Prostatitis is an inflammatory disease of the prostate that is often diagnosed in older men. The initial or first sign of prostatitis is quite specific, allowing for early detection of the pathology, comprehensive examination, and initiation of treatment.
Types of disease and first signs
There are two forms of the disease - bacterial (infectious) prostatitis and non-bacterial congestive prostatitis. The first signs of the disease depend directly on the nature of the inflammation.
In the first case, the cause of the disease is an infection, often the inflammation is caused by sexually transmitted bacteria. This form of inflammation of the prostate is characterized by an ascending or descending pathway of infection of the prostate gland - the infection enters either through the urethra or from the kidneys. Symptoms of inflammation are acute, increase rapidly, and often present with fever.
Non-communicable prostatitis is a disease of office workers and men over the age of 50. The disease develops due to pelvic congestion. Inflammation is caused by a violation of the blood microcirculation in the prostate, stagnation of secretions in the organ, and a violation of trophism in the tissues of the prostate gland. This form of inflammation is characterized by a slow increase in symptoms, often a latent course. If the deterioration of well-being with the bacterial form of the disease occurs rapidly, non-infectious prostatitis is rarely disturbed in the early stages, making it difficult to diagnose the disease in a timely manner.
Symptoms of common prostatitis
Regardless of the form of the disease, the symptoms of prostatitis in men are as follows:
- pain when urinating;
- discomfort in the anus;
- incomplete emptying of the bladder;
- weakened urinary pressure;
- frequent urge to use the toilet at night;
- general malaise;
- erection weakening;
- violation of ejaculation;
- pain when ejaculating.
It is impossible to answer clearly the question of how exactly the initial stage of prostatitis manifests itself. Each patient has different symptoms at the beginning of the disease. This is due to the characteristics of the organization.
In most cases, the first signs of prostatitis are discomfort in the anus and mild discharge during urination. Such symptoms indicate irritation of the organ.
Men often experience weakened erections, while other symptoms of the initial form of inflammation may be completely absent. The problem is that patients rarely see a doctor with ejaculatory disorders or a weak erection. Usually, such neglect of one’s own health over time results in a progressive form of prostatitis that is quite difficult to treat.
Pain during urination and frequent urge to use the toilet are caused by pressure from an inflamed organ. This leads to narrowing of the urethral lumen and incomplete emptying of the bladder. As a general rule, obvious problems with urination are seen in the second stage of the disease, but not in the first stage of the disease.
Specific symptoms
Specific signs are typical symptoms of different forms of inflammation. Consider the bacterial form of the disease:
- increased body temperature;
- secretion from the urethra;
- blood in the urine;
- acute pain in the scrotum;
- sting and burn after urination.
Quite often, patients experience severe pain at the end of urination. Often blood is released or pale yellow or purulent discharge is observed. Such signs are characteristic of bacterial inflammation caused by, among other things, unprotected sexually transmitted diseases. The temperature can rise above 38 ° C. There are also symptoms of body poisoning, general weakness and loss of strength. Often, in the case of bacterial inflammation, the temperature rises first, and after a few days, specific symptoms appear, such as urinary pain and frequent urination stimuli.
Elevated temperature is characteristic of the bacterial form of prostatitis.
First symptoms and manifestations of a non-infectious form of the disease:
- pressure and dilation in the anus;
- decrease in urinary pressure;
- erectile dysfunction;
- Frequent urination, especially at night.
The temperature rarely rises in this case, there are no symptoms of poisoning. No pain develops in the perineal region. In the initial stage of non-infectious prostatitis, there is always an unpleasant sensation in the anus due to an increase in the size of the inflamed organ.
As the frequency of urinary stimuli increases at night, patients often complain of insomnia and loss of energy, which can lead to stress and neurosis.
Rare non-specific symptoms
Prostatitis refers to diseases with specific symptoms that are, in most cases, sufficient to require digital examination of the prostate gland and to establish a diagnosis. The non-specific manifestation of prostatitis is due to clinical cases in which the disease develops in the background of some primary pathologies.
So prostatitis is quite rarely diagnosed in the background of the stones in the prostate gland, but in this case the characteristic symptom is the release of blood droplets from the urethra during urination and urination.
In genital infections, inflammation of the prostate can cause severe pain in the perineum and purulent discharge.
One of the most difficult forms of the disease to diagnose is fungal prostatitis. The disease develops in the background of systemic mycoses or chronic candidal balanoposthitis. Typical symptoms include inflammation of the vaginal penis, the formation of white dense plaque, and pain during urination. In addition, rectal pain and genital itching may be present.
Congestive prostatitis may be excreted after urination. In this case, light mucous masses, pus and blood are released. Often, if there is discharge, there are no symptoms other than discomfort after urination.
When to see a doctor?
It is important to understand that prostatitis is quite treatable in the initial stage, while the chronic form of the pathology requires long-term medication, and treatment in this case takes years.
Reason for contacting a urologist:
- urinary disorder;
- change in the nature of the erection;
- foreign matter in semen;
- blood droplets in the urine;
- fullness of the anus.
It is recommended that all men over the age of 40 visit a urologist annually. In recent decades, prostatitis has become significantly "younger, " and today the first symptoms and manifestations of the disease are increasingly occurring in men aged 25-30 years. The first signs of the disease are encountered by office workers, overweight patients and men living sedentary lives.
Thus, when detecting the initial stage of prostatitis, the first step is to perform a comprehensive examination that includes:
- finger examination of the organ (prostate massage);
- ultrasound of the prostate gland, kidney and bladder;
- blood test to determine PSA levels;
- analysis of bacterial sperm;
- Microscopic examination of prostate secretion.
Stages of the disease can be identified by a photograph (ultrasound) of the prostate gland. Based on these diagnostic methods, the doctor determines the stage of the inflammation and selects the optimal treatment regimen.
The principle of treating prostatitis
When the first signs of prostatitis are detected, the choice of treatment depends on the form of the disease. As a general rule, specific and symptomatic treatment is given.
The specific treatments are:
- prostate protectors;
- antibiotics;
- alpha-blockers;
- restorative agents;
- diet and lifestyle adjustment.
Prostate protectors are drugs that improve the trophism of prostate tissue. The drugs are prescribed for any type of prostatitis, both for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes.
Antibiotics are indicated for bacterial inflammation. Drunk in the long run - for a month and a half. In some cases, they can be replaced by drugs belonging to the fluoroquinolone group. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are used in the treatment of non-infectious prostatitis.
Alpha-blockers are drugs that relax the bladder and prostate glands. Taking medications in this group is intended to facilitate the process of urination.
Reinforcing agents in the treatment of prostatitis are various herbal preparations, both pharmaceutical and folk. These tools are:
- candles with pumpkin extract;
- pumpkin seed oil;
- rectal suppositories with propolis;
- echinacea tincture;
- herbal preparations;
- tablets.
These funds are used at any stage of the disease, regardless of the form of inflammation.
Symptomatic therapy includes a date:
- antispasmodics;
- antipyretics;
- analgesics;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- sedatives.
Anticonvulsants help ease urination in the early stages of prostatitis. Antipyretics are indicated when the temperature rises in the background of bacterial inflammation. Painkillers help relieve pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs also have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects and are therefore often prescribed for non-infectious prostatitis. Sedatives may be recommended to the patient as directed by the physician. They are prescribed for insomnia and stress caused by discomfort and frequent urge to use the toilet.
Possible complications
Any disease is easier to treat at an early stage, and prostatitis is no exception. Timely treatment not only gets rid of discomfort and pain, but also significantly improves a man’s quality of life and sexual activity.
Initiated prostatitis becomes chronic and has a number of complications, including:
- acute stagnation of urine;
- kidney infection;
- infertility;
- impotence.
The chronic form of the disease requires constant medication to normalize human well-being. Often, drug therapy becomes ineffective over the years, then the only method to normalize the patient's condition is surgery - partial or complete removal of the organ.
The initial stage of prostatitis lasts for about three to four years. The disease then becomes chronic. Knowing the first signs of prostatitis in men and the treatment of the initial stages of the disease, you should consult a specialist as soon as possible. Prostatitis is not a disease that is diagnosed on the basis of a photograph because there is no visible manifestation of the disease. In order to notice the first symptoms in time, you need to listen to your own health.