Prostatitis in men

What kind of disease is prostatitis and what first symptoms it causes, every man should know.Prostatitis is a common urological pathology in which inflammatory processes progress in the prostate.The disease is mainly diagnosed in men aged between 35 and 40 years.The predisposing factors that contribute to the onset of the disease are reduced immunity, inactive lifestyle, abuse of bad habits and poor nutrition.The diagnosis and treatment of the pathology are carried out by a urologist.It is with him that you need to make an appointment if you are concerned about the characteristic symptoms.It is important for any man to remember: the sooner the disease is diagnosed and treatment begins, the greater the chances of recovery and full 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 producing secretions that maintain normal sperm activity.In most cases, the disease is infectious in nature.Infection can occur through the urethra, blood or lymphatic flow, when the infection moves throughout the body from distant inflammatory foci.Microorganisms that can cause an inflammatory complication:

• coli;
• 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 glandular tissues.

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

• acute;
• chronic.

Acute is characterized by pronounced symptoms;With timely seeking medical help, it can be cured successfully.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 with vague symptoms.Chronic prostatitis cannot be completely cured, but properly selected therapy and preventive measures help to prolong remission.

Reasons

The main causes of prostatitis are decreased immunity, untreated urological and venereal infections.Inflammation often occurs against the background of a bacterial infection, which, with 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 on the body, promotes vasospasm, poor circulation and decreased 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, which remain in the intestine for a long time, put pressure on the gland, interrupting 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 a decrease in local immunity.
• Excess body weight.Overweight people move little, which causes deterioration of blood circulation in internal organs.Stagnant processes lead to swelling and inflammation of prostate tissue.
• Disturbance in the rhythm of sexual activity.Prostatitis can be caused by both an overly active sex life and 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, overwork, regular lack of sleep and physical overload.

Types of prostatitis

The symptoms of prostatitis depend on the type and nature of the course.There are several types of the disease, each with its own characteristics.

Bacterial

The main cause is a bacterial infection that develops against a background of weakened immunity.Bacterial prostatitis occurs:

• spicy;
• chronic.

In acute cases, pronounced prostatitis syndromes are a cause for concern:

• a sharp increase in temperature;
• urinary disorder;
• pain, discomfort in the perineum;
• purulent and bloody inclusions in the urine;
• deterioration of general health.

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

Calculation

This type of pathology is mainly diagnosed in men over 55 years of age.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:

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

Stagnant

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 gland secretions.

Symptoms characteristic 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, difficulty urinating, the presence of purulent inclusions in the urine and sharp 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 bathroom, discomfort in the perineum during physical activity.
• Follicular.The pain symptom becomes more pronounced, is uncomfortable even at rest and can radiate to the lower abdomen or lower back.The urination process stops, the liquid flows in a thin stream, and sometimes urinary retention occurs.
• Parenchymal.An advanced stage, during which general intoxication of the body develops, body temperature increases 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 the increase in the size of the gland and irritation of nearby nerve fibers.The more advanced the disease, the more intense the pain that worries the person.The pain syndrome can change in intensity with sexual abstinence or increased sexual activity.Discomfort spreads to the lower abdomen, lower back, perineum and scrotum.

Dysuric syndrome

When inflamed, the prostate gland increases in size and begins to press on the ureters, which is why its lumen gradually decreases.The patient begins to feel uncomfortable with frequent urination and, after going to the bathroom, a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder remains.

Sexual deviations

In the initial stages of the development of 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 excitement center.If prostatitis treatment is not started in the early stages, complications arise that lead to impotence and infertility.

Diagnosis

If you have characteristic symptoms, consult a doctor.The diagnosis and treatment of prostatitis are carried out by a urologist.It is with him that the man must make an initial meeting.During the examination, the doctor will ask about disturbing symptoms, complaints, collect anamnesis and perform a rectal examination of the prostate.To confirm the diagnosis, the urologist will provide a referral for additional diagnostic tests, including the following procedures:

• clinical analysis of blood and urine;
• PCR research;
• uroflowmetry;
• examination of glandular secretions;
• Prostate ultrasound;
• Computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging.

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 to admit him.Otherwise, treatment is carried out on an outpatient basis.The patient must strictly follow the urologist's instructions, adhere to the treatment plan and not self-medicate.

Drug therapy

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

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

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

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

Maintenance therapy

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

• Drink the required amount of liquid - at least 1.5 to 2 liters per day.
• Maintain bed rest.
• Hot therapeutic baths.
• Follow a gentle diet, during which salty, spicy and 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 have the desired effect, the doctor decides on surgery.In modern urology, the following surgical methods for the treatment of prostatitis are practiced:

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

Surgery 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.

To combat inflammation and uncomfortable symptoms, medicinal herbs rich in beneficial substances and elements with bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effects are used.Infusions, tinctures and decoctions are prepared from medicinal herbs, which can be taken orally, made into compresses and lotions and added to the bath.

The following herbs are used to treat prostatitis:

• wise;
• calendula;
• chamomile;
• licorice;
• yarrow;
• nettle;
• parsley;
• St. John's Wort;
• bearberry;
• rosemary;
• centaur;
• ginseng;
• sweet clover;
• brunette.

In chronic prostatitis, bee propolis is widely used, famous for its anti-inflammatory properties and analgesic effect.Adherents 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.Treatment is carried out in one course and lasts 1 month.

Consequences

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

• cystitis;
• pyelonephritis;
• vesiculitis;
• coliculitis and urethritis;
• epididymitis;
• prostate sclerosis.

Against the background of such complications, erectile and psychological disorders occur.In severe cases, the disease can progress to the chronic calculous prostatitis stage, causing abscess and other potentially fatal complications.Frequent relapses 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 prostate inflammation or prolong remission in chronic form:

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