Prostatitis: symptoms, treatment, prevention

Prostatitis in men is an inflammatory process involving the prostate tissue.The disease is accompanied by pain that occurs in the lower back, perineum and pelvis.The main manifestations are pain in the perineum and dysfunction of the lower urinary tract.

Among all urological diseases, urologists most often encounter prostate.It can develop suddenly (acutely) against the background of general health, or it can last a long time, with periods of aggravation and remission, which indicates a chronic course.Moreover, the second variant of the disease is diagnosed much more often.

The disease can be independent, and can also be combined with prostate hyperplasia or prostate cancer.

Reasons for development

Inflammation does not appear on its own.The causes of prostatitis can be divided into bacterial and non-bacterial.

The acute infectious variant usually occurs in men under 35 years old due to damage to the prostate gland by gram-negative bacteria - Escherichia coli, Proteus, Enterobacter.Inflammation also occurs due to infection with sexually transmitted infections - gonorrhea, chlamydia.In the chronic form, there may be many more reasons, and the list will include atypical microbes.

Provocative factors for the development of the bacterial variant are:

• unprotected sexual intercourse;
• AIDS or HIV infection;
• diarrhea or constipation;
• anal intercourse;
• sedentary lifestyle;
• inactive sex life;
• diabetes mellitus;
• hypothermia;
• violations in intimate hygiene.
• emotional disorders;
• autoimmune diseases;
• increased physical activity;
• lack of regular sex life;
• work that involves heavy lifting;
• chronic stress;
• congestion in prostate tissue;
• previously confirmed fibrotic changes in the prostate (according to TRUS results).

What are the first signs of prostatitis that you should pay attention to?

The first manifestations of the disease are pain in the lower back and perineum, difficulty urinating.If, when you go to the toilet, you notice a weakening of the flow of urine, or you feel discomfort or a burning sensation in the urethra, you should contact a urologist as soon as possible.

With the acute onset of the disease, the temperature may rise and general health may deteriorate.Such a patient should be treated immediately with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs.

In some cases, the disease can be asymptomatic for a long time, so treatment starts late.

Symptoms of prostatitis

Signs of prostatitis in men depend on the form of the disease.In the acute form, the following manifestations are characteristic:

• pain in the lower back, sacrum, perineum;
• frequent or difficult urination;
• acute retention of urine;
• difficulty in defecation;
• thin stream of urine;
• increase in temperature;
• chills;
• deterioration of general health.

The chronic form can appear after the acute phase of the disease or develop as a primary disease.Symptoms of chronic prostatitis in men are mild.The pain is of low intensity, the temperature may rise slightly.The flow of urine becomes thin, disorders appear in the intimate area.

In the chronic course, exacerbations of prostatitis with symptoms characteristic of the acute phase are possible.Pain can be absent or dull, aching in nature.

Symptoms of acute prostatitis

Acute prostatitis occurs in several stages, which will move from one to another if you do not consult a specialist and stop the development of the disease in time.

The first stage is called acute catarrhal prostatitis.It begins with complaints of frequent, painful urination.In the lower back and sacrum, as well as in the perineum, a slight pain first appears, which quickly increases.

Without treatment, the second stage occurs - acute follicular.At this moment, the pain becomes particularly strong, radiates to the anus and intensifies during bowel movements.Urination is very difficult, sometimes there is acute retention of urine.The temperature does not exceed 38 degrees and only in rare cases can it be higher.

Acute parenchymal prostatitis is expressed in severe intoxication, the temperature reaches 38 ° C and above and chills appear.Urinary retention is often observed, sharp, throbbing pains appear in the perineum and defecation is difficult.

Symptoms of chronic prostatitis

Sometimes chronic prostatitis occurs against the background of an acute inflammatory process.This is a special disease in which there is a primary chronic course that develops for a long time.

Often the chronic course begins as a complication of the inflammatory process caused by various infectious agents - chlamydia, trichomonas, gonococcus.But living manifestations are very rare;more often the disease appears with small pains during urination or in the perineum and light discharge from the urethra.Often these manifestations go unnoticed even by the patient for a very long time.

Signs of prostatitis in men can appear in different ways, but all of them are grouped into three groups - pain, urination disorders, problems with sexual activity.Prostate tissue lacks receptors and therefore cannot produce painful sensations.They appear when the inflammation begins to spread to the pelvic organs, which are abundantly innervated.Patients' pain can vary from barely noticeable discomfort to severe and intense pain that disrupts sleep and normal lifestyle.Pain can radiate to the sacrum, scrotum, lower back, perineum, so self-diagnosis is useless here.

Problems with urination begin at the moment when the prostate increases in volume and begins to compress the urethra with a decrease in the lumen of the ureter.There is a frequent desire to urinate, a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder.Typically, such phenomena are expressed at the beginning of the disease, in its early stages, then they are compensated by the body, but at a later stage without adequate treatment they appear again.

Potency problems in men can also be expressed in different ways.Patients complain of worsening erection, accelerated ejaculation and decreased sexual arousal.Gradually, sexual dysfunctions become more pronounced and at an advanced stage, the symptoms of prostatitis are complemented by impotence.

Distribution

Experts distinguish several categories of the disease:

• Acute bacterial prostatitis, which is characterized by symptoms of a bacterial infection.The causative agent of the disease in most cases is Escherichia coli.Enterococci and other bacteria are somewhat less frequently isolated;
• chronic bacterial prostatitis, which is a recurrent form of the disease.The causative agents of the disease are E. coli bacteria, enterococci, etc.Pathogens can also be trichomonas, fungi, chlamydia, viruses, mycoplasmas;
• chronic pelvic pain syndrome, in which infections are not detected.There are two types: inflammatory and non-inflammatory.Among the causes of occurrence: autoimmune processes, external factors (hypothermia, overheating), infrequent sexual life, low physical activity, infrequent urination;
• Asymptomatic prostatitis, discovered accidentally during examination by a doctor.

Only a qualified specialist can accurately name the type of prostatitis and determine the course of treatment after a complete diagnosis based on examination data.If you have certain symptoms, you should contact a specialist.

Symptoms

The main symptom is the dysfunction of the urinary system.You should contact a specialist if you have the following symptoms:

• if urination is difficult and urine passes intermittently;
• if there is leakage from the urethra during bowel movements;
• with a burning sensation in the urethra and perineum;
• if, during bowel movements, discomfort appears in the bladder and prostate;
• if the urge to urinate intensifies and becomes more frequent;
• if you have pain in the rectum;
• if there is bloody purulent discharge from the urethra ("floating" thread);
• with frequent increases in body temperature;
• when intimate problems appear (weakening of erection);
• when erections appear at night for an unexplained reason;
• if ejaculation during sexual intercourse is too fast;
• if sensations during orgasm are "hidden";
• with rapid general fatigue;
• with manifestations of an unreasonable state of anxiety or depression, as well as a state of mental depression;
• with frequent depression, manifestations of mental depression in anticipation of complications;
• with general weakening of the body.

One or two symptoms are enough to contact a urologist.Attempts to self-heal usually lead to a worsening of the condition and the disease becoming chronic or severe.In the worst case, failure to go to the doctor in time can cause infertility or complete impotence.

If the patient does not consult a doctor in time or neglects the treatment, the following symptoms may appear:

• pain in the perineum;
• pain near the scrotum;
• pain at the base of the root of the penis (pain in nature).

Aching pain indicates the formation of stones.Doctors call infertility a late sign of a progressive disease.

Signs of prostatitis in acute and chronic forms differ significantly.In particular, in the chronic form, the signs may be mild or not expressed at all.

Acute prostatitis is characterized by pronounced symptoms - general illness, pain in the groin area.Men should contact specialists if:

• the urge to urinate has become very frequent;
• pain during defecation and urination intensifies in the perineum and radiates to the groin;
• complete emptying of the bladder is impossible;
• the amount of urine produced per day is significantly reduced or the urine does not accumulate;
• elevated temperature, frequent headaches, general weakness.

Acute bacterial prostatitis is characterized by fever and chills, pain in the lumbosacral region (severe), pain manifested in the perineum and rectum, acute urinary retention, frequent muscle and joint pain.

Chronic prostatitis is characterized by the following symptoms:

• during urination, the pain in the perineum intensifies;
• with frequent urges, the bladder does not empty completely;
• decreased sexual desire;
• feels discomfort during sexual intercourse.

One of the signs of the chronic form are significant disturbances in the emotional background, characterized by insomnia, increased irritability, moodiness and nervousness.

The bacterial form of chronic prostatitis is characterized by problems with ejaculation, which becomes rapid and painful, discomfort in the pubic area, frequent or involuntary urination, and intermittent flow of urine.

Chronic pelvic pain syndrome, which, according to medical statistics, is the most common form of prostatitis, is characterized by symptoms similar to the symptoms of bacterial prostatitis in chronic form: frequent urge to urinate, weakening of urine flow, pain in the penis and testicles, and sexual dysfunction.

Possible complications

• vesiculitis;
• posterior urethritis or colliculitis;
• abscess of the gland itself;
• sclerosis or fibrosis of the prostate;
• prostate cysts and stones;
• infertility;
• ejaculation disorder;
• erectile dysfunction.

Diagnosing

Diagnosis and treatment of any form of prostatitis is carried out by a urologist.If a tumor is suspected, the patient may be referred for consultation to an oncologist.In case of long-term chronic prostatitis, which is difficult to treat, a consultation with an immunologist may be required.

1. Bacteriological culture of urine.
2. Prostate secretion analysis for microflora and sensitivity to antibiotics.
3. Rectal examination of the prostate.
4. Ultrasound of the prostate gland, which allows you to identify tumors, cysts, adenomas, as well as distinguish prostatitis from other urological and surgical diseases.
5. Spermogram to rule out infertility.

Diagnostic features of acute prostatitis

If the signs of the disease indicate acute prostatitis, the diagnosis is made on the basis of instrumental and clinical examination data.Any manipulation that may affect the prostate is contraindicated, as it may cause acute pain or provoke the spread of infection.

Diagnostic features of chronic bacterial prostatitis

The diagnosis in such cases is determined on the basis of these data: examination by the patient's doctor, bacteriological and microscopic examination of prostate secretions, study of ultrasound data.

Diagnostic features for pelvic pain syndrome

Specialists prescribe diagnostic procedures for symptoms that indicate chronic pelvic pain syndrome, taking into account the type of disease: inflammatory or non-inflammatory.As a rule, an ultrasound is prescribed, as well as the following manipulations:

• examination of prostate secretions;
• molecular biological research;
• bacteriological research.

The choice of technique is determined by the doctor based on the data of the initial examination.

Risk groups

The most likely appearance and development of prostatitis:

• in men who are obese or lead a sedentary lifestyle;
• in men with sedentary jobs (office workers, programmers);
• in men whose body is subject to vibrations and vibrations (drivers of cars, including special equipment);
• in men who have had infectious diseases, including diseases of the genitourinary system;
• in men who are sexually hyperactive and in those who do not regularly have sex;
• in depressed men suffering from mental illness;
• to alcoholics, drug addicts, etc.

Treatment

Patients diagnosed with acute prostatitis without complications are treated on an outpatient basis.Hospitalization is performed only with severe symptoms of intoxication and suspicion of a purulent process.

Antibiotics are the drugs of choice to fight inflammation.They are also used for chronic bacterial forms.The drug is selected individually and taken in a course of 4-6 weeks.In severe cases, antibacterial agents are administered intravenously, in all other cases - orally, in the form of capsules or tablets.

Another drug used for prostatitis is alpha-blockers, which are prescribed in the presence of residual urine confirmed by ultrasound.They help in easier urination and relax the prostate and bladder muscles.Medicines from the NSAID group help relieve pain.

Treatment of prostatitis is carried out only comprehensively and continuously.In addition to taking medications, the doctor will prescribe a course of prostate massage and physiotherapy is used to improve blood circulation in this organ.Surgical treatment is used only when abscesses and suffocation of the seminal vesicles appear.

The choice of treatment method for prostatitis depends on many factors and is determined individually.When choosing treatment methods, consider the following:

• the cause of the disease;
• the course of the disease;
• individual characteristics of the body (presence of chronic and accompanying diseases).

For treatment, a specific technique can be chosen or a complex can be prescribed.Specialists in the field of urology, depending on the results of the diagnosis, describe:

• Physiotherapy procedures: magnetic resonance therapy, procedures using laser equipment, ultrasound, reflexology, massages, hirudotherapy.
• Drug treatment.
• Diet and psychotherapy.
• Surgical intervention.

When diagnosing bacterial prostatitis, broad-spectrum antibiotics, immunomodulators and multivitamin complexes are prescribed.

When diagnosing non-bacterial prostatitis, physiotherapy and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed.

In some cases, specialists may recommend muscle relaxants and hormone therapy, as well as antioxidants to help reduce inflammation and protect cells from free radicals.

Correctly selected complex of drugs for acute bacterial prostatitis:

• restores immunity;
• treats infections (antibiotics);
• treats the prostate (antibacterial drugs).

Chronic prostatitis is difficult to treat, so a wide list of medications is used: anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, absorbent, antibacterial, vibration and finger massage, electrophoresis, EHF and UHF therapy, sinusoidally modulated currents.

During the diagnosis of pelvic pain syndrome, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, various types of physiotherapy, magnetic and laser therapy, electrical neurostimulation, etc. are used.One of the effective methods is drainage of tissues around the source of inflammation.

Conservative or modern treatment is chosen by the urologist based on diagnostic data.

tablets

Antibacterial agents and pain relievers can be prescribed in the form of tablets for prostatitis.

The course of antibiotic therapy is selected individually depending on the result of the analysis of prostate secretions.The microflora that caused the disease must be sensitive to the drug used.It is necessary to completely complete the course of treatment prescribed by the urologist, otherwise the cause will not be eliminated, the disease will recur or become chronic.

Painkillers for prostatitis help relieve unpleasant symptoms.For this purpose, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used, which not only eliminate pain, but also relieve inflammation.

Tablets for prostatitis for men, which help in the treatment of impaired urination, belong to the group of alpha 1-blockers.They relax the smooth muscles and restore the patency of the urethra compressed by the inflamed prostate.

Injections for prostatitis

Antibacterial agents for prostatitis in men are also used in the form of injections.Injectable forms of drugs are prescribed for severe inflammation, as well as in the absence of tablet forms of antibiotics, to which the pathogen is sensitive.You can inject antispasmodics to quickly restore urination, which is difficult due to urinary tract spasm and prostate compression.

Injectable prostatitis medications work faster than tablet medications, so they are sometimes preferred.

Surgery for prostatitis

The most serious complications are strangulation of the seminal vesicles and abscess.Medicines for the treatment of the disease are not able to cope with the disease in such a difficult situation, therefore surgery is indicated at the first manifestations.

In the absence of timely intervention, the purulent process spreads beyond the organ, so the consequences of prostatitis in a complicated form can be life-threatening.

Prognosis and prevention

The acute form without treatment often becomes chronic, which periodically worsens.Complete recovery is not always possible, but if you consult a doctor at the right time and take all the prescribed medications, you can eliminate discomfort, problems with urination and pain.

Self-medication at home and the use of traditional methods can often be life-threatening.

To prevent prostatitis, it is recommended to avoid hypothermia, empty the bladder at the right time, limit the consumption of coffee, spices and alcohol and stay sexually active as long as possible.

Typical signs of prostate cancer

The prostate gland is a small organ that only men have.In its structure it resembles a sponge, it is located under the bladder and seems to surround the urethra.Growth of the gland begins in adolescence under the influence of male sex hormones;in adulthood, its weight can reach 20 grams.It plays an important role in the male reproductive system, producing secretion, one of the components of sperm.But unfortunately, mature and elderly men often experience hyperplasia of the glands or malignant neoplasia of the organ.

How to recognize cancer

As the tumor grows and progresses, the symptoms of prostate cancer depend on the stage of the process.If the disease is still in the first stage or has even reached the second, then the tumor is localized in the prostate gland, has not grown in the neighboring tissues and has not metastasized.

Symptoms of prostate cancer in the early stages are practically absent, this is the secret of the disease.The man has no complaints, feels well and sees no reason to see a doctor.This is why this type of tumor is often detected in an advanced state.Exceptions may be made by patients who have previously been diagnosed with benign neoplasia of the prostate gland, in which case they are periodically observed by a specialist doctor and tested for a specific prostate antigen and undergo a prostate ultrasound.They have every chance of detecting a tumor in its bud.But it is worth noting that detecting prostate cancer is not always easy.Even when a biopsy is taken, the results may be clear, but the oncology is already there.This happens because of errors in the method;the needle simply does not reach the site of the localized lesion.If prostate pathology is suspected, especially if it is cancer, a fusion biopsy should be performed, which combines the capabilities of ultrasound and MRI in real time, giving the doctor the opportunity to visualize the organ as accurately as possible.

Some symptoms are a consequence of prostate pathology, while others are caused by mechanical compression and blockage of the urethra.

Since the bladder must be emptied regularly, if this process is interrupted, urine can be retained in it, inflammation can occur and a bacterial infection can develop.If measures are not taken, the process will spread and this already threatens pyelonephritis and kidney problems.

In stage 4, prostate cancer appears even more clearly.Metastases are most often found in the bones, spine and lymph.Because of this, a person's regional lymph nodes enlarge, his bones ache, he suddenly loses weight and becomes weaker.

Treating prostate cancer is not an easy task, but it can be done.If the local process is detected at the right time, a complete cure can be achieved, and in more advanced stages, life can be extended.If you notice the symptoms described above, contact a professional clinic for examination.

Make an appointment, the clinic's doctors have many years of experience in treating urological diseases and achieve success even in the most difficult cases.