Causes, symptoms and treatment of chronic prostatitis

Middle-aged and elderly men often suffer from pathologies of the urogenital system related to the prostate gland. This organ is prone to inflammatory processes that cause serious discomfort. The most common pathology is chronic prostatitis. It is difficult to treat and is accompanied by severe clinical manifestations.

Causes of pathology

According to statistics, about 30% of men of reproductive age suffer from one or another form of prostatitis. In nearly 70% of cases, the disease is asymptomatic, which makes it dangerous for health.There are many reasons for the development of pathology:

1. Ignoring the symptoms of the acute form of the disease often leads to the transition to the chronic stage with periodic relapses.
2. Regular hypothermia of the body and frequent catarrhal pathologies provoke inflammation of the gland.
3. A sedentary lifestyle causes stagnation of blood in the pelvis and leads to disruption of the blood supply to the prostate. If a man's professional activity involves sitting in a constant sitting position, the probability of developing prostatitis increases several times.
4. Choosing tight underwear that constricts the genitals.
5. Bad habits (alcohol abuse, smoking) often cause the development of pathology, as they contribute to disrupting all the vital processes of the body.
6. Chronic infectious diseases of the urinary system can also cause glandular inflammation.
7. Genital pathologies of acute and chronic forms. If the specialist's recommendations are violated or the symptoms of the disease are ignored, the infection can spread to the gland.
8. Frequent stress and nervous exhaustion. Such factors can trigger pathology, especially with a simultaneous decrease in immunity.
9. A predisposing factor can be the lack of minerals and vitamins in the daily diet. If the deficiency is persistent, other diseases join chronic prostatitis.

Infrequent sexual contact and the lack of a permanent partner increase the risk of developing chronic prostatitis. Treatment is also delayed in this case, as the patient experiences not only physical but also emotional discomfort.

Classification of the disease

Depending on the cause of the beginning and course of the pathological process, there are two types of the disease: bacterial and non-bacterial. Separately, experts distinguish asymptomatic or atonic prostatitis. Each species has its own characteristics.

Bacterial prostatitis is easily detected during the diagnostic test. Tests usually identify the source of the inflammation. There are especially many pathogens in the secret released during gland massage. The level of leukocytes in the blood is almost always elevated, as the body produces large amounts of them to fight pathogens.

The non-bacterial form of the pathology is characterized by a milder course, but the patient almost always suffers from severe pain in the pelvis. Pelvic pain syndrome is considered the main criterion for diagnosis.

It is very difficult to identify the asymptomatic type of the disease, since there are no obvious signs of inflammation. Abnormal changes occur in the prostate, but the man does not feel it. The specialist diagnoses by accident or during the examination of other pathologies.

Clinical picture

In the acute form of the pathology, the man immediately feels the deterioration of his condition, but in the case of chronic prostatitis, there may be no symptoms, which greatly complicates the diagnosis.With long-term progression of the disease, the following symptoms appear:

• discomfort during urination, which extends to the projection area of the bladder;
• frequent urge to urinate, with a simultaneous decrease in the amount of urine excreted;
• discomfort during intercourse, erection and ejaculation problems;
• a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder, which is accompanied by a narrowing of the channel and causes prolonged but unproductive urination;
• the development of cystitis, pyelonephritis, which is associated with the growth of bacteria in the bladder and the spread of the infection to the kidneys;
• a change in the color of urine, the appearance of impurities of blood or pus;
• decreased libido;
• general weakness, fatigue, reduced performance;
• irritability and psycho-emotional stress;
• slight rise in body temperature;
• pain in the pelvis and scrotum radiating to the sacrum or rectum.

The severity of the symptoms depends on the degree of damage to the prostate tissue. Sometimes the patient only feels pain and has no other symptoms.

If the patient does not go to the doctor for a long time, complications may occur. The most common of these is vesiculitis, i. e. inflammation of the seminal vesicles. Often, when the symptoms of chronic prostatitis appear at a young age, patients are diagnosed with infertility, which is difficult to treat.

The most dangerous consequence of undertreated or neglected prostatitis is prostate cancer. Often, a benign pathology of the organ develops - an adenoma, which can also develop into a malignant tumor.

Diagnostic methods

Before treating chronic prostatitis, a comprehensive diagnostic examination must be performed. During the initial treatment, the specialist questions the patient, learns about his habits, lifestyle characteristics, frequency of sexual relations and professional activities. The information helps to identify the suspected cause of the disease. The doctor then listens to the patient's complaints and determines the degree of damage to the gland.

The next step in the diagnosis is a clinical blood and urine test. They usually show an increase in the number of leukocytes and an increase in the sedimentation rate of erythrocytes. This indicates the presence of an inflammatory process in a man.

The patient should have an X-rayprostate and ultrasound. Thanks to these methods, you can see changes in the structure of the body, deviations in one direction or another. In addition, computed tomography can be performed to identify concomitant pathologies of the urogenital system.

If a tumor is suspected, a biopsy sample must be taken. In the laboratory, specialists study the structure of the cell and make a definitive diagnosis. If the tumor is benign, doctors also determine the likelihood of the malignant tumor becoming malignant. After receiving the results of the diagnostic test, the specialist determines the direction of the therapy.

Medical therapy

Drug treatment of chronic prostatitis is considered the most common method. Doctors always choose a conservative method if there is a chance of recovery.The most commonly used drugs are:

1. Antibacterial agents can relieve inflammation in a short time and prevent the process from spreading to neighboring organs. Tablet forms of penicillins and fluoroquinolones are most often used. When the mold is running, a powder is prescribed to make the solution. The drug is administered intravenously or intramuscularly in hospital settings. With the ineffectiveness of these drugs, macrolides are used, which have a stronger effect. Popular drugs belonging to this group are available in the form of tablets and lyophilized solution for injection. The duration of therapy is 10-20 days, depending on the severity of the condition.
2. To relieve pain and prevent further development of the pathological process, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed. The course usually does not exceed 7 days. Patients with pathologies of the digestive system should not take such drugs without first consulting their doctor.
3. Muscle relaxants help relax smooth muscles and make urination easier. The duration of the therapy and the dosage are determined by the doctor.
4. Rectal suppositories relieve swelling, pain and inflammation and improve the general condition of the patient. The duration of the therapeutic effect is 10-14 days.

In addition, the therapy contains vitamin complexes to strengthen the immune system and quickly restore the body after treatment. Among such funds there is a complex specially designed for men. The minimum duration of your betting course is 30 days.

Surgical intervention

If the pathology cannot be cured conservatively, the doctor decides to perform an operation to completely or partially remove the organ. The absolute indication for surgical intervention is prostate cancer.

The transurethral resection method involves cutting the urethra and removing part of the gland to relieve the condition. If removal is not necessary, a simple dissection of the organ is performed in order to normalize urination.

The method of open adenomectomy is used with a significant increase in the gland and the addition of other pathologies. The operation is performed under general anesthesia. The technique is more often used to treat elderly patients when other tools and interventions have not been effective.

Application of physiotherapy

Physiotherapy is often used alongside medication to speed up recovery and prevent complications.The most popular and effective method is massage.prostate through the rectum. The technique improves the organ's blood supply and nutrition, and prevents the spread of inflammation to neighboring organs.

To achieve the therapeutic effect, at least 10 sessions must be performed. The procedure is performed by a specialist in a hospital or clinic.

Electrophoresis in the projection area of the prostate enables the normalization of blood flow. The essence of the technique is the use of low-frequency electric current, which has a positive effect on the state of the urogenital system, stimulates tissue regeneration, and relieves inflammation. The course consists of at least 10 sessions, sometimes several procedures are required to achieve lasting results.

Ultrasound and laser therapy, paraffin therapy and other methods are often prescribed. The choice of treatment method depends on the individual characteristics of the patient's body.

Preventive measures

Adherence to simple rules helps to avoid the development of chronic prostatitis. We recommend that you avoid hypothermia and lead an active lifestyle. You should not torture your body with intense training, but moderate and regular exercise helps to avoid stagnation of blood in the pelvis and the development of prostatitis.

Experts recommend including pumpkin seeds, fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs in your diet. Do not abuse alcoholic beverages. Stopping smoking reduces the risk of developing inflammatory processes. A balanced diet helps maintain the immune system, prevent colds and viral pathologies.

In order to prevent prostatitis, it is necessary to visit the urologist every 6 months. This detects the pathology at an early stage and prevents its transition to a neglected form. When the first signs of the disease appear, you should contact a medical institution in order to start therapy in time and avoid complications.