Prostatitis (lat. prostatitis) is an acute or chronic inflammation of the prostate gland, which is diagnosed in 35-40% of men aged 25-55. The older the patient is, the higher the risk of developing prostatitis.
When inflamed, the prostate increases in size and begins to compress the urethra. This process causes a narrowing of the lumen of the ureter, as a result of which the man begins to experience a frequent urge to urinate and has a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder. In the initial stage, the symptoms of prostatitis may be mild. However, over time, prostatitis becomes the cause of sexual disorders. In addition, the pathology can lead to a number of complications:
- prostate abscess;
- cystitis.
Prostatitis or prostate adenoma?
These two diseases are often confused or mistaken for the same thing. Meanwhile, they have different natures and flow patterns.
Features |
Prostatitis |
BPH |
Age of the patient |
20-45 years old |
over 45 years |
The nature of the disease |
inflammatory process |
tumor |
Pain syndrome |
present in acute form |
appears in stages 2-3 of the disease |
fever |
highlighted |
MISSING |
Urination disorder |
appears in acute form |
always present |
Weakening of power |
observed in both cases |
|
Prostatitis mainly requires drug treatment, while prostate adenoma is a benign tumor that is removed through surgery. At the same time, prostate adenoma can cause prostatitis, therefore any inflammatory process in the pelvic organs requires timely examination and treatment.
Causes of prostatitis
Infectious
Prostatitis can be caused by:
- Staphylococcus aureus;
- enterococcus;
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa;
- sexually transmitted infections;
- chronic infectious diseases (tonsillitis, sinusitis, etc. );
- other opportunistic pathogens.
Stagnant
Prostatitis occurs as a result of:
- sedentary lifestyle;
- sedentary work;
- long periods of abstinence;
- excessive sexual activity;
- cessation of sexual relations.
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, which include:
- chronic constipation;
- hypothermia;
- unbalanced diet;
- urological diseases;
- frequent stress;
- intoxication of the body due to smoking or alcohol;
- perineal injuries.
Types and symptoms of prostatitis
According to the form of its appearance, prostatitis in men is divided into:
Acute prostatitis. One of the first signs of the course of the disease is a pronounced pain syndrome, which appears against the background of a rapidly developing inflammatory process. Swelling of the prostate gland occurs, caused by exposure to pathogenic microflora. The condition requires urgent medical attention. On the other hand, acute prostatitis can have the following forms:
- catarrhal (frequent painful urination, pain in the sacrum and perineum, difficulty in defecation);
- follicular (pain intensifies and begins to radiate to the anus, when going to the toilet, urine flows in a thin stream, 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 observed in the groin area, acute retention of urine occurs).
Chronic prostatitis is practically asymptomatic or has mild symptoms. In men, the temperature sometimes rises to 37-37. 5 ºС, there is slight pain in the perineum, which intensifies during urination or defecation. In addition, you can experience:
- weakening of the erection;
- accelerated ejaculation;
- decrease in the severity of sexual sensations.
In some cases, chronic prostatitis becomes the result of an acute process, when the patient notices the so-called false improvement and refuses to visit a urologist. As a rule, the result of self-treatment at home is a number of complications: prostate abscess or adenoma, inflammation of the bladder, loss of fertility, etc.
Depending on the cause, prostatitis can be:
- herpetic,
- bacterial,
- infectious,
- mold,
- purulent,
- chlamydial,
- gonorrhea,
- calculator,
- fibrous,
- stuck.
Diagnosis of prostatitis
Palpation allows you to determine the size, shape and structure of the tissue of the organ.
Laboratory research. It allows you to diagnose prostatitis and other prostate diseases in the early stages or in chronic cases in the absence of pronounced symptoms.
- general analysis of blood and urine;
- 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.
- smear for urogenital infections to detect STD.
Ultrasound is performed to identify structural changes in the prostate tissue and to detect neoplasms (cysts, tumors).
TRUS is performed through the rectum and allows you to get the most complete information about the state of the gland and bladder.
MRI allows you to get detailed layer-by-layer images of the prostate and surrounding tissues in three different projections.
Treatment of prostatitis
Treatment methods depend on the identified causative agent of prostatitis, so the patient must undergo a comprehensive examination.
Treatment of acute prostatitis
Antibacterial therapy. Before prescribing antibiotics, the doctor will refer the patient for tests to identify the causative agent 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, pain relievers, diuretics, laxatives, vitamins, immunomodulators and other drugs.
Surgery. It is done in case of complications. For example, if an abscess develops, the doctor may perform a transurethral or transrectal opening of the abscess; 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 must be completed, even if the signs of prostatitis have disappeared 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 sedative, antispasmodic, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, vascular and other drugs to the patient.
Manual or hardware massage. One of the most effective methods for treating prostatitis in men. Prostate massage helps remove 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
Preventing prostatitis is much easier than treating it later. To do this, simply follow the recommendations below:
Annual examination. It is necessary to visit a urologist every year, even if there are no complaints about your health.
Sports activities. Regular physical activity helps improve metabolic processes throughout the body, including the prostate.
Rejection of illicit sexual relations. Sex is very important for men's health, but frequent changes of sexual partners can cause bacterial prostatitis and similar complications.
Balanced diet. You should eat at least 3 times a day. The diet should include lean fish and meat, whole grains, fermented milk products, fresh vegetables and fruits. It is advised to limit consumption or completely avoid carbonated drinks, fatty and smoked foods, baked goods and spices.
Rejection of bad habits. Drinking alcohol and smoking reduces immunity and puts additional stress on the body, creating favorable conditions for the development of many diseases.
Question and answer
Question: How to distinguish acute from chronic prostatitis?
Answer: We must start with the fact that in its acute form the disease usually appears in people under 30-35 years old. Chronic prostatitis is considered ageless. The disease in its acute form usually manifests quickly with the following symptoms:
- a sharp increase in body temperature (up to 40 degrees);
- a severe headache appears;
- the fever starts.
Acute prostatitis is also characterized by constant pain in the groin, back and perineum.
In its chronic form, prostatitis, on the contrary, may not show symptoms for a long time. Over time, a person develops fever and periodic pain appears in the anus, scrotum, back and perineum.
Urination is impaired, purulent discharge from the anus and urethra begins. Chronic prostatitis also leads to erectile dysfunction. Ejaculation begins to be painful, and intercourse is not pleasant.
Q: What happens if prostatitis is not treated?
Answer: If a person does not receive treatment for diagnosed prostatitis, complications and associated pathologies may 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 sex, a man experiences severe pain, which leads to the cessation of orgasm. Without therapy, a person develops impotence of a psychological nature.
- Abscess. It forms in the prostate and leads to intoxication of the body. Its rupture can lead to increased symptoms, and in some cases, death.
- Sterility. 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. Approximately one third of all cases of the disease without therapy end in the development of oncology. Prostatitis should be treated in a specialized andrology clinic.
Q: Where should I go for prostatitis treatment?
Answer: The diagnosis is usually made by a urologist based on a study of symptoms. To confirm prostatitis, various studies are usually prescribed:
- general blood and urine tests;
- smearing for sexually transmitted diseases;
- secret research;
- uroflowmetry;
- ultrasonography.
In some cases, a biopsy and spermogram are also prescribed.