Prostatitis in men

What kind of disease prostatitis is and what initial symptoms it causes, every man should know.Prostatitis is a common urological pathology in which inflammatory processes in the prostate progress.The disease is mainly diagnosed in men aged 35-40.Predisposing factors that contribute to the onset of the disease include reduced immunity, an inactive lifestyle, abuse of bad habits and poor diet.Diagnosis and treatment of pathology is carried out by a doctor called a urologist.You must make an appointment with him for a consultation if you are concerned about characteristic symptoms.It is important for every man to remember: the earlier the disease is diagnosed and treatment is started, the greater the chances of full recovery and recovery.Lack of timely treatment can have serious consequences, including male infertility and prostate cancer.

The nature 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 contagious in nature.Infection can occur through the urethra, blood or lymph flow as the infection spreads through the body from distant sites of inflammation.Microorganisms that can cause an inflammatory complication:

• Coli;
• staphylococci;
• enterococci;
• proteas;
• Klebsiella etc.

All these microscopic organisms are opportunistic microflora, the active life of which is suppressed by the human immune system.However, once the immune system is weakened under the influence of predisposing factors, the infection becomes more active and causes inflammation in the glandular tissue.

Depending on the form, the following forms of prostatitis are distinguished:

• acute;
• chronic.

Acute is characterized by pronounced symptoms;If you seek medical help in a timely manner, a successful cure can occur.The chronic form of pathology arises as a result of inadequate or untimely treatment of the acute form.The disease is characterized by recurrent infections that present with vague symptoms.Chronic prostatitis cannot be completely cured, but properly selected therapy and preventive measures will help prolong remission.

Reasons

The main causes of prostatitis are reduced immunity and untreated urological and venereal diseases.Inflammation often occurs against the background of a bacterial infection, which is in a latent state when the immune system is functioning properly.But as the immune system weakens, pathogens become more active and cause inflammation of the prostate tissue.

What causes prostatitis:

• Hypothermia.Hypothermia causes stress in the body, promotes vascular spasm, poor blood circulation and reduced immunity.
• Inactive lifestyle.With a sedentary lifestyle, the blood supply to the pelvic organs worsens, which leads to stagnation and the development of inflammation in them.
• Chronic constipation.Hardened feces, which lie in the intestines for a long time, put pressure on the gland and disrupt microcirculation.This creates favorable conditions for the life of pathogenic microflora.
• Injuries.Traumatic damage to the prostate contributes to a deterioration in blood flow and a decrease in local immunity.
• Overweight.People who are overweight move little, which leads to a deterioration in blood flow to their internal organs.Stagnant processes lead to swelling and inflammation of the prostate tissue.
• Disturbance of 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 course.There are different types of the disease, each with its own characteristics.

bacteria

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

• spicy;
• chronic.

In acute cases, pronounced prostatitis syndromes are worrying:

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

In a chronic course, the symptoms become blurred and appear weak.However, in the event of a relapse, the intensity of the symptoms resembles an acute process.

Calculus

This type of pathology is diagnosed mainly in men over 55 years old.Against the background of stone formation in the prostate tissue, an inflammatory complication arises.Most often, stones form due to improper treatment of chronic prostatitis.Another common cause is untreated urolithiasis.

Characteristic signs of calcareous prostatitis:

• urinary disorder;
• hematuria;
• Weakening of erection.

Stagnant

It develops against the background of chronic prostatitis and is accompanied by impaired microcirculation in the pelvic organs.The stagnant form can also occur if there is no sexual intercourse for a long time, which leads to stagnation of secretions in the gland.

Characteristic symptoms of congestive prostatitis:

• problems urinating;
• 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 patient's death.

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, and discomfort in the perineum during physical activity.
• Follicular.The pain symptom increases, is disturbing even when resting and can radiate to the lower abdomen or lower back.The urge to urinate is disturbed, fluid flows out in a thin stream and sometimes urinary retention occurs.
• Parenchymatous.An advanced stage in which general intoxication of the body develops, body temperature rises significantly, unbearable pain appears in the perineal area, and problems with urination become stronger.

Pain syndrome

There are no pain receptors in the prostate, but pain occurs due to enlargement of the gland and irritation of neighboring nerve fibers.The more advanced the disease is, the greater the pain, which worries those affected.The pain syndrome can change in intensity with sexual abstinence or increased sexual activity.The symptoms spread to the lower abdomen, lumbar spine, perineum and scrotum.

Dysuric syndrome

During inflammation, the prostate enlarges and puts pressure on the ureters, which is why their lumen gradually decreases.The patient is disturbed by frequent urination and the feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder remains after using the toilet.

Sexual deviations

In the initial stages of the development of pathology, a man may suffer from frequent erections or, conversely, a lack of sexual arousal.Accelerated ejaculation is explained by a decrease in the sensitivity threshold of the excitation center.If treatment of prostatitis is not started in the initial stages, complications arise, leading to impotence and infertility.

diagnosis

If you experience any characteristic symptoms, you should consult a doctor.Diagnosis and treatment of prostatitis is carried out by a urologist.A man should make an initial appointment with him.During the examination, the doctor will ask about troubling symptoms and complaints, take a medical history, and perform a rectal examination of the prostate.To confirm the diagnosis, the urologist will prescribe another diagnostic examination, which includes the following procedures:

• clinical blood and urine analysis;
• PCR research;
• uroflowmetry;
• Examination of glandular secretions;
• ultrasound of the prostate;
• 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 will decide whether to hospitalize 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 help stop the inflammatory process and destroy pathogenic microflora.If prostatitis is caused by viruses or fungi, antibacterial treatment is supplemented with appropriate groups of drugs.

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

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

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

Maintenance therapy

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

• Drink the required amount of fluid – at least 1.5 – 2 liters per day.
• Maintain bed rest.
• Warm healing baths.
• Adherence to a sparing diet, in 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 have the desired effect, the doctor decides to perform an operation.In modern urology, the following surgical methods for treating prostatitis are practiced:

• Transurethral resection (TUR).During the operation, the surgeon removes all of the affected glandular tissue.
• Prostatectomy.Involves removal of the prostate, adjacent tissue and seminal vesicles.

Surgery is not performed on young men because any surgery can lead to infertility.

Folk remedies

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

To combat inflammation and disturbing symptoms, medicinal herbs rich in useful substances and elements that have bactericidal and anti-inflammatory effects are used.On the basis of medicinal herbs, infusions, tinctures and decoctions are prepared, which can be taken orally, made into compresses and lotions and added to the bath.

The following herbs are used to treat prostatitis:

• Sage;
• marigold;
• Chamomile;
• Liquorice;
• Yarrow;
• Nettle;
• Parsley;
• St. John's wort;
• bearberry;
• Rosemary;
• centaury;
• Ginseng;
• sweet clover;
• Chestnut.

For chronic prostatitis, bee propolis is often used, which is known for its anti-inflammatory properties and analgesic effects.Supporters of alternative medicine recommend making suppositories from propolis, which are inserted into the rectum.The recipe is:

1. Grind 20g of propolis into a 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 takes place in one course and lasts 1 month.

Consequences

Inadequate 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;
• colculitis and urethritis;
• epididymitis;
• Prostatic sclerosis.

Against the background of such complications, erectile dysfunction and psychological disorders occur.In severe cases, the disease can progress to the stage of chronic calcific prostatitis, causing an abscess and other life-threatening complications.Frequent relapses often lead to the development of male infertility, adenomas and even prostate cancer.

Prevention

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

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