In men, prostatitis is associated with various symptoms, it all largely depends on the form of the disease.The inflammatory process in the tissues of the prostate occurs for several reasons.Viruses, bacteria, and even chronic diseases such as tuberculosis and pyelonephritis are to blame.
Some forms of the disease are rare, while others are diagnosed more often.There is also a so-called general symptom, but understanding the classification is not so easy.
What is prostatitis?
Prostatitis is an inflammatory disease that occurs for various reasons.The inflammatory process affects the tissue of the prostate, is characterized by unpleasant symptoms, and may be the result of tuberculosis, alcoholism or obesity.
Types of prostatitis known to doctors:
- Acute bacterial - this type of disease is quite rare and is characterized by acute, pronounced symptoms.It requires hospital treatment under the supervision of a specialist;can cause sepsis or septic shock.
- Chronic bacterial - the disease often occurs without pronounced symptoms, but in some cases certain signs of the acute type of prostatitis can be observed.
- Chronic (non-bacterial) - develops against the background of infectious diseases or occurs as a result of inflammatory processes occurring in the body over a long period of time.Doctors could not identify all the factors that led to the development of the inflammatory process.
- Asymptomatic (asymptomatic) - it can appear as an accompanying disease, it develops quickly, but there are no specific symptoms.Signs of the inflammatory process are mild.In some cases, the disease does not require treatment and goes away on its own after the root cause is eliminated.
- Chronic granulomatous - against the background of replacement of prostate tissue, with growth of fibrous tissue, granules.In this case, there may be foci of necrosis in the granules.The disease develops as a complication after operations on the pelvic organs or as a consequence of an infectious process occurring in the tissues.
Classification in detail
The classification of the forms of prostatitis may be slightly different depending on the type of pathogen causing the inflammation:
Bacterial type of the disease.The causative agents are Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, streptococci and staphylococci.Bacteria enter the prostate tissue through the lymphatic system and the bloodstream.
- Gonorrhea-type disease.Pathogens: Gonococci.Infection occurs through unprotected sexual contact.
- A viral type of disease.It appears due to the herpes virus, cytomegalovirus and human papillomavirus.The main danger of the disease is that viral cells multiply actively and can infect the cells of nearby organs.
- Tuberculosis type of disease.The causative agents are Koch bacilli.This type of infection is dangerous because it is difficult to treat and occurs as an accompanying disease during the active course of the main one - tuberculosis.
- Fungal type of disease.The causative agent is fungi belonging to the genus Candida.It develops while taking antibiotics or after unprotected sex with a woman with thrush.
- A mixed type of disease.It appears as a result of infection with at least two of the above diseases.Extremely rare.
A woman can infect a man with various bacteria.Infection occurs during unprotected PA.Moreover, the partner's pregnancy increases the risk of infection during this period;a woman often develops thrush against the background of a weakened immune system, and this is the reason for the development of fungal prostatitis.
Signs and symptoms of prostatitis in men
The first sign of prostatitis is pain during urination, which is of an increasing nature and becomes stronger when the ureter is compressed.
The main symptoms of prostatitis are:
- problems in the intimate sphere;
- discharge from the urethra (in rare cases, it all depends on the type of disease);
- pain during urination;
- frequent urge;
- increased body temperature, general signs of poisoning.
In men, the symptoms of prostatitis increase.The swelling of the prostate tissue increases gradually.Its volume increases, as it grows, the pain increases, and the symptoms become more intense.
Signs of acute and chronic prostatitis
So how does acute prostatitis manifest itself, the description of the symptoms:
- An increase in body temperature to 38 degrees and higher.
- Discharge from the urethra.
- Increasing pain in the groin area.
- Frequent and painful urge to urinate.
- Erectile problems.
The symptoms often appear spontaneously, intensify, and may be associated with a worsening of the patient's general condition: loss of appetite, general weakness, malaise, and apathy.
What signs are characteristic of the chronic type of the disease:
- discomfort during erection;
- recurrent pain in the groin, abdomen, testicles or even the perineum;
- difficulty urinating.
In the chronic form of the course, the signs of prostatitis in men are mild and appear periodically.Sometimes they bother a man.But in unfavorable conditions, the symptoms intensify, problems with erection and urination arise.
Causes of prostate disease
The causes of prostatitis in men are varied;the inflammatory process in the tissues develops against the background of the following:
- non-compliance with personal hygiene rules;
- sexual intercourse with a woman suffering from an infectious disease;
- systematic hypothermia;
- chronic pyelonephritis or tuberculosis.
The causes of the disease are often related to the presence of an infectious agent in the human body.In the absence of adequate therapy, a chronic inflammatory process gradually develops, affecting nearby tissues.
Prostatitis in young people can be caused by constant stress, poor nutrition, vitamin deficiency, prolonged abstinence, promiscuity, heavy physical activity, etc.
Despite the fact that the causes of prostatitis are different, according to urologists, there is a risk group that includes people:
- Elderly people.
- With reduced immunity.
- Leading a sedentary lifestyle.
- Alcohol consumers.
Chronic diseases, systematic alcohol consumption, sexual intercourse - all this can lead to the development of an inflammatory process.But if you regularly attend examinations, visit a urologist and examine yourself, you may never encounter this disease.
Diagnosis of the disease
Prostatitis is diagnosed in several stages, including:
- collection of anamnesis (description of symptoms bothering the patient);
- performing an ultrasound of the pelvic organs (prostate, kidneys and ureters);
- urine analysis (general, clinical, according to Nechiporenko, daily dose and bacterial culture);
- smear from the urethra to detect microflora;
- control;
- blood test for ELISA;
- urography (if necessary, due to the toxicity of the method and the presence of contraindications).
The main diagnostic method is to carry out a comprehensive examination to identify and eliminate the root cause of the disease.
Treatment methods of prostatitis
Treatment of prostatitis in men begins with stopping the inflammatory process and reducing the intensity of unpleasant symptoms.This can be done in several stages and includes:
- taking antibiotics;
- carrying out physiotherapy procedures;
- taking diuretics, vitamins and immunomodulators.
How to treat prostatitis in men, and most importantly how, the doctor should tell you.Because everything depends on the cause of the inflammation and the severity of the symptoms.
Tablets for prostatitis can be divided into several groups:
- anti-inflammatory drugs;
- antibacterial drugs;
- vitamins and immune system stimulants.
Antibiotics are prescribed in all cases, but in order to prescribe such drugs to the patient, the doctor must be sure of the diagnosis.
Medicines are taken in 2-3 weeks.If necessary, the duration of therapy is extended.But if the antibiotics do not have the desired effect on the patient's body, then the therapy needs correction.
Prostate massage is a method that increases the effectiveness of the treatment.It is prescribed for prostate congestion and is used as an adjunct to the main therapy.
Massage is most effective during the period of exacerbation of the disease.It helps to "free" the prostate gland from the accumulated secretions, thereby removing pathogenic microorganisms through the urethra.This helps to enhance the effect of antibiotics and shorten the duration of treatment.
What physiotherapy procedures can be prescribed:
- laser treatment;
- warming up;
- ultrasonic phonophoresis;
- diadynamophoresis.
Why is prostatitis dangerous if left untreated?
Is prostatitis dangerous for men's health and what is the main danger of the disease?The fact is that the inflammation develops quickly, “penetrates” the prostate tissue, and if the disease is not treated, it can cause the following:
- chronic infertility;
- fibrous changes in tissues;
- impotence (up to 45% probability);
- chronic diseases of the kidneys and other nearby organs.
What is the danger of prostatitis in case of incorrectly selected therapy:
- Without treatment, the inflammatory process can become chronic.
- It leads to the formation of prostate adenoma.
- Erectile problems.
The inflammation causes poisoning over a long period of time, the symptoms of which only worsen the patient's well-being and complicate the course of the disease.
Prevention of prostatitis at home
Prevention of prostatitis is based on simple rules:
- compliance with personal hygiene;
- use of antiseptics after unprotected PA;
- simplifying sex life;
- correction of diet (it is worthwhile to include meat in the diet, it is rich in protein).
Prevention of prostatitis in men may include taking certain medications:
- vitamins and minerals;
- immunostimulants;
- herbal diuretics.
Preventive methods help to prevent the development of the inflammatory process, but one should not lose vigilance.
In order not to encounter prostatitis, it is worth treating colds and viral diseases.
Prostatitis is a dangerous disease that can cause serious complications.Therefore, if unpleasant symptoms appear, consult a urologist as soon as possible, this will avoid serious complications: impotence, infertility.