Many people are still shy or hesitant to talk about some diseases.This is especially true for urogenital problems, which at the same time cause discomfort and also affect sexual activity.More than 70% of men do not go to the doctor in the early stages of the disease, while treatment is most effective if the disease is not too advanced.Identifying the symptoms of the disease in time is important for prevention and early treatment.
What is prostatitis?
The prostate or prostate gland is located in the center of the pelvis, which is connected to the bladder and spermatic ducts.The main function is the production of substances responsible for sperm viability and motility.From a chemical point of view, this secretion is the basis of immunoglobulin with the addition of vitamins, zinc, iodine - the basis for sperm nutrition and activity.Fluid composition is an important diagnostic parameter that helps recognize symptoms at an early stage.
As you can guess from the name, this disease involves an inflammatory process in the prostate gland.This pathology is always associated with the presence of bacterial infection, although it does not necessarily occur in a form that is noticeable to humans.The type of disease progression largely depends on age, predisposition, related factors and body characteristics.
Usually, the prostate gland is not felt and does not attract attention.However, despite its relatively deep location in the pelvis, this organ is one of the most exposed in the male body.There is an opinion that only old people can experience symptoms of prostatitis, but this is not true: this disease is typical for mature men aged 20 to 60 years.
In the early stages, it is quite difficult to identify this disease.Signs may appear from time to time, then bother you, then disappear without a trace.Doctors mentioned 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, this disease is characterized by dangerous complications, including:
- Infertility due to impaired sperm motility.Sometimes asymptomatic or mild chronic prostatitis becomes the only reason for the absence of children in a couple.A woman can undergo as many examinations as she wants, but this will not help until her husband decides to examine himself because of his own ability to fertilize.
- Prostate adenoma is a benign tumor, which, however, can be 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 many complications, including bladder rupture.
- Prostate cancer is, according to statistics, one of the most common diseases in men.Oncological diseases are one of the ten leading causes of death for people over the age of 50;In this age old chronic prostatitis tends to degenerate into a life-threatening condition.
- Psychological problems related to erectile dysfunction, infertility, problems with natural functions.These are side symptoms, but also affect the patient's quality of life.
Every man twenty over thirty and more than half of those over fifty experience symptoms of prostatitis.This is one of the most common diseases.Prevention, early diagnosis and careful treatment can relieve attacks and complications of the disease.
Acute (bacterial)
This disease can appear in men at any age.And if the chronic form of the disease is more typical for older people, then the acute bacterial type of the disease can theoretically occur in anyone.The bacteria that cause the symptoms of prostatitis can be either pathogenic or opportunistic.
Here are a few things to keep in mind about this form:
- You can be infected at any age, including through unprotected sex.
- Prostatitis is not the same as a classic STD (sexually transmitted disease), such as gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, but can manifest as a secondary infection against the background of other diseases.
- You can get infected either from your partner if he is sick with candidiasis, inflammation of the ovaries, vulvitis or vulvovaginitis, or you can pass the infection on to him.It happens that one of the partners becomes a "carrier" of the infection, and continuous re-infection with each other is possible even in regular partners.
- The main cause of acute bacterial prostatitis is unprotected sex, followed by hypothermia and other situations that reduce local immunity.
Chronic bacteria
In the absence of proper treatment and ignoring symptoms in an 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 an easy place for the proliferation of pathogenic organisms: high temperature, moisture, nutrients.Chronic prostatitis is characterized by exposure to opportunistic strains that cause a mild, but uncomfortable reaction that worsens quality of life.
Features:
- ParoxySmal Course: The symptoms hardly differ from the acute form, but if they appear at the beginning, 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 doesn't solve the problem.
- Indeed, symptoms often disappear on their own, without additional therapeutic methods, especially in young men: the body suppresses bacterial activity using its own immune resources.As a rule, it is not possible to completely destroy the infection, so it relapses again and again.Everyone can be heavier than the previous one.
- Delay is 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 disease.Some men suffer for years, relieving the attacks with painkillers, but not getting rid of the underlying problem.Over time, the situation worsened.
Chronic nonbacterial
Treatment of prostatitis in this form will always be one of the most difficult.The disease is not associated with bacterial activity, which also makes it difficult to diagnose and identify the provoking factors.The reasons are very different: 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.
Attacks of this disease can be triggered by neurological problems, stress, poisoning, injuries to the prostate and pelvic muscles - this happens in professional athletes.In many cases, it can be treated.Often the etiology remains unclear.
Chronic without symptoms
Another type of prostatitis is "dangerous" in men, because 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 may be different, but more often they are associated simultaneously with bacterial activity and lifestyle characteristics.
The biggest risk is that asymptomatic, it is rare for a person to be tested.In this regard, doctors recommend that people over the age of 40 undergo preventive diagnostics: donate urine for leukocyte content, as well as fluid secreted by the prostate.Asymptomatic prostatitis is one of the most common causes of male infertility.
Cause of disease
The most obvious cause of symptoms is bacteria entering the genitourinary tract.Systemic urogenital infections are very common, that is, a person simultaneously experiences, 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 promiscuous sex life;
- unprotected sex with people 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 many twenty-five-year-old men who suffer from prostatitis, then after fifty-more than half of all men.The quality of treatment for prostatitis depends on early diagnosis, so after forty years everyone should visit a doctor for an examination.
Symptoms
The severity of symptoms depends on the form of the disease.We must not forget the asymptomatic type, which is not real at all, but also has a damaging effect on health.You should consult a doctor for medication for prostatitis if the following symptoms appear:
- pain, burning when urinating;
- painful sexual intercourse, decreased 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 must begin with diagnosis;Even one of these manifestations is a reason to be examined 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, which indicates a purulent form of the disease.
Diagnostics
To treat prostatitis, a correct diagnosis is required.The patient is sent for a general urine test to identify the leukocyte formula, which indicates the presence of inflammation.Be sure to check blood, as well as sperm - this helps determine sperm activity and often reveals infertility.Prostate secretions are taken for analysis, as well as smears to identify specific pathogens and prescribe antibiotics for prostatitis.
Treatment
Methods for treating prostatitis are complex, including physical therapy, medical techniques, dietary correction and the patient's lifestyle.Even advanced chronic forms can be cured without serious complications if you follow the correct recommendations and therapy.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is used for chronic forms and is only prescribed by a doctor, because in some cases it is contraindicated.
Among the methods, the most effective are as follows:
- Prostate massage - helps relieve congestion;
- heating in a warm bath;
- ultrasound therapy;
- electropheresis;
- acupuncture.
This technique depends on the type of disease, as well as the condition of the body.For example, heating at high temperatures and acute forms are contraindicated;You must first carry out therapy with drugs for prostatitis.
Medicines
For pain in the perineum, drugs for prostatitis with an analgesic effect are prescribed.Bacterial forms require the use of antibiotics, and certain drugs are prescribed only after BAC culture and identification of the sensitivity of microorganisms to certain groups.
Other medicines:
- Drotaverine - Tablets for prostatitis to relieve spasms and pain;
- Tamsulosin is an alpha blocker, prostatitis tablets that increase smooth muscle contraction, increase urine flow;
Self-administration of antibiotics is contraindicated, but drugs of the cephalosporin group are most often prescribed - they work well on 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 discomfort associated with this disease.Most recommended by doctors:
- Prostate extract - suppository for prostatitis with complex effects;
- Ketoprofen - relieves pain, swelling;
- Indomethacin.
Most of the drugs are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Taking it as a rectal suppository not only increases effectiveness, but also helps minimize side effects.
Diet
Diet therapy is also part of the overall treatment strategy.People who are overweight are advised to normalize their weight to eliminate 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 works to prevent prostatitis.
Forecast
With timely diagnosis, complete recovery is possible.The most important thing is not to allow this disease to become chronic, otherwise complications are inevitable: from prostate adenoma to cancer.In general, with proper therapy and patient compliance with treatment conditions, the prognosis is good.
Prevention
Prostatitis is a disease of "developing teenagers": recently it has been diagnosed even in teenagers, and men aged thirty to thirty-five face this problem more and more often.Therefore, prevention of prostatitis is important, which consists of:
- Correct Thermal Regime - Pelvic organs should not be too hot or too much;
- avoid general hypothermia;
- Sexual activity using personal protective equipment - condoms effectively prevent the passage of bacteria;
- proper nutrition;
- Avoid both a sedentary lifestyle and irrational stress, especially related to lifting heavy objects.
All these methods will help prevent the development of unpleasant diseases.In older and older people, even without complaints, it is necessary to visit doctors from time to time: urologists and andrologists.