Prostatitis (inflammation of the prostate) is one of the most common diseases of the genitourinary and reproductive system in men today. This is a pathological condition that can combine inflammation of the prostate gland itself and the area around it. There are several types of this disease, each of which has different symptoms.
Some men with this disease may experience severe pain, while others will not be bothered by the disease. For others, prostatitis symptoms appear periodically and are chronic. However, the symptoms of the disease significantly impair the person's quality of life.
Reasons
The prostate is a walnut-shaped gland that is part of the male reproductive system. The main function of the prostate is to produce fluid, which is responsible for the quality of semen. The gland surrounds the urethra at the bladder neck and prevents sperm from returning to the bladder. Like a natural valve, it separates two systems - the urinary and reproductive systems. This organ holds urine in the bladder and allows it to come out when needed. Prostate inflammation negatively affects both a man's reproductive function and the state of his urinary system.
Acute bacterial prostatitis is the least common type of prostatitis, but the most easily recognized. It is usually caused by a sudden outbreak due to a bacterial infection. It is easily diagnosed as it has a number of characteristic symptoms and signs. This serious urinary tract infection is most often accompanied by a high fever and chills, in which case an immediate visit to the doctor or hospital will be necessary. Men of all ages are susceptible to this disease, especially those with weakened immune systems. Symptoms of this form of prostate disease include painful urination. difficulty or inability to empty the bladder completely, cramping pain in the lower abdomen, perineum, back or pelvis. chills and fever.
The chronic bacterial form of prostatitis is similar in its symptoms to the acute bacterial form, but develops gradually and its symptoms are less severe. It is characterized by recurrent urinary tract infections in men. this inflammation occurs in representatives of different age groups, but is more common among young people and men of reproductive age.
Non-bacterial chronic prostatitis (chronic pelvic pain syndrome, non-bacterial prostatitis, prostatodynia), the most common type of the disease. The exact causes of this type of inflammation are unknown. However, the disease can begin with an acute or low-grade chronic infection, followed by inflammation or be caused by muscle spasms in the pelvic area.
In this case, the inflammation in the prostate may appear without symptoms or the symptoms may disappear. Sometimes patients experience pain in the genitals, discomfort in the pelvic area, difficulty or pain during urination, and sometimes pain during or after ejaculation.
Asymptomatic prostatitis is also common. The diagnosis is made only when the patient presents for another disease and the main complaints are related to symptoms not related to prostatitis. In such cases, it is confirmed by tissue biopsy or analysis of urine and semen.
What causes prostatitis?
The immediate causes of prostatitis are not clearly defined by the medical community. However, there are several accepted theories. In the most frequently studied cases, the inflammatory process in the prostate is clearly associated with acute or chronic bacterial infections. They enter the prostate through the urethra. Bacterial prostatitis is not contagious and cannot be transmitted sexually. A sexual partner cannot "catch" this infection.
Certain special conditions or medical procedures related to diagnosis or treatment increase the risk of developing bacterial prostatitis. There is a good chance that the person has had a catheter or other instrument inserted into the urethra due to treatment for a urinary tract infection or bladder infection.
Prostatitis can be caused by atypical organisms such as chlamydia, mycoplasma (transmitted through sexual contact) and ureaplasma. It can also be caused by a chemical or immune reaction to an initial injury or infection. Muscle spasms in the pelvic area can cause pain in the prostate area. It can also be a response to infection or inflammation of the prostate gland.
Doctor's opinion:
Prostatitis is an inflammatory disease of the prostate that can lead to various unpleasant symptoms, such as pain in the genitourinary system, urinary problems and general malaise. Doctors recommend seeking help at the first signs of the disease, as irrational treatment or its absence can lead to chronic prostatitis and complications. To make an accurate diagnosis and determine the optimal treatment, you need to contact a urologist who will conduct the necessary tests and choose the appropriate treatment. It is important to remember that prostatitis requires a comprehensive approach to treatment, including drug therapy, physical therapy and regular monitoring by a specialist.
Prostatitis. How to quickly cure prostate inflammation.
Symptoms
Symptoms depend on the type of prostatitis and the type of infection that caused it. Often patients do not notice any signs of the disease, while some show symptoms similar to urinary tract infections. Be aware that other diseases can cause the same or similar symptoms. It is very important to be diagnosed by a medical professional to determine if the patient actually has prostatitis and what type it is.
In acute bacterial prostatitis, the symptoms are severe and require immediate emergency medical attention. Common are: chills, fever, burning during urination, heaviness in the lower abdomen, inability to empty the bladder.
In chronic bacterial prostatitis, the symptoms are similar to acute bacterial prostatitis infections, but there is no fever. Other symptoms: burning during urination. frequent urge to urinate, especially at night; pain in the perineum, testicles, bladder and lower back. pain during ejaculation. Symptoms can be episodic, with flare-ups and remissions. The process that started turns into suffocating prostatitis.
Symptoms of non-bacterial prostatitis (chronic pelvic pain syndrome) include difficulty and sometimes painful urination, discomfort or pain in the perineum, bladder, testicles and penis, and difficult or painful ejaculation. Sometimes, or even most of the time, these symptoms can be indistinguishable from those described above for chronic bacterial prostatitis.
Diagnosis of prostatitis
Correct diagnosis is very important for the treatment of any disease and especially for prostatitis. Because the treatment of its different forms differs not only in terms of duration, but also in terms of the range of methods and means. In addition, it is extremely important to distinguish the symptoms from other similar ones, such as urethritis, cystitis, prostate enlargement, adenoma or cancer. To make the most accurate diagnosis, you will need various types of tests and studies.
One of the tools that doctors use in diagnosis is the study of symptoms using a special questionnaire filled out by the patient. In addition to completing the questionnaire, your doctor may request a physical examination.
To check the condition of the prostate gland, the doctor will perform a digital rectal examination. This is a simple test in which a specialist inserts a lubricated (gloved) finger into the patient's rectum. The prostate is located just in front of the rectum and just below the bladder. palpation allows the doctor to easily locate and examine the problem organ.
This way the doctor can determine if the prostate gland is enlarged. Abnormalities may indicate the presence of prostate cancer. The specialist will also be able to assess the degree of pain or discomfort the patient experiences when the doctor presses on the muscles and ligaments of the pelvic floor and perineum. If the patient actually has prostatitis, this manipulation may cause immediate pain or discomfort, but it causes neither destruction nor significant long-term pain.
If the doctor requires a more precise diagnosis or decides that a biopsy is necessary, he may order a transrectal ultrasound, which allows him to visualize the prostate gland.
If a specialist suspects you have prostatitis or another prostate disease, they may refer you to a urologist, a doctor who specializes in diseases of the urinary system and male reproductive system, to confirm the diagnosis.
The urologist will repeat some of the tests and may analyze various urine samples, as well as samples of prostatic fluid obtained by massaging the prostate during rectal palpation. Samples of urine and prostate secretions are examined for signs of inflammation and infection. These tests will help your urologist more accurately diagnose your problem: if there is inflammation or infection in the urethra, bladder or prostate gland.
Some doctors may order blood and semen tests to look for the presence of abnormal organisms, white blood cell counts, or other signs of infection.
The urologist may order a cystoscopy, in which a small special telescope is inserted through the urethra and the bladder, urethra, and prostate are examined. The urologist may also order urine flow tests, which help measure the intensity of the flow and the presence of obstructions caused by inflammation of the prostate gland, urethra, or spasm of the pelvic muscles.
Interesting facts
- Prostatitis can affect men of any age: Although it is more common in men over 50, even younger men can develop prostatitis.
- There are many causes of prostatitis:The most common causes include bacterial infections, inflammation and blocked prostate ducts. In some cases, the cause may be unknown.
- Prostatitis can have various symptoms:These can range from mild discomfort when urinating to severe pain, fever and chills. Symptoms often depend on the type of prostatitis and its severity.
Other people's experiences
Prostatitis is a common disease among men that causes inflammation of the prostate gland. People who face this problem note that the symptoms of prostatitis can be quite unpleasant and interfere with normal life. Many people express concern about pain in the perineum, urinary problems and general discomfort. However, it is important to remember that prostatitis is a reversible disease and timely consultation with a doctor, proper treatment and lifestyle changes can help to deal with it. People are advised not to delay visiting a specialist and follow the recommendations for a quick recovery.
Treatment
Treatment of prostatitis directly depends on the type of bacterial infection diagnosed during the study.
For acute bacterial prostatitis, the patient will need to take antibiotics for at least 14 days. Sometimes patients need hospital care and intravenous antibiotics. If the patient has difficulty urinating, a catheter will be needed. If the disease does not respond to treatment, the doctor prescribes other antibiotics and the course continues until complete recovery.
It is important to know that when taking antibiotics you should always follow your doctor's instructions. Don't miss another appointment or stop treatment early just because you think your symptoms are gone.
If chronic bacterial prostatitis is diagnosed, you will need to take antibiotics for a longer period of time than in the acute form. About 75 percent of all cases of chronic bacterial prostatitis are completely cured within 6-7 months. Sometimes the symptoms come back and the antibiotic treatment has to be repeated again and again. In cases that do not respond to this treatment, long-term, low-dose antibiotic therapy is recommended to relieve symptoms. In some rare cases, surgery may be necessary if the patient has specific anatomical problems, such as scar tissue in the urethra, that interferes with prostate healing.
The patient may not need antibiotics if diagnosed with chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Urologists often face difficulties when trying to decide whether a patient has bacterial or nonbacterial prostatitis. Sometimes previous antibacterial therapy obscures the diagnosis. In such cases, antibiotics may be prescribed, at least initially, even when a definitive diagnosis of bacterial prostatitis has not been made. Your response to antibiotic treatment will determine whether it should be continued.
Many patients without an actual infection may feel better during antibiotic treatment, this is because most antibiotics have a direct anti-inflammatory effect.
Depending on the symptoms and dynamics of treatment, patients may be prescribed various methods for quick recovery. Some specialists prescribe alpha blockers in addition to antibiotics. These drugs help relieve spasm and relax the muscles around the prostate and the base of the bladder, eliminating pain during urination. Folk remedies - anti-inflammatory herbal preparations, analgesic infusions, muscle relaxants, herbal extracts (quercetin and/or bee pollen) are often used with success. Prostate massage will release fluid that causes pressure and pain in the prostate.
Hot baths, mud baths, or other various heat treatments (applying local heat in the form of a hot water bottle or heating pad) will provide relief and temporarily relieve the discomfort associated with the infection. If the seat becomes too uncomfortable, patients are advised to use a special pillow.
Acupuncture, reflexology, and relaxation exercises in addition to initial treatment may also help relieve some symptoms. He may advise you to follow a special diet, avoid certain foods (such as spices) and drinks (such as caffeinated, acidic drinks), and avoid stimuli (such as cycling) that may make your prostate pain worse.
Only preventive measures, early diagnosis and a comprehensive approach to the treatment of the prostate gland will preserve men's health for many years. Take care of your second heart - the prostate!
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I have prostatitis?
Pain, burning during urination Difficulty urinating Leakage of urine Frequent urination Cloudy urine Blood in the urine (haematuria) Pain in the abdomen, groin, suprapubic area General symptoms of being unwell (fever, weakness)
What is prostatitis and why is it dangerous?
Prostatitis is an inflammatory process in the prostate gland. The main threat of such an inflammatory process is that it may not manifest itself for a long time. Sometimes a man can be sick for several years and not even realize that he needs treatment.
Why does prostatitis occur in men?
Causes of prostatitis Its symptoms usually appear in men aged 30-50 years. Most often, the cause is an infectious lesion due to the penetration of pathogenic flora from the urogenital canal or the glands of the genitourinary system. This is explained by the proximity of the urethra and the anus.
How can you get prostatitis?
Bacteria entering the prostate gland through the urethra, blood circulation, lymph, Disorders of the rhythm of sexual life, Reduced immunity, Sexually transmitted infections (gonorrhea, trichomonads, chlamydia, etc. ), Injuries of pelvic organs and tissues.
Useful tips
Tip #1
Signs of prostatitis can be different, including pain in the perineum, frequent urination and increased body temperature. At the first suspicion of prostatitis, be sure to consult a urologist for diagnosis and treatment.
Tip #2
Pay attention to your lifestyle: lead an active lifestyle, drink more water, give up bad habits, include more fruits and vegetables in your diet. This will help strengthen the immune system and prevent the development of prostatitis.
Tip #3
Have regular preventive examinations with a urologist, even if there are no obvious symptoms of the disease. Early detection of prostatitis will allow you to start treatment at an early stage and avoid complications.