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 developing prostatitis.
When inflamed, the prostate enlarges and begins to press on the urethra. This process leads to a narrowing of the lumen of the ureter, as a result of which the man begins to experience a frequent urge to urinate and has a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder. In the initial stage, the symptoms of prostatitis can be mild. However, over time, prostatitis becomes the cause of sexual disorders. In addition, the pathology can lead to a number of complications:
- prostate abscess;
- cystitis.
Prostatitis or prostate adenoma?
These two diseases are often confused or mistaken for the same thing. Meanwhile, they have different nature and flow patterns.
Peculiarities |
prostatitis |
BPH |
Age of the patient |
20-45 years |
over 45 years |
Nature of the disease |
inflammatory process |
tumor |
Pain syndrome |
present in acute form |
appears at 2-3 stages of the disease |
A fever |
uttered |
absent |
Urination disorder |
appears in acute form |
always present |
Weakening of potency |
observed in both cases |
|
Prostatitis mostly requires medical treatment, while prostate adenoma is a benign tumor that is removed by surgery. At the same time, prostate adenoma can cause prostatitis, which is why any inflammatory process in the pelvic organs requires prompt examination and treatment.
Causes of prostatitis
Infectious
Prostatitis can be caused by:
- Staphylococcus aureus;
- enterococci;
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa;
- sexually transmitted infections;
- chronic infectious diseases (tonsillitis, sinusitis, etc. );
- other opportunistic pathogens.
At a standstill
Prostatitis occurs as a result of:
- sedentary way of life;
- sedentary work;
- long periods of abstinence;
- excessive sexual activity;
- interruption of intercourse.
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 of the body due to smoking or drinking alcohol;
- injuries to the perineum.
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, caused by exposure to pathogenic microflora. The condition requires emergency medical attention. In turn, acute prostatitis can have the following forms:
- catarrhal (frequent painful urination, pain in the sacrum and perineum, difficult defecation);
- follicular (the pain intensifies and begins to radiate 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, acute throbbing pain in the groin area is noted, acute urinary retention occurs).
Chronic prostatitis is almost asymptomatic or has mild symptoms. In men, from time to time the temperature rises to 37-37. 5 ºС, there is a slight pain in the perineum, which intensifies during urination or defecation. You may also experience:
- weakening of the erection;
- accelerated ejaculation;
- reducing the severity of sexual sensations.
In some cases, chronic prostatitis becomes the result of an acute process, when the patient notes the so-called false improvement and refuses to go to a urologist. As a rule, the result of self-treatment at home is a number of complications: abscess or adenoma of the prostate, inflammation of the bladder, loss of fertility, etc.
Depending on the cause, prostatitis can be:
- herpes,
- bacterial,
- infectious,
- fungal,
- purulent,
- chlamydial,
- gonorrheal,
- calculating
- fibrous,
- at a standstill.
Diagnosis of prostatitis
Palpation allows you to determine the size, shape and structure of organ tissue.
Laboratory researches. It allows you to diagnose prostatitis and other prostate diseases in the early stages or in chronic cases in the absence of pronounced symptoms.
- general analysis of blood and urine;
- a biochemical blood test is performed to clarify the picture of the disease and to determine the involvement of other internal organs and systems in the inflammatory process;
- PSA blood test;
- urine culture with antibiotic sensitivity test.
- smear for urogenital infections to detect sexually transmitted diseases.
Ultrasound is performed to identify structural changes in the 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 gland and bladder.
MRI allows you to get detailed layer-by-layer images of the prostate and surrounding tissues in three different projections.
Treatment of prostatitis
Treatment methods depend on the identified cause of prostatitis, so the patient should undergo a comprehensive examination.
Treatment of acute prostatitis
Antibacterial therapy. Before prescribing antibiotics, the doctor will refer the patient to tests to identify the cause of the infection. Then 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, pain relievers, diuretics, laxatives, vitamins, immunomodulators and other drugs.
surgery. It is performed in case of complications. For example, if an abscess develops, the doctor may perform a transurethral or transrectal opening of the abscess; in case of acute urinary retention, a cystoma may be required.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis
Antibacterial therapy. The course of treatment is 14-28 days and should be completed even if the signs of prostatitis have disappeared after a week. Antibiotics are used to eliminate infection and suppress inflammatory processes in the body.
Symptomatic treatment. Depending on the indications, the urologist can prescribe pain relievers, antispasmodics, anti-inflammatory, immunomodulatory, vascular and other drugs to the patient.
Manual or apparatus massage. One of the most effective methods of treating prostatitis in men. Prostate massage helps to remove stagnant secretions, improves blood and lymph flow and restores metabolism in the affected organ.
Physiotherapy treatment. Depending on the indications, the urologist may prescribe electrostimulation, laser or magnetic therapy. The procedures help improve blood circulation, have an anti-inflammatory effect and help restore reproductive function.
Prevention of prostatitis
Preventing prostatitis is much easier than treating it later. To do this, simply follow the following recommendations:
Annual Check-up. 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 in the body, including the prostate.
Refusal of promiscuous sexual contacts. Sex is very important for men's health, but frequent changes of sexual partners can cause bacterial prostatitis and related complications.
A balanced diet. You should eat at least 3 times a day. The diet should include low-fat fish and meat, cereals, fermented milk products, fresh vegetables and fruits. It is recommended to limit the consumption or completely give up carbonated drinks, fatty and smoked foods, baked goods and spices.
Giving up bad habits. Drinking alcohol and smoking reduce immunity and further burden the body, creating favorable conditions for the development of many diseases.
Questions and Answers
Question: How to distinguish acute prostatitis from chronic?
Answer: We must start with the fact that in acute form the disease usually occurs in people under 30-35 years of age. Chronic prostatitis is considered ageless. The disease in an acute form usually quickly manifests itself with the following symptoms:
- sharp increase in body temperature (up to 40 degrees);
- a severe headache occurs;
- a fever starts.
Acute prostatitis is also characterized by constant pain in the groin, back and perineum.
In its chronic form, prostatitis, on the contrary, may not show symptoms for a long time. Over time, a person develops a fever and intermittent pain occurs in the anus, scrotum, back, and perineum.
Urination is disturbed, purulent discharge from the anus and urethra begins. Chronic prostatitis also leads to erectile dysfunction. Ejaculation becomes painful and intercourse is not pleasant.
Q: What happens if prostatitis is not treated?
Answer: If a person does not receive treatment for diagnosed prostatitis, complications and concomitant pathologies can develop
- Vesiculitis. This disease is characterized by inflammatory processes in the seminal vesicles. As a result, pus enters the ejaculate and the quality of sperm decreases. Vesiculitis often leads to complete loss of reproductive functions.
- Coliculitis. A disease in which inflammatory processes affect the seminal tubercle. As a result, during sex, the man experiences severe pain, which leads to an interruption of orgasm. Without therapy, a person develops impotence of a psychological nature.
- Abscess. It is formed in the prostate and leads to intoxication of the body. Rupture can lead to worsening symptoms and, in some cases, death.
- Infertility. It occurs against the background of deteriorated sperm quality and inflammatory processes in the testicles, spermatic cord and vesicles.
- Against the background of prostatitis, immunity often deteriorates. Approximately one third of all cases of the disease without therapy end in the development of oncology. Prostatitis should be treated in a specialized andrological clinic.
Q: Where do I go for prostatitis treatment?
Answer: The diagnosis is usually made by a urologist based on an examination of the symptoms. To confirm prostatitis, various tests are usually prescribed:
- general blood and urine tests;
- pap smear for STD;
- secret research;
- uroflowmetry;
- ultrasound.
In some cases, a biopsy and spermogram are also prescribed.