Chronic prostatitis is a disease that occurs more often in the practice of urologist-andrologist.It is mainly diagnosed in men who are at the peak of reproductive, sexual activity and the ability to work.Therefore, timely treatment of prostatitis is crucial for the recovery of men's health, as well as for social functions.
Causes of the development of chronic prostatitis
The chronic inflammatory process is followed by an acute phase caused by the activity of pathogenic microflora.If the cause is not identified in time and comprehensive treatment is not carried out, prostatitis turns into a latent form with periodic relapses.
Infection can occur in 3 ways: contagious - through the urinary tract, descending - when urine with pathogenic bacteria enters the bladder, hematogenous - through the circulatory system (infection is transferred from other inflammatory foci in the body).
Causative agents of chronic prostatitis:
- pathogenic fungi
- coli
- corynebacteria
- gardnerella
- staphylococcal
- Trichomonas
- klebsiella
- MYCOPLASMA
- enterococcus
- gonococci
- Chlamydia
- vermin
- viruses
- proteus
In the chronic form of prostatitis in men, the inflammatory process can be repeated even after eliminating the pathogenic microflora.In such cases, there is a disruption of innervation in the organ with an autoimmune attack of the tissues against the background of primary inflammation.Examination does not reveal any infection.Therefore, patients are diagnosed with "chronic bacterial prostatitis".
Prostate dysfunction is not always caused by an infectious lesion.There are a number of unfavorable factors that provoke disease.Among the most common:
- decreased immune protection due to hypothermia, bad lifestyle, bad habits and overwork.
- poor circulation in the pelvis as a result of chronic constipation, sedentary work and lack of physical activity
- congestion in the ducts of the prostate and other pelvic organs
- chronic infectious diseases (sinusitis, sore throat)
- permanent damage to the prostate tissue due to increased loads on the perineal muscles and physical strain
- irregular sexual contacts, sexual abstinence, interrupted sexual relations
- inflammation of the genitourinary system
- poor diet
- Previous STDs
Chronic bacterial prostatitis often becomes a concomitant problem with cystitis, urethritis, pyelonephritis, epididymitis, orchitis.In some cases, the infectious focus is not even in the genitourinary system.This can be tonsillitis, sinusitis, bronchitis, caries, intestines or pneumonia that have not received proper treatment.
Urologists associate the appearance of a non-bacterial form of chronic prostatitis with congestion in the pelvic organs.When local circulation is impaired, prostate vessels fill with blood, causing edema and stagnation of secretions.As a result, the prostate gland cannot produce the necessary amount of secretions and hormones.This leads to the development of an inflammatory process in the tissues.
The main signs of chronic prostatitis
The symptoms of the bacterial form of the pathology are similar to any infectious process.They progress with an increase in the amount of pathogenic flora and lead to a serious deterioration of the general condition in the absence of adequate treatment.In the initial stages, chronic prostatitis is asymptomatic or has mild symptoms.Therefore, most men ignore the need to contact a urologist for examination.
Postponing a visit to a specialist doctor to identify the cause and start treatment of prostatitis leads to serious consequences not only for the genitourinary system, but also for the psycho-emotional state.Power disorders against the background of urination disorders and gradual deterioration of well-being in many men provoke stress, apathy, increased irritability, severe fatigue and lack of appetite.In addition, premature initiation of treatment results in infertility in 40% of cases.
Symptoms of chronic prostatitis that require contact with a urologist:
- frequent, strong urge to urinate, weakened flow of urine
- aching pain radiating to the perineum, groin, rectum, scrotum, penis and, sometimes, sacrum
- painful urination (especially at the beginning and end of intercourse)
- chills, excessive sweating (characteristic endocrine symptoms, since the prostate gland is part of this system)
- change in skin color in the area where the pain is felt
- the release of a small amount of prostate secretion from the urethra (during physical stress) against the background of a weakening of the tone of the organ
- potency disorder (decreased sexual desire, erection problems, ejaculation due to decreased testosterone produced by the gland)
Any of the listed signs can indicate a disease, so a man should immediately contact a urologist to receive medical attention.Also, do not forget about regular preventive visits to the doctor, because the disease can be asymptomatic.In such cases, the diagnosis is established by measuring the number of leukocytes in the secretion of the prostate.
Possible complications with chronic prostatitis
Without timely treatment, the inflammatory process spreads.This is fraught with related problems such as:
- epididymitis
- orchitis
- vesiculitis
- urinary incontinence
- formation of stones, cysts in the prostate gland
- reproductive dysfunction
- prostate adenoma
The most serious complication can be prostate cancer.
Methods for diagnosing chronic prostatitis
Urologists receive the necessary medical information to make a diagnosis and determine the causes of the pathology after performing a series of tests, as well as instrumental studies.In the first consultation, the doctor collects the anamnesis, asks the man about disturbing symptoms and performs an examination.The presence of discharge from the urethra, skin irritation and rashes in the external genital area is determined visually.Also in this situation, a digital rectal examination is indicated to assess the size, structure and tenderness of the prostate.
The main methods for making a diagnosis:
- general urine test
- bacterial culture of urine, urethral staining
- microscopic examination of prostate secretion
- endoscopic examination of the urinary tract
- Ultrasound of the prostate gland (transrectal)
- PCR test for STD pathogens
A prostate PSA test is performed to rule out prostate adenoma and cancer.In some cases, to clarify the diagnosis, a tissue biopsy is indicated, followed by the histology of the samples taken.If there are problems with reproductive function, men are prescribed a spermogram and a MAR test.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis
Neglected conditions are difficult to correct.However, with an integrated approach to treatment, sustained and long-term remission can be achieved.To do this, it is necessary to eliminate the cause of the inflammatory process and increase the body's resistance.This effect is achieved through the selection of individual therapy, taking into account the age of the man, the stage of prostatitis, the state of the immune system and the severity of the symptoms.In extreme cases, when there is a risk of serious complications, surgical treatment is recommended for the patient.
Basic therapeutic methods for chronic prostatitis:
- taking antibiotics
- symptomatic therapy
- use of anti-inflammatory drugs
- physiotherapy to normalize blood circulation, to relieve swelling
- correction of diet, lifestyle
Completing a comprehensive course of treatment for chronic prostatitis allows you to eliminate the causes of the inflammatory process, relieve pain and also improve the general well-being of a man.An essential part of therapy is restoring the body's defense resources.If prostatitis has a non-bacterial etiology, taking immunomodulators can prevent autoimmune aggression.
Modern physiotherapy for prostatitis
Physiotherapy methods quickly relieve many symptoms and provide lasting improvement in most men.At home, it is recommended to take warm baths regularly, but the water should not be too hot.
Clinical methods of physiotherapy for chronic prostatitis:
- Ultrasound therapy.Exposure to high frequency waves.
- Ultraphonophoresis.A combination of ultrasound treatment with effective drugs for prostatitis, which are administered during the procedure.
- Magnetotherapy.Low frequency magnetic field therapy.
- UVT.The impact of shock waves on the immediate cause of prostatitis: congestion and inflammatory processes.
- Darsonvalization.Application of high frequency pulse current.
- Galvanization.Low frequency direct current treatment.
- UHF.A method of relieving the symptoms of chronic prostatitis using the influence of an electric field through capacitor plates.
Electrophoresis gives a clear result.It accelerates the distribution of drugs in the affected tissues.Thanks to this, it is possible to reduce the load on other organs, which is important for general health, since chronic prostatitis requires serious courses of medication.Shock wave therapy procedures give a positive effect.After them, most men notice a decrease in prostate discomfort, pain relief and improvement in erection after the first session.
Physiotherapy is an auxiliary method in the treatment of prostatitis.The reduction of the severity of the symptoms, as well as the speed of recovery in general, depends on the individual reaction of the body to the chosen method of exposure.Some courses last several weeks or even months, but help bring chronic prostatitis in men into a stable state of remission.
Qualified urologists in a modern clinic can develop an optimal treatment plan for this pathology.