Many people are still embarrassed or reluctant to talk about certain illnesses.This is especially true for urogenital problems, which both create discomfort and affect sexual activity.More than 70% of men do not go to the doctors in the early stages of the disease, while the treatment is more effective if the disease is not too advanced.Identifying the symptoms of the disease at the right time is important for prevention and early treatment.
What is prostatitis?
The prostate or prostate gland is located in the center of the pelvis, connected to the bladder and the spermatic duct.The main function is the production of a substance that is responsible for the stability and mobility of sperm.From a chemical point of view, this secretion is a basis of immunoglobulins with the addition of vitamins, zinc, iodine - the basis for sperm nutrition and activity.Fluid composition is an important diagnostic parameter that helps to recognize symptoms at an early stage.
As you can guess from the name, the disease involves inflammatory processes in the prostate gland.This pathology is always associated with the presence of a bacterial infection, although it does not necessarily appear in a form visible to humans.The type of progression of the disease depends mainly on age, predisposition, accompanying factors and body characteristics.
Normally, the prostate gland is not felt and does not attract attention.However, despite its rather deep location in the pelvic area, this organ is one of the most sensitive in the male body.There is an opinion that only the elderly can experience the symptoms of prostatitis, but this is not true: the disease is typical for mature men aged 20 to 60 years.
At an early stage, it is quite difficult to identify the disease.Signs may appear from time to time, then bother you, then disappear without a trace.Doctors mention that the psychology of men, especially young men, also plays a role: not everyone is ready to go to the doctor and admit a "shameful" disease.
At the same time, the disease is characterized by dangerous complications, including:
- Infertility due to impaired sperm movement.Sometimes asymptomatic or mild chronic prostatitis becomes the only reason for the absence of a child in a couple.A woman can undergo examinations as much as she wants, but it will not help until her husband decides to examine himself for his ability to fertilize.
- Prostate adenoma is a benign tumor, which, however, can become very dangerous for a man.This is due to the anatomical structure - the urinary and vas deferens are located so that if the prostate gland grows abnormally, it interferes with normal urination.There is a risk of a large number of complications, including bladder rupture.
- Prostate cancer is, according to statistics, one of the most common diseases in men.Oncological disease is one of the ten main causes of death for people over 50 years old;It is at this age that protracted chronic prostatitis tends to degenerate into a life-threatening condition.
- Psychological problems related to erectile dysfunction, infertility, problems with natural functions.This is a side symptom, but it also significantly affects the patient's quality of life.
One in twenty men over thirty and more than half of those over fifty have experienced symptoms of prostatitis.This is one of the most common diseases.Prevention, early diagnosis and careful treatment can alleviate attacks and complications of the disease.
Acute (bacterial)
The disease can appear in men at any age.And if chronic forms of this disease are more typical for older people, then acute bacterial types of the disease can theoretically occur in anyone.Bacteria that cause signs of prostatitis can be either pathogenic or opportunistic.
Here are a few things to remember about this form:
- You can get infected at any age, including unprotected sex.
- Prostatitis is not the same as classic STDs (sexually transmitted diseases), such as gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, but can appear as a secondary infection against the background of another disease.
- You can get infected either from your partner if she is sick with candidiasis, ovarian inflammation, vulvitis or vulvovaginitis, or you can pass the infection on to her.It happens that one of the couple becomes a "carrier" of the infection and continuous re-infection of each other is possible even within a constant couple.
- The main cause of acute bacterial prostatitis is unprotected sexual intercourse, followed by hypothermia and other situations that decrease local immunity.
Chronic bacterial
In the absence of proper treatment and ignoring the symptoms in its acute form, as well as with regular reinfection, there is a high risk of developing a chronic pathological process.This is due to the fact that the prostate gland is a suitable place for the spread of pathogenic organisms: high temperature, moisture, nutrients.Chronic prostatitis is characterized by exposure to opportunistic strains that cause a slow but unpleasant reaction that significantly worsens the quality of life.
Features:
- Paroxysmal course: the symptoms almost do not differ from the acute form, but if it appears first, then the chronic form recurs regularly.Many people try to relieve the symptoms of prostatitis in men with analgesics and other emergency methods.This works but does not solve the problem.
- Indeed, the symptoms often go away by themselves, without additional methods of therapy, especially in young people: the body suppresses bacterial activity using the resources of its immunity.As a rule, it is not possible to completely destroy the infection, so relapses return again and again.Each can become more severe than the previous one.
- Relapses are dangerous due to the appearance of purulent foci and damage to neighboring organs: bladder, penis, testicles, kidneys.
Chronic bacterial prostatitis is the most common type of the disease.Some men suffer from it for years, relieving the attacks with pain relievers, but not getting rid of the underlying problem.Over time, the condition worsens.
Chronic non-bacterial
Treatment of prostatitis of this form will always be one of the most difficult.The disease is not associated with the activity of bacteria, which makes it difficult to diagnose and identify the provoking factors.Its causes are extremely diverse: from an unhealthy lifestyle to working conditions related to lifting weights - for example, it is often found among loaders, builders and other people whose professional activities are related to such activities.
The attack of the disease can be caused by neurological problems, stress, poisoning, damage to the muscles of the prostate and pelvis - this happens in professional athletes.In many cases it is treatable.Often the etiology remains unclear.
Chronic asymptomatic
Another "insidious" type of prostatitis in men, as it develops without characteristic symptoms of the disease, as a result of which a person does not suspect that he has the disease.The reasons can be different, but more often they are simultaneously associated with the activity of bacteria and lifestyle characteristics.
The biggest risk is that without symptoms, it is rare for a person to get tested.In this regard, doctors recommend that people over 40 years of age undergo preventive diagnostics: donate urine for the content of leukocytes, as well as the fluid secreted by the prostate.Asymptomatic prostatitis is becoming one of the common causes of male infertility.
Causes of the disease
The most obvious cause of symptoms is bacteria entering the genitourinary tract.Urogenital systemic infections are extremely common, that is, a person simultaneously suffers from, for example, pyelonephritis.
Among the predisposing factors:
- unhealthy lifestyle - poor diet, alcohol abuse, it is believed that excess weight also contributes to the development of the disease;
- hypothermia;
- irregular or irregular sex life;
- unprotected sex with persons who may be carriers of the infection;
- physical inactivity, constant sitting position - prostatitis is typical for professional drivers;
- injuries in the pelvic area.
The main factor always remains age: if there are not so many twenty-five-year-old men who suffer from prostatitis, then after fifty - more than half of all men.The quality of prostatitis treatment depends on early diagnosis, so after forty years everyone should visit a doctor for an examination.
Symptoms
The intensity of the symptoms depends on the form of the disease.We must not forget about the asymptomatic type, which does not manifest itself at all, but also has a devastating effect on health.You should consult a doctor about drugs for prostatitis if the following symptoms appear:
- pain, burning during urination;
- painful intercourse, deterioration of potency;
- pain during bowel movements;
- difficulty urinating - a dangerous symptom that causes stones;
- high temperature - in acute form;
- blood in urine, semen.
All signs vary in intensity.Treatment of prostatitis should begin with diagnosis;even one of these manifestations is a reason to be checked by a doctor.Painful sensations can change location, but are most often felt in the lower abdomen and rectum.In acute cases, they are unbearable, increasing pain is a bad sign, indicating a purulent form of the disease.
Diagnosing
To treat prostatitis, the correct diagnosis is necessary.The patient is sent for a general analysis of urine to identify the formula of leukocytes, which indicates the presence of inflammation.Be sure to check the blood, as well as the sperm - this helps determine the activity of the sperm and often reveals infertility.Prostate secretions are taken for analysis, as well as a stain to identify specific pathogens and prescribe antibiotics for prostatitis.
Treatment
Methods for treating prostatitis are complex, including physical therapy, medicinal techniques, correction of the patient's diet and lifestyle.Even advanced chronic forms can be cured without serious complications if you follow the recommendations and proper therapy.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is used for chronic forms and is prescribed only by a doctor, as it is contraindicated in some cases.
Among the methods, the following are the most effective:
- prostate massage - helps to remove congestion;
- heating in warm baths;
- ultrasound therapy;
- electropheresis;
- acupuncture.
The technique depends on the type of disease, as well as on the condition of the body.For example, heating at high temperatures and acute forms is contraindicated;you must first perform drug therapy for prostatitis.
Treatment
For pain in the perineum, medications for prostatitis with an analgesic effect are prescribed.Bacterial forms require the use of antibiotics, and a specific drug is prescribed only after the BAC culture and the identification of the sensitivity of microorganisms to a certain group.
Other drugs:
- Drotaverine - tablets for prostate to relieve spasms and pain;
- Tamsulosin is an alpha blocker, prostatitis tablets that improve smooth muscle contractions, improving urine flow;
Self-administration of antibiotics is contraindicated, but drugs of the cephalosporin group are most often prescribed - they work well in almost all types of urogenital infections in men and women.
Candles
Rectal suppositories, also known as suppositories for prostatitis, are excellent for relieving pain, inflammation and reducing all the discomforts associated with the disease.Most recommended by doctors:
- Prostate extract - suppositories for prostate with a complex effect;
- Ketoprofen - relieves pain, swelling;
- Indomethacin.
Most drugs are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Taking it as a rectal suppository not only improves efficacy, but also helps minimize side effects.
diets
Diet therapy also becomes part of the overall treatment strategy.Overweight people are advised to normalize their weight in order to get rid of congestion in the pelvic area.It is prescribed to exclude fatty foods, limit carbohydrates and avoid alcohol, which is often incompatible with antibiotics.Seafood, nuts, avocados and lean meats are healthy if there are no other contraindications.A proper diet also serves to prevent prostatitis.
PREDICTION
With timely diagnosis, complete recovery is possible.The most important thing is not to allow the disease to become chronic, otherwise complications are inevitable: from prostate adenoma to cancer.In general, with appropriate therapy and patient compliance with treatment conditions, the prognosis is favorable.
Preventing
Prostatitis is a disease "on the rise of young people": recently it has also been diagnosed in teenagers, and men in their thirties and thirty-five years of age are facing this problem more and more often.Therefore, prevention of prostatitis is important, which consists of:
- the correct thermal regime - the pelvic organs should not be overheated or cooled;
- avoid general hypothermia;
- sexual activity using personal protective equipment - condoms effectively block the path of bacteria;
- proper nutrition;
- Avoid both a sedentary lifestyle and irrational stress, especially those associated with lifting heavy objects.
All these methods will help prevent the development of an unpleasant disease.In the elderly and elderly, even in the absence of complaints, it is necessary to visit doctors from time to time: urologist and andrologist.