Prostatitis (lat. prostatitis) is an acute or chronic inflammation of the prostate gland, which is diagnosed in 35-40% of men aged 25-55 years. The older the patient, the higher the risk of prostatitis.
When inflamed, the prostate increases in size and begins to compress the urethra. This process causes the narrowing of the lumen of the ureter, as a result of which the man begins to experience a frequent urge to urinate, and he has a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder. In the early stages, the symptoms of prostatitis may be mild. However, over time, prostatitis becomes the cause of sexual disorders. In addition, pathology can lead to several complications:
- prostate abscess;
- cystitis.
Prostatitis or prostate adenoma?
These two diseases are often confused or mistaken for the same thing. Meanwhile, they have different properties and flow patterns.
Weirdness |
Prostatitis |
BPH |
Age of the patient |
20–45 years |
over 45 years |
The nature of the disease |
inflammatory process |
tumor |
Pain syndrome |
present in acute form |
appears at stage 2-3 of the disease |
Fever |
pronounced |
absent |
Urinary disorders |
appear in acute form |
always present |
Weak potential |
observed in both cases |
|
Prostatitis requires mainly drug treatment, while prostate adenoma is a benign tumor that is surgically removed. At the same time, prostate adenoma can cause prostatitis, which is why any inflammatory process in the pelvic organs requires timely examination and treatment.
Causes of prostatitis
Contagious
Prostatitis can be caused by:
- Staphylococcus aureus;
- enterococcus;
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa;
- sexually transmitted infections;
- chronic infectious diseases (tonsillitis, sinusitis, etc. );
- other opportunistic pathogens.
Stagnant
Prostatitis appears as a result of:
- sedentary lifestyle;
- sedentary work;
- long periods of abstinence;
- excessive sexual activity;
- sexual dysfunction.
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 due to smoking or drinking alcohol;
- perineal injury.
Types and symptoms of prostatitis
According to the form of occurrence, 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, triggered by exposure to pathogenic microflora. This condition requires emergency medical attention. On the other hand, acute prostatitis can have the following forms:
- catarrhal (frequent painful urination, pain in the sacrum and perineum, difficulty defecating);
- follicles (the pain gets stronger and starts radiating to the anus, when going to the toilet, urine flows out in a thin stream, the 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 in the groin area is observed, acute urinary retention occurs).
Chronic prostatitis can be said to be asymptomatic or have mild symptoms. In men, over time the temperature rises to 37-37. 5 ºС, there is mild pain in the perineum, which increases during urination or defecation. In addition, you may experience:
- weaken erection;
- accelerated ejaculation;
- a decrease in the intensity of sexual sensations.
In some cases, chronic prostatitis becomes the result of an acute process, when the patient notes a so-called false increase and refuses to see a urologist. As a rule, the result of self-treatment at home is some complications: prostate abscess or adenoma, inflammation of the bladder, loss of fertility, etc.
Depending on the cause, prostatitis can:
- herpes,
- bacteria,
- contagious,
- fungus,
- suppurating,
- chlamydia,
- gonorrhea,
- count,
- fibrous,
- stagnant
Diagnosis of prostatitis
Palpation allows you to determine the size, shape and structure of organ tissue.
Laboratory research. Allows you to diagnose prostatitis and other prostate diseases at an early stage or in chronic cases if there are no obvious symptoms.
- general blood and urine analysis;
- biochemical blood tests are carried out to clarify the picture of the disease and determine the involvement of other internal organs and systems in the inflammatory process;
- PSA blood test;
- urine culture with antibiotic sensitivity test.
- smears for urogenital infections to detect STDs.
Ultrasound is performed to identify structural changes in prostate tissue and detect neoplasms (cysts, tumors).
TRUS is performed through the rectum and allows you to get the most complete information about the state of the glands and bladder.
MRI allows you to get detailed layer-by-layer images of the prostate and surrounding tissue in three different projections.
Treatment of prostatitis
Treatment methods depend on the identified causative agent of prostatitis, so the patient needs to undergo a thorough 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 this, 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, painkillers, diuretics, laxatives, vitamins, immunomodulators and other drugs.
Surgery. Done in case of complications. For example, if an abscess develops, the doctor can perform a transurethral or transrectal opening of the abscess; in cases of acute urinary retention, a cystoma may be required.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis
Antibacterial therapy. The course of treatment is 14-28 days, and it must be completed, even if the signs of prostatitis have disappeared after a week. Antibiotics are used to eliminate infections and suppress the inflammatory process in the body.
Symptomatic treatment. Depending on the indications, the urologist may prescribe painkillers, antispasmodics, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, vascular and other drugs to the patient.
Manual or hardware sequencing. One of the most effective methods for treating prostatitis in men. Prostate massage helps remove stagnant secretions, increase blood and lymph flow, and restore metabolism in affected organs.
Physiotherapy treatment. Depending on the symptoms, the urologist may prescribe electrical stimulation, laser or magnetic therapy. The procedure helps improve blood circulation, has an anti-inflammatory effect, and helps restore reproductive function.
Prevention of prostatitis
Preventing prostatitis is easier than treating it later. To do this, follow these recommendations:
Annual exam. 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 promiscuous sexual relations. Sex is very important for men's health, but frequent changes of sexual partners can cause bacterial prostatitis and related complications.
Balanced diet. You need to eat at least 3 times a day. The diet should include fish and lean meat, whole grains, fermented milk products, fresh vegetables and fruits. It is advisable to limit the use or completely avoid carbonated drinks, fatty and smoked foods, baked foods, 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 prostatitis from chronic?
Answer: We should start with the fact that in acute form this disease usually occurs in people under the age of 30-35 years. Chronic prostatitis is considered ageless. The disease in its acute form usually quickly manifests itself with the following symptoms:
- sudden increase in body temperature (up to 40 degrees);
- a severe headache appears;
- fever starts.
Acute prostatitis is also characterized by persistent pain in the groin, back, and perineum.
In its chronic form, prostatitis, on the other hand, may not show symptoms for a long time. Over time, a person experiences fever and periodic pain appears in the anus, scrotum, back and perineum.
Urination is interrupted, purulent discharge from the anus and urethra begins. Chronic prostatitis also leads to erectile dysfunction. Ejaculation starts to hurt, and sexual intercourse is not fun.
Question: What happens if prostatitis is not treated?
Answer: If a person does not receive treatment for diagnosed prostatitis, complications and concomitant pathologies may develop
- Vesiculitis. This disease is characterized by an inflammatory process in the seminal vesicles. As a result, pus enters the ejaculation and sperm quality decreases. Vesiculitis often leads to a complete loss of reproductive function.
- Coliculitis. A disease in which the inflammatory process affects the seminal tubercle. As a result, during sex, a man experiences severe pain, which leads to orgasm disruption. Without therapy, a person experiences impotence of a psychological nature.
- Abscess. It forms in the prostate and leads to hangovers. Its rupture can lead to increased symptoms, and in some cases, lead to death.
- Infertility. 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 declines. About a third of all cases of the disease without therapy end with the development of oncology. Prostatitis must be treated in a specialized andrology clinic.
Question: Where should I go for prostatitis treatment?
Answer: The diagnosis is usually made by a urologist based on the study of symptoms. To confirm prostatitis, various studies are usually prescribed:
- general blood and urine tests;
- swabs for STDs;
- secret research;
- uroflowmetry;
- ultrasonography.
In some cases, biopsy and spermogram are also prescribed.