Causes, symptoms and treatment of chronic prostatitis

Middle-aged and elderly men often suffer from pathologies of the genitourinary system related to the prostate gland. This organ is susceptible 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 almost 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 its transition into a 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 small pelvis and leads to disruption of blood supply to the prostate gland. If a man's professional activity is associated with constant sitting in a sitting position, then the probability of developing prostatitis increases several times.
4. Choosing tight underwear that compresses the genitals.
5. Bad habits (alcohol abuse, smoking) often cause the development of pathology, as they contribute to the disruption of all vital processes in the body.
6. Chronic infectious diseases of the excretory system can also cause inflammation of the gland.
7. Venereal pathologies in acute and chronic forms. If the recommendations of a specialist 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 provoke pathology, especially with a simultaneous decrease in immunity.
9. The lack of minerals and vitamins in the daily diet can be a predisposing factor. If the deficiency is permanent, chronic prostatitis is joined by other diseases.

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

Classification of the disease

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

Bacterial prostatitis is easily detected during a diagnostic examination. Tests usually show the source of the inflammation. There are especially many pathogens in the secretion released during the massage of the gland. In the blood, the level of leukocytes is almost always elevated because the body produces them in large numbers to fight pathogens.

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

It is very difficult to identify the asymptomatic type of the disease, since there are no obvious signs of inflammation. Pathological changes occur in the prostate, but the man does not feel them. A specialist makes a diagnosis by chance or during an examination for other pathologies.

Clinical picture

In the acute form of the pathology, a person immediately feels a worsening 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, extending to the area of the projection of the bladder;
• frequent desire to defecate with a simultaneous decrease in the amount of urine excreted;
• discomfort during intercourse, problems with erection and ejaculation;
• a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder associated with a narrowing of the channel, provoking prolonged but unproductive urination;
• the development of cystitis, pyelonephritis associated with the multiplication of bacteria in the bladder and the spread of infection in the kidneys;
• change in the color of urine, the appearance of impurities of blood or pus;
• decreased libido;
• general weakness, fatigue, reduced working capacity;
• irritability and psycho-emotional stress;
• slight increase 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 tissues of the prostate gland. Sometimes the patient has only pain and no other symptoms.

If the patient does not go to the doctor for a long time, he may develop complications. The most common of these is vesiculitis or 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 insufficiently treated or neglected prostatitis is prostate cancer. A benign pathology of the organ often develops - an adenoma, which can also develop into a malignant tumor.

Diagnostic methods

Before the treatment of chronic prostatitis, it is necessary to undergo a comprehensive diagnostic examination. During the initial treatment, the specialist interviews the patient, learns about the habits, lifestyle, frequency of sexual contacts 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 gland damage.

The next step in diagnosis is clinical blood and urine tests. They usually show an increase in the leukocyte count and an increase in the erythrocyte sedimentation rate. This indicates the presence of an inflammatory process in the man.

The patient should undergo an X-ray examinationprostate 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 genitourinary system.

If a tumor is suspected, a biopsy sample should be taken. In the laboratory, specialists study the structure of the cell and make a final diagnosis. If the tumor is benign, doctors further determine the probability of its malignancy in malignant. After receiving the results of the diagnostic examination, the specialist determines the direction of the therapy.

Medical therapy

Treatment of chronic prostatitis with drugs is considered the most common way. Doctors always choose a conservative method if there is a possibility of cure.The most commonly used drugs are:

1. Antibacterial agents can relieve inflammation for a short time and prevent the process from spreading to neighboring organs. Tablet forms of penicillins and fluoroquinolones are most commonly used. When the form flows, a powder is prescribed to prepare the solution. The drug is administered intravenously or intramuscularly in hospital settings. When these drugs are ineffective, macrolides are used, which have a stronger effect. Popular drugs of this group are available in the form of tablets and lyophilisate for preparation of injection solution. The course of treatment lasts from 10 to 20 days, depending on the severity of the disease.
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 tract should not take such drugs without prior consultation with a doctor.
3. Muscle relaxants help relax smooth muscles and make urination easier. Duration of therapy and dosage are determined by the doctor.
4. Rectal suppositories relieve swelling, pain and inflammation, improve the general condition of the patient. The duration of the therapeutic effect is 10-14 days.

Also, the therapeutic regimen includes vitamin complexes to strengthen the immune system and quick recovery of the body after treatment. Among these funds there is a complex designed specifically for men. The minimum duration of the course of its reception is 30 days.

Surgical intervention

If it is impossible to cure the pathology in a conservative way, the doctor decides to perform an operation to completely or partially remove the organ. An absolute indication for surgical intervention is prostate cancer.

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

The method of open adenomectomy is used with significant growth of 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 means and interventions have been ineffective.

Use of physical therapy

Along with drug treatment, physical therapy is often used to speed up recovery and prevent complications.The most popular and effective method is massage.prostate through the rectum. The technique improves the blood supply and nutrition of the organ, prevents the spread of inflammation in neighboring organs.

To achieve a therapeutic effect, it is necessary to conduct at least 10 sessions. The procedure is performed by a specialist in a hospital or clinic.

Electrophoresis in the area of the projection of the prostate allows you to normalize blood flow to it. The essence of the technique is the use of low-frequency electric current, which has a positive effect on the state of the genitourinary system, stimulates tissue regeneration and relieves inflammation. The course is a minimum of 10 sessions, sometimes more procedures are needed to achieve a lasting result.

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.

Prevention measures

Observance of simple rules will help to avoid the development of chronic prostatitis. It is recommended to avoid hypothermia, to lead an active lifestyle. You should not torture the body with intense exercises, but moderate and regular exercises will help 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 will reduce the risk of developing an inflammatory process. A balanced diet will help maintain the immune system, prevent colds and viral pathologies.

To prevent prostatitis, it is necessary to visit a urologist every 6 months. This will detect the pathology at an early stage and prevent its transition to a neglected form. When the first signs of the disease appear, you should contact a medical institution to start timely treatment and avoid complications.