What is prostatitis - first signs, symptoms, treatment

The prostate gland can easily be called one of the most important organs of the male reproductive system.The prostate is a small gland, about the size of a regular walnut, located around the urethra.The main function of this organ is to produce fluid - prostate juice, which actively participates in the formation of sperm and gives sperm motility.

prostatitis

Inflammation of the prostate

According to the WHO, almost a third of the male population is diagnosed with problems in the prostate gland with subsequent complications.Prostatitis is a disease of the endocrine organ, characterized in medicine as inflammation of the prostate resulting from tissue damage by viruses or bacteria.In addition, non-specific infectious pathology can develop against the background of inflammation of the seminal vesicles, prostate appendages or disorders of the urinary system.

Signs of prostatitis

Conventionally, prostate disease is usually divided into several categories: bacterial, chronic and non-bacterial.In the first two cases, prostate disorders begin due to the entry of bacteria into the body.The acute bacterial form of prostatitis is accompanied by an increase in body temperature, severe pain in the groin area of the abdomen and perineum, and cramps in the lower abdomen.A sick person begins to go to the toilet more often, and sometimes drops of blood come out along with the urine.

Prostatitis of non-bacterial origin occurs as a form of chronic pelvic pain prostatic syndrome, while other symptoms may be completely absent.Chronic signs of prostatitis in men are expressed by pain during urination, in the groin, absence or disorder of sexual function.The peculiarity of this form of prostatitis is that most of the time it is asymptomatic.

It is worth noting that the characteristics of how prostatitis manifests cannot be consistently characterized.Due to the fact that each organism is individual, some signs may be completely absent, and the disease may appear differently in different categories of men.Sometimes prostatitis begins with sudden manifestations of the inflammatory process - then they talk about an acute form.If the disease bothers you only occasionally, then most likely the chronic stage of prostate inflammation.

Causes of prostatitis

Many different categories of citizens can be considered at risk for this pathology, but more often prostatitis develops in those who:

  • he sits a lot and moves little.
  • prefers an unbalanced diet to a healthy diet.
  • he cannot in any way get rid of addictions to drinking or smoking tobacco.
  • often gets hypothermic;
  • does not have a regular sexual partner.
  • often refuses sex.

However, even this is far from the complete list of causes of prostatitis.Doctors say that inflammation of the prostate can occur even in an almost healthy man, so everything is often attributed to excessive fatigue, stress and poor ecology.It often develops after surgery, severe bruising or other trauma to the genitals.In any case, if you have even the slightest suspicion of prostatitis, you should see a urologist immediately.

Chronic prostatitis

signs of prostatitis

The manifestations of the recurrent form of the disease are varied.For some men, this is a complete refusal to have sex, a frequent urge to go to the toilet, itching or burning in the urethra or pain in the groin.However, another category of patients may experience similar symptoms only from time to time.Much more characteristic are the functional signs of chronic prostatitis, which are usually divided into three subgroups:

  • painful and frequent urge to go to the toilet, urinary retention, blood in the sputum, swelling in the groin, diarrhoea.
  • feeling of pressure in the anus during ejaculation, absence or impossibility of erection, loss of desire for sex, loss of the intensity of orgasm.
  • feeling anxious, tired, depressed, frequent nervous breakdowns and stress.

Recurrent prostatitis without proper treatment can not only cause many problems, but also lead to serious consequences: adenoma, abscess and prostate cancer.Chronic inflammation of the prostate can continue indefinitely, but the course of prostatitis is never monotonous.Sudden, sometimes intense attacks are followed by periods of relative calm.

Catarrhal prostatitis

Acute or parenchymal prostatitis in men often occurs due to weakened immunity or infection entering the body.In addition, the catarrhal form of the disease can develop even after an ordinary sore throat, acute respiratory viral infection and severe cough.Germs, bacteria and other pathogenic microflora, together with lymph, penetrate the prostate, where they trigger inflammatory processes.The first signs of prostatitis in men are usually a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen and a slight increase in temperature.

With a detailed examination, the doctor can observe other symptoms characteristic of the catarrhal form.For example:

  • during the examination, slight swelling of the prostate is revealed, while the procedure itself is extremely painful for the patient.
  • Analysis of the secretions from the prostate will reveal the release of an increased number of leukocytes.
  • Ultrasound shows purulent components, blockage or partial narrowing of the ducts through which urine passes.

Diagnosis of prostatitis

Thanks to active campaigning and ubiquitous advertising, today even students know not only about the symptoms, but also how to treat the prostate.However, the absence of signs makes it difficult not only to choose the right drugs, but also to make an early diagnosis.The best way to prevent inflammation is to visit the clinic more often.Therefore, prostatitis is often diagnosed during a routine examination by a urologist.

If there are complaints, an experienced doctor can already suspect prostate inflammation and prescribe appropriate tests, which often include:

  • Digital rectal examination.
  • analysis of secretions and seminal fluid.
  • ultrasound examination of the prostate.
  • urine and blood analysis.
  • taking a swab from the urethra.

How to treat prostatitis

How prostatitis manifests and its treatment are the main topics of discussion at many international symposia and medical conferences.Every year scientists, ordinary doctors and experienced doctors try to determine more accurate symptoms of prostatitis, develop new drugs and methods of prevention.However, at this time, the classic range of therapeutic measures remains unchanged and includes:

  • prescribing antibacterial, antiviral drugs and immunomodulators.
  • the use of magnetic field devices, irudotherapy, ultrasound and laser therapy on the patient.
  • a course of prostate massage aimed at strengthening the reproductive functions of the body and normalizing the microcirculation of blood flow in the urogenital system.

In the complex treatment of prostatitis, herbal medicines are often used.

treatment of prostatitis

Treatment of chronic prostatitis in men

Unfortunately, no method or medicine can relieve you from the manifestations of the disease, much less completely eliminate the inflammation.Therefore, the treatment of chronic prostatitis is carried out according to an integrated scheme, using effective drugs from three groups:

  • Antibiotics – fluoroquinolones.Medicines of this series penetrate well into the soft tissue of the prostate and destroy most types of harmful microorganisms.
  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory tablets.They remove prostate swelling, improve blood circulation and relieve pain.
  • Alpha blockers.They help relax the bladder and urethra, facilitating the flow of urine.

In addition, drug therapy includes the use of a number of additional drugs that help strengthen the prostate: vitamins, enzymes, suppositories, adaptogens.The doctor may also prescribe massage, simple physiotherapy procedures or physical therapy.All patients are prescribed a special diet with vegetable fiber, excluding the consumption of alcohol, canned foods, fried, very spicy or salty foods.