Prostatitis (lat. prostatitis) is an acute or chronic inflammation of the prostate gland, diagnosed in 35–40% of men aged 25–55 years. The older the patient, the higher the risk of prostatitis.
When inflamed, the prostate increases in size and begins to compress the urethra. This process causes a narrowing of the lumen of the ureters, so the man begins to feel the need to urinate frequently and has the feeling that the bladder is not completely emptied. In the early stages, symptoms of prostatitis may be mild. However, over time, prostatitis becomes a cause of sexual disorders. In addition, pathology can lead to a number of complications:
- prostate abscess;
- cystitis.
Prostatitis or prostate tumor?
These two diseases are often confused or mistaken for the same disease. Meanwhile, they have different properties and flow patterns.
Characteristic |
Prostatitis |
BPH |
Patient age |
20–45 years |
more than 45 years |
Nature of the disease |
inflammatory process |
tumor |
Pain syndrome |
present in acute form |
appears in stages 2-3 of the disease |
Fever |
pronounce |
absent |
Urinary disorders |
appears in acute form |
always present |
Weakened potency |
observed in both cases |
|
Prostatitis mainly requires medical treatment, while prostate adenoma is a benign tumor that is removed with surgery. At the same time, prostate tumors can cause prostatitis, so any inflammatory process in the pelvic organs needs to be examined and treated promptly.
Causes of prostatitis
Infectious
Prostatitis can be caused by:
- Staphylococcus aureus;
- enterococci;
- Pseudomonas aeruginosa;
- sexually transmitted diseases;
- chronic infectious diseases (tonsillitis, sinusitis, etc. );
- other opportunistic pathogens.
stagnation
Prostatitis appears due to:
- sedentary lifestyle;
- sedentary work;
- long-term abstinence;
- excessive sexual activity;
- Interruption of sexual intercourse.
The listed factors contribute to disruption of capillary blood flow and the formation of stagnant processes in prostate tissue.
Prostatitis begins to develop more strongly when favorable factors appear, including:
- chronic constipation;
- Hypothermia;
- unbalanced diet;
- urinary diseases;
- frequent stress;
- intoxication of the body due to smoking or drinking alcohol;
- pelvic floor trauma.
Types and symptoms of prostatitis
According to the form of appearance, prostatitis in men is divided into:
Acute prostatitis. One of the first signs of the disease process is a pronounced pain syndrome, which appears against the background of a rapidly developing inflammatory process. Prostate swelling occurs as a result of exposure to pathogenic microflora. This condition requires urgent medical attention. In turn, acute prostatitis can take the following forms:
- catarrhal (frequent painful urination, pain in the sacrum and perineum, difficulty defecating);
- ovarian cyst (the pain gradually increases and begins to spread to the anus, when going to the toilet, urine flows out in a thin stream, the body temperature increases to 37. 5 ºС);
- parenchyma (body temperature increases to 38–40 ºС, there is systemic intoxication, sharp pain in the groin area, acute urinary retention occurs).
Chronic prostatitis is practically asymptomatic or has mild symptoms. In men, the temperature occasionally rises to 37-37. 5 С, there is a feeling of slight pain in the perineum, more pain when urinating or defecating. Additionally, you may encounter:
- weakening of erection;
- rapid ejaculation;
- Reduces the severity of sexual sensations.
In some cases, chronic prostatitis becomes the result of an acute process, when the patient notes a so-called false improvement and refuses to see a urologist. As a rule, the result of self-medication at home is a number of complications: abscess or prostate adenoma, cystitis, loss of fertility, etc. v.
Depending on the cause, prostatitis can be:
- Herbetic,
- bacteria,
- Infectious,
- mushroom,
- pus,
- chlamydia,
- gonorrhea,
- calculate,
- fiber,
- stagnation.
Diagnosis of prostatitis
Palpation allows you to determine the size, shape and structure of organ tissue.
Laboratory research. Allows you to diagnose prostatitis and other prostate diseases in the early stages or in chronic cases when there are no obvious symptoms.
- general blood and urine analysis;
- biochemical blood tests are performed to clarify the picture of the disease and determine the involvement of other organs and internal systems in the inflammatory process;
- PSA blood test;
- Urine culture with antibiotic susceptibility testing.
- Urogenital infection smear to detect sexually transmitted diseases.
Ultrasound is performed to determine structural changes in prostate tissue and detect tumors (cysts, tumors).
TRUS is performed through the rectum and allows you to get the most complete information about the condition of the gland and bladder.
MRI allows you to obtain detailed layer-by-layer images of the prostate and surrounding tissues in three different projections.
Treatment of prostatitis
Treatment depends on the identified cause of prostatitis, so the patient needs a comprehensive examination.
Treatment of acute prostatitis
Antibacterial therapy. Before prescribing antibiotics, the doctor will refer the patient for tests to determine the cause of the infection. Then, the selected drugs will help suppress the activity of pathogenic microorganisms and eliminate the inflammatory process.
Treat symptoms. In addition, a urologist can prescribe antipyretics, pain relievers, diuretics, laxatives, vitamins, immunomodulators and other drugs.
Surgery. Done when complications arise. For example, if an abscess develops, the doctor may perform an opening through the urethra or rectum; In cases of acute urinary retention, a cyst may be required.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis
Antibacterial therapy. The course of treatment is 14–28 days and must be completed even if signs of prostatitis have disappeared after a week. Antibiotics are used to eliminate infections and stop inflammatory processes in the body.
Treat symptoms. Depending on the indication, the urologist may prescribe analgesics, antispasmodics, anti-inflammatory drugs, immunomodulators, vascular and other drugs to the patient.
Massage with hands or hardware. One of the most effective treatments for prostatitis in men. Prostate massage helps remove stagnant secretions, improves blood and lymph flow, and restores metabolism in the affected organ.
Physical therapy treatment. Depending on the indication, a urologist may prescribe electrical, laser, or magnetic stimulation therapy. The procedure improves blood circulation, has an anti-inflammatory effect and helps restore reproductive function.
Prevention of prostatitis
Preventing prostatitis is much easier than treating it later. To do this, just follow these recommendations:
Check annually. It is necessary to visit a urologist every year, even if there are no complaints about your health.
Sports activities. Regular physical activity improves metabolism throughout the body, including the prostate.
Refuse to have promiscuous sex. Sex is important for men's health, but changing partners frequently can cause bacterial prostatitis and related complications.
Balancing diet. You need to 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 consumption or completely avoid carbonated drinks, fatty and smoked foods, baked goods and spices.
Refuse bad habitsDrinking alcohol and smoking reduce immunity and cause additional stress on the body, creating favorable conditions for the development of many diseases.
Questions and answers
Question: How to distinguish between acute and chronic prostatitis?
Answer: We should start with the fact that in its acute form, the disease most often occurs in people under 30-35 years old. Chronic prostatitis is considered non-senile. The acute form of the disease often manifests quickly with the following symptoms:
- sharp increase in body temperature (up to 40 degrees);
- severe headache appears;
- fever begins.
Acute prostatitis is also characterized by constant pain in the groin, back and perineum.
On the contrary, in its chronic form, prostatitis may not show symptoms for a long time. Over time, a person develops a fever and periodically develops pain in the anus, scrotum, back and perineum.
The ability to urinate is impaired, pus begins to flow from the anus and urethra. Chronic prostatitis also leads to erectile dysfunction. Ejaculation begins to hurt and sex is no longer enjoyable.
Question: What happens if prostatitis is not treated?
Answer: If a person does not receive treatment for diagnosed prostatitis, complications and comorbidities may develop
- Cystitis. This disease is characterized by inflammatory processes in the seminal vesicles. As a result, pus enters the semen and sperm quality declines. Vesicular inflammation often leads to complete loss of reproductive function.
- Arthritis. A disease in which the inflammatory process affects the spermatic tube. As a result, during sex, the man experiences severe pain, which leads to interruption of orgasm. If left untreated, a person will become psychologically impotent.
- Abscess. It forms in the prostate and leads to body poisoning. Its rupture can lead to increased symptoms and in some cases can lead to death.
- Dry. It occurs against the background of decreased sperm quality and inflammatory processes in the testicles, spermatic cords and seminal vesicles.
- Against the background of prostatitis, immunity is often impaired. About one-third of all untreated cases end in the development of cancer. Prostatitis must be treated at a specialist andrology clinic.
Question: Where should prostatitis be treated?
Answer: Diagnosis is usually made by a urologist based on the study of symptoms. To confirm prostatitis, various studies are often prescribed:
- General blood and urine tests;
- STD smear;
- secret research;
- measuring urine flow;
- supersonic.
In some cases, sperm biopsy and imaging are also indicated.