Many people are still embarrassed or hesitant to talk about certain diseases.This is especially true for genital problems, which also cause discomfort and affect sexual activity.More than 70% of men do not go to the doctor in the early stages of the disease, while treatment will be most effective if the disease is not too severe.Timely identification of symptoms of the disease is important for prevention and early treatment.
What is prostatitis?
The prostate or prostate gland is located in the center of the pelvis, connected to the bladder and vas deferens.The main function is to produce a substance responsible for sperm viability and motility.From a chemical point of view, this secretion is the basis of immunoglobulins with the addition of vitamins, zinc, iodine - the basis for sperm nutrition and activity.The composition of the fluid is an important diagnostic parameter that helps to recognize symptoms at an early stage.
As you might guess from the name, this disease is associated with an inflammatory process in the prostate.This pathology is always associated with the presence of a bacterial infection, although it does not necessarily occur in a form noticeable to humans.The type of progression of the disease largely depends on age, predisposition, associated factors and characteristics of the body.
Usually, the prostate is not felt and does not attract attention.However, although located quite deep in the pelvic area, this organ is one of the most vulnerable organs in the male body.There is an opinion that only older people experience symptoms of prostatitis, but this is not true: this disease is common in adult men between 20 and 60 years old.
In the early stages, identifying the disease is quite difficult.The signs may appear from time to time, then bother you, then disappear without a trace.Doctors mention that the psychology of men, especially young men, also plays a role: not everyone is ready to go to the doctor and admit that they have an “embarrassing” disease.
At the same time, the disease is characterized by dangerous complications, including:
- Infertility due to poor sperm movement.Sometimes asymptomatic or mild chronic prostatitis becomes the only reason why a couple is childless.A woman can undergo tests as much as she wants, but this will not help until her husband decides to test his own fertility.
- Prostate tumor is a benign tumor, however, it can become very dangerous for men.This is due to the fact that the anatomical structure - the urinary tract and vas deferens are located in such a way that if the prostate gland develops abnormally, it will interfere with normal urination.There is a risk of many complications, including bladder rupture.
- According to statistics, prostate cancer is one of the most common diseases in men.Cancer is one of the ten main causes of death for people over 50 years old;It is at this age that long-term chronic prostatitis tends to degenerate into a life-threatening condition.
- Psychological problems related to erectile dysfunction, infertility, natural function problems.This is a side symptom but also significantly affects the patient's quality of life.
Every twenty-year-old man over thirty and more than half of those over fifty experience symptoms of prostatitis.This is one of the most common diseases.Prevention, early diagnosis and careful treatment can reduce attacks and complications of the disease.
Acute (bacterial)
The disease can appear in men of any age.And if chronic forms of the disease are more common in older people, then acute bacterial types of the disease can theoretically occur in anyone.Bacteria that cause signs of prostatitis can be pathogenic or opportunistic.
Here are some things to remember about this form:
- You can get infected at any age, even through unprotected sex.
- Prostatitis is not the same as classic sexually transmitted diseases (sexually transmitted diseases), such as gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, but can manifest itself as a secondary infection on the background of another disease.
- You can get the infection from your partner if she has candidiasis, ovarian inflammation, vulvovaginitis, or vulvovaginitis, or you can pass it on to her.What happens is that one of the spouses becomes a “carrier” of infection, and constant reinfection of each other is possible even in a constant couple.
- The main cause of acute bacterial prostatitis is unprotected sex, followed by hypothermia and other conditions that reduce local immunity.
Chronic bacteria
In the absence of appropriate treatment and ignoring symptoms in acute form, as well as frequent reinfection, there is a high risk of developing a chronic pathological process.This is because the prostate is a favorable place for pathogenic organisms to develop: high temperature, humidity, nutrients.Chronic prostatitis is characterized by exposure to opportunistic strains that cause a slow but unpleasant response, significantly reducing quality of life.
Feature:
- Paroxysmal course: symptoms are almost no different from the acute form, but if present initially, the chronic form will recur frequently.Many people try to relieve the symptoms of prostatitis in men with pain relievers and other first aid methods.This works, but doesn't fix the problem.
- Indeed, symptoms often disappear on their own without additional treatments, especially in young men: the body suppresses bacterial activity using its own immune resources.As a rule, it is impossible to completely destroy the infection, so the disease recurs many times.Each can become heavier than the previous one.
- Recurrence is very dangerous due to the appearance of pus foci and damage to nearby organs: bladder, penis, testicles, kidneys.
Chronic bacterial prostatitis is the most common type of the disease.Some men suffer with this condition for years, easing the pain with painkillers but not eliminating the underlying problem.Over time, the condition worsens.
No chronic bacteria
Treatment of prostatitis in this form will always be one of the most difficult.The disease is not related to bacterial activity, so it also makes it difficult to diagnose and identify stimulating factors.Its causes are extremely diverse: from unhealthy lifestyles to working conditions that involve lifting heavy objects - for example, it is often found in loaders, construction workers and others whose professional activities are related to such activities.
Attacks of the disease can be caused by nervous problems, stress, poisoning, injuries to the prostate and pelvic muscles - this happens in professional athletes.In many cases it is treatable.Often the cause remains unclear.
chronic asymptomatic
Another “dangerous” type of prostatitis in men, because it develops without characteristic symptoms of the disease, therefore a person does not suspect that he has the disease.The reasons can vary, but they are often related simultaneously to bacterial activity and lifestyle characteristics.
The biggest risk is that if there are no symptoms, it is rare for a person to get tested.In this regard, doctors recommend that people over 40 years old carry out preventive diagnostics: donate urine to obtain white blood cell content, as well as fluid secreted by the prostate gland.Asymptomatic prostatitis is becoming one of the common causes of infertility in men.
Cause of the disease
The most obvious cause of the symptoms is bacteria entering the genital tract.Infections of the genitourinary system are extremely common, meaning that a person also has pyelonephritis.
Among the favorable factors:
- unhealthy lifestyle - poor diet, alcohol abuse, it is believed that being overweight also contributes to the development of the disease;
- hypothermia;
- irregular or promiscuous sex life;
- having unprotected sex with people who may carry diseases;
- sedentary, constant sitting - prostatitis is typical of professional drivers;
- injury in the pelvic area.
The main factor is always age: if not so many twenty-five year old men suffer from prostatitis, then after fifty - more than half of all men.The quality of treatment for prostatitis depends on early diagnosis, so after the age of forty everyone should see a doctor for examination.
Symptom
The intensity of symptoms depends on the form of the disease.We must not forget the asymptomatic type, this type of disease does not manifest itself at all, but also has a negative impact on health.You should consult your doctor about medication to treat prostatitis if the following symptoms appear:
- pain and burning when urinating;
- painful sexual intercourse, decreased potency;
- pain during bowel movements;
- difficulty urinating - a dangerous symptom that causes stones;
- high temperature - in acute form;
- blood in urine and semen.
All signs have different intensities.Treatment of prostatitis must begin with diagnosis;even one of these symptoms is reason to be examined by a doctor.The pain can vary in location, but is most commonly felt in the lower abdomen and rectum.In acute cases, they are unbearable, increasing pain is a bad sign, indicating a purulent form of the disease.
Diagnose
To treat prostatitis, an accurate diagnosis is necessary.The patient was sent for a general urine test to determine the white blood cell formula, which indicated the presence of inflammation.Remember to check the blood as well as the sperm - this helps determine sperm activity and often indicates infertility.Prostate secretions are taken for analysis as well as smears to identify specific pathogens and antibiotics to treat prostatitis are prescribed.
Treatment
Treatment methods for prostatitis are complex, including physical therapy, medication techniques, and adjusting the patient's diet and lifestyle.Even progressive chronic forms can be cured without serious complications if you follow appropriate recommendations and therapy.
Physical therapy
Physiotherapy is used for chronic forms and is prescribed only by a doctor because in some cases it is contraindicated.
Among the methods, the most effective are:
- prostate massage - helps get rid of congestion;
- Warm up in a warm bath;
- ultrasound therapy;
- electrophoresis;
- acupuncture.
This technique depends on the type of disease as well as the condition of the body.For example, warm-up at high temperatures and acute forms is contraindicated;You must first undergo treatment with prostatitis drugs.
Medicine
For pain in the perineum, prostatitis drugs with analgesic effect are prescribed.Bacterial forms require the use of antibiotics, and a specific drug is prescribed only after culturing the BAC and determining the sensitivity of microorganisms to a specific group.
Other drugs:
- Drotaverine - drug for prostatitis to reduce spasms and pain;
- Tamsulosin is an alpha blocker, a prostatitis medication that helps improve smooth muscle contraction and improve urine flow;
Self-medication with antibiotics is contraindicated, but drugs from the cephalosporin group are most often prescribed - they have a good effect on most types of genital tract infections in men and women.
Candle
Rectal suppositories, also known as prostatitis suppositories, are very effective in relieving pain, reducing inflammation and reducing all discomfort related to this disease.Most recommended by doctors:
- Prostate extract - suppositories for prostatitis with a complex effect;
- Ketoprofen - relieves pain and swelling;
- Indomethacin.
Most medications are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Using it as a rectal suppository not only improves effectiveness but also helps minimize side effects.
Diet
Diet therapy also becomes part of the overall treatment strategy.Overweight people should normalize their weight to get rid of blockages in the pelvic area.It is prescribed to exclude fatty foods, limit carbohydrates and avoid alcohol, which is often incompatible with antibiotics.Seafood, nuts, avocados and lean meats are all healthy if there are no other contraindications.A reasonable diet also helps prevent prostatitis.
Forecast
With timely diagnosis, a complete cure is possible.The most important thing is not to let the disease become chronic, otherwise complications cannot be avoided: from prostate adenoma to cancer.In general, with appropriate therapy and patient compliance with treatment conditions, the prognosis is favorable.
prevent
Prostatitis is a “teenager” disease: recently it has been diagnosed even in adolescents, and men from thirty to thirty-five years old are increasingly faced with this problem more and more often.Therefore, prevention of prostatitis is very important, including:
- proper heat regime - the pelvic organs should not be too hot or too cold;
- avoid hypothermia in general;
- sexual activity using personal protective equipment - condoms effectively block the path of bacteria;
- proper nutrition;
- Avoid both a sedentary lifestyle and unreasonable stress, especially those related to heavy lifting.
All these methods will help prevent the development of an unpleasant disease.In older and older people, even if there are no complaints, it is still necessary to visit a doctor from time to time: urologist and endocrinologist.