Prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate) is today one of the most common diseases of the genitourinary and reproductive system in men. This is a pathological condition that can associate inflammation of the prostate gland itself and the surrounding area. There are several types of this disease, each of which has different symptoms.
Some men suffering from this disease may experience intense pain, while others will not be bothered by the disease; For others, prostatitis symptoms appear periodically and are chronic. However, the symptoms of the disease significantly impair a person's quality of life.
Reasons
The prostate is a hazelnut-shaped gland that is part of the male reproductive system. The main function of the prostate is to produce fluid, which is responsible for the quality of sperm. The gland surrounds the urethra at the neck of the bladder and prevents sperm from returning to the bladder. Like a natural valve, it separates two systems: the urinary and reproductive systems. This organ holds urine in the bladder and allows it to flow out when needed. Inflammation of the prostate negatively affects both the reproductive function of a man and the condition of his urinary tract.
Acute bacterial prostatitis is the least common type of prostatitis, but the most easily recognized. Usually caused by a sudden outbreak due to a bacterial infection. It is easily diagnosed as it presents a series of characteristic symptoms and signs. This serious urinary tract infection is often accompanied by high fever and chills, and in this case, an immediate visit to the doctor or hospital will be necessary. Men of all ages are susceptible to this disease, especially those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of this form of prostate disease include painful urination; difficulty or inability to completely empty the bladder, crampy 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. Characterized by recurrent urinary tract infections in men; this inflammation occurs in representatives of different age categories, but is more common among young people and men of reproductive age.
Chronic non-bacterial prostatitis (chronic pelvic pain syndrome, non-bacterial prostatitis, prostatodynia), 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 indolent chronic infection, followed by inflammation or caused by muscle spasms in the pelvic area.
In this case, the inflammation of the prostate may occur without any symptoms or the symptoms may disappear. Sometimes patients experience pain in the genitals, discomfort in the pelvic area, difficulty or pain when urinating, and sometimes pain during or after ejaculation.
Asymptomatic prostatitis is also common. The diagnosis is made only when the patient has another disease and the main complaints are related to symptoms not associated with prostatitis. In these cases, it is confirmed by tissue biopsy or urine and semen analysis.
What causes prostatitis
The immediate causes of prostatitis are not clearly defined by the medical community. However, there are several accepted theories. In the most commonly studied cases, the inflammatory process of the prostate is clearly associated with acute or chronic bacterial infections. They enter the prostate from the urethra. Bacterial prostatitis is not contagious and cannot be transmitted sexually. A sexual partner cannot "catch" this infection.
Some specific conditions or medical procedures associated with your diagnosis or treatment increase your risk of contracting bacterial prostatitis. There is a high chance that the person has had a catheter or other instrument inserted into the urethra due to treatment for a urinary tract or bladder infection.
Prostatitis can be caused by atypical microorganisms, such as chlamydia, mycoplasma (transmitted through sexual contact), and ureaplasma. It can also be triggered by a chemical or immunological reaction to an initial injury or infection. Muscle spasms in the pelvic area can cause pain in the prostate area. It could 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 lead to various unpleasant symptoms, such as pain in the genitourinary system, urinary problems and general malaise. Doctors recommend seeking help at the first signs of the disease, as irrational treatment or its absence can lead to chronic prostatitis and complications. To make an accurate diagnosis and determine the optimal treatment, you need to contact a urologist who will carry out the necessary examinations and select the appropriate therapy. It is important to remember that prostatitis requires a comprehensive approach to treatment, including drug therapy, physical therapy and regular monitoring by a specialist.
Prostatitis. How to quickly cure prostate inflammation.
Symptoms
Symptoms depend on the type of prostatitis and the type of infection that caused it. Patients often do not notice any signs of the disease, while some experience symptoms similar to urinary tract infections. Keep in mind that other diseases may cause the same or similar symptoms. It is very important that the diagnosis is made by a doctor to determine whether the patient actually has prostatitis and what type it is.
In acute bacterial prostatitis, the symptoms are severe and require immediate emergency medical attention. The common ones are: chills, fever, burning during urination, heaviness in the lower abdomen, inability to empty the bladder.
In chronic bacterial prostatitis, symptoms are similar to acute bacterial prostatitis infections, but there is no fever. Other symptoms: burning during urination; frequent need to urinate, especially at night; pain in the perineum, testicles, bladder and lower back; pain during ejaculation. Symptoms can be episodic, with outbreaks and remissions. The initiated process turns into chalcolithic prostatitis.
Symptoms of nonbacterial prostatitis (chronic pelvic pain syndrome) include difficulty and sometimes pain in urinating, discomfort or pain in the perineal area, bladder, testicles, and penis, and difficult or painful ejaculation. Sometimes, or even more often, these symptoms may be indistinguishable from those described above for chronic bacterial prostatitis.
Diagnosis of prostatitis
Correct diagnosis is very important for the treatment of any disease, and especially prostatitis. Because the treatment of its different forms differs not only in duration, but also in the range of methods and means. Furthermore, it is extremely important to distinguish the symptoms from similar ones, such as urethritis, cystitis, enlarged prostate, adenoma or cancer. To make the most accurate diagnosis, you will need several types of tests and studies.
One of the tools used by doctors in diagnosis is the study of symptoms using a special questionnaire that is filled out by the patient. In addition to filling out the questionnaire, your doctor may order a physical exam.
To check the condition of the prostate gland, your doctor will perform a digital rectal exam. This is a simple test in which a specialist inserts a lubricated (gloved) finger into the patient's rectum. The prostate is located just in front of the rectum and slightly below the bladder; Palpation allows the doctor to easily locate and examine the problem organ.
This way your doctor can determine if your prostate gland is enlarged. Irregularities may indicate the presence of prostate cancer. The specialist will also be able to assess the amount of pain or discomfort the patient feels when the doctor puts pressure on the muscles and ligaments of the pelvic floor and perineum. If the patient really has prostatitis, this manipulation may cause immediate pain or discomfort, but causes neither destruction nor significant long-term pain.
If your doctor needs a more precise diagnosis or decides that a biopsy is necessary, he may order a transrectal ultrasound, which allows him to visualize the prostate gland.
If a specialist suspects that you have prostatitis or another prostate disease, he or she 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 prostatic fluid samples obtained by massaging the prostate during rectal palpation. Samples of urine and prostatic secretions are examined for signs of inflammation and infection. These tests will help your urologist more accurately diagnose your problem: whether there is inflammation or infection in the urethra, bladder or prostate.
Some doctors may order blood and semen tests to look for abnormal microorganisms, white blood cell counts, or other signs of infection.
A urologist may order a cystoscopy, in which a small special telescope is inserted through the urethra and the bladder, urethra, and prostate are examined. Your 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 spasms of the pelvic muscles.
Interesting facts
- Prostatitis can affect men of any age: Although it is more common in men over 50, younger men can also develop prostatitis.
- The causes of prostatitis are multiple:The most common causes include bacterial infections, inflammation, and blocked prostatic ducts. In some cases, the cause may be unknown.
- Prostatitis can present different symptoms:These can range from mild discomfort when urinating to severe pain, fever, and chills. Symptoms often depend on the type of prostatitis and its severity.
Other people's experiences
Prostatitis is a common disease among men that causes inflammation of the prostate gland. People facing this problem note that the symptoms of prostatitis can be quite unpleasant and interfere with normal life. Many people express concern about perineal pain, urinary problems, and general discomfort. However, it is important to remember that prostatitis is a reversible disease, and timely consultation with a doctor, proper treatment and lifestyle changes can help deal with it. People are advised not to delay visiting a specialist and follow the recommendations for quick recovery.
Treatment
Treatment of prostatitis directly depends on the type of bacterial infection diagnosed during the study.
For acute bacterial prostatitis, the patient will need to take antibiotics for at least 14 days. Sometimes patients require hospital treatment and intravenous antibiotics. If the patient has difficulty urinating, a catheter will be 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 when taking antibiotics you should always follow your doctor's instructions. Don't miss another appointment or stop treatment early just because you think your symptoms are gone.
If chronic bacterial prostatitis is diagnosed, you will need to take antibiotics for a longer period than in the acute form. Approximately 75% of all cases of chronic bacterial prostatitis recover completely within 6-7 months. Sometimes symptoms return and antibiotic therapy must be repeated over and over again. 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.
The patient may not need antibiotics if chronic pelvic pain syndrome is diagnosed. Urologists often encounter difficulties when trying to decide whether a patient has bacterial or nonbacterial prostatitis. Sometimes previous antibacterial therapy hides the diagnosis. In these cases antibiotics may be prescribed, at least initially, even when a definitive diagnosis of bacterial prostatitis has not been made. Your response to antibiotic therapy will determine whether it should be continued.
Many patients without a true infection may feel better during antibiotic treatment, because most antibiotics have a direct anti-inflammatory effect.
Depending on the symptoms and dynamics of treatment, patients can be prescribed different methods to quickly restore health. Some specialists prescribe alpha-blockers in addition to antibiotics. These drugs help relieve spasms and relax the muscles around the prostate and the base of the bladder, eliminating pain during urination. Folk remedies are often successfully used: anti-inflammatory herbal preparations, analgesic infusions, muscle relaxants, plant extracts (quercetin and / or bee pollen). Prostate massages will release the fluid that causes pressure and pain in the prostate.
Warm baths, mud baths or other various thermal treatments (application of 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 becomes too uncomfortable, patients are advised to use a special cushion.
Acupuncture, reflexology and relaxation exercises in addition to primary treatment 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 acidic and caffeinated drinks), and avoid triggers (such as cycling) that could make prostate pain worse.
Only preventive measures, timely diagnosis and an integrated approach to prostate treatment will preserve men's health for many years. Take care of your second heart: the prostate!
Frequently asked questions
How can I know if I have prostatitis?
Pain, burning during urination Difficulty urinating Loss of urine Frequent urination Cloudy urine Blood in the urine (haematuria) Pain in the abdomen, groin, suprapubic area General symptoms of malaise (fever, weakness)
What is prostatitis and why is it dangerous?
Prostatitis is an inflammatory process in the prostate gland. The main threat of such an inflammatory process is that it may not manifest itself for a long time. Sometimes a man can be ill 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 urogenital canal or glands of the genitourinary system. This is explained by the proximity of the urethra and anus.
How can you get prostatitis?
Bacteria that enter the prostate gland through the urethra, bloodstream, lymph, Disorders of the rhythm of sexual life, Reduced immunity, Sexually transmitted infections (gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, chlamydia, etc. ), Injuries to pelvic organs and tissues.
Useful tips
Tip number 1
The signs of prostatitis can be different, including pain in the perineum, frequent urination and increased body temperature. At the first suspicion of prostatitis, be sure to consult a urologist for diagnosis and treatment.
Tip no. 2
Watch 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 no. 3
Regularly undergo preventive examinations with a urologist, even if there are no obvious symptoms of the disease. Early diagnosis of prostatitis will allow you to start treatment at an early stage and avoid complications.