Prostatitis

Today, prostatitis plays a leading role in the group of male diseases that are mainly sexually transmitted. Its complications threaten infertility, reduced libido and impotence.

The symptoms of prostatitis are not only pain, urination disorders and inflammation of the sperm cell. The most dangerous consequence of advanced inflammation can be the cancerous degeneration of prostate cancer. While the pathological process diagnosed in time can be easily stopped.

Causes of inflammation

The risk of developing prostatitis increases due to several predisposing factors:

• Hypothermia, one-time or related to the nature of the work performed outdoors.
• A sedentary lifestyle leads to disturbances in the functioning of the digestive system.
• Chronic somatic diseases (diabetes mellitus, high blood pressure).
• Foci of focal and perifocal infection (colds, tonsillitis, stomatitis, gastritis).
• Permanent UGI (chlamydia, trichomoniasis, herpes virus).
• Stress, insomnia, chronic fatigue syndrome.
• Reduced immunity due to previous illness, surgery, emotional stress.
• Bad habits leading to poisoning: alcohol, smoking, strong coffee.
• Occupational injuries of the perineum of drivers, athletes, workers in hazardous industries.
• Promiscuous sex life, interrupted sex, lack of sensual contact, incomplete ejaculation, prolonged lack of intimacy (low sperm demand leads to stagnation in the gland).
• Venereal diseases.

Despite quite a lot of provocative moments, the essence of prostatitis is stagnation within the organ against the background of impaired blood circulation and lymph outflow.

Classification

In modern urology, there is no uniform classification of the disease. However, practitioners prefer this option to classify the inflammatory process of the prostate:

Depending on the course of the disease:

• Acute prostatitis. In people not older than 30-35 years, it accounts for more than 50% of cases of the disease.
• A chronic possibility. It is not considered an age category. For a long time, the impetus for the development of a cold or infection does not manifest itself.

Due to the cause of the pathology:

• Bacterial inflammation of the prostate predominates in men under 40, occurs in the background of the ultrasound examination, and does not spread beyond the boundaries of the organ.
• Non-bacterial pathological changes in the gland, predominantly chronic.
• Viral inflammation of the prostate is characterized by an acute course that affects the entire genital area.

Depending on the nature of the structural changes in the prostate:

• Fibrous prostatitis is characterized by rapid, irreversible growth of the gland and requires radical intervention. Clinically, it resembles prostate adenoma.
• Inflammation of the prostate occurs due to the formation of stones within the prostate. It is considered a harbinger of cancer.
• Stagnant prostatitis, which is the result of a sedentary lifestyle, is diagnosed in every second patient.

Signs of the disease

If a man notices at least two of the following symptoms of prostatitis, he should immediately consult a qualified professional:

• Dysuria with an intermittent, weak stream of urine that is unusually short, splashing, difficulty, and pain before urination. The frequent urge to empty the bladder occurs mainly at night.
• The pain, which is localized in the lower abdomen, radiates to the scrotum, perineum and rectum.
• Sexual dysfunction.
• Ejaculation problems, changes in sperm (consistency, quantity).

Acute prostatitis

The disease begins with a sharp increase in temperature (up to 40 degrees), painful headache and fever. The symptoms that appear are accompanied by groin, perineal, back pain, urethral discharge, frequent urination and a constant urge to urinate.

Bladder emptying occurs with delay and a burning sensation. The urine itself becomes cloudy and may contain blood. Irritability and fatigue occur.

The result of acute prostatitis can be a complete resolution of the process (if the treatment is started in time). Since changes occur in many pelvic organs, they cannot be left to chance, otherwise the corresponding complications will occur:

• Vesiculitis is an inflammation of the seminal vesicles, the cause of the appearance of pus in the sperm, which not only deteriorates the quality of the ejaculate, but also leads to the loss of reproductive function.
• Colliculitis - inflammatory changes in the testes are the cause of severe pain during sex, interruption of orgasm and psychological impotence.
• An abscess forming in the body of the prostate, its rupture, and purulent damage to the rectum lead to aggravation of symptoms, serious poisoning of the body, or even death.
• Stagnation of the tissues of the prostate leads to a change in its structure, disruption of innervation and blood supply, both in the gland and in nearby organs, disrupting their functioning. The erection becomes insufficient for full sexual intercourse, premature ejaculation and prolonged sexual intercourse without orgasm are observed.
• Scar changes in the gland and spermatic cord lead to infertility, decreased sperm quality and sperm motility. The narrowing of the urethra disrupts the normal urination process of the bladder and can cause acute urinary retention, which requires urgent surgery.

Chronic prostatitis

The main feature of the disease is the obscurity of the clinical symptoms, with a long, persistent course of the process. More often, the chronic form occurs independently, as the primary pathology is stagnation of blood in the vessels (prostatosis), against the background of abacterial prostatitis.

The main symptoms of chronic prostatitis are:

• fever;
• pain occurs in the scrotum, perineum, anus, back;
• urination disorder;
• mucous or mucous-purulent discharge from the rectum, urethra, even in the absence of urination or defecation;
• erectile dysfunction, painful ejaculation, interrupted sexual intercourse, prolonged intercourse without a feeling of satisfaction.

Inactivity and inadequate treatment of chronic prostatitis can cause complications:

• Infertility is the result of chronic inflammation of the bladder, bladder, testicles and their appendages.
• Cystitis, pyelonephritis (other diseases of the urinary system) are the result of hematogenous and mechanical spread of microbes.
• Blood poisoning.
• Permanent decrease in immunity.
• Untreated prostatitis can cause cancer in 35-40% of cases.

Diagnostics

The clinical picture of the disease is typical, so the diagnosis is not difficult. Based on the medical history, examination of the patient, laboratory minimum, the urologist performs the following with the most modern medical devices:

• Rectal examination of the gland, collection of secretions for examination (culture with determination of antibiotic sensitivity).
• UAC, UAM, urine bacterial culture.
• Smear test for STDs, UGI test.
• Daily monitoring of urination rhythm, measurement of urination frequency (uroflowmetry).
• Ultrasound or TRUS is performed for differential diagnosis.
• If it is necessary to rule out oncology, a biopsy is taken, urography is performed, and PSA - prostate specific antigen - is determined.
• To diagnose infertility, a spermogram is prescribed - the analysis of the ejaculate to determine male fertility.

Based on the results of the patient's examination, an individual scheme is prepared for the complex treatment of prostatitis. When prescribing drugs, the form of the pathology and the presence of concomitant diseases are taken into account. The doctor decides whether to carry out the therapy (inpatient or outpatient). The treatment process is carried out with careful laboratory control of the results.

One of the most modern centers for the treatment of prostatitis is a special clinic. Since the problem of infertility is closely related to inflammatory urological diseases, doctors pay a lot of attention to this problem.

At the clinics, all patients have the opportunity to undergo a full cycle of special examinations, receive psychological support, be treated with the latest generation drugs used in this field, and learn about the latest methods of treating prostatitis. Effective rehabilitation of patients, clinical monitoring and prevention are not least important in the complex therapy of prostatitis.

Treatment of acute prostatitis

Acute prostatitis requires bed rest, a special salt-free diet and sexual rest.

Course management methods:

• The most effective treatment for prostatitis is etiotropic therapy. If the prostatitis is based on an infection, the priority is a course of antimicrobial agents, which relieves the manifestations of the inflammation.
• The pain syndrome is alleviated with painkillers, antispasmodics, rectal suppositories, and microenjections with warm solutions of painkillers. NSAIDs can be used.
• The combination of immunostimulants, immunomodulators, enzymes, vitamin complexes and microelements has proven its effectiveness.
• Physiotherapy methods are possible only in the subacute stage of the disease. They improve microcirculation, increase immunity: UHF, microwave oven, electrophoresis, laser, magnetic therapy.
• Massage is another effective way to influence the prostate. It opens the channels, normalizes blood circulation in the scrotum and pelvis.
• Acute renal filtrate retention can be corrected by catheterization and trocar cystostomy.
• The purulent process means surgical intervention.
• Psychologist consultations.

Treatment of chronic prostatitis

In addition to the long-term (at least one month) effect on the prostate, there is no 100% cure guarantee. Priority is given to herbal medicines, immune correction, changing household habits:

• Herbal preparations are widely used in urological practice. They are able to accumulate at the site of the most active pathological process, protect cells from oxidation, remove free radicals, and prevent the proliferation of glandular tissue.
• Antibacterial therapy is selected individually, based on the sensitivity of microbes to drugs.
• Medicines that enhance immunity not only help in the treatment of prostatitis, but also correct the negative effects of antibiotics, which interfere with the functioning of the immune system.
• The pain syndrome can be alleviated by administering alpha-blockers and muscle relaxants.
• Prostate massage enables the mechanical removal of "extra" secretions from the gland through the urethra, improves blood circulation and minimizes congestion.
• Physiotherapy: laser, magnet, ultrasound, iontophoresis, warm sitz bath or microenema with herbs.
• In severe cases, intravenous fluids with diuretics are recommended. This stimulates abundant urine production, prevents the symptoms of poisoning, the development of ascending cystitis and pyelonephritis.
• In case of constipation, herbal laxatives are used.
• Together with the patient, the urologist and the psychologist work out an individual, long-term program of the daily routine, the necessary rest, diet, dosed physical activity and sexual activity.
• If the chronic process is resistant to therapy and the outflow of urine is blocked, surgical intervention is prescribed: removal of all affected tissues (transurethral resection of the prostate) or complete removal of the gland with surrounding tissues (prostatectomy). In exceptional cases, it is common, full of impotence and urinary incontinence. Young people are not operated on because it can cause infertility.

Prevention

In order to prevent the occurrence of an unpleasant disease for men, you need to eliminate provoking factors and follow simple rules:

• Lead a healthy lifestyle, give up bad habits.
• Don't get too cold.
• Drink at least 1. 5-2 liters of water per day.
• Strengthen your immune system, walk a lot, exercise.
• Participate in physical education and sports, visit fitness clubs.
• Avoid stressful situations.
• Practice regular sex with a regular partner.
• Visit a urologist regularly.

Questions and answers on the subject

What is prostatitis and how can it be recognized?

Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate that can cause pain in the lower abdomen and problems urinating. A frequent urge to go to the toilet, especially at night, or pain when urinating can be a sign of prostatitis.

Why does prostatitis appear?

Prostatitis can occur due to infection, colds, stress or even a sedentary lifestyle. Sometimes it develops after a disease of the urogenital system.

Is it possible to completely cure prostatitis?

Acute prostatitis can be completely cured with proper treatment. Treatment of chronic forms takes longer, but the right approach helps reduce symptoms and prevent exacerbations.

How is prostatitis treated?

Treatment includes antibiotics (if the cause is an infection), anti-inflammatory medications, prostate massage, and physical therapy. Your doctor will choose the best treatment method based on your situation.

Can I do sports with prostatitis?

Light exercise such as walking or swimming is beneficial. Vigorous exercise can worsen the condition, so it is important to consult a doctor.

How can prostatitis be prevented?

For prevention, you need to lead an active lifestyle, avoid hypothermia, monitor the health of the urogenital system and treat infections immediately. Avoiding stress and eating healthy are also important.

Should I see a doctor if the symptoms go away on their own?

Yes, even if the symptoms temporarily subside, it is important to see a doctor. Untreated prostatitis can lead to complications that can worsen your health in the future.

Questions and answers on the subject

Is it possible to completely cure prostatitis?

Acute prostatitis can be completely cured with timely treatment. Chronic prostatitis may require long-term treatment to control symptoms, but with the right approach, symptoms can be minimized and the patient's quality of life can be significantly improved.

Can I do sports if I have prostatitis?

Light exercise such as walking, swimming or yoga can be helpful for prostatitis. However, intense exercise and strength training are best avoided, especially during flare-ups. Be sure to consult your doctor before starting the exercises.

Does prostatitis affect fertility?

Prostatitis can temporarily reduce fertility, as inflammation of the prostate can affect sperm quality. After successful treatment of prostatitis, fertility is usually restored.

Should I follow a special diet for prostatitis?

Yes, in case of prostatitis, it is recommended to avoid spicy foods, alcohol, caffeine and fatty foods, because they can increase the inflammation. It is beneficial to eat more vegetables, fruits, whole grains and drink enough water.

Can prostatitis go away on its own?

Prostatitis does not go away on its own and requires treatment. Without proper treatment, symptoms may worsen, leading to complications. If symptoms appear, a doctor should be consulted.

How long does it take to treat prostatitis?

The duration of treatment depends on the form of prostatitis. Acute prostatitis is usually treated within a few weeks, while chronic prostatitis may require longer treatment, lasting for months.

How to prevent recurrence of prostatitis?

In order to prevent relapses, it is important to follow the doctor's recommendations, lead an active lifestyle, avoid hypothermia, eat right and undergo regular medical examinations.