Prostatitis (prostatitis) is one of the most common diseases of the genitourinary and reproductive system in men today. This is a medical condition that can combine inflammation of the prostate and the area around it. There are several types of this disease, each with different symptoms.
Some men with this condition may feel 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 reduce a person's quality of life.
Reason
The prostate is a granular gland that is part of the male reproductive system. The main function of the prostate is to produce fluid, which is responsible for sperm quality. The gland surrounds the urethra at the neck of the bladder and prevents sperm from returning to the bladder. It is like a natural valve, separating two systems - the urinary and reproductive systems. This organ holds urine in the bladder and allows it to be released when needed. Prostatitis negatively affects both male reproductive function and the condition of the urinary tract.
Acute bacterial prostatitis is the least common but most recognizable type of prostatitis. Usually caused by a sudden outbreak of a bacterial infection. It can be easily diagnosed as it has some characteristic symptoms and signs. This serious urinary tract infection is often accompanied by high fever and chills, and in this case, you must see a doctor or hospital immediately. Men of all ages are susceptible to this disease, especially those with weak 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 chronic form of bacterial prostatitis has symptoms similar to the acute bacterial form, but develops gradually and the symptoms are less severe. Characterized by recurrent urinary tract infections in men; This inflammatory condition occurs in people of different ages, but is most common in young people and men of reproductive age.
Chronic nonbacterial prostatitis (chronic pelvic pain syndrome, nonbacterial prostatitis, prostatitis), the most common type. The exact cause of this type of inflammation is unknown. However, the disease may begin with an acute or low-grade chronic infection, followed by inflammation or muscle spasms in the pelvic area.
In this case, inflammation in the prostate may occur without any symptoms or symptoms may disappear. Sometimes patients feel pain in the genitals, discomfort in the pelvic area, difficulty or pain when urinating, and sometimes pain during or after ejaculation.
Asymptomatic prostatitis is also common. Diagnosis is made only when the patient presents with other diseases and the main symptoms are related to symptoms unrelated to prostatitis. In such cases, it is confirmed by tissue biopsy or urine and semen analysis.
Causes of prostatitis
The direct cause of prostatitis is not clearly identified by the medical community. However, there are some accepted theories. In the most commonly studied cases, the inflammatory process in the prostate is clearly associated with acute or chronic bacterial infection. They enter the prostate from the urethra. Bacterial prostatitis is not contagious and cannot be transmitted sexually. A sexual partner cannot "catch" this infection.
Certain specific conditions or medical procedures related to diagnosis or treatment increase the risk of bacterial prostatitis. It is more likely that the person has had a catheter or other device inserted into the urethra as a result of treatment for a urinary tract infection or bladder infection.
Prostatitis can be caused by atypical microorganisms, such as chlamydia, mycoplasma (sexually transmitted), and ureaplasma. It can also be triggered by a chemical or immune response to an initial injury or infection. Muscle spasms in the pelvic area can cause pain in the prostate area. It can also be a reaction to infection or inflammation of the prostate.
Doctor's opinion:
Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate that can lead to various unpleasant symptoms, such as pain in the genitourinary system, urinary problems and general malaise. Doctors advise you to seek help at the first signs of the disease, as inappropriate treatment or lack of treatment can lead to chronic prostatitis and complications. To make an accurate diagnosis and determine the optimal treatment method, you need to contact a urologist, who will conduct the necessary examinations and choose the appropriate treatment method. It is important to remember that prostatitis requires a comprehensive treatment approach, including drug treatment, physiotherapy and regular monitoring by a specialist.
Prostatitis. How to cure prostatitis quickly.
Symptom
Symptoms depend on the type of prostatitis and the type of infection causing it. Often patients do not notice any signs of the disease, while some experience symptoms similar to urinary tract infections. Please note that other diseases may cause the same or similar symptoms. It is very important that the diagnosis is made by a medical professional to determine whether the patient actually has prostatitis and what type.
In acute bacterial prostatitis, symptoms are severe and require immediate emergency medical care. Common symptoms include: chills, fever, burning during urination, heaviness in the lower abdomen, inability to empty the bladder.
In chronic bacterial prostatitis, symptoms are similar to acute bacterial prostatitis, but fever is absent. Other symptoms: burning when urinating; frequent need to urinate, especially at night; pain in the perineum, testicles, bladder and lower back; pain during ejaculation. Symptoms may occur intermittently, flare up, and remit. The process begins to turn into prostatitis due to stones.
Symptoms of nonbacterial prostatitis (chronic pelvic pain syndrome) include difficulty and sometimes painful urination, discomfort or pain in the perineum, bladder, testicles and penis, Difficult or painful ejaculation. Sometimes, or even most often, these symptoms may be indistinguishable from those described above for chronic bacterial prostatitis.
Diagnosis of prostatitis
Accurate diagnosis is important for treating any disease, and especially prostatitis. Because the treatment of its various forms differs not only in time, but also in the range of methods and means. Additionally, it is extremely important to differentiate the symptoms from other similar symptoms, such as urethritis, cystitis, prostatic hypertrophy, 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 a questionnaire, your doctor may order a physical examination.
To check the condition of the prostate, your doctor will perform a digital rectal exam. This is a simple examination in which the specialist inserts a lubricated (gloved) finger into the patient's rectum. The prostate is located just in front of the rectum and slightly lower than the bladder; Palpation allows the doctor to easily detect and examine the problem organ.
In this way, the doctor can determine whether the prostate is enlarged or not. Abnormalities may indicate the presence of prostate cancer. The specialist will also be able to assess the level 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 truly has prostatitis, this operation may cause immediate pain or discomfort, but does not cause significant long-term damage or suffering.
If the doctor requires a more precise diagnosis or decides that a biopsy is needed, he may order a transrectal ultrasound, which allows him to visualize the prostate.
If your specialist suspects 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 prostatic 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 more accurately diagnose your problem: whether there is inflammation or infection in the urethra, bladder, or prostate.
Some doctors may order blood and semen tests to look for the presence of abnormal microorganisms, white blood cell counts, or other signs of infection.
A urologist may order a cystoscopy, in which a special small telescope is inserted through the urethra and the bladder, urethra, and prostate are examined. A urologist may also order a urine flow test, which measures flow strength and the presence of obstructions due to inflammation of the prostate, urethra, or pelvic muscle spasms.
Interesting fact
- Prostatitis can affect men of any age: Although it is more common in men over 50, even younger men can get prostatitis.
- There are many causes of prostatitis:The most common causes include infection, inflammation, and prostatic duct obstruction. In some cases, the cause may not be known.
- Prostatitis can have many different symptoms:These symptoms 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 in men that causes inflammation of the prostate gland. People experiencing this problem note that the symptoms of prostatitis can be quite uncomfortable and interfere with normal life. Many people express concern about perineal pain, urinary problems, and general discomfort. However, it is important to remember that prostatitis is a curable disease and timely consultation with a doctor, appropriate treatment and lifestyle changes can help cope with it. People should delay seeing a specialist and follow recommendations for a speedy recovery.
Treatment
Treatment for prostatitis depends directly on the type of bacterial infection diagnosed during the study.
For acute bacterial prostatitis, the patient will have to take antibiotics for at least 14 days. Sometimes patients need hospital treatment and intravenous antibiotics. If the patient has difficulty urinating, a urinary catheter should be inserted. If the disease does not respond to treatment, the doctor will prescribe another antibiotic and treatment 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% of cases of chronic bacterial prostatitis are completely cured within 6-7 months. Sometimes symptoms recur and antibiotic treatment has to be repeated several times. In case of failure to respond to this treatment, low-dose, long-term antibiotic treatment is recommended to reduce symptoms. In rare cases, surgery may be necessary if the patient has a specific anatomical problem, such as scar tissue in the urethra, that interferes with prostate treatment.
Patients may not need antibiotics if diagnosed with chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Urologists often have difficulty trying to decide whether a patient has bacterial or nonbacterial prostatitis. Sometimes previous antibacterial therapy can mask the diagnosis. In such cases, antibiotics may be prescribed, at least initially, even if there is no definitive diagnosis of bacterial prostatitis. Your response to antibiotic therapy will determine whether it should be continued.
Many patients who do not have an infection may actually feel better during antibiotic treatment, this is because most antibiotics have a direct anti-inflammatory effect.
Depending on the symptoms and treatment options, patients may be prescribed a number of methods to quickly restore health. Some experts prescribe alpha blockers in addition to antibiotics. These medications help reduce spasms and relax the muscles around the prostate and base of the bladder, eliminating pain when urinating. Folk remedies are often used successfully - anti-inflammatory herbal preparations, analgesics, muscle relaxants, plant extracts (quercetin and / or bee pollen). Prostate massage releases fluid that causes pressure and pain in the prostate.
Hot baths, mud baths, or other heat treatments (localized heat applications in the form of hot water bottles or heating pads) will help relieve pain and temporarily ease the discomfort caused by the infection. If sitting becomes too uncomfortable, the patient should use a special pillow.
Acupuncture, acupressure, and relaxation exercises in addition to initial 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 side effects. Causes (such as cycling) can aggravate your prostate pain.
Only preventive measures, timely diagnosis and integrated prostate treatment can protect men's health for many years. Take care of your second heart - the prostate!
Frequently asked questions
How can I know if I have prostatitis?
Pain and burning when urinating Difficulty urinating Urine leakage Frequent urination Cloudy urine Blood in the urine (hematuria) Pain in the abdomen, groin, suprapubic area General symptoms of malaise (fever, weaknessweakness)
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 man can be sick for several years and not even realize that he needs treatment.
Why does prostatitis occur in men?
Causes of prostatitis Symptoms of the disease often appear in men aged 30-50. Most often, the cause is infectious damage due to the invasion of pathogenic flora from the genital canal or glands of the reproductive system. This is explained by the fact that the urethra and anus are located close to each other.
How can you get prostatitis?
Bacteria enter the prostate through the urethra, blood, lymph, Sexual rhythm disorders, Reduced immunity, Sexually transmitted infections (gonorrhea, trichomonas, chlamydia, etc. ), Traumadamage to pelvic organs and tissues.
Useful advice
Tip #1
Signs of prostatitis can vary, including perineal pain, frequent urination, and elevated body temperature. When first suspecting prostatitis, be sure to consult a urologist for diagnosis and treatment.
Tip number 2
Watch 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 number 3
Regularly undergo 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.