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 diagnosed mainly in men between the ages of 35 and 40.Predisposing factors that contribute to the onset of the disease are reduced immunity, an inactive lifestyle, abuse of bad habits and poor nutrition.The diagnosis and treatment of the pathology are carried out by a doctor called a urologist.It is with him that you need to make an appointment for a consultation if you are worried about the characteristic symptoms.It is important for every man to remember: the earlier the disease is diagnosed and treatment is started, the higher the chances of full recovery and 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 the production of secretions that maintain the normal activity of sperm.In most cases, the disease is infectious in nature.Infection can occur through the urethra, bloodstream or lymphatics, when the infection spreads throughout the body from distant inflammatory foci.Microorganisms that can cause an inflammatory complication:

• coli;
• staphylococci;
• enterococci;
• proteas;
• 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 of the glandular tissues.

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

• acute;
• chronic.

Acute is characterized by pronounced symptoms;with timely seeking medical help, it can be successfully treated.The chronic type of pathology occurs due to inadequate or premature treatment of the acute form.The disease is characterized by recurrent infections, which manifest themselves with vague symptoms.Chronic prostatitis cannot be completely cured, but properly selected therapy and preventive measures help to prolong remission.

Reasons

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 as 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 decreased 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, lying 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 deterioration of blood flow and decreased local immunity.
• Excess body weight.Overweight people move little, which causes a deterioration of blood circulation in the internal organs.Stagnant processes lead to swelling and inflammation of the prostate tissue.
• Disorder of the rhythm of sexual activity.Prostatitis can be caused both by an excessively active sexual 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 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

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

Bacterial

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

• spicy;
• chronic.

In acute cases, pronounced prostatitis syndromes cause concern:

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

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

Calculation

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

Characteristic signs of chalcolithic prostatitis:

• urinary disorder;
• hematuria;
• weakening of 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, urination disorders, the presence of purulent inclusions in the urine and acute pain in the groin and perineum.If treatment is not started immediately, there is a high probability of developing an abscess and blood poisoning, which can lead to the patient's death.

Symptoms

The 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 painful symptom becomes more pronounced, bothers even at rest and can radiate to the lower abdomen or lower back.The urination process is interrupted, the liquid comes out in a thin stream, and sometimes urinary retention occurs.
• Parenchymatous.An advanced stage, during which a general intoxication of the body develops, the body temperature rises significantly, unbearable pain occurs 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 size of the gland and irritation of nearby nerve fibers.The more advanced the disease, the more severe the pain that worries the person.The pain syndrome may change intensity with sexual abstinence or with increased sexual activity.The discomfort spreads to the lower abdomen, lumbar region, perineum and scrotum.

Dysuric syndrome

When inflamed, the prostate increases in size and begins to put pressure on the ureters, which is why their lumen gradually decreases.The patient begins to be bothered by frequent urination, and after visiting the toilet, the feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder remains.

Sexual deviations

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

Diagnostics

If you have characteristic symptoms, you should consult a doctor.Diagnosis and treatment of prostatitis is carried out by a urologist.It is with him that a man should make the first date.During the examination, the doctor will ask about concerning symptoms, complaints, collect medical history and conduct a rectal examination of the prostate gland.To confirm the diagnosis, the urologist will refer an additional diagnostic test, including the following procedures:

• clinical analyzes of blood and urine;
• PCR research;
• uroflowmetry;
• examination of gland 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 to admit him to hospital.Otherwise, treatment is carried out on an outpatient basis.The patient must scrupulously follow the urologist's instructions, 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;
• painkillers;
• muscle relaxants;
• antispasmodics;
• alpha-blockers;
• diuretics;
• drugs that normalize the function of the prostate.

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 be enhanced by supportive measures, including the following rules:

• Drink the necessary amount of fluids - at least 1.5 - 2 liters per day.
• Maintain bed rest.
• Hot therapeutic baths.
• Follow a gentle diet, during which salty, spicy, fatty foods, alcohol, coffee and acidic drinks are excluded from the diet.

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

Surgery

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 glandular tissue.
• Prostatectomy.It involves the removal of the prostate, adjacent tissues, and seminal vesicles.

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

Folk remedies

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

To combat inflammation and annoying symptoms, medicinal herbs rich in beneficial substances and elements that have a bactericidal and anti-inflammatory action are used.Infusions, tinctures and decoctions are prepared based on medicinal herbs and can be taken orally, transformed into compresses and lotions and added to the bath.

The following herbs are used to treat prostatitis:

• wise;
• marigold;
• chamomile;
• licorice;
• yarrow;
• nettle;
• parsley;
• St. John's wort;
• bearberry;
• rosemary;
• centaury;
• ginseng;
• sweet clover;
• chestnut.

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

1. Grind 20 g of propolis into powder.
2. Combine the main component with 200 ml of alcohol and evaporate over 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 overnight.The treatment is carried out in one course and lasts 1 month.

Consequences

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

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

Against the background of such complications, erectile and psychological disorders occur.In more 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.

Prevention

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

• active lifestyle;
• control of correct nutrition and water regime;
• eliminate bad habits;
• elimination of stress factors;
• hardening;
• maintain basic personal hygiene;
• normalization of body weight;
• timely and adequate treatment of infectious diseases;
• regular, high-quality and safe sex;
• annual preventive visits to the urologist.