Prostatitis in men

What kind of disease is prostatitis and what are the first symptoms it causes, every man should know.Prostatitis is a common urological pathology in which inflammatory processes progress in the prostate gland.The disease is mainly diagnosed in men aged 35-40.Predisposing factors contributing to the development of the disease are reduced immunity, an inactive lifestyle, abuse of bad habits and poor nutrition.The pathology is diagnosed and treated by a doctor called a urologist.You should make an appointment with him for a consultation if you are concerned about typical symptoms.It is important for all men to remember - the earlier the disease is diagnosed and treatment is started, the greater the chance of complete recovery and recovery.Lack of timely treatment can have serious consequences, including male infertility and prostate cancer.

The essence of pathology

Inflammation of the prostate is called prostatitis.The prostate is a male organ responsible for producing secretions that maintain the normal activity of sperm.In most cases, the disease is contagious.Infection can occur through the urethra, blood or lymph flow, when the infection moves throughout the body from distant foci of inflammation.Microorganisms causing inflammatory complications:

• coli;
• staphylococci;
• enterococci;
• proteases;
• Klebsiella etc.

All these microscopic organisms are opportunistic microflora, whose active life is suppressed by the human immune system.But as soon as the immune system weakens, the infection becomes more active under the influence of predisposing factors, causing inflammation in the glandular tissues.

Depending on the nature of the course, the following forms of prostatitis are distinguished:

• acute;
• chronic.

Acute is characterized by pronounced symptoms;it can be successfully cured with timely medical help.The chronic type of pathology occurs as a result of improper or premature treatment of the acute form.The disease is characterized by recurrent infection, which manifests itself with vague symptoms.Chronic prostatitis cannot be completely cured, but properly selected therapy and preventive measures help prolong remission.

Reasons

The main causes of prostatitis are reduced immunity, untreated urological and genital infections.The inflammation often occurs against the background of a bacterial infection, which is in a latent state despite the proper functioning of the immune system.But as the immune system weakens, pathogens become more active, causing inflammation of the prostate tissue.

What causes prostatitis:

• Hypothermia.Hypothermia causes stress in the body, promotes vasospasm, poor circulation and reduced immunity.
• Inactive lifestyle.In addition to a sedentary lifestyle, the blood supply to the pelvic organs deteriorates, which leads to stagnation and inflammation in them.
• Chronic constipation.Hardened feces, which lie in the intestines for a long time, put pressure on the gland, disrupting microcirculation.This creates favorable conditions for the life of pathogenic microflora.
• Injuries.Traumatic damage to the prostate contributes to the deterioration of blood flow and a decrease in local immunity.
• Excess body weight.Overweight people do not exercise much, as a result of which the blood circulation in their internal organs deteriorates.Stagnant processes lead to swelling and inflammation of the prostate tissue.
• Disturbance of the rhythm of sexual activity.Prostatitis can be caused both by an excessively active sexual life and by prolonged abstinence.
• Presence of chronic pathologies.Any source of chronic infection is potentially dangerous to the prostate and can cause inflammation.
• Conditions that contribute to suppressing the immune system.The general state of the body is negatively affected by chronic stress, overwork, regular lack of sleep and physical overload.

Types of prostatitis

Symptoms of prostatitis depend on the type and nature of the course.There are several types of the disease, each of which has its own characteristics.

Bacterial

The main cause is a bacterial infection that develops against the background of weakened immunity.Bacterial prostatitis occurs:

• spicy;
• chronic.

In acute cases, pronounced syndromes of prostatitis cause concern:

• sharp rise in temperature;
• urination disorder;
• pain, discomfort in the perineum;
• purulent, bloody inclusions in the urine;
• deterioration of general health.

In the case of a chronic course, the symptoms are vague and weak.But in the event of a relapse, the intensity of the symptoms resembles an acute process.

Computational

This type of pathology is diagnosed mainly in men over 55 years of age.An inflammatory complication develops in the prostate tissue against the background of stone formation.Most often, stones are formed due to improper treatment of chronic prostatitis.Another common cause is untreated urolithiasis.

Typical signs of calculous prostatitis:

• urination disorder;
• hematuria;
• weakening of the erection.

Stagnant

It develops against the background of chronic prostatitis and is associated with damage to the microcirculation of the pelvic organs.The stagnant form can also occur in case of a long-term absence of sexual intercourse, which leads to stagnation of secretions in the gland.

Typical symptoms of congestive prostatitis:

• urination problems;
• discomfort in the groin and testicles;
• erectile dysfunction.

Purulent

Purulent prostatitis develops against the background of the acute form of the disease, the treatment of which is incorrect or completely absent.The pathology is characterized by a significant rise in body temperature, impaired urination, the presence of purulent inclusions in the urine, and acute pain in the groin and perineum.If treatment is not started immediately, there is a high probability of developing an abscess and blood poisoning, which can lead to the death of the patient.

Symptoms

Symptoms and treatment of prostatitis depend on the stage of progression:

• With catarrh.At this stage, the patient complains of frequent urination, pain when going to the toilet, discomfort in the perineum during physical activity.
• Follicular.The pain symptom becomes more pronounced, bothers you even at rest, and may radiate to the lower abdomen or lower back.The process of urination is interrupted, the liquid flows out in a thin stream, and sometimes urinary retention occurs.
• Parenchymal.Advanced stage, during which general intoxication of the body develops, body temperature rises significantly, unbearable pain occurs in the perineum, and problems with urination become more pronounced.

Pain syndrome

There are no pain receptors in the prostate, but pain occurs due to the increase in the size of the gland and irritation of nearby nerve fibers.The more advanced the disease, the stronger the pain, which worries the affected person.The intensity of the pain syndrome may change with sexual abstinence or increased sexual activity.The discomfort spreads to the lower abdomen, lumbar region, perineum and scrotum.

Dysuric syndrome

When inflamed, the prostate enlarges and begins to put pressure on the ureters, which is why their lumen gradually decreases.The patient begins to be bothered by frequent urination, and after visiting the restroom, the feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder remains.

Sexual differences

In the initial stages of the development of the pathology, a person may be disturbed by frequent erections or, on the contrary, by the lack of sexual excitement.Accelerated ejaculation can be explained by a decrease in the sensitivity threshold of the excitation center.If the treatment of prostatitis is not started at the initial stage, complications develop that lead to impotence and infertility.

Diagnostics

If you have typical symptoms, you should consult a doctor.Prostatitis is diagnosed and treated by a urologist.A man has to make an appointment with her.During the examination, the doctor asks about disturbing symptoms and complaints, collects medical history, and performs a rectal examination of the prostate.To confirm the diagnosis, the urologist makes a referral for further diagnostic testing, including the following procedures:

• clinical blood and urine analysis;
• PCR research;
• uroflowmetry;
• examination of gland secretion;
• Ultrasound of the prostate;
• CT or MRI.

Treatment

The treatment regimen is determined taking into account the nature of the course and the degree of neglect of the pathology.If the patient's condition is serious, the doctor decides on hospitalization.Otherwise, treatment is performed on an outpatient basis.The patient must strictly follow the urologist's instructions, adhere to the treatment plan, and must not self-medicate.

Drug therapy

Antibiotics help stop the inflammatory process and destroy the pathogenic microflora.If prostatitis is caused by viruses or fungi, the antibacterial treatment regimen is supplemented with appropriate drug groups.

In order to eliminate pathological symptoms, the following drug groups are prescribed:

• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• pain relievers;
• muscle relaxants;
• anticonvulsants;
• alpha blockers;
• diuretics;
• drugs that normalize the function of the prostate.

If a man complains of potency problems and sexual disorders, the doctor prescribes drugs that stimulate blood circulation in the penis and restore erection.

Maintenance therapy

The effect of drug therapy is enhanced by supportive measures, including the following rules:

• Drink the necessary amount of liquid - at least 1.5-2 liters per day.
• Maintaining bed rest.
• Warm therapeutic baths.
• Adherence to a gentle diet, during which salty, spicy, fatty foods, alcohol, coffee, and sour drinks are excluded from the diet.

The patient's condition is favorably influenced by a regular sexual life, which ensures the drainage of the prostate and prevents secretion stagnation.

Surgical intervention

If conservative treatment does not bring the desired effect, the doctor decides to perform surgery.In modern urology, the following surgical methods are used to treat prostatitis:

• Transurethral resection (TUR).During the operation, the surgeon removes all the affected gland tissue.
• Prostatectomy.It involves the removal of the prostate, adjacent tissues and seminal vesicles.

Surgery is not performed on young men because any surgery can cause infertility.

Folk remedies

In addition to complex drug therapy, alternative medicine can also be used.The treatment regimen must be discussed with the doctor.Self-medication is unacceptable.

Herbs rich in useful substances are used to combat inflammation and disturbing symptoms, which have a bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effect.Medicinal plants are used to make infusions, tinctures, and decoctions, which can be taken orally, poultices, body lotions can be made from them, and added to the bath.

The following herbs are used to treat prostatitis:

• sage;
• marigold;
• chamomile;
• licorice;
• yarrow's tail;
• nettle;
• parsley;
• St. John's wort;
• bearberry;
• rosemary;
• hundredth;
• ginseng;
• sweet clover;
• chestnut.

In case of chronic prostatitis, bee propolis is widely used, which is famous for its anti-inflammatory properties and pain-relieving effect.Proponents of alternative medicine advise making suppositories from propolis, which are inserted into the rectum.The recipe is as follows:

1. Grind 20 g of propolis into powder.
2. Mix the main component with 200 ml of alcohol and simmer over low heat.
3. Add 2 g of cocoa butter to the resulting mass.
4. Form a candle from the finished composition.
5. The product is placed in the rectum overnight.The treatment is carried out in one course and lasts for 1 month.

Consequences

Lack of proper treatment or self-medication can lead to serious health problems.The spread of the infection leads to the development of such negative consequences as:

• cystitis;
• pyelonephritis;
• vesiculitis;
• colliculitis and urethritis;
• epididymitis;
• prostate sclerosis.

In the background of such complications, erectile and psychological disorders occur.In severe cases, the disease can enter the stage of chronic calculous prostatitis, causing an abscess and other life-threatening complications.Frequent relapses often cause male infertility, adenomas, and even prostate cancer.

Prevention

Preventing prostatitis is much easier than fighting the disease and its consequences.The following simple and affordable preventive measures will help prevent prostatitis or prolong remission in chronic form:

• active lifestyle;
• control of proper nutrition and water system;
• elimination of bad habits;
• elimination of stress factors;
• hardening;
• compliance with basic personal hygiene;
• normalization of body weight;
• timely and appropriate treatment of infectious pathologies;
• regular, high-quality, protected sex;
• annual preventive visits to the urologist.