Prostatitis is a specific disease, typically found mainly in men of reproductive age.It is characterized by acute or chronic inflammation of the prostate, the second “heart” of a man.
Signs of prostatitis in men are not always easy to recognize, especially if the disease is chronic, without a previous acute phase.If this process is acute, then in this case the symptoms of prostatitis in men will be quite typical and obvious.
If a man has the first signs of prostatitis, he should immediately consult a doctor.Even minor discomfort, indicating the development of a disease of the genitourinary system, can cause serious complications.
The ability to recognize the first symptoms of the inflammatory process allows you to promptly diagnose the pathology and begin treatment.Therefore, every man should become familiar with them to avoid serious problems that prostatitis causes.
The prostate and its role in men's lives
Even though the prostate is small, if its function is impaired, men can experience many problems.The prostate is a seed-sized organ located between the penis and the bladder.The prostate gland secretes a secretion that mixes with sperm to form complete semen.
Unlike other prostate conditions such as prostate enlargement or cancer that often affect older men, prostatitis can develop at any age, but the highest incidence occurs between the ages of 30 and 50.
Types of prostatitis
Based on the severity of symptoms, time of onset and duration of the disease, two variants of the pathology are distinguished:
- Chronic prostatitis.Symptoms can be subtle and come and go over several months.This is the most common type of prostatitis;The cause of inflammation there is usually not infectious.
- Acute prostatitis.With this form, symptoms of prostatitis in men are severe and develop suddenly.Variants of this disease are often caused by bacterial infection;The condition may be serious and requires immediate treatment, including hospitalization.
The problem of chronic prostatitis
The causes of prostatitis have long been studied, but the understanding of the nature of this process has been significantly revised in recent years.Chronic prostatitis, sometimes called chronic pelvic pain syndrome, is characterized by a cluster of symptoms that can significantly impair a man's quality of daily life.The doctor is not always able to immediately identify chronic prostatitis, and its subsequent treatment is no less difficult because it depends on many etiological factors and the existing symptoms of prostatitis in men.
In contrast to previously used methods, diagnosis and subsequent treatment are based on separating chronic bacterial prostatitis from other forms of the disease, which is considered a multifactorial disease.According to data published in the 2019 Urology Research and Reports, autoimmune and systemic inflammatory conditions, nervous system dysfunction, and psychological causes play a role in the development of chronic inflammation.
Chronic pelvic pain syndrome is characterized by various symptoms related to the urinary organs, genitals, rectum and perineum, and men may often require long-term treatment for other conditions until prostatitis is discovered.
Signs of prostatitis in men
If acute prostatitis occurs, recognizing it is relatively simple;The manifestations are quite bright and clear.The first signs of prostatitis in men include:
- severe pain spreading throughout the penis, testicles, anus, lower abdomen, or lower back.Emptying the bladder can be painful;
- problems with urination, pain when the bladder is full, needing to urinate often (especially at night), intermittent urination, needing to urinate urgently, and sometimes blood in the urine;
- In the setting of severe prostate swelling and severe pain, acute urinary retention may occur;
- malaise, fever, nausea;
- light, thick, odorless discharge from the urethra.
If you detect these or other signs of prostatitis in men, you should consult your doctor or urologist immediately.
Chronic inflammation: symptoms of prostatitis in men
We can talk about a chronic process if the following symptoms of prostatitis in men have been detected for at least the past three months:
- pain around the penis, testicles, anus, lower abdomen or lower back that is pulling, pressing or painful.
- pain when urinating, frequent or urgent need to urinate, especially at night, or intermittent urination.
- the prostate is enlarged or painful on rectal examination, although in some cases it may be normal.
- intimate problems such as erectile dysfunction, pain during ejaculation or pelvic pain after intercourse.
These symptoms can have a significant impact on a man's quality of life.Without treatment, the condition can gradually get worse and symptoms of prostatitis appear more and more frequently.
How is the inspection performed?
At the first signs of prostatitis in men, it is necessary to contact a urologist to conduct a comprehensive diagnosis.The doctor will ask in detail about all symptoms and events and health problems that occurred before they appeared.Then the genitals, abdomen and rectum will be examined.The doctor inserts a gloved finger into the rectum to feel the prostate.During the exam, there may be discomfort if the prostate is enlarged or inflamed.Blood and urine tests are also ordered to look for signs of infection.
How is prostatitis treated?
The treatment strategy for prostatitis will depend on the form of the disease - acute or chronic prostatitis.
For acute inflammation, when symptoms appear suddenly and are severe, painkillers and a 2-4 week course of antibiotics are often prescribed.If acute urinary retention occurs, hospitalization and emergency measures are required - bladder catheterization with urinary diversion along with aggressive treatment.
Treatment for chronic prostatitis, where symptoms come and go over several months, is usually aimed at eliminating any discomfort.Your doctor may recommend the following procedures:
- Pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs help eliminate pain and discomfort in the pelvis.
- Alpha blockers help eliminate urinary problems.They help relax the muscles of the prostate and the base of the bladder.
- Sometimes antibiotics may be prescribed if the bacterial nature of the infection is confirmed or there are indications that there has been a previous untreated acute process.
The goal of treating chronic prostatitis is to reduce symptoms to a level that does not interfere with daily activities.