Prostatitis - inflammation of the prostate gland - can manifest itself in acute and chronic forms.
It is difficult to ignore acute inflammation: its signs are pronounced, one cannot speak of chronic manifestations of the disease.Itno symptoms, but it performs its task "excellently", damaging the tissues of the organ, reducing its function.
About chronic prostatitis: types and characteristics
Prostatitis is considered chronicif its silent symptoms last more than 3 months.
According to statistics, only 5% of cases are acute, the remaining 95% are chronic prostatitis.It affects men of reproductive age and even young men aged 18-20 years are susceptible to this disease.
There can be two reasons for the development of chronic prostatitis: infection and stagnation of blood in the pelvic area.
Infectionenters the prostate in many ways:
- with blood flow from foci of infection in the body - tooth decay, pneumonia, maxillary sinusitis, pustule formation,
- with lymph flow from neighboring organs, for example, from hemorrhoidal intestines, dysbacteriosis,
- sex
- descend or ascend from the infected urinary tract - bladder or urethra.
Prostatitis caused by sexually transmitted pathogens, such as gonococcus, chlamydia, and treponema pallidum, requires special attention.Symptoms of such prostatitis and genital infections are similar, and they can "hide" behind the signs of these diseases.This type of prostatitis is very easy to cause.
Reduced immunity and hormonal imbalancespecifically stimulates the development and spread of infection.
Non-infectious or congestive prostatitisappears due to disturbances in the flow of blood and lymph from the pelvis, as well as stagnation of prostatic fluid in the ducts of the gland.
Causes such phenomenonthe following factors:
- disorders in sexual life - prolonged abstinence, disrupted behavior, unsatisfied desires,
- smoking - nicotine constricts blood vessels and interferes with normal blood circulation,
- sedentary lifestyle,
- tight clothes,
- alcohol abuse.Alcoholic beverages irritate the duct walls, causing them to become inflamed,
- constipation
Congestive prostatitis occurs 8 times more often than infectious prostatitis and very rarely develops as a complication of acute prostatitis.
Bacterial prostatitis
This type of disease is also calledchronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS).The main symptom is pelvic pain but no pathogenic microorganisms are found when examining the microbiology of urine and prostatic secretions.
Painful sensations have different degrees of severity and localization.They spread to the perineum or bladder or genitals.The ejaculation process is also painful.Problems with urine excretion and in the sexual area are also present but are only secondary.
Diagnosis is made if the pain lasts for 3 months or more.
There are 2 types of CPPS:
- CPPS inflammation– increased white blood cell counts are detected in urine and prostatic secretions, which indicates inflammation.Microorganisms were not detected.There are several reasons for the appearance of this type of inflammation.On the one hand, this can happen when clean urine flows back from the urethra into the gland.This is facilitated by anatomical defects or impaired muscle contractions of the bladder, prostate and perineum.Urine, or rather the urine in it, causes prostatitis.On the other hand, it is believed that the culprits of this process are still bacteria that have not been identified using classical methods.To identify them, molecular diagnostics should be used.The third cause is the autoimmune process in the body.
- CPPS is not inflammatory– the analyzes do not contain leukocytes and microorganisms.To establish the diagnosis, diagnostic tools are used.It allows you to identify nerve problems or muscle changes in the prostate and other organs:
- cervical part of the bladder - narrow or hyperplastic,
- pelvic area – muscle pain, muscle tension, interruption of nerve impulse transmission,
- urethra - narrowing, increased pressure,
- prostate – urine reflux, increased pressure.
FrequentNeurological disorders are observed in CPPS patients: anxiety, irritability, depressive tendency.
Bacterial prostatitis
Chronic inflammation of the prostate caused by bacteriaIt begins to manifest itself as a feeling of slight discomfort when urinating.This includes mild pain, itching or burning, and decreased flow of blood flow.The color of the urine changes and there is an unpleasant odor.Discomfort can also make you uncomfortable when you have a bowel movement.A weak, dull pain appears in the perineum.
ariseproblems in sex life.At the beginning of the disease, they have the following situations: weakened erection ability or increased frequency at night, accelerated ejaculation, and orgasmic disorders.
Typical symptoms of this stage- Fluid appears from the urethra during defecation.
Such sluggish symptoms can persist for quite a long time.A man may not pay attention to them, blaming everything on other reasons.If left untreated, they progress and an exacerbation of the chronic process occurs, the intensity of sensations increases.
Urinating becomes intensely painful, the feeling of needing to go to the toilet becomes more frequent.At a certain point, these manifestations weaken due to compensatory development of the bladder muscle, then continue to return with greater force.
The pain in the perineum also increases.It spreads to the lower back, pubic bone, legs, scrotum.The nature of the pain also changes: it becomes stronger, sharper and bothers you at night.
Sexual dysfunction increases and becomes permanent.Ejaculation is accompanied by pain, erection and decreased sexual desire.
Patients also experience excessive sweating, including in the perineal area.Body temperature increases slightly – 37-37.5°.
In the context of sexual disorders in menmental disorders develop.They become irritable, anxious and may become depressed.
Treatment of the disease at this stage reduces the intensity of symptoms and the exacerbation phase is relieved.
Other types of chronic prostatitis
There is a conceptprostatitis caused by stones.This disease is extremely rare and affects older men.It is characterized by stone formation consisting of prostatic fluid, inflammatory effusion, as well as phosphate and calcium.
Signs of this disease are pain, characteristic of prostatitis.They intensify when moving, after sex.Blood appears in semen.There are other signs of glandular inflammation.
Stones are a consequence of long-term prostatitis or adenoma.
Congestive prostatitisThere are bacteria and non-bacteria.Its peculiarity is that the symptoms are mild:
- mild fever,
- feeling of discomfort in the groin,
- urination problems,
- uncomfortable,
- sexual disorders.
There is also suchtypes of chronic prostatitis:
- autoimmune– develops in immune diseases, for example rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus,
- endocrine disorders– appears due to hormonal imbalance, hormonal diseases (diabetes), due to the body's physiological aging process,
- vascular plants– is formed against the background of vegetative-vascular dystonia.Causes blood circulation problems.
How the disease is detected: diagnosis
Chronic prostatitis was diagnosedThe methods are similar to acute.
FirstThe doctor interviews and examines the patient.The examination is performed by digital rectal examination of the prostate.It may be enlarged, painful, asymmetrical, and stiff.In a small number of cases (non-inflammatory CPPS) it does not change.
Next doctorwill require inspection.Testing methods include general blood and urine tests and analysis of prostate secretions.They will show an increased white blood cell count.Bacterial testing of urine and prostatic fluid reveals pathogens.Sometimes these indicators may be normal, but the process still exists.
To confirm the reality of the disease, the blood is tested for PSA.Instrumental methods will also be useful: ultrasound, TRUS, uroflowmetry.
Very often, a man does not suspect that he has such a disease, but ignores the symptoms.It was discovered by chance during systematic testing.Therefore, do not disturb the system and do not neglect scheduled checks.
Drug treatment
First of all, for the treatment of chronic prostatitisAntibiotics are prescribed.The course lasts - 1-1.5 months.Before prescribing antibacterial drugs, the type of pathogen and its sensitivity to the drug must be determined.
ObligatoryUse immune modulating drugs, as reduced immunity is a common cause of inflammation.Help may be available from an immunologist.
Treatment of chronic prostatitisCannot do without anti-inflammatory drugs.To begin with, non-steroidal drugs are prescribed.They are used in tablet or injection form.If they do not achieve the desired results, hormones will be used.
Alpha blockerswill help relieve muscle tension from the bladder and perineum.They work symptomatically, relieving pain and improving urination.
If unbearable pain occurs,pain relievers are involved.
Worth mentioning separatelyabout the use of dosage forms such as suppositories.They are perfect for treating chronic prostate diseases.Usually, its symptoms are very mild and the mild effect of the suppositories is quite enough to relieve them.
They are inserted into the rectum.The close location to the prostate allows you to achieve quick and effective results.In addition, the harmful effects of tablets on the digestive tract and the difficulties of injecting the drug are eliminated.Suppositories have anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects on the organ.
Physical therapy and other methods
In addition to medication, other methods of treating chronic prostatitis are also used:
- rectal prostate massage- performed through the rectum.The procedure helps to eliminate stagnation of prostatic fluid and also enhances the effect of drugs.Contraindicated in cases where the disease is more severe and there are stones in the prostate,
- Physiotherapy improves blood circulation in the affected organ and improves its nutrition.Method usedUHF, electrophoresis, darsonvalizationand others.They are only indicated during the remission phase,
- Prostatitis is not only related to the organs but also to a man's psychology.He might need ithelp from a psychologist or psychotherapist,
- acupunctureis a popular treatment for chronic prostatitis.The procedure affects the organ indirectly, through acupuncture points,
- exercise, such as squats, walking, jumping will increase blood circulation in the pelvis and remove congestion,
- actively usedbath therapy- Treatment with mineral water.
Medicines are an indispensable part of the treatment of chronic prostatitis.But they can cause some complications.And because the treatment of this disease is long-term, people have found a way to partially replace those drugs.Came to the rescuetraditional medicine.
The leader among folk remedies for the treatment of prostatitis ispumpkin seeds.They contain a lot of zinc, which is essential for men's health.Seeds can be consumed separately: 30 grams will supplement the daily need for essential trace elements.You can also grind them in a meat grinder and mix with honey, forming balls from the resulting mixture.They need to be stored in the refrigerator and consumed 1 piece before a meal.
Taking medicine for prostatitis is very helpfulFresh juice of radishes, carrots, cucumbers and asparagus.The volume per day must be at least 0.5 liters.
BlueberriesPerfect for prostate recovery.It contains a lot of useful substances, trace elements and vitamins.
In rare cases, in the treatment of prostatitishave to resort to surgery.Indications for it include lack of improvement with conservative treatment, as well as acute processes: abscesses and other purulent prostatitis, acute urinary retention, glandular tissue hyperplasia, as well as benign and malignant tumors.
Surgical treatment is performed using several methods: This can be partial organ removal, open ulceration, circumcision or total gland removal.
How to prevent the development of chronic prostatitis
Prevent this diseasecan be primary or secondary.
Primary preventionTo prevent the occurrence of the disease and take the following measures:
- maintain immunity,
- regularity of sexual activity,
- Physical exercises and moderate loads.This is especially important for people with a sedentary lifestyle,
- avoid hypothermia,
- prevent infections in the body,
- Timely treatment of genital tract infections,
- Be sure to undergo regular medical examinations,
- Do not abuse alcohol and smoke.
Secondary preventionincludes measures to prevent disease recurrence.During the first year after prostatitis, men should see a urologist every 3 months.Then – every 6 months.If an exacerbation of the disease does not occur, the patient will be removed from the clinic.
Great for preventing prostatitissuitable sanatorium resort treatment.Modern sanatoriums offer complex procedures from physiotherapy and bath therapy, as well as other natural resources.
ImportantWatch your diet as well.Add more vegetables, fruits and grains to your menu.You should also enrich your diet with fermented milk products.Eating seafood will compensate for zinc deficiency.
You should avoid salty, spicy, smoked foods and do not overuse spices.Legumes, fatty foods and flour products should be excluded.
Chronic prostatitis is a slow but long-term process.He is cunning with trouble:
- cystitis, pyelonephritis - urinary stones,
- seminal vesiculitis - an inflammatory process in the seminal vesicles,
- Epididymitis is an inflammatory process of the testicles,
- glandular weakness,
- infertility and impotence.
Disease treatment -quite a long process.But you should follow this path to the end to preserve your health and your chances of having healthy children.