Prostatitis: symptoms, treatment, prevention

Prostatitis in men is an inflammatory process involving prostate tissue.The disease is accompanied by pain occurring in the lower back, perineum and pelvis.The main manifestations are perineal pain and lower urinary tract dysfunction.

Among all urological diseases, urologists most often encounter prostatitis.It may develop suddenly (acutely) relative to the general health condition, or it may last for a long time, with periods of exacerbation and remission, which indicates a chronic process.Furthermore, the second variant of the disease is diagnosed much more often.

The disease can be independent or combined with prostate enlargement or prostate cancer.

Reasons for development

Inflammation does not appear on its own.Causes of prostatitis can be divided into bacterial and non-bacterial.

Acute infection usually occurs in men under 35 years old due to prostate damage caused by gram-negative bacteria - Escherichia coli, Proteus, Enterobacter.Inflammation also occurs due to infection with sexually transmitted diseases - gonorrhea, chlamydia.In the chronic form, there may be many other causes and the list will include atypical bacteria.

Factors that stimulate the development of bacterial variants are:

• unprotected sex;
• AIDS or HIV infection;
• diarrhea or constipation;
• anal intercourse;
• sedentary lifestyle;
• inactive sex life;
• diabetes;
• hypothermia;
• violation of intimate hygiene.
• emotional disorders;
• autoimmune disease;
• increase physical activity;
• lack of regular sex life;
• work that involves lifting heavy objects;
• chronic stress;
• blockage of prostate tissue;
• fibrotic changes were previously confirmed in the prostate (according to TRUS results).

What is the first sign of prostatitis you need to pay attention to?

The first symptoms of the disease are pain in the lower back and perineum, difficulty urinating.If, when going to the toilet, you notice a weakening of the urine stream, discomfort or burning in the urethra, you need to contact a urologist as soon as possible.

When the disease has an acute onset, the temperature may rise and general health may deteriorate.Such patients require immediate treatment with antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs.

In some cases, the disease may be asymptomatic for a long time, so treatment begins late.

Symptoms of prostatitis

Signs of prostatitis in men depend on the form of the disease.In the acute form, the following manifestations are characteristic:

• pain in the lower back, sacrum, perineum;
• frequent or difficult urination;
• acute urinary retention;
• difficulty defecating;
• thin urine stream;
• increased temperature;
• chills;
• general health deterioration.

The chronic form can occur after the acute phase of the disease or develop into a primary disease.Symptoms of chronic prostatitis in men are usually mild.The pain is of low intensity, the temperature may increase slightly.The urine stream becomes diluted, disorders appear in the private area.

In the chronic phase, acute exacerbations of prostatitis with symptoms characteristic of the acute phase may occur.The pain may be absent or dull, aching in nature.

Symptoms of acute prostatitis

Acute prostatitis occurs in several stages, which will pass from one stage to another if you do not consult a specialist and stop the development of the disease in time.

The first stage is called acute catarrhal prostatitis.It begins with complaints of frequent painful urination.In the lower back and sacrum, as well as in the perineum, a slight pain appears at first, which quickly increases.

Without treatment, the second stage will occur - acute follicular cyst.At this time, the pain becomes especially intense, spreading to the anus and gradually increasing when defecating.Urinating is very difficult, sometimes there is acute urinary retention.The temperature does not exceed 38 degrees and only in rare cases can be higher.

Acute parenchymal prostatitis is manifested by severe intoxication, temperature up to 38°C or more and chills.Urinary retention, sharp, stabbing pain in the perineum and difficulty defecating are frequently observed.

Symptoms of chronic prostatitis

Sometimes chronic prostatitis occurs against the background of an acute inflammatory process.This is a separate disease in which there is a primary chronic phase that develops over a long period of time.

Most often, the chronic process begins as a complication of the inflammatory process caused by various infectious agents - chlamydia, trichomonas, gonococcus.But vivid manifestations are rare;Usually the disease occurs with mild pain when urinating or in the perineum and mild discharge from the urethra.Often these manifestations go unnoticed by the patient even for a very long time.

Signs of prostatitis in men can occur in different ways, but they are all grouped into three groups - pain, urinary disorders, problems with sexual activity.Prostate tissue lacks receptors so it cannot produce pain.They appear when inflammation begins to spread to the pelvic organs, which have a lot of nerve innervation.The patient's pain can vary from barely noticeable discomfort to severe and severe pain that disrupts normal sleep and lifestyle.The pain can spread to the sacrum, scrotum, lower back, perineum, so self-diagnosis here is useless.

Urinary problems begin when the prostate increases in volume and begins to compress the urethra, reducing the ureteral lumen.Frequent need to urinate, feeling like the bladder is not empty.Usually, such phenomena are manifested at the very beginning of the disease, in the early stages, and then compensated by the body, but in later stages, if not adequately treated, they appear again.

Potency problems in men can also be expressed in different ways.Patients complain of poorer erections, faster ejaculation, and decreased sexual arousal.Gradually, sexual dysfunction becomes more and more evident. In severe stages, symptoms of prostatitis are combined with impotence.

Classify

Experts distinguish several types of diseases:

• Acute bacterial prostatitis, which is characterized by symptoms of bacterial infection.The causative agent in most cases is Escherichia coli.Enterococci and other bacteria are isolated less frequently;
• Chronic bacterial prostatitis, is a relapsing form of the disease.The causative agents are bacteria E. coli, enterococci... Trichomonas, fungi, chlamydia, viruses, mycoplasma can also be pathogens;
• chronic pelvic pain syndrome, in which infection is not detected.There are two types: inflammatory and non-inflammatory.Among the causes: autoimmune processes, external factors (hypothermia, overheating), rare sex life, low physical activity, rare urination;
• Asymptomatic prostatitis, discovered incidentally during a visit to the doctor.

Only a qualified specialist can accurately name the type of prostatitis and determine the course of treatment after a thorough diagnosis based on examination data.You should contact a specialist if you have certain symptoms.

Symptom

The main symptom is dysfunction of the urinary system.You should contact a specialist if you have the following symptoms:

• if urination is difficult and urine is intermittent;
• if during bowel movements there is discharge from the urethra;
• with burning sensation in the urethra and perineum;
• if during bowel movements, unpleasant sensations occur in the bladder and prostate;
• if the urge to urinate increases and becomes more frequent;
• if you have pain in your rectum;
• if there is purulent discharge from the urethra (floating “threads”);
• with frequent increases in body temperature;
• when there are intimate problems (weakened erection);
• when an erection appears at night for an unexplained reason;
• if ejaculation during sex is too rapid;
• if the sensation of orgasm is “erased”;
• with rapid general fatigue;
• with manifestations of unreasonable anxiety or depression, as well as a state of mental weakness;
• Frequently depressed, showing signs of mental weakness to prevent complications;
• with general weakness of the body.

To contact a urologist, one or two symptoms are enough.Attempts to self-heal often cause the condition to worsen and the disease to become chronic or severe.In the worst case, failure to see a doctor in time can cause infertility or complete impotence.

If the patient does not see a doctor in time or neglects treatment, the following symptoms may appear:

• pain in the perineum;
• pain near the scrotum;
• pain at the base of the penis (painful in nature).

Pain indicates stone formation.Doctors call infertility a late sign of a progressive disease.

Signs of prostatitis in acute and chronic forms are significantly different.In particular, in the chronic form, the signs may be mild or not present at all.

Acute prostatitis is characterized by pronounced symptoms - general discomfort, pain in the groin area.Men need to contact a specialist if:

• The urge to urinate becomes very frequent;
• pain during defecation and urination increases in the perineum and radiates to the groin;
• Complete emptying of the bladder is impossible;
• the amount of urine produced each day is significantly reduced or urine is not collected at all;
• High temperature, frequent headaches, general weakness.

Acute bacterial prostatitis is characterized by fever and chills, lumbosacral pain (severe), pain manifesting in the perineum and rectum, acute urinary retention, and frequent pain in the muscles and joints.

Chronic prostatitis is characterized by the following symptoms:

• when urinating, pain in the perineum increases;
• with frequent urges, the bladder does not empty completely;
• decreased sexual desire;
• Feeling uncomfortable during sex.

One of the signs of the chronic form is a significant disturbance of the emotional background, characterized by insomnia, increased anxiety, moodiness and irritability.

The bacterial form of chronic prostatitis is characterized by problems with ejaculation, which becomes rapid and painful, discomfort in the pubic area, frequent or involuntary urination, and intermittent urine flow.

Chronic pelvic pain syndrome, according to medical statistics, is the most common form of prostatitis, characterized by symptoms similar to those of bacterial prostatitis in the chronic form: frequent urge to urinate, weak urine stream, pain in the penis and testicles, and sexual dysfunction.

Complications may occur

• vesicular inflammation;
• posterior urethritis or colitis;
• abscess of the gland;
• sclerosis or fibrosis of the prostate;
• prostate cysts and stones;
• infertility;
• ejaculation disorders;
• erectile dysfunction.

Diagnose

Diagnosis and treatment of any form of prostatitis is performed by a urologist.If a tumor is suspected, the patient may be referred to an oncologist for consultation.In cases of long-term, difficult-to-treat chronic prostatitis, consultation with an immunologist may be necessary.

1. Urine bacterial culture.
2. Analysis of prostatic secretion in terms of microbiota and antibiotic sensitivity.
3. Rectal examination of the prostate.
4. Ultrasound of the prostate, allows you to identify tumors, cysts, adenomas, and can also distinguish prostatitis from other urological and surgical diseases.
5. Sperm analysis to rule out infertility.

Diagnostic features of acute prostatitis

If signs of the disease indicate acute prostatitis, the diagnosis is made based on clinical and instrumental examination data.Any manipulations that may affect the prostate are contraindicated because they may cause acute pain or spread of infection.

Characteristics of diagnosis of chronic bacterial prostatitis

Diagnosis in such cases is determined based on the following data: examination by the patient's doctor, bacteriological and microscopic examination of prostatic secretions, study of ultrasound data.

Diagnostic features of pelvic pain syndrome

Specialists prescribe diagnostic procedures for symptoms indicating chronic pelvic pain syndrome, taking into account the type of disease: inflammatory or non-inflammatory.As a rule, ultrasound is prescribed, as well as the following manipulations:

• check prostatic secretions;
• molecular biology research;
• Bacteriological research.

The choice of technique is determined by the doctor based on initial examination data.

Risk group

Highest likelihood of occurrence and development of prostatitis:

• in men who are obese or have a sedentary lifestyle;
• in men with sedentary jobs (office workers, programmers);
• in men with body vibrations (drivers of cars, including special equipment);
• in men with infectious diseases, including diseases of the genitourinary system;
• in sexually active men and in those who do not have sex regularly;
• in depressed men with mental illness;
• in alcoholics, drug addicts, etc.

Treatment

Patients diagnosed with uncomplicated acute prostatitis were treated as outpatients.Only when there are symptoms of severe poisoning and pus is suspected will hospitalization be performed.

Antibiotics are the drugs of choice to fight inflammation.They are also used for chronic forms of bacteria.Medicines are selected individually and used over a course of 4-6 weeks.In severe cases, antibacterial drugs are administered intravenously, in all other cases - orally, in the form of capsules or tablets.

Another medication used to treat prostatitis is alpha1 blockers, which are prescribed when there is residual urine confirmed by ultrasound.They make urination easier and relax the muscles of the prostate and bladder.Medicines belonging to the NSAID group help relieve pain.

Treatment of prostatitis should only be carried out comprehensively and consistently.In addition to medication, the doctor will prescribe a course of prostate massage and physical therapy to improve blood circulation in this organ.Surgical treatment is used only when abscesses and pus of the seminal vesicles appear.

The choice of treatment for prostatitis depends on many factors and is determined individually.When choosing a treatment method, the following are taken into account:

• cause of disease;
• progression of the disease;
• Individual characteristics of the body (presence of chronic and concomitant diseases).

For treatment, a specific technique can be chosen or a complex method can be prescribed.Specialists in the field of urology, depending on the results of the diagnosis, prescribe:

• Physical therapy procedures: magnetic resonance therapy, procedures using laser equipment, ultrasound, acupressure, massage, hirudotherapy.
• Drug treatment.
• Diet and psychotherapy.
• Surgical intervention.

When diagnosing bacterial prostatitis, broad-spectrum antibiotics, immunomodulators and multivitamin complexes are prescribed.

When diagnosing nonbacterial prostatitis, physical therapy and anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed.

In some cases, experts may recommend muscle relaxants and hormone therapy as well as antioxidants to help reduce inflammation and protect cells from free radicals.

Correctly selected drug complex for acute bacterial prostatitis:

• restore immunity;
• treat infection (antibiotics);
• prostate treatment (antibacterial drugs).

Chronic prostatitis is difficult to treat, so many drugs are used: anti-inflammatory, antispasmodic, absorbent, antibacterial, vibration and finger massage, electrophoresis, EHF and UHF therapy, sinusoidal modulated current.

When diagnosing pelvic pain syndrome, antibiotics and anti-inflammatory drugs, various types of physical therapy, magnetic and laser therapy, electrical nerve stimulation, etc.is used.One of the effective methods is to drain the tissue around the source of inflammation.

Conservative or modern treatment methods are selected by the urologist based on diagnostic data.

Tablet

Antibacterial and painkillers can be prescribed in the form of tablets for prostatitis.

The course of antibiotic treatment is selected individually depending on the results of the analysis of prostate secretions.The pathogenic microflora must be sensitive to the drug used.It is necessary to complete the full course of treatment prescribed by the urologist, otherwise the cause will not be eliminated, the disease will recur or become chronic.

Pain relievers for prostatitis help eliminate unpleasant symptoms.For this purpose, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used, which not only eliminate pain, but also reduce inflammation.

Medicines for treating prostatitis in men, helping to treat difficulty urinating, belong to the group of alpha 1 blockers. They relax smooth muscles and restore patency of the urethra due to compression of the inflamed prostate.

Injectable medication for prostatitis

Antibacterial drugs to treat prostatitis in men are also used in injection form.Injectable forms of the drug are prescribed for severe inflammation, as well as in the absence of tablet forms of antibiotics to which the pathogen is very sensitive.You can inject antispasmodic drugs to quickly recover from difficulty urinating due to urinary tract spasms and prostate compression.

Prostatitis injections work faster than pills, so they are sometimes more popular.

Prostatitis surgery

The most serious complications are seminal vesicle pus and abscess.Medicines are not able to cope with the disease in such a difficult situation, so surgery is indicated when the first symptoms appear.

If not intervened promptly, the pus will spread outside the organ, so the consequences of complicated prostatitis can be life-threatening.

Prognosis and prevention

The acute form without treatment often becomes chronic, periodically worsening.Complete recovery is not always possible, but if you consult a doctor promptly and take all prescribed medications, you can eliminate discomfort, urination problems and pain.

Self-treatment at home and using traditional methods can often be life-threatening.

To prevent prostatitis, it is recommended to avoid hypothermia, promptly empty the bladder, limit the intake of coffee, spices and alcohol, and maintain sexual activity as long as possible.

Typical signs of prostate cancer

The prostate is a small organ found only in men.Its structure resembles a sponge, lying below the bladder and seemingly surrounding the urethra.Glandular development begins in adolescence under the influence of male sex hormones;When mature, its weight can reach 20 grams.It plays an important role in the male reproductive system, producing secretions, one of the components of sperm.But unfortunately, mature and elderly men often suffer from adenomatous hyperplasia or malignant tumors of this organ.

How to recognize cancer

As the tumor grows and progresses, symptoms of prostate cancer depend on the stage of the process.If the disease is still in the first stage or has even moved to the second stage, the tumor is localized in the prostate, has not grown into neighboring tissues and has not metastasized.

Symptoms of prostate cancer in the early stages are practically absent, this is the insidious nature of the disease.The man had no complaints, felt healthy and saw no reason to see a doctor.This is why this type of tumor is often detected in an advanced state.An exception may be patients who have previously been diagnosed with benign tumors of the prostate, in which case they are periodically followed by a specialist and undergo prostate-specific antigen testing and prostate ultrasound.They have every chance of detecting the tumor in its bud.But it's worth noting that detecting prostate cancer is not always easy.Even with a biopsy, the results may be clear but the cancer is already present.This happens due to an error in the method;The needle simply does not reach the site of local damage.If prostate disease is suspected, especially if cancer is suspected, a fusion biopsy, which combines real-time ultrasound and MRI capabilities, gives the doctor the opportunity to visualize the organ as accurately as possible.

Some symptoms are a consequence of prostate disease, while others are due to mechanical compression and obstruction of the urethra.

Because the bladder must be emptied regularly, if this process is interrupted, urine can become trapped in it, inflammation can occur, and a bacterial infection can develop.If no measures are taken, the process will spread and this threatens pyelonephritis and kidney problems.

At stage 4, prostate cancer appears more clearly.Metastases are most commonly found in the bones, spine, and lymphatics.Because of this, a person's regional lymph nodes become enlarged, his bones ache, he suddenly loses weight and becomes weaker.

Treating prostate cancer is not an easy task, but it can be done.If the local process is detected in time, a complete cure can be achieved, and in more severe stages, life expectancy can be prolonged.If you notice the symptoms described above, contact a professional clinic for examination.

Make an appointment, the clinic's doctors have many years of experience treating urological diseases and achieving success even in the most difficult cases.