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 occur in the prostate gland.The disease is diagnosed mainly in men aged 35-40 years.Predisposing factors that contribute to the appearance of the disease are reduced immunity, inactive lifestyle, abuse of bad habits and improper nutrition.The diagnosis and treatment of the pathology is carried out by a doctor called a urologist.It is with him that you should make an appointment for a consultation if you are worried about characteristic symptoms.It is important for every man to remember - the earlier the disease is diagnosed and its treatment begins, the greater the chance of full recovery and recovery.Lack of timely treatment can lead to serious consequences, including male infertility and prostate cancer.

The essence of pathology

Inflammation of the prostate gland is called prostatitis.The prostate is a male organ responsible for producing secretions that support normal sperm activity.In most cases, the disease has an infectious nature.Infection can occur through the urethra, blood, or lymph flow when the infection moves into the body from distant sites of inflammation.Microorganisms that can provoke an inflammatory complication:

• cars;
• staphylococci;
• enterococci;
• proteins;
• 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 is weakened, under the influence of predisposing factors, the infection becomes more active, causing inflammation in the gland tissues.

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

• sharp
• chronic.

Acute is characterized by pronounced symptoms;with timely medical help it can be successfully cured.The chronic type of pathology occurs as a result of inadequate or untimely 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 venereal infections.The inflammation often occurs against the background of a bacterial infection, which, with the proper functioning of the immune system, is in a latent state.But as soon 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 blood circulation and reduced immunity.
• Inactive lifestyle.With a sedentary lifestyle, the blood supply to the pelvic organs deteriorates, which leads to stagnation and the development of inflammation in them.
• Chronic constipation.Hardened feces that 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 reduction of local immunity.
• Excess body weight.Overweight people move little, which leads to deterioration of blood circulation in the internal organs.Stagnant processes lead to swelling and inflammation of the prostate tissue.
• Violation of the rhythm of sexual activity.Prostatitis can be caused both by an overly active sex life and by prolonged abstinence.
• The presence of chronic pathologies.Any source of chronic infection can be potentially dangerous to the prostate and cause inflammation.
• Conditions that contribute to suppression of the immune system.The general condition of the body is negatively affected by chronic stress, fatigue, regular lack of sleep and physical overload.

Types of prostatitis

The symptoms of prostatitis depend on its type and the 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 prostatitis syndromes are relevant:

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

With a chronic course, the symptoms are blurred and manifest weakly.But in the case of a relapse, the intensity of the symptoms resembles an acute process.

Calculous

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

Characteristic signs of calculous prostatitis:

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

At a standstill

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

Characteristic symptoms of congestive prostatitis:

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

Purulent

Purulent prostatitis develops against the background of an acute form of the disease, the treatment of which is incorrect or completely absent.The pathology is characterized by a significant increase 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 its progression:

• Catarrhal.At this stage, the patient complains of frequent urination, pain when going to the toilet, discomfort in the perineum during physical activity.
• Follicular.The symptom of pain becomes more pronounced, disturbing even at rest and may radiate to the lower abdomen or lower back.The process of urination is disturbed, the liquid comes out in a thin trickle, sometimes urine retention occurs.
• Parenchymatous.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 an increase in the size of the gland and irritation of nearby nerve fibers.The more advanced the disease, the stronger the pain that worries the person.The pain syndrome can change the intensity with sexual abstinence or increased sexual activity.Discomfort spreads to the lower abdomen, lumbar region, perineum and scrotum.

Dysuric syndrome

In case of inflammation, the prostate enlarges and begins to exert pressure on the ureters, due to which their lumen gradually decreases.The patient begins to worry about frequent urination, and after visiting the toilet there is a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder.

Sexual deviations

In the initial stages of development of the pathology, a man may be worried by frequent erections or, conversely, a lack of sexual arousal.Accelerated ejaculation is explained by the reduction of the sensitivity threshold of the excitation center.If the treatment of prostatitis is not started in the initial stages, complications develop that lead to impotence and infertility.

Diagnosis

If you have characteristic symptoms, you should consult a doctor.The diagnosis and treatment of prostatitis is carried out by a urologist.It is with him that one should make an initial appointment.During the examination, the doctor will ask about alarming symptoms, complaints, collect anamnesis and conduct a rectal examination of the prostate gland.To confirm the diagnosis, the urologist will give a referral for an additional diagnostic examination, including the following procedures:

• clinical analysis of blood and urine;
• PCR testing;
• uroflowmetry;
• examination of glandular 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 severe, the doctor decides on hospitalization.Otherwise, the treatment is carried out on an outpatient basis.The patient must strictly follow the urologist's instructions, adhere to the treatment regimen and not self-medicate.

Drug therapy

Antibiotics will 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 groups of drugs.

In order to eliminate the pathological symptoms, the following groups of drugs are additionally prescribed:

• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
• pain relievers;
• muscle relaxants;
• antispasmodics;
• alpha-blockers;
• diuretics;
• drugs that normalize prostate function.

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

Supportive therapy

The effect of drug therapy will be improved by supportive measures, including the following rules:

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

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

Surgical intervention

If conservative treatment does not lead to the desired effect, the doctor decides to perform surgery.In modern urology, the following surgical methods are practiced for the treatment of prostatitis:

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

Surgery is not performed on young men, as any operation can cause infertility.

People's funds

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

Medicinal herbs rich in beneficial substances and elements that have a bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effect are used to combat inflammation and alarming symptoms.On the basis of medicinal herbs, infusions, tinctures and decoctions are prepared, which can be taken orally, compresses and lotions can be made and added to the bath.

The following herbs are used to treat prostatitis:

• sage;
• calendula;
• chamomile;
• licorice;
• yarrow;
• nettles;
• parsley;
• St. John's wort;
• bear grapes;
• rosemary;
• centenarian;
• ginseng;
• sweet clover;
• chestnut.

In chronic prostatitis, bee propolis is widely used, which is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and analgesic effect.Proponents of alternative medicine advise making propolis suppositories, which are inserted into the rectum.The recipe is:

1. Grind 20 g of propolis into powder.
2. Combine the main component with 200 ml of alcohol and evaporate 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 inserted into the rectum overnight.The treatment is carried out as a course and lasts 1 month.

Consequences

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

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

Erectile and psychological disorders arise against the background of such complications.In severe cases, the disease can progress to the stage of chronic calculous prostatitis, causing an abscess and other life-threatening complications.Frequent recurrences often cause the development of male infertility, adenoma 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 inflammation of the prostate or prolong remission in chronic form:

• active lifestyle;
• control of proper nutrition and water regime;
• eliminating bad habits;
• elimination of stress factors;
• solidification;
• maintaining basic personal hygiene;
• normalization of body weight;
• timely and adequate treatment of infectious pathologies;
• regular, high-quality, protected sex;
• annual preventive visits to a urologist.