What is prostatitis - the first signs, symptoms, treatment

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

prostatitis

Inflammation of the prostate

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

Symptoms of prostatitis

Conventionally, prostate disease is usually divided into several categories: bacterial, chronic and non-bacterial.In the first two cases, the disorder of the prostate gland 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 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 with the urine.

Prostatitis of non-bacterial origin occurs as a form of chronic pelvic pain syndrome of the prostate, while other symptoms may be completely absent.Chronic symptoms of prostatitis in men are expressed by pain during urination, in the groin, absence or violation of sexual function.The peculiarity of this form of prostatitis is that it passes without symptoms in most cases.

It should be noted that the characteristics of how prostatitis manifests itself cannot be described permanently.Due to the individual nature of each organism, certain symptoms may be completely absent, and the disease may occur differently in different categories of men.Sometimes prostatitis begins with sudden manifestations of the inflammatory process - then they talk about the acute form.If the disease sometimes bothers you, then it is most likely a chronic stage of inflammation of the prostate gland.

Causes of prostatitis

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

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

However, this is far from the complete list of causes of prostatitis.Doctors say that inflammation of the prostate can appear even in an almost healthy person, in which case everything is often associated with extreme fatigue, stress and bad ecology.It often progresses after surgery, severe bruising, or other genital trauma.In any case, if you have the slightest suspicion of prostatitis, you should immediately consult a urologist.

Chronic prostatitis

symptoms 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 experience similar symptoms only from time to time.Functional symptoms of chronic prostatitis are more characteristic, usually divided into three subgroups:

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

Repeated prostatitis without appropriate treatment can not only cause many problems, but also lead to serious consequences: adenoma, abscess and prostate cancer.Chronic inflammation of the prostate can last forever, but the course of prostatitis is never monotonous.Acute, sometimes intense attacks are accompanied 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 after a common sore throat, acute respiratory viral infection and severe cough.Microbes, bacteria and other pathogenic microflora penetrate the prostate along with lymph and trigger inflammatory processes there.The first symptoms 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 see other symptoms characteristic of the catarrhal form.For example:

  • during the examination, a slight swelling of the prostate is revealed, the procedure itself is quite painful for the patient;
  • analysis of secretions from the prostate gland will reveal the release of an increased number of leukocytes;
  • Purulent components of ultrasound indicate blockage or partial narrowing of the channels through which urine passes.

Diagnosis of prostatitis

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

If there are complaints, an experienced doctor may already suspect inflammation of the prostate and may 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 to manifest and treat prostatitis is the main topic of discussion at many international symposia and medical conferences.Every year, scientists, ordinary doctors and experienced doctors try to identify more accurate symptoms of prostatitis, develop new drugs and methods of prevention.However, at present, the range of classical therapeutic measures remains unchanged and includes:

  • prescribing antibacterial, antiviral drugs and immunomodulators;
  • use of magnetic field devices, hirudotherapy, ultrasound and laser treatment in 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 genitourinary system.

Herbal remedies 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 from the manifestations of the disease, cannot completely eliminate 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 relieve prostate swelling, improve blood circulation and relieve pain.
  • Alpha blockers.They help to relax the bladder and urethra, facilitating the flow of urine.

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