Prostatitis (lat. prostatitis) is an acute or chronic inflammation of the prostate gland, diagnosed in 35-40% of men aged 25-55. The older the patient, the higher the risk of developing prostatitis.
During inflammation, the prostate increases in size and begins to squeeze the urethra. This process causes a narrowing of the lumen of the urethra, as a result of which the man begins to urinate frequently, and he has a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder. Symptoms of prostatitis in the initial stage may be mild. But over time, prostatitis becomes the cause of sexual disorders. In addition, the pathology can cause a number of complications:
- prostate abscess;
- cystitis.
Prostatitis or prostate adenoma?
These two diseases are often confused or mistaken for the same thing. At the same time, they have different nature and flow patterns.
Features |
Prostatitis |
BPH |
Age of the patient |
20-45 years old |
Over 45 years old |
The nature of the disease |
inflammatory process |
swelling |
Pain syndrome |
exists in an acute form |
manifests itself in the 2-3 stages of the disease |
Temperature |
is pronounced |
no |
Disturbance of urination |
manifests itself in an acute form |
always available |
Weakening of potency |
observed in both cases |
|
Prostatitis primarily requires medical treatment, while prostate adenoma is a benign tumor that can be surgically removed. At the same time, prostate adenoma can cause prostatitis, so any inflammatory process in the pelvic organs requires timely examination and treatment.
Causes of prostatitis
Infectious
Prostatitis can occur for the following reasons:
- Staphylococcus aureus;
- enterococcus;
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa;
- sexually transmitted infections;
- chronic infectious diseases (tonsillitis, sinusitis, etc. );
- other opportunistic pathogens.
Stagnant
Prostatitis appears for the following reasons:
- sedentary lifestyle;
- sedentary work;
- prolonged abstinence;
- excessive sexual activity;
- cessation of sexual intercourse.
The listed factors contribute to the disruption of capillary blood flow and the formation of stagnant processes in the prostate tissue.
Prostatitis begins to develop more intensively when favorable factors appear, including:
- chronic constipation;
- hypothermia;
- unbalanced diet;
- urological diseases;
- frequent stress;
- intoxication of the body due to smoking or drinking alcohol;
- perineal injuries.
Types and symptoms of prostatitis
According to the form of occurrence, prostatitis in men is divided into the following:
Acute prostatitis. One of the first signs of the disease progression is an obvious pain syndrome that appears against the background of a rapidly developing inflammatory process. Swelling of the prostate gland occurs, causing the effect of pathogenic microflora. The condition requires immediate medical attention. In turn, acute prostatitis can be in the following forms:
- catarrhal (often painful urination, pain in the sacrum and perineum, difficulty in defecation);
- follicular (pain intensifies and begins to spread to the anus, urine flows in a thin stream when going to the toilet, body temperature rises to 37. 5 ºС);
- parenchymal (body temperature rises to 38-40 ºС, general intoxication of the body is observed, sharp throbbing pain is noted in the groin area, acute urinary retention occurs).
Chronic prostatitis is practically asymptomatic or manifests itself with mild symptoms. In men, the temperature occasionally rises to 37-37, 5 ºС, there is a slight pain in the perineum, which increases during urination or defecation. In addition, you can experience:
- weakening of erection;
- accelerated ejaculation;
- decrease in the intensity of sexual feelings.
In some cases, chronic prostatitis is the result of an acute process when the patient notes a so-called false improvement and refuses to consult a urologist. As a rule, the result of self-treatment at home is a number of complications: abscess or prostate adenoma, inflammation of the bladder, loss of fertility, etc.
Depending on the cause, prostatitis can be:
- herpetic,
- bacterial,
- infectious,
- mushroom,
- purulent,
- chlamydia,
- gonorrhea,
- account
- fibrous,
- stagnant.
Diagnosis of prostatitis
Palpation allows you to determine the size, shape and structure of the organ tissue.
Laboratory research. It allows to diagnose prostatitis and other prostate diseases in the early stages or in chronic cases in the absence of obvious symptoms.
- general blood and urine analysis;
- a biochemical blood test is performed to clarify the picture of the disease and to determine the involvement of other internal organs and systems in the inflammatory process;
- PSA blood test;
- urine culture with antibiotic sensitivity test.
- A smear for genitourinary infections to detect STDs.
Ultrasound is performed to identify structural changes in the prostate tissue and detect neoplasms (cysts, tumors).
TRUS is performed through the rectum and allows obtaining the most complete information about the state of the gland and bladder.
MRI allows obtaining detailed layer-by-layer images of the prostate gland and surrounding tissues in three different projections.
Treatment of prostatitis
Treatment methods depend on the identified cause of prostatitis, so the patient should undergo a thorough examination.
Treatment of acute prostatitis
Antibacterial therapy. Before prescribing antibiotics, the doctor sends the patient for tests to determine the cause of the infection. After that, drugs are selected that will help suppress the activity of pathogenic microorganisms and eliminate the inflammatory process.
Symptomatic treatment. In addition, the urologist can prescribe antipyretics, painkillers, diuretics, laxatives, vitamins, immunomodulators and other drugs.
Surgery. It is carried out in case of complications. For example, if an abscess develops, the doctor may perform a transurethral or transrectal opening of the abscess, and in case of acute urinary retention, a cystoma may be required.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis
Antibacterial therapy. The course of treatment is 14-28 days and should be completed even if the symptoms of prostatitis disappear after a week. Antibiotics are used to eliminate infection and suppress inflammatory processes in the body.
Symptomatic treatment. Depending on the indications, the urologist can prescribe painkillers, antispasmodics, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, vascular and other drugs to the patient.
Manual or machine massage. It is one of the most effective methods of treating prostatitis in men. Prostate massage helps to eliminate stagnant secretions, improve blood and lymph flow, and restore metabolism in the affected organ.
Physiotherapy treatment. Depending on the indications, the urologist may prescribe electrical stimulation, laser or magnetic therapy. The procedures help improve blood circulation, have an anti-inflammatory effect and help restore reproductive function.
Prevention of prostatitis
It is easier to prevent prostatitis than to treat it later. To do this, it is enough to follow the following recommendations:
Annual exam. Even if you have no complaints about your health, you should see a urologist every year.
Sports activities. Regular physical activity helps improve metabolic processes throughout the body, including the prostate.
Abstain from immoral sex. Sex is very important for men's health, but frequent changes of sexual partners can lead to bacterial prostatitis and related complications.
A balanced diet. You need to eat at least 3 times a day. The diet should include low-fat fish and meat, grains, fermented milk products, fresh vegetables and fruits. It is advisable to limit the consumption or completely avoid carbonated drinks, fatty and smoked foods, baked goods and spices.
Rejection of bad habits. Alcoholic beverages and smoking reduce immunity and put additional stress on the body, creating favorable conditions for the development of many diseases.
Questions and answers
Question: How to distinguish acute prostatitis from chronic prostatitis?
Answer: We should start from the fact that the acute form of the disease usually occurs in people younger than 30-35 years old. Chronic prostatitis is considered ageless. In acute form, the disease quickly manifests itself with the following symptoms:
- sharp increase in body temperature (up to 40 degrees);
- a severe headache appears;
- fever starts.
Acute prostatitis is also characterized by constant pain in the groin, back and perineum.
Chronic prostatitis, on the other hand, may not show symptoms for a long time. Over time, a person's temperature rises and periodic pain appears in the anus, scrotum, back and perineum.
Urination is disturbed, purulent discharge from the anus and urethra begins. Chronic prostatitis also causes erectile dysfunction. Ejaculation becomes painful and intercourse is not pleasant.
Question: What happens if prostatitis is not treated?
Answer: If a person does not receive treatment for diagnosed prostatitis, complications and accompanying pathologies can develop.
- Vesiculitis. This disease is characterized by inflammatory processes in the seminal vesicles. As a result, pus enters the ejaculate and the quality of sperm decreases. Vesiculitis often leads to complete loss of reproductive functions.
- Coliculitis. A disease in which inflammatory processes affect the seminal tubercle. As a result, during sexual intercourse, a man experiences severe pain, which causes an orgasm to be interrupted. Without therapy, a person develops impotence of a psychological nature.
- Abscess. It is formed in the prostate gland and causes intoxication of the body. Its rupture can lead to increased symptoms and, in some cases, death.
- Infinity. It occurs against the background of deterioration of sperm quality and inflammatory processes in the testicles, spermatic cord and vesicles.
- Against the background of prostatitis, immunity often deteriorates. Without therapy, about a third of all cases of the disease end with the development of oncology. Treatment of prostatitis should be carried out in a special andrological clinic.
Question: Where should I go for prostatitis treatment?
Answer: The diagnosis is usually made by a urologist based on the study of symptoms. Various studies are usually prescribed to confirm prostatitis:
- general blood and urine tests;
- smear for STDs;
- undercover investigation;
- uroflowmetry;
- ultrasound.
In some cases, biopsy and spermogram are also prescribed.