One of the most dangerous "male" diseases is prostatitis - acute inflammation of the prostate gland. The disease is accompanied by discomfort when urinating and can threaten infertility. Different types of prostatitis develop at different rates and require a specific therapeutic method. The disease has a number of serious complications and requires timely diagnosis. This will help determine the specifics and type of the disease in time for starting treatment at an early stage of the disease.
Forms of the disease, symptoms
The disease can manifest itself in acute and chronic forms. The method of treatment is selected based on the symptoms that characterize the course of the pathology. The signs of acute and chronic forms differ and have a number of features. The acute form always precedes the chronic form, which can evolve into more serious diseases such as adenoma and cancer.
Therapy of prostatitis at any stage of development has a favorable prognosis, if no complications appear.
Acute prostatitis
The tissues of the prostate are exposed to pathogenic microorganisms. Also, the acute form develops due to damage to the organ by a fungus. Due to the inflammatory process, the balance of the microflora is disturbed and immunity is reduced. As a result, the inflammation of the prostate gland is exacerbated. Other causes of acute prostatitis include:
- Reduced or weakened immunity. Men who have chronic diseases of the genitourinary system and are often prone to colds are more likely than others to have prostate problems.
- Operational intervention. Any surgical intervention can cause various diseases.
- Pathology of the internal organs. The presence of pathogenic microorganisms can provoke the development of prostatitis.
- Hormonal failure and increased estrogen production. The risk group includes men between the ages of 30 and 40.
- Caries. Untreated dental disease is one of the most common causes of prostate disease. Bad teeth cause germs to spread throughout the body and cause bacterial prostatitis.
Symptoms of acute prostatitis:
- severe aching pain in the muscles and lower back;
- delays and frequent need to urinate;
- erectile dysfunction.
The acute phase requires immediate treatment. The patient is prescribed drugs and physiotherapy.
Important! At the first signs of the disease, you should immediately undergo an examination by a doctor, sometimes hospitalization may be required. After the examination, the specifics of the pathology are established and treatment is prescribed. Self-medication can cause a transition from an acute to a chronic form and serious complications (abscess of nearby tissues and vascular thrombosis).
Chronic prostatitis
The most dangerous and serious form of the disease. It is characterized by a "slow" course: more often the signs of prostatitis do not appear in any way. All types of chronic prostatitis occur due to ignorance of symptoms and the lack of timely treatment, it can sometimes occur without an acute form. Other possible causes of chronic prostatitis include:
- congestion in internal organs;
- sedentary work, hypodynamics;
- weakened immunity;
- malnutrition;
- bad habits;
- trauma;
- infectious diseases of the genital organs;
- fatigue;
- hypothermia.
Lack of therapy can lead to adenoma. Often the disease is asymptomatic, so men should have regular medical examinations, especially after 30 years.
Consequences of chronic prostatitis:
- dysfunction of the genitourinary system and system;
- burning in the groin;
- decreased libido, lack of erection;
- general malaise, weakness.
Chronic prostatitis is treated on an outpatient basis, but the patient can sometimes be hospitalized. Therapy includes a complex of physiotherapy, antibiotics and a therapeutic diet. As additional therapeutic measures, massage is prescribed, in especially neglected cases an operation is performed.
Classification
Infectious
It is an inflammation of the prostate caused by the pathogenic microflora. It can manifest itself in both acute and chronic form. Most often it develops against the background of transferred infectious and fungal diseases, such as flu, rubella, chicken pox, herpes.
Factors affecting the development of bacterial prostatitis include smoking, alcohol consumption, weakened immunity, SARS. Most often this form occurs in patients aged 20 to 40 years. For treatment, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory drugs are used.
bacterial
A rare type of prostatitis, the main cause of which are bacteria: E. coli, staphylococci, Trichomonas, chlamydia and Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Diagnosed by blood, urine and secretion tests. Symptoms correspond to the acute form.
The disease is caused by nervous disorders, smoking, alcohol addiction, stress, depression. Sometimes the infection can occur in the postoperative period.
Treatment includes antibiotics and non-steroidal drugs to relieve inflammation. Violation of the course of treatment can lead to the transition of prostatitis into a chronic form.
Fungal
The cause of the pathology is the ingestion of fungi (aspergillus or candida) in the tissue of the prostate gland. Fungal infection can occur as a result of hormonal changes and long-term use of antibiotics and antibacterial drugs. It also occurs against the background of chronic diseases and reduced immunity. Treatment with folk methods and self-medication can lead to a chronic form and serious complications.
It is sometimes asymptomatic, which makes it difficult to make a timely diagnosis. The latent form can cause cancer cells to multiply. Diagnosed by biopsy. With fungal prostatitis, there are disturbances in the functioning of the genitourinary system, urethritis, cystitis, pain in the groin and pelvis, fever.
stagnant
It is a chronic type of non-infectious origin. The causes are congestion of the circulatory system in the pelvic area or stagnation of prostatic secretion. It can manifest itself in a latent form or with mild symptoms. The signs may include mild nagging pain in the genitals, groin or pelvis, fever, and pain when urinating.
Sometimes it manifests itself in the form of sexual disorders (reduced libido, insufficient erection, liquefaction or sperm retention). For treatment, drugs that stimulate blood circulation, hormonal agents are used. Physiotherapy exercises will also be effective.
Purulent
The most dangerous to the patient's health is the purulent type. It is characterized by discharge from the urinary canal and fever, which indicate the presence of an infection.
Stages and subtypes:
- catarrhal.This subtype of prostatitis is isolated as a separate disease of infectious origin. The difference is the absence of purulent discharge. All inflammatory processes occur only in the excretory ducts of the gland. The causes are complications of flu, tonsillitis and SARS. It manifests itself in the form of frequent urge to urinate with a weak and aching pain. The prognosis is favorable. Usually prescribed complex treatment of concomitant diseases.
- Follicular.The acute stage begins with inflammatory processes in the ducts of the gland and is a consequence of pathological manifestations in other organs. Symptoms are mild and often invisible to the patient. It can be triggered by infections or inflammation of the ENT organs, respiratory system, urethra, etc. It manifests itself in the form of acute pain, a sharp increase in body temperature, and purulent discharge appears at an advanced stage. With timely treatment, the prognosis is favorable. If the course of treatment is not completed in time, it can move to the parenchymal stage.
- parenchymal. It is one of the most difficult and dangerous stages. Purulent nature extends to all lobes of the prostate gland. In this subtype of the disease, the outflow of prostatic secretion is disturbed and obstructed by pus and mucus. The chronic form is often protracted in nature. The patient presents with functional disorders of the genitourinary system, decreased erection and dissatisfaction with orgasm. Among the most common causes of purulent prostatitis, gonococcal infection is noted. The treatment is long, but it gives a positive effect. Self-medication can lead to life-threatening complications.
- Abscesses. The stage is the most dangerous and requires immediate treatment. Manifested in the form of an abscess of the prostate tissue. It can cause kidney failure, infertility, cystitis and sepsis. Complications can lead to death.
One of the main methods of treatment is the intake of antibacterial drugs. In advanced cases, the patient undergoes surgery. Self-medication can lead to the death of the patient.
computer
It is a complicated form that is manifested by a long course of the disease. The reason is incorrect therapy or a complete lack of treatment. It is characterized by the formation of stony inclusions in the ducts of the gland. Endogenous stones can block the urethra, causing the patient severe pain during intercourse, walking, and urination.
It can lead to complications such as impotence and infertility. Treatment takes place in the hospital, sometimes the patient undergoes surgery. Prolonged lack of treatment can cause prostate cancer, benign prostatic hyperplasia, and adenoma.
Prevention
Preventive measures will help avoid the development of pathologies and reduce the likelihood of infection. The simplest preventive measures are:
- regular sexual intercourse;
- personal hygiene;
- quitting smoking and alcohol;
- wear comfortable cotton underwear;
- maintain immunity;
- appropriate nutrition;
- protection against hypothermia.
At home, you can prevent the development of pathology by daily performing simple physical exercises: a bicycle, a bridge, a birch.
By allocating 10 minutes for physical education every day, you can reduce the risk of prostatitis in half.
Simple exercises will also help improve well-being:
- Stand straight with emphasis on one leg. With the other leg, do large wide swings back and forth. It is recommended to do 100 swings per leg.
- Inclinations. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and lean your body alternately to the right and left.
- Throughout the day, try to hold your breath several times for 10-15 seconds. Repeat the breathing exercises at least 5 times a day.
Prostatitis treatment is a long and complicated process that can cause many problems. To protect the body from the development of this pathology, regular examinations and preventive measures should be taken.