How to determine prostatitis in men?Characteristics, signs, diagnosis and treatment

Prostatitis is a common disease that is often encountered by men of different ages.Inflammation of the prostate causes a lot of discomfort in a person's life, and if it is not treated, it inevitably leads to the development of dangerous complications.Of course, many people are looking for more information about pathology.

Why does inflammation occur?How to determine prostatitis in a man, and can you do it yourself?What treatment methods does modern medicine offer?How dangerous is prostate cancer?

General information about the disease

What are the causes of prostatitis in men?Signs and symptoms, complications, and treatment are important things to learn.But first we need to consider some general information.

Prostatitis is a disease accompanied by inflammation of the prostate tissue.As you know, this is an odd little organ that is located below the bladder - it actually covers the urinary tract.The prostate produces a secretion that is part of the semen.

Statistics show that the disease most often affects the 25-50 age group.About 50-85% of patients aged 50 and older have experienced prostatitis at least once in their lives.

As you can see, this is a very common disease.This is why men are looking for more information.How do you know you have prostatitis?What symptoms should you watch out for?Are there effective treatments?

Causes of prostatitis.Predisposing factors

Many men are interested in the first signs of prostatitis.Symptoms and treatment, possible complications and diagnostic features are very important information.But first, it is worth considering the causes of the development of the inflammatory process.

The cause of the inflammatory process is the activity of pathogenic microorganisms.Infection can be specific.For example, prostatitis is the result of a sexually transmitted disease.If we are talking about non-specific inflammation, then the cause is the activity of staphylococci, streptococci and E. coli.Sometimes prostatitis develops against the background of herpes.Of course, there are risk factors that can trigger the inflammatory process.

• First of all, it is worth noting that the disease can develop against the background of other infectious diseases, including the common cold.
• Risk factors include an irregular sex life.For example, promiscuity increases the likelihood of infection in the body.Long-term abstinence is also harmful.Ideally, sex life should be regular, preferably with the same partner.
• Prostatitis often develops against the background of stagnant processes in the pelvic area.Risk factors include sedentary work and a sedentary lifestyle.
• Hypothermia (general and local) can also trigger the development of the inflammatory process.
• Risk factors include chronic constipation and other digestive disorders.
• The inflammatory process can be a consequence of urethral reflux, which is accompanied by the reverse flow of urine and its return to the genital canals.This disorder is often associated with inflammatory diseases of the urethra or inappropriate catheterization of the bladder.
• Changes in hormone levels are also potentially dangerous, especially when it comes to a decrease in male sex hormones.By the way, this is the reason why mature and elderly men are more likely to suffer from prostatitis.
• Risk factors include constant stress and nervous tension, nutritional errors (especially excessively spicy foods) and alcohol abuse.If there are prerequisites, these factors can trigger the development of an inflammatory process or exacerbation of chronic prostatitis.

The doctor must know not only the definition of prostatitis in men.It is very important to find out what exactly triggered the development of the disease.

Prostatitis in men: how can it be recognized?Description of the main symptoms

We have already learned the main causes of the inflammatory process.But many men are interested in questions about self-determination of prostatitis.In fact, this is impossible because tests and examinations are needed to confirm the diagnosis.But you can suspect the disease if you notice very characteristic signs.

• How does prostatitis manifest itself in men?Symptoms of the disease include various urinary disorders.Patients complain of increased desire.At the same time, the daily amount of urine does not increase.The urge appears even before the bladder is full.
• An enlarged prostate puts pressure on the urethra, causing the flow of urine to weaken and often stop.Sometimes, in order to have a bowel movement, one has to make an effort and strain the abdominal muscles.
• The urge to urinate also becomes more frequent at night - sometimes a person wakes up several times (or even dozens of times) during the night, which affects the quality of rest.
• The process of urination is often accompanied by unpleasant sensations, and sometimes severe, cutting pain.
• If we are talking about acute inflammation (especially if it is accompanied by the accumulation of purulent masses), then the body temperature can rise to 37-39 degrees.
• Patients complain of pain in the perineum, which intensifies during physical activity, sexual intercourse and defecation.Sometimes the pain is very sharp, almost unbearable.
• Sometimes the urine contains blood.This is a dangerous symptom that should not be ignored.Hematuria may indicate the rupture of an abscess, the development of urolithiasis, or a malignant form of hyperplasia.
• Problems with erection also appear, although this does not happen in all cases (especially if we are talking about the acute form of the inflammatory process).

These are the main signs of prostatitis in men.In no case should you ignore them - at the first signs of trouble, be sure to see a doctor.

Characteristics of chronic inflammation

You have already learned about the main signs of prostatitis in men (we will discuss how to find out if someone has the disease below).Statistics show that the acute form of the disease, in the absence of timely treatment, sometimes turns into chronic prostatitis.Sometimes the chronic form of inflammation is primary - the first stages appear with hidden symptoms.In most cases, this type of disease is the result of stagnant processes in the pelvic area.

The symptoms of the disease remain unchanged.Patients complain of pain in the perineum and problems with urination.Sometimes discharge from the urethra occurs during bowel movements.Men often encounter problems during their sexual life - erectile dysfunction, discomfort during sex and ejaculation are possible.Occasionally, chronic prostatitis leads to complete impotence.This form of the disease is much more difficult to diagnose and treat.

What complications can the disease lead to?

You already know what symptoms to look out for and how to identify the disease.Prostatitis is a dangerous disease that should not be ignored under any circumstances.There is a risk of very dangerous complications.

The acute inflammatory process is often accompanied by swelling of the gland and the formation of an abscess.An enlarged prostate compresses the urethra, which can lead to acute urinary retention.In addition, the abscess may open on its own, resulting in the entry of purulent masses into the urinary system or intestines.

Chronic prostatitis is no less dangerous because it leads to the gradual replacement of glandular tissue with connective tissue and the formation of scars and stones.Chronic inflammation affects potency and causes erectile problems.In addition, the affected gland cannot produce high-quality secretions to support the vital activity of sperm, leading to conception problems and sometimes infertility.

How to identify prostatitis in men?List of diagnostic measures

If you notice the above symptoms, you should consult a specialist.How is prostatitis diagnosed?In this case, various procedures are widely used.

• Initially, the doctor collects information about the symptoms that bother the patients, the presence of certain diseases and their lifestyle.
• The gland itself should be examined.How is the prostate examination performed in men?The palpation is performed rectally.During the procedure, the doctor may notice an enlargement of the prostate and a change in its structure.If we are talking about an inflammatory process, the palpation is often accompanied by very unpleasant, painful sensations.
• During a rectal examination, samples of the secretions from the prostate are often taken for analysis.If it contains bacterial microorganisms and the acidity of the environment has increased, then this indicates the presence of an inflammatory process and the activation of one or another infection.
• Making a smear from the urethra is mandatory.This procedure is unpleasant, but very informative.The samples are sent for PCR diagnostics and bacterial culture.The study helps detect and identify infectious diseases, including sexually transmitted diseases.
• A general urine and blood test is performed to confirm the presence of the inflammatory process in the body.
• The diagnostic scheme includes cystoscopy.Using special equipment, the doctor examines the urethral canal and bladder from the inside.This makes it possible to detect certain diseases of the urinary system.
• Uroflowmetry is also mandatory.The procedure makes it possible to determine the flow rate of urine.This is important in the diagnosis of prostatitis and hyperplasia.
• How to determine prostatitis in men?An ultrasound examination of the prostate is mandatory.This is a simple, accessible and painless procedure that allows you to examine the gland, determine its size and shape, detect existing stones, etc.
• Sometimes (if an exact diagnosis cannot be made) the patient is sent for magnetic resonance imaging.

Drug treatment

You already know how to determine prostatitis in men.After a thorough diagnosis, the doctor will certainly set up a treatment regimen - this is unique in each case, as it depends on the cause of the disease, the characteristics of the course, etc.

Hospital treatment is only justified in case of suspicion of severe poisoning and abscess formation.In all other cases, treatment is performed on an outpatient basis.

Since the inflammatory process involves the activity of bacterial microorganisms, antibiotics should be included in the treatment regimen.Symptomatic treatment is also carried out - patients are prescribed anti-inflammatory, pain-relieving and antipyretic drugs.If there is an abscess, a procedure must be performed to open it.

You already know what the main symptoms of prostatitis in men are.And the first signs are a good reason to see a doctor right away.The fact is that the acute form of inflammation becomes chronic very quickly.The symptoms are less pronounced, but irreversible changes occur in the tissues of the gland, which can no longer be corrected.

Physiotherapy procedures

The chronic form of the disease requires physiotherapy - this is the only way to stop the disease.Of course, patients take antibacterial drugs, and treatment courses are quite long (sometimes 2-3 months).

Prostate massage is mandatory (it is contraindicated during periods of acute inflammation).During the procedure, it is possible to normalize the outflow of prostate secretions, as well as to improve blood microcirculation (and, accordingly, tissue nutrition).

Patients are sent for laser and ultrasound treatment.Sometimes warm microinfusions are performed with special medicinal solutions.The regimen also includes immunomodulating drugs.

Diet prostatitis

You already know the symptoms and treatment of prostatitis.In men, symptoms and treatment regimens may differ.But in any case, the treatment must be supplemented with a suitable diet.

• The basis of the diet should be vegetables and fruits, salads with olive oil, nuts and dried fruits.
• Soups, broths, lean meat and fish are allowed, but only boiled or fried.A variety of cereals will be useful.
• But for a while you have to give up fatty meat, eggs, flour products and butter.The fact is that the regular consumption of such products increases the level of cholesterol, which is deposited on the walls of blood vessels, impairing the blood circulation of the prostate.
• Spicy foods and spices, pickles, preserves, semi-finished products, overly salty foods, and smoked foods are contraindicated.Such foods irritate the intestinal wall and retain water in the body.
• You should give up alcoholic drinks.It is important to drink enough fluids.Fresh juices will be helpful.But in the evening, the amount of water consumed should be limited - this will reduce the number of trips to the toilet at night.

I agree, this diet does not impose very strict dietary restrictions.But by following such a diet, you can actually speed up the healing process, improve the functioning of the digestive system, and strengthen the immune system.

Prostatitis and sexual activity

You already know how to find out if a man has prostatitis.But many patients are interested in the questions of whether it is possible to maintain sexual activity during treatment.

It is immediately worth noting that regular sexual life directly affects the condition and functioning of the prostate.Both too frequent promiscuous relationships and prolonged periods of abstinence are potentially dangerous.

But if the inflammatory process is already taking place, then you should stop sexual activity for a while.Of course, prostatitis is a purely male disease, and in most cases it involves the activity of non-specific microorganisms, so it cannot be spread during sexual intercourse.However, the man's sperm contains various products of the inflammatory process, which negatively affect the functioning of the organs of the female reproductive system.It is better to wait for complete recovery and only then resume sexual relations.

Prevention: how can the disease be prevented?

We have already figured out the information about the functions of the prostate in men, how can we find out if the organ is inflamed?If the disease is not diagnosed in time and treatment is started too late, it can lead to the development of a huge number of unpleasant complications.That is why it is much easier to try to prevent the development of the disease.

There is no medicine that can protect the prostate from inflammation.However, following some recommendations significantly reduces the risk of developing the disease.

• Doctors recommend paying close attention to personal hygiene and avoiding wearing synthetic underwear that is too tight.
• Remember that prostatitis can be caused by sexually transmitted infections.Therefore, you should stop promiscuity and use a condom.
• Nutrition also plays an important role.Along with food, the body must receive a sufficient amount of nutrients, fiber, minerals and vitamins.
• Physical activity (gym lessons, active recreation, daily jogging or walking) prevents blood stagnation in the pelvic organs, which also reduces the likelihood of the inflammatory process developing.
• Doctors recommend giving up alcohol, smoking and other bad habits.
• Strengthening the immune system is very important.Preventive intake of hardening and vitamin complexes helps in this.
• It is worth reducing the general stress level and learning to deal with unfavorable situations.Remember that nervous tension directly affects hormone levels and often leads to a decrease in the activity of the immune system and the development of certain diseases.

Men over the age of 40 should have an annual examination - this is the only way to guarantee a timely diagnosis of prostatitis.How to identify a disease, how to set up a treatment regimen, how to prevent the development of complications - only a doctor knows this.You should not ignore the problem, much less try to deal with it yourself.