to infertility and cause sepsis - blood poisoning.
Clinical manifestations of pathology
Prostatitis has no characteristic signs;it can be confused with other diseases that have similar symptoms - cystitis, urethritis, chlamydia.
Knowing the first signs of the disease will not help to make an accurate diagnosis.It is more effective to pay attention to clinical manifestations.
Acute bacterial prostatitis is characterized by the following signs, which are revealed during examination and laboratory testing of urine and blood:
- the body temperature in the anus is 0.5 °C higher than the temperature in the armpit;
- increase in the number of leukocytes in the urine;
- decrease in the number of eosinophils;
- increased C-reactive protein;
- increase in the level of PSA in the blood.
A blood test for PSA content is not mandatory, but it helps to get a clearer picture of the pathological process.
How to give first aid and who to contact for treatment
Prostatitis refers to diseases that do not threaten the patient's life in the initial stage.For severe pain, you can take pain relievers, but this is an exception to the rule.It is better not to take such pills, so as not to blur the clinical picture and prevent the doctor from making an accurate diagnosis.To fight high fever, you can take antipyretics.
With a competent approach, first aid is provided in a medical institution.To do this, a man should contact a urologist in his place of residence or stay.If for some reason it is impossible to visit a doctor yourself, you should call an ambulance.
It is strictly forbidden to take antibiotics yourself.
These drugs are prescribed taking into account the type of pathogen;uncontrolled use can increase bacterial resistance and worsen the manifestation of intoxication.
The consequences of ignoring the first signs
Most men prefer not to go to the doctor, especially when it comes to problems in the genitourinary system.This attitude can be dangerous.Prostatitis is a serious disease and can cause negative consequences:
- the transition to a chronic form that is practically untreatable;
- the development of infertility;
- spread of infection to nearby organs;
- reduced potency;
- occurrence of sepsis.
The last condition directly threatens the patient's life.The probability of death is 30-50%, and every hour of delay in medical care increases this value by 8%.
Let's sum it up
Knowing the first signs of prostatitis in men helps to suspect problems in the body.A more accurate diagnosis is made on the basis of an instrumental examination and the results of laboratory tests of blood and urine.Prostatitis can threaten a man's life, so self-medication is unacceptable.If you postpone the visit to the doctor, the disease can become chronic, which is very difficult to cope with.