Prostatitis

Today, inflammation of the prostate gland is the leader in the group of male diseases that are mainly sexually transmitted. Its complications threaten infertility, decreased libido and impotence.

Symptoms of prostatitis are not only pain, urinary disorders and inflammation of the spermatic cord. The most dangerous consequence of advanced inflammation can be cancerous degeneration of the prostate gland. However, the pathological process diagnosed in time is easily stopped.

Causes of inflammation

The risk of developing inflammation of the prostate increases due to various factors predisposing to the disease:

• Hypothermia associated with one-time or outdoor work.
• A sedentary lifestyle leads to disruption of the digestive system.
• Chronic somatic diseases (diabetes, hypertension).
• Focal, perifocal foci of infection (rhinitis, tonsillitis, stomatitis, gastritis).
• Persistent UGI (chlamydia, trichomoniasis, herpes virus).
• Stress, insomnia, chronic fatigue syndrome.
• Decreased immunity due to illness, surgery, emotional stress.
• Bad habits that lead to the development of intoxication: alcohol, smoking, strong coffee.
• Occupational injuries in the perineum of car drivers, athletes, workers in hazardous industries.
• Immoral sex life, interrupted sexual intercourse, loss of sensitivity with incomplete ejaculation, lack of intimacy for a long time (the lack of sperm causes stagnation in the gland).
• Venereal diseases.

Despite quite a large number of provocative points, the essence of prostatitis is the formation of stagnation in the body against the background of disruption of blood circulation and lymph flow.

Classification

There is no uniform classification of the disease in modern urology. However, practicing doctors prefer this option to classify the inflammatory process in the prostate:

According to the course of the disease:

• Acute prostatitis. It accounts for more than 50% of disease cases in people not older than 30-35 years.
• Chronic selection. It is considered a non-age category. It does not manifest itself for a long time, the impetus for its development is a cold or infection.

For reasons that cause pathology:

• Bacterial inflammation of the prostate gland prevails in men up to 40 years old, occurs against the background of ultrasound and does not extend beyond the limits of the organ.
• Non-bacterial pathological changes in the gland are mostly chronic.
• Viral inflammation of the prostate is characterized by an acute course that affects the entire genital area.

According to the nature of structural changes in the prostate gland:

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

Symptoms of the disease

If a man detects at least two of the following symptoms of prostatitis, he should immediately contact a qualified specialist:

• Disruption of urination, causing an unusually short, splashing, difficulty, and pain before urination, with an intermittent, weak stream of urine. The urge to urinate frequently occurs mostly at night.
• Pain localized in the lower abdomen spreads to the scrotum, perineum and rectum.
• Sexual dysfunction.
• Problems with ejaculation, changes in sperm (consistency, quantity).

Acute prostatitis

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

Bladder emptying occurs with delay and burning sensation. Urine itself is cloudy and may contain blood. Irritation and fatigue occur.

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

• Vesiculitis is an inflammation of the seminal vesicles, which is the cause of the formation of pus in sperm, which not only reduces the quality of ejaculation, but also leads to the loss of reproductive function.
• Coliculitis - inflammatory changes in seminal tuberculosis cause the development of severe pain during sexual intercourse, cessation of orgasm and psychological impotence.
• The formation of an abscess in the body of the prostate gland, its rupture, and purulent damage to the rectum cause aggravation of symptoms, severe intoxication of the body, and even death.
• Stagnation in the tissues of the prostate causes changes in their structure, disruption of innervation, disruption of blood supply to both the gland itself and nearby organs, and disruption of its functions. Erection is insufficient for full sexual intercourse, premature ejaculation and long sexual intercourse without orgasm are observed.
• Scarring changes in the gland and spermatic cord lead to infertility, reduced sperm quality and sperm motility. Narrowing of the urethra interferes with the normal process of bladder obstruction, requiring urgent surgical intervention;

Chronic prostatitis

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

The main symptoms of chronic prostatitis are:

• temperature;
• pain occurs in the scrotum, perineum, anus, back;
• urinary disorders;
• mucous or mucopurulent discharge from the rectum, urethra, even in the absence of urine or defecation;
• erectile dysfunction, painful ejaculation, interrupted sexual intercourse, prolonged intercourse without satisfaction.

Inactivity and improper treatment of chronic prostatitis can lead to complications:

• Infertility is the result of chronic inflammation in the spermatic cord, vesicles, testicles and their appendages.
• Cystitis, pyelonephritis (other diseases of the genitourinary system) are the result of hematogenous and mechanical spread of microbes.
• Sepsis.
• Continuous decrease in immunity.
• Untreated prostatitis can lead to cancer in 35-40% of cases.

Diagnostics

The clinical picture of the disease is typical, so the diagnosis is not difficult. Medical history, examination of the patient is carried out by a urologist on the basis of the laboratory minimum using the most modern medical devices:

• Rectal examination of the gland, collection of secretions for examination (culture with determination of sensitivity to antibiotics).
• UAC, UAM, bacterial culture of urine.
• Smear test for STD, UGI examination.
• Daily monitoring of the rhythm of urination, measurement of the rate of urination (uroflowmetry).
• Ultrasound or TRUS is performed for differential diagnosis.
• If it is necessary to exclude oncology, a biopsy is performed, urography is performed and PSA is determined - prostate-specific antigen.
• To diagnose infertility, a spermogram is prescribed - an analysis of ejaculation to determine a man's fertility.

Based on the results of the patient's examination, an individual scheme for the complex treatment of prostatitis is drawn up. When prescribing the drug, the form of the pathology and the presence of accompanying diseases are taken into account. The doctor decides where the treatment will be carried out (inpatient or outpatient). The course of treatment is carried out with careful laboratory monitoring of the results.

One of the most modern centers for the treatment of prostatitis is a specialized clinic. Since the problem of infertility is closely related to inflammatory urological diseases, medical experts pay great attention to this problem.

In the clinics, each patient has the opportunity to undergo a full series of special examinations, receive psychological support, receive treatment with the latest generation drugs used in this field, and get acquainted with the latest methods of treating inflammation of the prostate gland. In the complex treatment of prostatitis, the issue of effective rehabilitation of patients, clinical observation and prevention is not small.

Treatment of acute prostatitis

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

Course treatment methods:

• The most effective treatment of prostatitis is etiotropic therapy. If the basis of prostatitis is an infection, a course of antimicrobial agents that eliminate the manifestations of inflammation is a priority.
• Pain syndrome is eliminated with analgesics, antispasmodics, rectal suppositories, microenemas with warm solutions of painkillers. NSAIDs can be used.
• The combination of immunostimulants, immunomodulators, enzymes, vitamin complexes and trace elements 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 affect 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 involves surgical intervention.
• Psychologist advice.

Treatment of chronic prostatitis

There is no 100% guarantee of treatment with a long-term, course (at least one month) effect on the prostate gland. Priority is given to herbal medicines, immunocorrection, changing household habits:

• Herbal preparations are widely used in urological practice. They can 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 strengthen immunity not only help to cope with prostatitis, but also correct the negative effects of antibiotics that disrupt the function of the immune system.
• The pain syndrome is relieved by taking alpha-blockers and muscle relaxants.
• Prostate massage allows you to mechanically remove the "extra" secretion of the gland through the urethra, improve blood circulation and minimize blockage.
• Physiotherapy: microenemas with laser, magnet, ultrasound, iontophoresis, warm sitz baths or herbs.
• In severe cases, intravenous fluids with diuretics are indicated. It stimulates the production of abundant urine, prevents the symptoms of intoxication, the development of ascending cystitis and pyelonephritis.
• Herbal laxatives are used for constipation.
• Together with the patient, the urologist and psychologist develop an individual long-term program of daily routine, necessary rest, diet, dosed physical activity and sexual activity.
• If the chronic process is resistant to therapy and the flow 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). It is applied in exceptional cases, it is fraught with impotence and urinary incontinence. Young people are not operated on because it can cause infertility.

Prevention

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.
• Do not get too cold.
• Drink at least 1. 5-2 liters of water per day.
• Strengthen your immune system, walk a lot, get tough.
• Do physical education and sports, visit fitness clubs.
• Avoid stressful situations.
• Have regular sex with a regular partner.
• See a urologist regularly.

Questions and answers on the topic

What is prostatitis and how to recognize it?

Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland that can cause pain in the lower abdomen and problems with urination. 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 be caused by an infection, a cold, stress or even a sedentary lifestyle. Sometimes it develops after a disease of the genitourinary 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 will help reduce symptoms and prevent exacerbations.

How is prostatitis treated?

Treatment consists of antibiotics (if the cause is infection), anti-inflammatory drugs, prostate massage, and physical therapy. The doctor will choose the best treatment method depending on your condition.

Can I exercise with prostatitis?

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

How to prevent prostatitis?

For prevention, it is necessary to lead an active lifestyle, avoid hypothermia, monitor the health of the genitourinary system and treat infections in time. Avoiding stress and eating healthy is also important.

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

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

Questions and answers on the topic

Is it possible to completely cure prostatitis?

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

Can I exercise if I have prostatitis?

Light exercise such as walking, swimming, or yoga can be helpful for prostatitis. However, it is best to avoid intense exercise and strength training, especially during an exacerbation. Be sure to consult your doctor before starting sports.

Does prostatitis affect fertility?

Prostatitis can temporarily reduce fertility because inflammation of the prostate gland can affect sperm quality. Fertility is usually restored after successful treatment of prostatitis.

Should I follow a special diet for prostatitis?

Yes, if you have prostatitis, it is recommended to avoid spicy foods, alcohol, caffeine and fatty foods as they can increase inflammation. Eating more vegetables, fruits, whole grains and drinking enough water is beneficial.

Can prostatitis go away on its own?

Prostatitis does not go away on its own and requires treatment. In the absence of appropriate treatment, symptoms may worsen, leading to complications. If symptoms appear, you should consult a doctor.

How long does prostatitis treatment take?

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, which may take months.

How to prevent recurrence of prostatitis?

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