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 in the prostate progress.The disease is mostly diagnosed in men aged 35-40.Predisposing factors that contribute to the onset of the disease are reduced immunity, an inactive lifestyle, abuse of bad habits and poor nutrition.Diagnosis and treatment of pathology is carried out by a urologist.You must schedule a consultation appointment with him if you are concerned about the characteristic symptoms.It is important for every man to remember - the earlier the disease is diagnosed and its treatment begins, the greater the chances of a 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 is called prostatitis.The prostate is a male organ responsible for the production of secretions that maintain normal sperm activity.In most cases, the disease is contagious.Infection can occur through the urethra, blood flow or lymph, when the infection moves throughout the body from distant foci of inflammation.Microorganisms that can cause inflammatory complications:

• coli;
• staphylococci;
• enterococci;
• proteus;
• Klebsiella, etc.

All these microscopic organisms are opportunistic microflora, whose active life suppresses 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 flow, the following forms of prostatitis are distinguished:

• acute;
• chronically.

Acute is characterized by pronounced symptoms;with timely medical help it can be successfully cured.The chronic type of pathology arises as a result of inadequate or untimely treatment of the acute form.The disease is characterized by recurrent infection, which is manifested by unclear symptoms.Chronic prostatitis cannot be completely cured, but properly selected therapy and preventive measures help prolong remission.

Reasons

The key causes of prostatitis are reduced immunity, untreated urological and venereal infections.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 circulation and a decrease in immunity.
• Inactive lifestyle.A sedentary lifestyle worsens the blood supply to the pelvic organs, which leads to stagnation and the development of inflammation in them.
• Chronic constipation.Hardened feces, which lie in the intestines for a long time, exert pressure on the gland, disrupting microcirculation.This creates favorable conditions for the life of pathogenic microflora.
• Injuries.Traumatic damage to the prostate contributes to deterioration of blood flow and reduction of local immunity.
• Excess body weight.People who are overweight move less, which causes blood circulation in their internal organs to deteriorate.Stagnant processes lead to swelling and inflammation of the prostate tissue.
• Disorder of the rhythm of sexual activity.Prostatitis can also be caused by an excessively active sexual life and prolonged abstinence.
• The presence of chronic pathologies.Any source of chronic infection can be potentially dangerous to the prostate and can cause inflammation.
• Conditions that contribute to the suppression of the immune system.The general state of the organism is negatively affected by chronic stress, overload, regular lack of sleep and physical overload.

Types of prostatitis

Symptoms of prostatitis depend on its type and nature of the flow.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;
• chronically.

In acute cases, pronounced prostatitis syndromes are of concern:

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

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

Calculated

This type of pathology is mainly diagnosed in men older than 55 years.An inflammatory complication develops against the background of the formation of stones in the prostate tissue.Most often, stones are formed due to improper treatment of chronic prostatitis.Another common cause is untreated urolithiasis.

Characteristic signs of calculous prostatitis:

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

It stagnates

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

Characteristic symptoms of congestive prostatitis:

• problems with urination;
• 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, bothers even at rest, and can spread to the lower abdomen or lower back.The process of urination is disturbed, the liquid comes out in a thin stream, and sometimes there is retention of urine.
• Parenchymatous.Advanced stage in which general intoxication of the organism develops, body temperature rises significantly, unbearable pains in the perineum occur, and problems with urination become more pronounced.

Pain syndrome

There are no pain receptors in the prostate, but the pain is caused by the increase in the size of the gland and the irritation of the nearby nerve fibers.The more advanced the disease, the stronger the pain that worries the person.The pain syndrome can change in intensity with sexual abstinence or increased sexual activity.The discomfort spreads to the lower abdomen, lumbar region, perineum and scrotum.

Dysuric syndrome

When it is inflamed, the prostate increases in size and begins to put pressure on the ureters, due to which their lumen gradually decreases.The patient begins to suffer from frequent urination, and after going to the toilet, the feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder remains.

Sexual deviations

In the initial stages of the development of the pathology, a man may be bothered by frequent erections or, conversely, a lack of sexual excitement.Accelerated ejaculation is explained by a decrease in 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.

Diagnostics

If you have characteristic symptoms, you should consult a doctor.Diagnosis and treatment of prostatitis is carried out by a urologist.A man should schedule a first date with him.During the examination, the doctor will ask about troubling symptoms, complaints, collect medical history and perform a rectal examination of the prostate.In order 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 research;
• uroflowmetry;
• examination of glandular secretions;
• Prostate ultrasound;
• 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 serious, the doctor decides on hospitalization.Otherwise, the treatment is carried out on an outpatient basis.The patient must strictly follow the instructions of the urologist, adhere to the treatment plan and not engage in self-medication.

Drug therapy

Antibiotics will help stop the inflammatory process and destroy the pathogenic microflora.If prostatitis is caused by viruses or fungi, the regimen of antibacterial treatment is supplemented with appropriate groups of drugs.

To eliminate pathological symptoms, the following groups of drugs are additionally prescribed:

• non-steroidal 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 an erection.

Maintenance therapy

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

• Drink the necessary amount of liquid - at least 1.5 - 2 liters per day.
• Bed maintenance.
• Warm therapeutic baths.
• Adherence to a mild 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 a regular sexual life, which ensures drainage of the prostate and prevents stagnation of secretions.

Surgical intervention

If conservative treatment does not bring the desired effect, the doctor decides on 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 includes removal of the prostate, adjacent tissues and seminal vesicles.

The operation is not performed on young men because any operation can cause infertility.

Folk remedies

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

Medicinal plants rich in useful substances and elements that have bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effects are used to suppress inflammation and disturbing symptoms.Infusions, tinctures and concoctions are prepared on the basis of medicinal plants, which can be taken orally, made into poultices and lotions, and added to the bath.

The following herbs are used to treat prostatitis:

• sage;
• marigold;
• chamomile;
• liquorice;
• yarrow;
• nettles;
• parsley;
• St. John's wort;
• bear;
• rosemary;
• centaur
• ginseng;
• sweet clover;
• chestnut.

In chronic prostatitis, bee propolis is widely used, which is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and analgesic effect.Supporters 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. Mix 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 in 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 appear 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, adenomas, and even prostate cancer.

Prevention

Prevention of prostatitis is much easier than fighting the disease and its consequences.The following simple and affordable preventive measures will help prevent prostate inflammation or prolong remission in the chronic form:

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