Causes, symptoms and treatment of chronic prostatitis

Middle-aged and elderly men often suffer from pathologies of the genitourinary system related to the prostate. This organ is prone 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 phase with periodic relapses.
2. Regular hypothermia of the body and frequent catarrhal pathologies cause inflammation of the gland.
3. Sedentary lifestyle causes stagnation of blood in the pelvis and leads to disorder of prostate blood supply. 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 constricts the genitals.
5. Bad habits (alcohol abuse, smoking) often cause the development of pathology, because they contribute to the disruption of all vital processes in the body.
6. Chronic infectious diseases of the urinary system can also cause inflammation of the gland.
7. Venereal pathologies of acute and chronic forms. If the recommendations of experts 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 cause pathology, especially with a simultaneous decrease in immunity.
9. 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 relations and the absence of a permanent partner increase the risk of developing chronic prostatitis. Treatment in this case is also delayed, because the patient experiences not only physical, but also emotional discomfort.

Classification of diseases

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

Bacterial prostatitis is easy to detect during a diagnostic examination. Tests usually show the source of the inflammation. There are especially many pathogens in the secret released during gland massage. In the blood, the level of leukocytes is almost always elevated, because the body produces them in large quantities 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 diagnosis.

It is very difficult to identify the asymptomatic type of the disease, because there are no obvious signs of inflammation. Pathological changes in the prostate occur, but the man does not feel it. The specialist makes the diagnosis accidentally or during an examination for other pathologies.

Clinical picture

In the acute form of the pathology, a man immediately feels the deterioration of his condition, but in the case of chronic prostatitis he may not have any symptoms, which greatly complicates the diagnosis.With the prolonged progression of the disease, the following symptoms appear:

• discomfort during urination, which extends to the area of the projection of the bladder;
• frequent urge to defecate with a simultaneous decrease in the amount of urine excreted;
• discomfort during sexual intercourse, problems with erection and ejaculation;
• a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder associated with the narrowing of the canal, causing prolonged but unproductive urination;
• the development of cystitis, pyelonephritis associated with the multiplication of bacteria in the bladder and the spread of the infection to the kidneys;
• change in color of urine, appearance of impurities of blood or pus;
• decreased libido;
• general weakness, fatigue, reduced efficiency;
• irritability and psychoemotional stress;
• slight increase in body temperature;
• pain in the pelvis and scrotum, which spreads to the sacrum or rectum.

The severity of the symptoms depends on the degree of damage to the prostate tissue. Sometimes the patient has only pain and no other manifestations.

If the patient does not see a doctor for a long time, complications may occur. The most common of them is vesiculitis, or inflammation of the seminal vesicles. Often, when 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 organ pathology often develops - an adenoma, which can also develop into a malignant tumor.

Diagnostic methods

Before treatment of chronic prostatitis, it is necessary to undergo a comprehensive diagnostic examination. During the initial treatment, the specialist interviews the patient, learns about habits, lifestyle characteristics, frequency of sexual contacts and professional activities. The information helps to identify the suspected cause of the disease. Then the doctor 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 number of leukocytes and an increase in the sedimentation rate of erythrocytes. This indicates the presence of an inflammatory process in a man.

The patient must undergo an X-ray examinationprostate and ultrasound. Thanks to these methods, you can notice changes in the structure of the body, deviations in one direction or another. In addition, computed tomography can be performed to identify accompanying pathologies of the genitourinary system.

If a tumor is suspected, a biopsy sample should be taken. In the laboratory, experts study the structure of the cell and make a final diagnosis. If the tumor is benign, doctors additionally determine the probability of its malignancy in malignant. After receiving the results of the diagnostic examination, the specialist determines the course of 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 in a short time and prevent the process from spreading to neighboring organs. Tableted forms of penicillin and fluoroquinolones are most commonly used. When the form works, the powder is prescribed for the preparation of the solution. The drug is administered intravenously or intramuscularly in a hospital setting. With the ineffectiveness of these drugs, macrolides are used, which have a stronger effect. Popular drugs from this group are available in the form of tablets and lyophilisates for the preparation of solutions for injections. The course of therapy lasts from 10 to 20 days, depending on the severity of the condition.
2. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed to relieve pain and prevent further development of the pathological process. The course usually lasts no longer than 7 days. Patients with pathologies of the digestive tract should not take such drugs without first consulting a doctor.
3. Muscle relaxants help relax smooth muscles and facilitate urination. The duration of the therapy and the dose 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 therapy regimen includes vitamin complexes for strengthening the immune system and rapid recovery of the body after treatment. Among such means 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. The absolute indication for surgical intervention is prostate cancer.

The transurethral resection method consists in dissecting the urethra and removing part of the gland in order to relieve the condition. If removal is not necessary, a simple organ dissection 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 methods and interventions have been ineffective.

Use of physiotherapy

In parallel with drug treatment, physiotherapy 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 organs, prevents the spread of inflammation to neighboring organs.

In order to achieve a therapeutic effect, it is necessary to spend 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 the blood flow to it. The essence of the technique is the use of low-frequency electric current, which positively affects the condition of the genitourinary system, stimulates tissue regeneration and relieves inflammation. The course is at least 10 sessions, sometimes more procedures are needed to achieve a permanent 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 your body with intense exercise, but moderate and regular exercise 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. Quitting 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 into a neglected form. When the first signs of the disease appear, it is necessary to contact a medical institution in order to start therapy in a timely manner and avoid complications.