Prostatitis- a common disease in men of reproductive age and the elderly.
What is prostatitis? This is an inflammation of the prostate gland in men, this organ is also called the prostate gland. The prostate is located in the vicinity of the bladder neck and is an important part of the male reproductive system. Inflammation of the prostate causes it to enlarge, as a result of which the urinary tract is compressed and the process of emptying the bladder becomes difficult, and other unpleasant symptoms appear. Therefore, in case of inflammation of the prostate, it is not recommended to be inactive.
Symptoms and signs of prostatitis
Usually, men pay due attention to the manifestations of prostatitis too late. The clinical picture of each case is individual, even if it is a form of the disease. However, the first symptoms of prostatitis in men are approximately the same:
- Difficulty urinating. . . The urethra, which is compressed under the inflamed prostate, does not urinate well. A feeling of incomplete emptying and a constant need to urinate are also the first signs of prostatitis in men, and their symptoms will get worse in the future.
- Sexual Disorders. . . These unpleasant signs of prostate inflammation appear in men mainly as a violation of the erection mechanism and weakening of the orgasm. In addition, symptoms of inflammation of the prostate include premature ejaculation.
- Ache. . . Among the signs of prostate inflammation in men is pain when urinating and ejaculation; a characteristic symptom is also constant pain in the lower back.
- Nervous tension. . . Symptoms of inflammation of the prostate include increased nervousness in men, since enlarged prostate causes some discomfort.
Causes of prostatitis
Inflammation of the prostate occurs for several reasons:
- Poor blood circulation. . . Blood circulation can be impaired due to physical inactivity (sedentary and sedentary lifestyle) - this is a very common cause of prostate inflammation in men. In addition, the cause of a violation of the blood supply to the organs is a heavy weight, trauma to the small pelvis, constant hypothermia.
- Infection. . . Infectious diseases also often cause prostatitis. The prostate is easily infected as a result of venereal and urological diseases, inflammatory processes in the rectum and complications after infectious diseases (tonsillitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis).
- Immune failure. . . The weakening of the body's protective functions due to previous illnesses, tensions, etc. , often becomes the cause of prostatitis in men or the worsening of an existing disease.
Types of prostatitis
Acute prostatitis develops quickly with the rapid onset of characteristic symptoms. Chronic prostatitis often occurs with a gradual and almost imperceptible development of symptoms, which is typical in men over 55 years of age.
In addition, prostatitis is classified by origin:
- Bacterial.Most often it occurs at a young age, but among other types of the disease, these cases are only 5-10%. Usually, acute and chronic bacterial prostatitis occurs due to the body's vulnerability to pathogenic flora.
- Infectious. . . Infectious prostatitis occurs not only for bacteria, but also for fungi, protozoa, which differentiate it from the bacterial variety. This type of disease can also occur in chronic and acute forms. One of its characteristic varieties is chlamydia prostatitis.
- Purulent. . . Purulent prostatitis is one of the most serious forms of infection, with purulent secretion and hyperthermia in the body. The course of the disease is acute, with the appearance of new symptoms at each stage.
- Calculation. . . Calculated prostatitis is a consequence of a prolonged chronic form and is seen mainly in elderly men. This form of the disease is characterized by the appearance of stones in the prostate.
- Stagnant. . . Non-bacterial prostatitis, which is caused by insufficient blood supply to the tissues of Organs pelvic organs. Congestive prostatitis, as it is also called, is usually chronic. Of all types, congestive prostatitis is the most common.
Why is prostatitis dangerous?
In any man, prostatitis without timely treatment quickly becomes chronic and has serious consequences for reproductive health and the general state of the body. The most common complications of prostatitis include:
- Vesiculitis. . . Inflammation of the seminal vesicles is the first thing that chronic prostatitis is dangerous for men. Vesiculitis can occur without symptoms or be painful when urinating after intercourse, as well as the appearance of pus and blood in the semen.
- Posterior urethritis and colliculitis. . . The danger of prostatitis is in the development of posterior urethritis and concomitant colliculitis. Coliculitis is an inflammation of the seminal tubercle that allows sperm to pass through. One of the symptoms of colliculitis is the blood in the semen.
- Prostate diseases. . . The consequences of prostatitis in men can be other more serious diseases of the prostate: abscess, sclerosis, cysts and stones, adenoma, cancer. These complications are treated with much more difficulty and duration than prostatitis, and the consequences of some of them are irreversible.
- Sexual dysfunction. . . The consequences of advanced prostate inflammation can be problems in the genital area, including erectile dysfunction. Although the impotence resulting from prostatitis can be cured, it is usually irreversible.
- Infertility. . . As the reproductive system of the male body with inflammation of the prostate does not perform its functions well, infertility usually becomes a consequence of chronic prostatitis. It all starts with the deterioration of sperm quality and the permeability of the vas deferens.
Diagnosis of prostatitis
The diagnosis of prostatitis in men begins in the first minutes of the medical consultation, as the patient's complaints are an important part of it. In addition, to identify the disease and its characteristics, other types of diagnoses are used:
- Medical exam. . . During the medical examination, a digital rectal examination is used, which is carried out through the anus and allows to identify the size, shape, superficial condition and other characteristics of the prostate. Since it is extremely simple to diagnose prostatitis in this way, this is, in fact, the first and main method of confirming the diagnosis.
- Laboratory research. . . Prostatitis tests on men are used to study blood, urine, semen and the study of prostate secretions. One of the most effective methods is the analysis of urine for prostatitis (general, bacteriological, cytological). In addition, with prostatitis, a general blood test is prescribed. In each case, the doctor determines what tests are done for prostatitis and whether more in-depth research methods are needed.
- Non-invasive methods. . . These are ultrasound, X-ray diagnostics and MRI.
Treatment of prostatitis
Self-medication for prostatitis is strongly discouraged. If a man does not know which doctor treats prostatitis, ask your therapist about it. But generally all patients know that a urologist specializes in the treatment of prostatitis in men. It is also allowed to contact a therapist or surgeon, but only for the initial consultation.
Many patients face a natural question: is it possible to cure prostatitis? It all depends on the form of the disease. But in any case, the diagnosis and treatment of prostate inflammation in men are necessary at the first warning signs, since chronic prostatitis will require more time and financial costs. Modern methods of treating prostatitis make it possible to deal with any form and stage of the disease with minimal consequences for the body.
How long is prostatitis treated?
The amount of prostatitis treated and whether it can be cured without consequences depends on the complexity of the particular case. The sooner a man seeks out a specialist, the greater the chance of effective prostatitis treatment. The duration of treatment for prostatitis can be from 1 to 6 months, depending on the form of the disease. It is worth considering the time spent on diagnosis, which will also affect the duration of treatment for prostatitis.
How and what to treat
There is no single treatment regimen for prostatitis, as this disease is very diverse and requires an individual approach. But regardless of the form, the following methods of treating prostatitis are used:
- Drug therapy. . . Antibiotics are used to treat chronic and acute prostatitis. This is a mandatory and essential part of the treatment of all types of inflammation of the prostate. In the acute course of the disease, the use of painkillers is allowed, as the treatment of prostatitis usually takes time.
- Physiotherapy. . . The treatment regime for prostatitis certainly involves physical therapy as a method of light prostate massage. In addition, herbal enemas and other procedures can be prescribed.
- Diet. . . Since it is difficult to cure chronic prostatitis or its acute form with an unhealthy bowel, a diet or dietary adjustment is prescribed.
- Physical exercises. . . This method of treating prostatitis is necessary to improve blood circulation in Organs internal organs.
Prevention of prostatitis
To avoid prostatitis, after a previous illness and in the absence of such an experience, you will need to follow simple recommendations:
- Stable sex life. . . Sex life with a healthy partner will prevent not only sexually transmitted diseases, after which prostatitis often occurs, but also its stagnant form.
- Rejection of bad habits. . . An unhealthy lifestyle reduces the body's defenses, so it is best to avoid smoking, drinking alcohol and unhealthy foods.
- Sport activities. . . Exercise keeps the body in good shape and improves blood flow to the prostate, reducing the risk of prostatitis.
- Prostate massage. . . This is a secondary prevention measure for prostatitis in men who have already had the disease.
- Preparations for prophylaxis. . . They are vitamin complexes that help prevent prostatitis and strengthen the immune system. Used as directed by a doctor.
Prostatitis and conception of a child
Whether it is possible to get pregnant with chronic prostatitis in the husband is an issue that worries many families. It should be understood that the prostate is responsible for many of the most important functions associated with conception, therefore, prostatitis increases the likelihood of male infertility. The presence of infections and inflammation in the prostate affects the quality of ejaculation and, although it is possible to conceive a child with prostatitis, the chances of success are reduced.
Prostatitis and infertility are closely related, since with the blockage of the vas deferens, pregnancy after sexual intercourse may not occur. The presence of purulent and bloody secretion in male sperm with prostatitis significantly impairs its quality and reduces the likelihood of conception.
With prostatitis, you can conceive a child, but for the best result, you must first cure the disease and prevent possible infertility. It is only after the man has cured prostatitis that it is time to think about planning a pregnancy. For the treatment of prostatitis and childbirth planning, it is best to contact specialized centers that will certainly help to solve all problems.