Prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate gland) is one of the most common diseases of the genitourinary and reproductive system in men today. This is a pathological condition that can include inflammation of the prostate gland itself and the area around it. There are several types of this disease, each of which has different symptoms.
Some men with this disease may experience severe pain, while others will not be bothered by the disease; For others, the symptoms of prostatitis appear intermittently and become chronic. However, the symptoms of the disease significantly impair a person's quality of life.
Reasons
The prostate is a walnut-shaped gland that is part of the male reproductive system. The main function of the prostate is to produce fluid that is responsible for sperm quality. The gland surrounds the urethra at the bladder neck and prevents sperm from returning to the bladder. Like a natural valve, it separates two systems - urinary and reproductive systems. This organ stores urine in the bladder and allows it to be released when needed. Inflammation of the prostate has a negative effect on both the male reproductive function and the condition of the urinary tract.
Acute bacterial prostatitis is the least common type of prostatitis, but the most easily recognized. It usually causes a sudden outbreak due to a bacterial infection. It is easily diagnosed because it has a number of characteristic symptoms and signs. This severe urinary tract infection is most often accompanied by a high fever and chills, and will require immediate medical attention or hospitalization. Men of all ages are susceptible to this disease, especially those with weak immunity. Symptoms of this form of prostate disease include painful urination; difficulty or inability to completely empty the bladder, cramping pain in the lower abdomen, perineum, back or pelvis; chills and fever.
The chronic bacterial form of prostatitis is similar in symptoms to the acute bacterial form, but it develops gradually and its symptoms are less severe. It is characterized by recurrent urinary tract infections in men; this inflammation occurs in representatives of different age categories, but it is most common among young people and men of reproductive age.
Non-bacterial chronic prostatitis (chronic pelvic pain syndrome, non-bacterial prostatitis, prostatodynia) is the most common type of disease. The exact causes of this type of inflammation are unknown. However, the disease can begin with an acute or low-grade chronic infection, followed by inflammation or provoked by muscle spasms in the pelvic region.
At this time, inflammation in the prostate gland may occur without any symptoms or the symptoms may disappear. Sometimes patients have pain in the genitals, pelvic discomfort, difficulty or pain during urination, and sometimes pain during or after ejaculation.
Asymptomatic prostatitis is also common. The diagnosis is made only when the patient presents with another disease and the main complaints are related to symptoms unrelated to prostatitis. In such cases, it is confirmed by tissue biopsy or urine and sperm analysis.
What causes prostatitis?
The immediate causes of prostatitis are not clearly defined by the medical community. However, there are several accepted theories. In most studied cases, the inflammatory process in the prostate gland is clearly associated with acute or chronic bacterial infections. They enter the prostate through the urethra. Bacterial prostatitis is not contagious and cannot be sexually transmitted. A sexual partner cannot "catch" this infection.
Certain specific conditions or medical procedures related to diagnosis or treatment increase the risk of bacterial prostatitis. A person is likely to have a catheter or other instrument inserted into the urethra to treat a urinary tract infection or bladder infection.
Prostatitis can be caused by atypical microorganisms such as chlamydia, mycoplasma (sexually transmitted) and ureaplasma. It can also occur with a chemical or immunological response to an initial injury or infection. Pelvic muscle spasm can cause prostate pain. It can also be a response to an infection or inflammation of the prostate gland.
Doctor's opinion:
Prostatitis is an inflammatory disease of the prostate that can cause a variety of unpleasant symptoms, such as pain in the genitourinary system, problems with urination, and general malaise. Doctors recommend seeking help at the first signs of the disease, because irrational treatment or its lack can lead to chronic prostatitis and complications. In order to make an accurate diagnosis and determine the optimal treatment, you should contact a urologist who will conduct the necessary examinations and choose the appropriate therapy. It should be remembered that prostatitis requires a complex approach to treatment, including drug treatment, physical therapy and regular monitoring by a specialist.
Prostatitis. How to quickly treat inflammation of the prostate.
Symptoms
Symptoms depend on the type of prostatitis and the type of infection that caused it. Often, patients do not experience any symptoms of the disease, but some have symptoms similar to urinary tract infections. Note that other diseases can cause the same or similar symptoms. It is very important to be diagnosed by a medical professional to determine if the patient actually has prostatitis and what type it is.
In acute bacterial prostatitis, symptoms are severe and require immediate medical attention. Common: chills, fever, burning during urination, heaviness in the lower abdomen, inability to empty the bladder.
In chronic bacterial prostatitis, the symptoms are similar to acute bacterial prostatitis infections, but there is no fever. Other symptoms: burning during urination; frequent urge to urinate, especially at night; pain in the perineum, testicles, bladder and back pain; pain during ejaculation. Symptoms can be episodic, with flare-ups and remissions. The initiated process turns into calculous prostatitis.
Symptoms of non-bacterial prostatitis (chronic pelvic pain syndrome) include difficulty and sometimes painful urination, discomfort or pain in the perineal area, bladder, testicles and penis, and difficult or painful ejaculation. Sometimes, even often, these symptoms are indistinguishable from those described above for chronic bacterial prostatitis.
Diagnosis of prostatitis
Correct diagnosis is very important for the treatment of any disease, especially prostatitis. Because the treatment of its various forms differs not only according to the duration, but also according to the variety of methods and tools. In addition, it is extremely important to differentiate the symptoms from other similar symptoms such as urethritis, cystitis, prostate enlargement, adenoma or cancer. You will need several types of tests and investigations to make the most accurate diagnosis.
One of the tools used by doctors in diagnosis is the study of symptoms using a special questionnaire filled out by the patient. In addition to filling out the questionnaire, your doctor may order a physical examination.
To check the condition of the prostate gland, the doctor will perform a digital rectal examination. This is a simple examination in which a specialist inserts a lubricated (gloved) finger into the patient's rectum. The prostate is located in front of the rectum and just below the bladder; palpation allows the doctor to easily detect and examine the problem organ.
In this way, the doctor can determine that the prostate gland is not enlarged. Irregularities may indicate the presence of prostate cancer. The specialist will also be able to assess the degree of pain or discomfort the patient experiences when the doctor presses on the muscles and ligaments of the pelvic floor and perineum. If the patient actually has prostatitis, this manipulation may cause immediate pain or discomfort, but neither destruction nor significant long-term pain.
If the doctor requires a more accurate diagnosis or decides that a biopsy is needed, he can order a transrectal ultrasound, which allows visualization of the prostate gland.
If the specialist suspects that you have prostatitis or another prostate disease, he may refer you to a urologist, a doctor who specializes in diseases of the urinary tract and male reproductive system, to confirm the diagnosis.
The urologist will repeat some tests and may analyze various urine samples, as well as samples of prostatic fluid obtained by massaging the prostate during rectal palpation. Urine and prostate secretion samples are examined for signs of inflammation and infection. These tests will help your urologist more accurately identify your problem: inflammation or infection in the urethra, bladder, or prostate gland.
Some doctors may order blood and sperm tests to look for the presence of abnormal microorganisms, white blood cell counts, or other signs of infection.
A urologist may order a cystoscopy, where a small special telescope is inserted through the urethra and the bladder, urethra, and prostate are examined. The urologist may also order urine flow tests, which help measure the intensity of the flow and the presence of obstructions caused by inflammation of the prostate gland, urethra, or pelvic muscle spasm.
Interesting facts
- Prostatitis can affect men of any age: Although it is more common in men over the age of 50, even younger men can develop prostatitis.
- There are many causes of prostatitis:The most common causes include bacterial infections, inflammation, and blocked prostate ducts. In some cases, the cause may be unknown.
- Prostatitis can manifest itself with various symptoms:These can range from mild discomfort during urination to severe pain, fever and chills. Symptoms often depend on the type and severity of prostatitis.
Other people's experiences
Prostatitis is a common disease among men and causes inflammation of the prostate gland. People who face this problem note that the symptoms of prostatitis can be quite unpleasant and can interfere with normal life. Many people report pain in the perineum, urinary problems, and general discomfort. However, it should be remembered that prostatitis is a reversible disease, and timely consultation with a doctor, proper treatment and lifestyle changes can help to overcome it. People are advised not to delay visiting a specialist and follow the recommendations for a quick recovery.
Treatment
Treatment of prostatitis directly depends on the type of bacterial infection diagnosed during the study.
For acute bacterial prostatitis, the patient should take antibiotics for at least 14 days. Sometimes patients need hospital treatment and intravenous antibiotics. If the patient has difficulty urinating, a catheter is needed. If the disease does not respond to treatment, the doctor prescribes other antibiotics and the course continues until complete recovery.
It is important to know that you should always follow your doctor's instructions when taking antibiotics. Don't miss another appointment or stop treatment early because you think your symptoms are gone.
If you are diagnosed with chronic bacterial prostatitis, you will need to take antibiotics for a longer period of time than in the acute form. About 75 percent of all cases of chronic bacterial prostatitis recover completely within 6-7 months. Sometimes symptoms return and antibiotic therapy must be repeated many times. In cases that do not respond to this treatment, long-term, low-dose antibiotic therapy is recommended to relieve symptoms. In some rare cases, surgery may be necessary if the patient has specific anatomical problems, such as scar tissue in the urethra, that interferes with treatment of the prostate.
If chronic pelvic pain syndrome is diagnosed, the patient may not need antibiotics. Urologists often face difficulties trying to determine whether a patient has bacterial or nonbacterial prostatitis. Sometimes previous antibacterial therapy hides the diagnosis. In such cases, antibiotics may be prescribed, at least in the initial stage, even if the definitive diagnosis of bacterial prostatitis is not made. Your response to antibiotic therapy will determine whether it should be continued.
Many patients who do not have an actual infection may feel better with antibiotic treatment, as most antibiotics have a direct anti-inflammatory effect.
Depending on the symptoms and dynamics of treatment, patients can be prescribed several methods to quickly restore their health. Some experts prescribe alpha blockers in addition to antibiotics. These drugs help relieve spasm and relax the muscles around the prostate gland and the base of the bladder, relieving pain while urinating. Folk remedies are often successfully used - anti-inflammatory herbal preparations, analgesic infusions, muscle relaxants, plant extracts (quercetin and / or bee pollen). Prostate massage will release the fluid that causes pressure and pain in the prostate.
Hot baths, mud baths, or other various heat treatments (applying local heat in the form of a hot water bottle or heating pad) will provide relief and temporarily relieve the discomfort associated with the infection. If sitting is too uncomfortable, patients are advised to use a special pillow.
In addition to initial treatment, acupuncture, reflexology, and relaxation exercises can also help relieve some symptoms. You may be advised to follow a special diet, avoid certain foods (such as spices) and drinks (such as caffeinated, acidic drinks), and avoid triggers that may aggravate your prostate pain (such as cycling).
Only preventive measures, timely diagnosis and a comprehensive approach to the treatment of the prostate gland will protect men's health for many years. Pay attention to your second heart - the prostate!
Frequently asked questions
How can I determine if I have prostatitis?
Pain, burning when urinating Difficulty urinating Urinary leakage Frequent urination Cloudy urine Blood in urine (hematuria) Pain in the abdomen, groin, suprapubic region General symptoms of failure (fever, weakness)
What is prostatitis and why is it dangerous?
Prostatitis is an inflammatory process in the prostate gland. The main danger of such an inflammatory process is that it does not manifest itself for a long time. Sometimes a person can be sick for several years and not even realize that he needs treatment.
Why does prostatitis occur in men?
Causes of prostatitis Its symptoms usually appear in men between the ages of 30 and 50. Most often, the cause is an infectious lesion due to the penetration of pathogenic flora from the genitourinary tract or glands of the genitourinary system. This is explained by the proximity of the urethra and anus.
How to get prostatitis?
Bacteria entering the prostate gland through the urethra, blood, lymph, Violation of sexual rhythm, Decreased immunity, Sexually transmitted infections (gonorrhea, trichomonosis, chlamydia, etc. ), damage to pelvic organs and tissues.
Helpful tips
Tip #1
Symptoms of prostatitis can vary, including pain in the perineum, frequent urination and increased body temperature. At the first suspicion of prostatitis, consult a urologist for diagnosis and treatment.
Tip #2
Pay attention to your lifestyle: lead an active lifestyle, drink more water, give up bad habits, include more fruits and vegetables in your diet. This will help strengthen the immune system and prevent the development of prostatitis.
Tip #3
Even if there are no obvious symptoms of the disease, regularly undergo preventive examinations with a urologist. Early detection of prostatitis will allow you to start treatment at an early stage and avoid complications.