What is prostatitis - first signs, symptoms, treatment

The prostate 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 walnut, located around the urethra.The main function of this organ is the production of fluid - prostate juice, which actively participates in the creation of spermatozoa and gives sperm motility.

prostatitis

Inflammation of the prostate

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

Signs of prostatitis

In general, prostate disease is usually divided into several categories: bacterial, chronic and non-bacterial.In the first two cases, the prostate disorder begins 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 of the abdomen and perineum, and spasms in the lower abdomen.A sick person begins to go to the toilet more often, and sometimes drops of blood come out together with the urine.

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

It is worth noting that the characteristics of how prostatitis manifests cannot be described as constant.Due to the fact that each organism is individual, certain 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 speak of an acute form.If the disease bothers you only occasionally, then it is most likely the chronic phase 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:

  • sits a lot and moves little;
  • prefers an unbalanced diet to healthy food;
  • cannot get rid of addiction to drinking or smoking in any way;
  • often becomes hypothermic;
  • no regular sexual partner;
  • often refuses sex.

However, even this is not a complete list of causes of prostatitis.Doctors say that inflammation of the prostate can occur even in an almost healthy man, and in that case everything is often attributed to excessive fatigue, stress and bad ecology.It often progresses after surgery, severe bruising or other trauma to the genital organs.In any case, if you have even the slightest suspicion of prostatitis, see a urologist immediately.

Chronic prostatitis

signs of prostatitis

Manifestations of the recurrent form of the disease are different.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 have similar symptoms only from time to time.Much more typical are the functional signs of chronic prostatitis, which are usually divided into three subgroups:

  • painful and frequent desire to go to the toilet, urinary retention, blood in sputum, swelling in the groin, diarrhea;
  • feeling of pressure in the anus during ejaculation, absence or weakness of erection, loss of desire for sex, loss of orgasm difficulty;
  • feelings of anxiety, fatigue, depression, frequent nervous breakdowns and stress.

Recurrent prostatitis without proper treatment can not only cause many problems, but can also lead to serious consequences: adenoma, abscess and prostate cancer.Chronic inflammation of the prostate can last indefinitely, but the course of prostatitis is never monotonous.Sharp, 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 an infection that enters the body.Moreover, the catarrhal form of the disease can develop even after a simple sore throat, an acute respiratory viral infection and a strong cough.Microbes, 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 notice other symptoms characteristic of the catarrhal form.for example:

  • the examination reveals a slight swelling of the prostate, and the procedure itself is extremely painful for the patient;
  • analysis of secretions from the prostate will reveal the release of an increased number of leukocytes;
  • Ultrasound shows purulent components, blockage or partial narrowing of the channel through which urine passes.

Diagnosis of prostatitis

Thanks to an active campaign and ubiquitous advertising, today even schoolchildren know not only about the symptoms, but also about prostate treatment.However, the absence of any signs makes it difficult not only to choose the right drugs, but also to make a diagnosis in time.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 inflammation of the prostate 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 itself 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 precise 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;
  • use of magnetic field devices, hirudotherapy, ultrasound and laser treatment on the patient;
  • prostate massage course aimed at strengthening the body's reproductive functions and normalizing blood microcirculation in the genitourinary system.

Herbal medicines are often used in the complex treatment of prostatitis.

treatment of prostatitis

Treatment of chronic prostatitis in men

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

  • Antibiotics - fluoroquinolones.Medicines from 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 to relax the bladder and urethra, facilitating the outflow 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 can also prescribe massage, simple physiotherapeutic procedures or physical therapy.All patients are prescribed a special diet with fiber, excluding the consumption of alcohol, canned food, fried, too spicy or salty food.