One of the most common specific male diseases, without a doubt, is prostatitis.The probability that you will meet him at a younger age is significantly lower than at an older age.Therefore, the usual truth that health must be protected from an early age is completely true for this disease.
What is prostatitis
Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate, accompanied by swelling.By increasing its size, the prostate compresses the urethra, around which the gland is located.This hinders the complete exit of urine from the body, which causes characteristic pains and difficulties in emptying the bladder.
In addition, prostatitis changes the biochemical properties of prostate juice, one of the most important components of sperm.Prostatic juice is a secretion of the prostate, which is responsible not only for sperm fertility, but also for the antimicrobial protection of this important male organ.Male sexuality directly depends on the qualitative and quantitative composition of secretions.
Causes of prostatitis in men
The prevalence of this disease is due to the fact that there are many reasons that can cause it.Causes of prostatitis:
- Viral and bacterial infections.The cause of prostatitis can be not only sexually transmitted diseases, but also chronic inflammatory processes in the body (tonsillitis, bronchitis, tuberculosis, sometimes even caries);
- Fungal diseases;
- Blood stagnation in the pelvic organs.This unfavorable phenomenon can occur in people who lead a sedentary lifestyle (office workers and drivers), have irregular sexual relations (long periods of abstinence or, conversely, promiscuous sex life), frequent constipation and heavy weight;
- Frequent hypothermia;
- Stressful situations;
- Injuries in the pelvic region;
- Poor circulation in the prostate;
- Weakening of the body's immune defenses.
Types of prostatitis
The popular classification of prostatitis is based on the reasons for its occurrence:
- Infectious (viral, bacterial, fungal);
- Non-infectious (stagnant);
- Hormonal-dystrophic (disorders in the body's hormonal system);
- Allergic (allergic reactions and autoimmune diseases);
- Vegetovascular (impaired blood circulation in the prostate).
Other classifications are less relevant to the general public and are more designed to make diagnosis easier for doctors.Thus, according to the nature of the disease, acute and chronic prostatitis are distinguished, according to the degree of involvement of the gland tissue in the inflammatory process - catarrhal, parenchymal and follicular, etc.
The following types of prostatitis are distinguished separately in medicine:
- Asymptomatic chronic prostatitis, which, as the name suggests, occurs without any symptoms.The only symptom of the disease is the periodic detection of bacteria and leukocytes in the urine;
- Chronic granulomatous prostatitis.A fairly rare disease in which prostate tissue is replaced by fibrous tissue with the formation of many granulomas (small nodules).
How are the symptoms of prostatitis manifested?
The initial symptoms of prostatitis depend on the nature of the disease.The first symptoms of acute prostatitis are marked weakness, headache and fever.
Specific signs of acute prostatitis:
- Frequent and painful urination that does not bring relief.In severe cases, acute urinary retention may develop;
- Painful bowel movements;
- Burning in perineal region.
Indirect signs of acute prostatitis include painful nocturnal erection, reduced or absent sexual desire, and accelerated ejaculation.In addition, severe pain during sexual intercourse can make it difficult for a man to achieve orgasm.If you notice these signs, consult a doctor immediately!In the initial stage, prostatitis is easily treated.
Chronic prostatitis is sluggish and has a rather mild clinical picture, which is why many people do not pay due attention to their health.Chronic prostatitis is actively manifested only in the acute phase.On average, it occurs 1-2 times a year with symptoms characteristic of an acute form of the disease.
Methods for diagnosing diseases
A urologist must diagnose prostatitis in a patient.First of all, he conducts a detailed conversation with the patient.The doctor may ask the following questions:
- How long has the patient been suffering from this disease?
- How often does it flare up?
- What symptoms does the patient notice?
- What is the nature of the subject's sexual activity (regular/irregular)?
- What risk factors does the patient have for this disease (previous STIs, surgical operations in the pelvic region, other chronic inflammatory processes)?
After collecting the medical history, the doctor begins with the examination of the patient, which includes a digital rectal examination and palpation of the scrotum.If palpation does not detect changes in the prostate, the doctor must rule out other diseases of the genitourinary system.
As a rule, already at this stage an experienced specialist can make a correct diagnosis.But sometimes the doctor prescribes additional tests.As a rule, this is necessary in controversial cases or to select the most effective treatment regimen.
Laboratory diagnostic methods
- General analysis of urine and blood;
- Urethral swab;
- Spermogram;
- PCR analysis (reveals hidden infections);
- Examination of prostate juice (for chronic prostatitis).For men over the age of 50, a PSA (prostate-specific antigen) level test is required if prostate cancer is suspected.
Instrumental diagnostic methods
- Ultrasound of the prostate.This is the most affordable and informative way to examine the prostate.It can be performed externally through the abdominal wall or transrectally.The last method is extremely unpleasant, but the most informative.Ultrasound can detect the presence of abscesses and stones in the affected organ, as well as the degree of urethral narrowing;
- Uroflowmetry.It allows you to determine the rate of urine flow.Using this study, the doctor can assess the permeability of the urinary tract and the contractility of the bladder.
There are several additional diagnostic methods prescribed by the doctor in special cases (cystoscopy, CT scan of the pelvic organs, biopsy, transurethral examination).
Methods of treatment of prostatitis
As with any other disease, prostatitis is effectively treated only in its acute form.Chronic prostatitis is extremely difficult to treat, and often only significant remission can be achieved.
Treatment of acute prostatitis
A patient with acute prostatitis must be hospitalized, because such a condition is dangerous due to its complications, including the development of sepsis.
The main thing in the treatment of acute prostatitis isantibiotic therapy.An acute condition requires immediate therapeutic measures, so drugs are prescribed before obtaining tests to identify the causative agent of the disease.According to WHO recommendations, the patient is routinely prescribed fluoroquinolones.If the analysis reveals the cause of acute prostatitis that is not sensitive to this antibiotic, the treatment is reconsidered.
In addition to antibiotics, the patient is prescribed strict bed rest and prohibition of prostate massage, as it can cause the development of sepsis.Analgesics and NSAIDs (relieving pain), rheological solutions (in case of severe intoxication of the body) and drugs that normalize blood microcirculation will help alleviate the symptoms of prostatitis.
Surgical intervention is necessary only if there is a complete inability to empty the bladder and in the presence of an abscess.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis
In the treatment of chronic prostatitis, the use of antibiotics is still controversial.Some doctors believe that they should be prescribed, others - that only if bacterial flora is detected in the prostate secretion.
Prostate massage is also a questionable procedure.This procedure involves only the lower part of the prostate.Massage, of course, will not harm, but its benefits cannot exceed the psychological and physical discomfort that the patient feels during rectal manipulation.Therefore, today the optimal treatment regimen for chronic prostatitis is as follows:
- Taking NSAIDs, immunomodulators and drugs that improve blood circulation;
- Taking sedatives and antidepressants if you have problems with erection;
- Exercise therapy and physiotherapy (electrophoresis, UHF, magnetic laser therapy, etc.).These therapeutic methods play a leading role in the treatment of chronic prostatitis.
Traditional medicine to combat prostatitis offers infusions of hazelnut and aspen bark, pumpkin seeds and parsley juice.It is worth noting that natural remedies should only be used in combination with treatment prescribed by a doctor.Otherwise, the disease can progress, which can lead to dire consequences.
Consequences of prostatitis
The complications of this disease are quite serious.Here are the main ones:
- Loss of sexual desire and erection.Against the background of these deviations, men often develop impotence, which usually has a psychological cause;
- infertility;
- Formation of cysts and stones in the prostate;
- Sclerosis of the prostate is a replacement of the functional tissue of the scar gland, which leads to a disturbance of its functioning;
- Prostate adenoma is a benign prostate tumor that can only be removed surgically;
- Prostate cancer.It is the result of an untreated adenoma.
Considering how easy prostatitis is to treat in the initial stages and how serious its consequences are, men should discard false modesty and consult a doctor before it's too late.
Prevention of prostatitis
Simple recommendations will help prevent prostatitis:
- Lead an active lifestyle.Morning exercises are the best option, squats are especially useful;
- Take a contrast shower, visit the bathroom, ideally before sexual intercourse;
- Establish a regular sex life;
- Avoid stressful situations;
- Don't get too cold.It is better to equip the seat in the car with heating;
- Avoid cigarettes and alcoholic beverages that increase blood pressure.
A healthy lifestyle has never harmed anyone, and it also plays a major role in the prevention of prostatitis.
Timely diagnosis and proper treatment of prostatitis is a guarantee of successful recovery.Be healthy!