An insidious male disease is prostatitis. The symptoms of prostatitis can be varied, depending on the form of the disease. Sometimes the initial stage of disease development is asymptomatic. And it is very difficult to independently recognize and diagnose prostatitis. But the sooner the problem is identified, the faster and without consequences you can get rid of it. Quite often the hidden latent form gradually turns into chronic prostatitis. This is the danger of this male disease. Urologists around the world strongly recommend that men visit specialists regularly. In addition, any disease is better to prevent than to treat for a long and painful time. In this article, we will analyze the main symptoms and signs of prostatitis in men, highlighting its main forms of manifestation.
types of prostatitis
All signs of prostatitis are classified depending on the type and variety of the disease. But what is prostatitis? Thus, prostatitis is called an infectious inflammatory process in the prostate in men. Glandular and connective tissues are mainly affected. Attention to this problem began to be given in the 19th century. In those days, each year the number of patients with prostatitis increased rapidly. Therefore, it was necessary to develop a complex therapy.
Today, the first symptoms of prostatitis in men can occur at the age of 21 to 50 years. A young person is at risk from the moment he starts to have an active sex life. Unfortunately, statistics show that only 25% of the male population regularly visit urologists. And more than 10% of that number are diagnosed with prostatitis of various forms. That's why it's so important to get tested twice a year.
Prostatitis can be classified according to different types. Thus, depending on the etiology, the following types of prostatitis are distinguished:
- Infectious;
- stagnant;
- Specific;
- Nonspecific;
- Mixed.
Depending on the area of damage to the prostate, doctors look for follicular, catarrhal, parenchymal, dystrophic, prostate, granulomatous, sclerosis of the prostate. The main types with which clinicians begin classifying and diagnosing are acute and chronic prostatitis. Not treating chronic prostatitis causes prostate adenoma, gland cancer, and organ sclerosis.
In addition, the type of prostatitis can be determined by the pathogenesis:
- Urethrogenic;
- hematogenous;
- calculating;
- canalicular;
- Endocrine;
- Allergic.
Symptoms of acute prostatitis
Acute bacterial prostatitis occurs against the background of bacterial lesions of the prostate with E. coli, enterococci, staphylococci, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other types of pathogenic microorganisms. In some cases, acute prostatitis can develop after a prostate biopsy.
The first symptom of this form of prostatitis is a rise in body temperature to 39-40 degrees Celsius. At the same time, different measurements can show completely different temperatures. So, measuring the temperatures in the mouth, the indicators will be normal. The same thing can happen when measuring in the armpit. But measuring the temperature by the rectal method will show very high indicators.
If the process is developing rapidly, a high temperature will be indicated in any type of measurement. Other symptoms of prostatitis occur immediately after a rise in body temperature. These are pain sensations that extend to:
- Lower abdomen, back;
- Scrotal area;
- Groin;
- lower back;
- Anus;
- The organs of the small pelvis.
In addition, a characteristic sign of acute bacterial prostatitis is frequent urination. The urge to go to the bathroom is much more frequent at night. In this process, a man necessarily feels pain, cramps, discomfort, burning. In addition, the inguinal lymph nodes may be enlarged, frequent constipation appears. Among other symptoms, it is worth mentioning the signs of intoxication of the body, which manifest in the form of general weakness, muscle pain, headache, dizziness and increased fatigue.
It should be noted that with any form of prostatitis, the sexual activity of young people is disturbed. In an acute inflammatory process during ejaculation, blood impurities can be detected in the seminal fluid. The same can happen with urination. In such cases, a timely visit to the doctor plays an important role. After all, taking painkillers will not solve the problem, but will only worsen the patient's situation.
Symptoms of chronic bacterial prostatitis
The chronic form of prostatitis is caused by the same bacteria as its acute type. But the disease becomes "chronic" when all signs of the disease are ignored. In addition, this can happen if the first signs of prostatitis were "erased", the disease was almost asymptomatic. After all, not every man with a slight malaise, headache, fatigue will run to a urologist. Acute symptoms can pass very quickly and the inflammatory process still develops.
The symptoms of this type of disease are the same as in the acute form. But, they only occur during the period of exacerbation. Almost always, a man feels discomfort when urinating. The process can be intermittent, slow. Pain during urination occurs at the beginning and at the end. And the urge to go to the bathroom becomes more frequent at any time of day. It is important to know that chronic prostatitis is a relapsing form and the signs will reappear after a while.
It should be noted that chronic prostatitis is accompanied by a significant decrease in sex life. The scarring of prostate tissue during the inflammatory process disrupts the connection of nerve endings with the center of sexual arousal. So at first the man starts complaining about premature ejaculation. Then the erection becomes unstable, not stable. It is often not enough to complete a complete sexual relationship. The pleasant sensations of intimacy also diminish. All this negatively affects the mental state of the patient, libido disappears. Sex life disappears.
Among other symptoms, it is important to note the following:
- Discharge from the urethra after defecation, physical exertion;
- constant pain;
- Change in skin color in the perineum;
- Blockage of the ducts, which leads to suppuration;
- Urinary retention.
Signs of congestive prostatitis in men
The congestive type of prostatitis is often referred to as chronic nonbacterial inflammation of the prostate. This is an atypical form of the disease. The main signs of this form are pain in unusual places for prostatitis - the lumbosacral region, pain in the legs. Due to this atypical location, the disease is often misdiagnosed. Consequently, the treatment is chosen completely wrong. And the inflammation in the prostate continues to develop, gaining strength.
Pain in congestive prostatitis is always accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Weak erection;
- Pain during an erection;
- premature ejaculation;
- Decreased sexual desire;
- Lack of orgasm.
Over time, the pain spreads to the area of the testicles, urethra, and anus. Urination is also frequent and difficult. Discomfort can be felt in the pubic region, perineum, lower abdomen. At the same time, sharp pain will be given to the penis and rectum. There may be some difficulties in the defecation process.
There is another form of prostatitis, asymptomatic prostatitis. From the name itself, it is clear that this disease does not manifest itself in any way. This type of prostatitis is discovered by chance during any other clinical examination. Thus, in the analysis of the patient's urine, an increase in the level of leukocytes is detected. It is also possible to diagnose prostatitis in the absence of symptoms during direct surgical intervention on the prostate.
How to recognize the onset of prostatitis?
Prostatitis is a complex disease. It is accompanied not only by various physiological disorders, but also psychological disorders are observed. All the symptoms of the disease lead men to an oppressed and depressed state. All this can lead to a complete lack of sex life, prolonged depression. Therefore, it is so important to carry out a complete treatment of prostatitis.
Only a urologist can make an accurate diagnosis. But you can recognize the early symptoms of prostatitis on your own with self-diagnosis. Just listen to your body, your sensations. You can suspect the disease by the following signs:
- Unpleasant sensations during bowel movements;
- Burning in the perineum (long or short duration);
- Frequent urge to go to the bathroom;
- Difficulty urinating;
- "Faded" orgasm;
- Increased fatigue;
- constant stress;
- Decreased erection.
It is worth noting that these symptoms may not appear all at once. But at least in the presence of one of them, it is necessary to consult a doctor. After all, timely treatment of prostatitis always passes quickly and successfully. But the chronic form of prostate inflammation is practically incurable and leads to serious consequences.
Treatment methods for prostatitis
Any treatment always starts with a diagnosis. Doctors often diagnose an acute and chronic form of the disease just because men don't know the first symptoms of the disease. But the first bells went, but they didn't get enough attention. Even with frequent fatigue, it is best to visit a doctor. As per the research results, the main cause of this condition can be identified.
Thus, the diagnosis of prostatitis in men can be as follows:
- Ultrasound examination of the prostate;
- Diagnosis of the rectal finger;
- Patient interrogation;
- Examination of the secret of the prostate;
- A swab from the urethra;
- Urine analysis;
- Blood test.
To get the secret of the prostate for laboratory research, it is necessary to perform a rectal massage of the prostate. But in the case of acute prostatitis, this cannot be done. If an acute form is suspected, ultrasound and urinalysis are sufficient to fully confirm or refute this diagnosis.
Prostatitis is usually treated on an outpatient basis. There are two main principles of complex therapy for men: antibacterial treatment for the sanitation of foci of infection and measures to increase and normalize blood flow in the prostate (physiotherapy, massage, gymnastics). Speaking of drug treatment, antibiotics are a prerequisite. Also, the doctor necessarily prescribes anti-inflammatory drugs, drugs to eliminate pain.
In the case of chronic prostatitis, the cause of relapses is immunodeficiency. Therefore, in such cases, doctors prescribe vitamin preparations in parallel with antibiotics.
The treatment regimen for prostatitis is selected individually for each patient. The same applies to the duration of the course. After completing a full course of antibiotics, it is important to build up immunity. Therefore, for some time a man must take immunomodulatory drugs, multivitamin complexes. Electrophoresis and lavage of the urethra with a special solution are highly effective in treating prostatitis. Thus, you can completely kill all the bacteria that can cause the disease and save the man from possible relapses.