prostatitis

Today, inflammation of the prostate ranks among the top men's diseases that are primarily sexually transmitted. Complications can lead to infertility, decreased libido, and impotence.Symptoms of prostatitis include more than just pain, urinary disturbances, and inflammation of the spermatic cord. Perhaps the most dangerous consequence of late-stage inflammation is prostate cancer. And pathological processes diagnosed in time can easily be stopped.

causes of inflammation

The risk of developing prostate inflammation is increased due to various factors that trigger the disease:

• Hypothermia, one-time or related to the nature of outdoor work.
• A sedentary lifestyle can lead to digestive system disorders.
• Chronic physical diseases (diabetes, hypertension).
• Lesion and peri-lesion infection (rhinitis, tonsillitis, stomatitis, gastritis).
• Persistent UGI (chlamydia, trichomoniasis, herpes viruses).
• Stress, insomnia, chronic fatigue syndrome.
• Decreased immunity due to illness, surgery, emotional stress.
• Bad habits that lead to poisoning: alcohol, smoking, strong coffee.
• Occupational injuries to the perineum of car drivers, athletes, and workers in hazardous industries.
• Disturbed sexual intercourse, interruption of intercourse, lack of intercourse, incomplete ejaculation, chronic lack of intimacy (low demand for sperm leading to glandular stagnation).
• STDs.

Although there are quite a few irritating moments, the essence of prostatitis is stagnation within the organ against the background of impaired blood circulation and lymphatic outflow.

Classification

In modern urology, there is no uniform classification of this disease. However, practicing doctors prefer this method of classifying prostatic inflammatory processes:Depending on the course of the disease:

• Acute prostatitis. It affects more than 50% of people aged 30 to 35 years and younger.
• Chronic choice. It is considered a non-age category. It does not manifest itself over a long period of time; the impetus for its development is a cold or infection.

Causes of pathology:

• Bacterial inflammation of the prostate occurs mainly in men under 40 years of age, occurs on the background of ultrasonography, and does not extend beyond the borders of the organ.
• Non-bacterial pathological changes of the glands are mainly chronic.
• Viral inflammation of the prostate is characterized by an acute course affecting the entire genital region.

Depending on the nature of the structural changes in the prostate:

• Fibrous prostatitis is characterized by rapid and irreversible growth of the gland and requires radical intervention. Clinically resembles prostate adenoma.
• Prostatolithic inflammation occurs due to the formation of stones within the prostate. Considered a precursor to cancer.
• Congestive prostatitis is a result of a sedentary lifestyle and one in every two patients is diagnosed with it.

signs of disease

Men should contact a qualified specialist immediately if they notice at least two of the following symptoms of prostatitis:

• Urination disorder, characterized by an intermittent, weak, and abnormally short flow of urine that causes splashing, difficulty, and pain before urinating. Frequent urges to empty the bladder occur mostly at night.
• The pain is concentrated in the lower abdomen and radiates to the scrotum, perineum, and rectum.
• Sexual dysfunction.
• Ejaculation problems, sperm changes (consistency, quantity).

acute prostatitis

The disease begins with a sharp increase in body temperature (up to 40 degrees), headache and fever. Symptoms include groin, perineal, and back pain, urethral discharge, urinary frequency, and persistent urinary urgency. There will be a delay in emptying the bladder and a burning sensation. The urine itself becomes cloudy and may contain blood. Irritability and fatigue occur.The result of acute prostatitis can be complete resolution of the process (if treatment is started promptly). Since many pelvic organs will undergo changes, they cannot be left alone, otherwise corresponding complications will occur:

• Seminal vesiculitis is an inflammation of the seminal vesicles, causing pus to appear in semen, which not only reduces the quality of ejaculation, but also leads to loss of reproductive function.
• Colonitis - inflammatory changes in the spermatozoa become the cause of severe pain during sexual intercourse, interrupted orgasm and psychogenic impotence.
• The formation and rupture of abscesses in the prostate and purulent lesions of the rectum can lead to worsening of symptoms, severe physical intoxication, and even death.
• Stagnation of prostate tissue causes changes in its structure, disrupting the innervation and blood supply of the gland itself and nearby organs, thereby disrupting its function. Erection is insufficient for adequate sexual intercourse, premature ejaculation and prolonged intercourse without orgasm are observed.
• Scarring changes to the glands and spermatic cord can lead to infertility, decreased sperm quality and sperm motility. Narrowing of the urethra can interfere with the normal urination process; bladder obstruction can cause acute urinary retention and require emergency surgery.

chronic prostatitis

The main characteristics of this disease are unclear clinical symptoms and long and persistent course. More often, the chronic form occurs independently, as the main pathology in the context of stasis of blood in the vessels (prostatopathy), non-bacterial prostatitis.The main symptoms of chronic prostatitis are:

• fever;
• Pain occurs in the scrotum, perineum, anus, and back;
• Urination disorders;
• Mucus or mucopurulent discharge from the rectum and urethra even without urination or defecation;
• Erectile dysfunction, painful ejaculation, interrupted intercourse, prolonged intercourse without satisfaction.

Inaction and improper treatment of chronic prostatitis can cause complications:

• Infertility is the result of chronic inflammation of 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 microorganisms.
• septicemia.
• Immunity continues to decline.
• Untreated prostatitis can lead to cancer in 35-40% of cases.

diagnosis

The clinical manifestations of the disease are typical and the diagnosis is not difficult. It is performed by a urologist based on medical history, patient examination, laboratory minimum and using the most modern medical equipment:

• Glandular rectal examination, aspiration of secretions for examination (culture to determine susceptibility to antibiotics).
• UAC, UAM, urine bacterial culture.
• STD smear test, upper gastrointestinal tract examination.
• Monitor urinary rhythm daily and measure urination rate (uroflowmetry).
• Perform ultrasound or TRUS for differential diagnosis.
• If tumor needs to be ruled out, a biopsy, urogram, and PSA (prostate-specific antigen) determination are performed.
• To diagnose infertility, a sperm test is performed - the analysis of semen to determine a man's fertility.

Based on the patient's examination results, an individualized plan for comprehensive treatment of prostatitis is formulated. When prescribing the drug, the pathological form and the presence of concomitant diseases are taken into account. Where treatment takes place (inpatient or outpatient) is decided by the doctor. The course of treatment is carried out through careful laboratory monitoring of the results.One of the most modern prostatitis treatment centers is a specialist clinic. Since infertility problems are closely related to inflammatory urinary system diseases, the medical community attaches great importance to this issue. In the clinic, every patient has the opportunity to undergo a full cycle of special examinations, receive psychological support, receive treatment with the latest generation drugs in the field and become acquainted with the latest methods of treating prostate inflammation. In the complex treatment of prostatitis, the most important thing is the effective rehabilitation of the patient, clinical observation and prevention of problems.

Treatment of acute prostatitis

Acute prostatitis requires bed rest, a special salt-free diet and sexual rest.Treatment method:

• The most effective treatment for prostatitis is allotropic therapy. If the basis of prostatitis is infection, a course of antibacterial drugs is preferred to relieve the manifestations of inflammation.
• Pain syndromes can be relieved with analgesics, antispasmodics, rectal suppositories, microenemas containing warm analgesic solutions. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be used.
• Combinations of immunostimulants, immunomodulators, enzymes, vitamin complexes and trace elements have proven their effectiveness.
• Physiotherapy methods are possible only in the subacute stage of the disease. They improve microcirculation and improve immunity: UHF, microwave, electrophoresis, laser, magnetic therapy.
• Massage is another effective way to affect the prostate. It opens the ducts and normalizes blood circulation in the scrotum and pelvis.
• Acute renal filtrate retention can be corrected with catheterization and trocar cystostomy.
• The purulent process involves surgical intervention.
• Consultation with a psychologist.

Treatment of chronic prostatitis

Due to long-term, course-of-treatment (at least one month) effects on the prostate, 100% cure is not guaranteed. Prioritize herbal medicine, immune correction, changing family habits:

• Herbal preparations are widely used in urological practice. They are able to accumulate at the sites of the most active pathological processes, protect cells from oxidation, scavenge free radicals and prevent glandular tissue proliferation.
• Antimicrobial treatment is selected individually based on the susceptibility of the microorganism to the drug.
• Immunity-boosting medications not only help deal with prostatitis, they can also correct the negative effects of antibiotics that disrupt immune system function.
• Pain syndrome can be relieved by taking alpha-blockers and muscle relaxants.
• Prostate massage can mechanically remove "excess" secretions from the gland through the urethra, improve circulation, and minimize congestion.
• Physical therapy: laser, magnet, ultrasound, iontophoresis, warm sitz bath or herbal micro-enema.
• In severe cases, intravenous fluids containing diuretics may be needed. This stimulates the production of large amounts of urine, preventing the development of symptoms of intoxication, ascending cystitis, and pyelonephritis.
• For constipation, herbal laxatives can be used.
• Urologists and psychologists work with patients to develop a personal long-term plan that includes daily living, necessary rest, diet, moderate physical activity, and sexual activity.
• If the chronic process is resistant to treatment and the outflow of urine is blocked, surgical intervention is required: removal of all affected tissue (transurethral resection of the prostate) or complete removal of the gland and its surrounding tissue (prostatectomy). Practiced under special circumstances, it can lead to impotence and urinary incontinence. Young people do not undergo surgery because it can lead to infertility.

prevention

To prevent the occurrence of unpleasant male diseases, you need to eliminate triggering factors and follow simple rules:

• Maintain a healthy lifestyle and quit bad habits.
• Don't be too cold.
• Drink at least 1. 5-2 liters of water every day.
• Strengthen your immune system, walk more, and improve your physical fitness.
• Play sports and visit a health club.
• Avoid stressful situations.
• Maintain a regular sex life with a regular partner.
• See your urologist regularly.

Questions and answers on this topic

What is prostatitis and how to recognize it?

Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate that can cause lower abdominal pain and urinary problems. Frequent urges to go to the bathroom, especially at night, or pain when urinating, may be signs of prostatitis.

Why does prostatitis occur?

Infection, cold, stress, and even a sedentary lifestyle can lead to prostatitis. Sometimes it occurs after genitourinary disease.

Is it possible to completely cure prostatitis?

Acute prostatitis can be completely cured as long as it is treated properly. Chronic forms take longer to treat, but the right approach will help reduce symptoms and prevent the condition from getting worse.

How is prostatitis treated?

Treatment includes antibiotics (if the cause is infection), anti-inflammatory medications, prostate massage, and physical therapy. Your doctor will choose the best treatment method based on your situation.

Can I exercise if I have prostatitis?

Light exercise such as walking or swimming is beneficial. Strenuous exercise can worsen the condition, so it's important to talk to your doctor.

How to prevent prostatitis?

To prevent it, you need to maintain an active lifestyle, avoid hypothermia, monitor your genitourinary health and treat infections promptly. It's also important to avoid stress and eat healthily.

If symptoms go away on their own, should I see a doctor?

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

Questions and answers on this topic

Is it possible to completely cure prostatitis?

Acute prostatitis can be completely cured as long as it is treated promptly. Chronic prostatitis may require long-term treatment to control 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?

Mild exercise such as walking, swimming, or yoga may help treat prostatitis. However, it is best to avoid strenuous exercise and strength training, especially during an exacerbation of the condition. Always consult your doctor before starting exercise.

Will prostatitis affect fertility?

Prostatitis can temporarily reduce fertility because inflammation of the prostate affects sperm quality. After successful treatment of prostatitis, fertility usually returns.

Does prostatitis require a special diet?

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

Can prostatitis heal on its own?

Prostatitis will not go away on its own and requires treatment. Without proper treatment, symptoms may worsen and lead to complications. If symptoms occur, you should consult your doctor.

How long does it take to treat prostatitis?

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, possibly several months.

How to prevent recurrence of prostatitis?

To prevent recurrence, it is important to follow your doctor's advice, lead an active lifestyle, avoid hypothermia, eat correctly, and have regular physical exams.