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 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 intense pain, while others will not be bothered by the disease; In others, the symptoms of prostatitis appear periodically and are chronic. However, the symptoms of the disease significantly impair a 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 the production of fluid that is responsible for the quality of sperm. The gland surrounds the urethra at the bladder neck and prevents sperm from returning to the bladder. It, like a natural valve, separates two systems - the urinary and the reproductive system. This organ holds urine in the bladder and allows it to pass out when needed. Prostate inflammation has a negative effect on a man's reproductive function and the state of his urinary tract.
Acute bacterial prostatitis is the rarest type of prostatitis, but the easiest to recognize. It is usually caused by a sudden outbreak due to a bacterial infection. It is easily diagnosed because it has a number of characteristic symptoms and signs. This severe infection of the urinary tract is most often accompanied by high fever and chills, in which case an urgent visit to the doctor or hospital will be required. 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 completely empty the bladder, cramping pain in the lower abdomen, perineum, back or pelvis; chills and fever.
The symptoms of the chronic bacterial form of prostatitis are similar to the acute bacterial form, but it develops gradually and the symptoms are less severe. They are characterized by recurrent infections of the urinary tract in men; this inflammation occurs in representatives of different age categories, but is most 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 not known. However, the disease can begin with an acute or chronic low-grade infection, accompanied by inflammation, or provoked by muscle spasms in the pelvic area.
In this case, inflammation of the prostate can occur without any symptoms or the symptoms can be erased. Sometimes patients feel 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 with another disease, and the main complaints are related to symptoms that are not related to prostatitis. In such cases, this is confirmed by tissue biopsy or urine and semen analysis.
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 studied cases, the inflammatory process in the prostate is clearly associated with acute or chronic bacterial infections. They enter the prostate from the urethra. Bacterial prostatitis is not contagious and cannot be transmitted sexually. A sexual partner cannot "contaminate" this infection.
Certain specific conditions or medical procedures associated with diagnosis or treatment increase the risk of contracting bacterial prostatitis. There is a good chance that the person had a catheter or other instrument inserted into the urethra to treat a urinary tract infection or bladder infection.
Prostatitis can be caused by atypical microorganisms, such as chlamydia, mycoplasma (transmitted through sexual contact) and ureaplasma. It can also be triggered by a chemical or immunological reaction to the initial injury or infection. Muscle spasms in the pelvic area can cause pain in the prostate area. It can also be a response to an infection or inflammation of the prostate.
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, problems with urination and general weakness. Doctors recommend seeking help at the first signs of the disease, because irrational treatment or the lack of it can lead to chronic prostatitis and complications. In order to establish an accurate diagnosis and determine the optimal treatment, it is necessary to contact a urologist who will perform the necessary examinations and select the appropriate therapy. 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 cure prostatitis quickly.
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 have 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 in order to determine whether the patient really has prostatitis and what type it is.
In acute bacterial prostatitis, the symptoms are severe and require immediate medical attention. Common are: shivering, 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 started process turns into calculous prostatitis.
Symptoms of non-bacterial prostatitis (chronic pelvic pain syndrome) include difficulty and sometimes painful urination, discomfort or pain in the perineal area, bladder, testicles and penis, and difficulty or pain in ejaculation. Sometimes, or even most often, these symptoms are indistinguishable from those described above for chronic bacterial prostatitis.
Diagnosis of prostatitis
Accurate diagnosis is very important for the treatment of any disease, especially prostatitis. Because the treatment of its various forms differs not only in duration, but also in 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 several 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 filling out the questionnaire, your doctor can also order a physical examination.
In order to check the state of the prostate, the doctor will perform a digital rectal examination. This is a simple examination in which the specialist inserts a lubricated (gloved) finger into the patient's rectum. The prostate is located directly in front of the rectum and slightly below the bladder; palpation allows the doctor to easily detect and examine the problematic organ.
In this way, the doctor can determine whether the prostate is enlarged. Irregularities 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 does have 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 can order a transrectal ultrasound, which allows him to visualize the prostate.
If the specialist suspects that you have prostatitis or another prostate disease, he may refer you to a urologist, a doctor who specializes in diseases of the urinary tract and male reproductive system, to confirm the diagnosis.
The urologist will repeat some of the tests and may analyze different urine samples as well as samples of prostate fluid obtained by massaging the prostate during rectal palpation. Urine and prostate secretion samples are examined for signs of inflammation and infection. These tests will help your urologist diagnose your problem more precisely: whether there is inflammation or infection in the urethra, bladder or prostate.
Some doctors may order blood and semen tests to determine the presence of abnormal microorganisms, white blood cell counts, or other signs of infection.
A urologist can 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 flow intensity and the presence of obstructions caused by inflammation of the prostate, urethra, or pelvic muscle spasm.
Interesting facts
- Prostatitis can affect men of any age: Although it is more common in men over the age of 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 different symptoms:They can vary from mild discomfort during urination 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 of men that causes inflammation of the prostate. 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, problems with urination 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 you cope with it. People are advised not to delay seeing a specialist and to follow the recommendations for a quick recovery.
Treatment
Treatment of prostatitis directly depends on the type of bacterial infection that was diagnosed during the study.
For acute bacterial prostatitis, the patient will need to take antibiotics for at least 14 days. Sometimes patients need hospital treatment 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 always follow the 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 have to take antibiotics for longer than in acute form. About 75 percent of all cases of chronic bacterial prostatitis are completely cured within 6-7 months. Sometimes the symptoms return and the antibiotic therapy has to be repeated again and again. In cases that do not respond to this treatment, long-term therapy with low doses of antibiotics 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 treatment.
A patient may not need antibiotics if diagnosed with chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Urologists often encounter difficulties when trying to decide whether a patient has bacterial or non-bacterial 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 therapy will determine whether it should be continued.
Many patients without an actual infection may feel better during antibiotic treatment, as most antibiotics have a direct anti-inflammatory effect.
Depending on the symptoms and dynamics of treatment, patients can be prescribed several methods to quickly restore health. Some specialists prescribe alpha blockers in addition to antibiotics. These drugs help relieve spasms and relax the muscles around the prostate and the base of the bladder, eliminating pain when urinating. Folk remedies are often successfully used - anti-inflammatory herbal preparations, analgesic infusions, muscle relaxants, herbal extracts (quercetin and/or bee pollen). Massaging the prostate will release the 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 sitting becomes too uncomfortable, patients are advised to use a special pillow.
Acupuncture, reflexology, and relaxation exercises in addition to primary treatment may also help relieve some symptoms. You may be advised to follow a special diet, avoid certain foods (such as spices) and drinks (such as caffeinated, acidic drinks) and avoid triggers (such as cycling) that may make your prostate inflammation worse.
Only preventive measures, timely diagnosis and an integrated approach to prostate treatment will preserve men's health for many years. Protect your second heart - the prostate!
Frequently asked questions
How do I know if I have prostatitis?
Pain, burning when urinating Difficulty urinating Leakage of urine Frequent urination Cloudy urine Blood in the urine (hematuria) Pain in the abdomen, groin, suprapubic area General symptoms of malaise (fever, weakness)
What is prostatitis and why is it dangerous?
Prostatitis is an inflammatory process in the prostate. The main threat of such an inflammatory process is that it may not manifest itself for a long time. Sometimes a person can be sick for several years without even realizing that he needs treatment.
Why does prostatitis occur in men?
Causes of prostatitis 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 anus.
How can you get prostatitis?
Bacteria that enter the prostate through the urethra, bloodstream, lymph, Disorders of the rhythm of sexual life, Reduced immunity, Sexually transmitted infections (gonorrhea, trichomoniasis, 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
Take care of your lifestyle: lead an active lifestyle, drink more water, get rid of 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
Regularly undergo preventive examinations at the 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.