Many people are still ashamed or hesitant to talk about some illnesses.This is especially true for urogenital problems, which simultaneously create discomfort and also affect sexual activity.More than 70% of men do not go to the doctor in the early stages of the disease, although treatment is more effective if the disease is not too advanced.Identifying the symptoms of the disease in a timely manner is important for prevention and early treatment.
What is prostatitis
The prostate or prostate gland is located in the center of the pelvis, connected to the bladder and the spermatic duct.The main function is the production of a substance responsible for the viability and motility of sperm.From a chemical point of view, this secretion is the basis of immunoglobulins with the addition of vitamins, zinc, iodine - the basis for the nutrition and activity of sperm.The composition of the fluid is an important diagnostic parameter that helps to recognize symptoms at an early stage.
As you can imagine from the name, the disease involves inflammatory processes in the prostate.This pathology is always associated with the presence of a bacterial infection, although it does not necessarily occur in a way that is noticeable to humans.The type of disease progression depends largely on age, predisposition, associated factors and characteristics of the organism.
Normally, the prostate is not felt and does not attract attention.However, despite its rather deep location in the pelvic region, this organ is one of the most vulnerable in the male body.There is an opinion that only elderly people can experience symptoms of prostatitis, but this is not true: the disease is typical for mature men aged 20 to 60 years.
At an early stage, it is quite difficult to identify the disease.The signs may appear from time to time, be annoying and then disappear without a trace.Doctors mention that the psychology of men, especially young men, also plays a role: not everyone is ready to go to the doctor and admit a “shameful” illness.
At the same time, the disease is characterized by dangerous complications, including:
- Infertility due to impaired sperm motility.Sometimes asymptomatic or mild chronic prostatitis becomes the only reason for the absence of a child in a couple.A woman can be tested as often as she wants, but it will not help until her husband decides to be tested to check his own fertilization capacity.
- Prostate adenoma is a benign tumor that, however, can become very dangerous for men.This is due to the anatomical structure - the urinary and vas deferens ducts are located in such a way that if the prostate gland grows abnormally, it interferes with normal urination.There is a risk of a large number of complications, including bladder rupture.
- Prostate cancer is, according to statistics, one of the most common diseases in men.Oncological disease is one of the ten main causes of death for people over 50;It is at this age that long-term chronic prostatitis tends to degenerate into a potentially fatal condition.
- Psychological problems associated with erectile dysfunction, infertility, problems with natural functions.This is a side symptom, but it also significantly affects the patient's quality of life.
Every twentieth man over thirty and more than half of those over fifty showed symptoms of prostatitis.This is one of the most common diseases.Prevention, early diagnosis and careful treatment can alleviate the crises and complications of the disease.
Acute (bacterial)
The disease can appear in men of any age.And if chronic forms of this disease are more typical in elderly people, then acute bacterial types of the disease can theoretically occur in anyone.The bacteria that cause signs of prostatitis can be pathogenic or opportunistic.
Here are some things to remember about this form:
- You can become infected at any age, including through unprotected sex.
- Prostatitis is not the same as classic STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) such as gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, but can manifest itself as a secondary infection against the background of another disease.
- You can become infected from your partner if she has thrush, ovarian inflammation, vulvitis or vulvovaginitis, or you can pass the infection to her.It happens that one of the couples becomes a “carrier” of the infection, and constant reinfection of each other is possible even within a permanent couple.
- The main cause of acute bacterial prostatitis is unprotected sexual intercourse, followed by hypothermia and other situations that reduce local immunity.
Chronic bacterial
In the absence of adequate treatment and ignoring symptoms in their acute form, as well as with regular re-infection, there is a high risk of developing a chronic pathological process.This is due to the fact that the prostate is a convenient place for the proliferation of pathogenic organisms: high temperature, humidity, nutrients.Chronic prostatitis is characterized by exposure to opportunistic strains that cause a slow but uncomfortable reaction that significantly worsens quality of life.
Features:
- Paroxysmal course: the symptoms are almost no different from the acute form, but if it appears initially, the chronic form reappears regularly.Many people try to alleviate the symptoms of prostatitis in men with pain relievers and other emergency methods.This works, but does not solve the problem.
- In fact, symptoms often disappear on their own, without additional therapy methods, especially in young men: the body suppresses bacterial activity using the resources of its own immunity.As a rule, it is not possible to completely destroy the infection, so relapses return again and again.Each one can become heavier than the last.
- Relapses are dangerous due to the appearance of purulent foci and damage to neighboring organs: bladder, penis, testicles, kidneys.
Chronic bacterial prostatitis is the most common type of disease.Some men suffer from this for years, relieving attacks with painkillers but without getting rid of the underlying problem.Over time, the condition worsens.
Chronic nonbacterial
Treating prostatitis in this way will always be one of the most difficult.The disease is not associated with the activity of bacteria, which also makes diagnosis and identification of provoking factors difficult.Its causes are extremely diverse: from an unhealthy lifestyle to working conditions associated with heavy work - for example, it is often found among loaders, builders and other people whose professional activities are related to such activities.
An attack of the disease can be triggered by neurological problems, stress, poisoning, injuries to the prostate and pelvic muscles - this occurs in professional athletes.In many cases it is treatable.The etiology often remains unclear.
Asymptomatic chronic
Another type of “insidious” prostatitis in men, as it develops without the characteristic symptoms of the disease, so the person does not suspect that they have the disease.The reasons may be different, but more often they are associated simultaneously with the activity of bacteria and lifestyle features.
The biggest risk is that without symptoms, it rarely occurs to a person to get tested.In this regard, doctors recommend that people over 40 undergo preventive diagnostics: donate urine for the content of leukocytes, as well as fluid secreted by the prostate gland.Asymptomatic prostatitis is becoming one of the most common causes of male infertility.
Causes of the disease
The most obvious cause of symptoms is the entry of bacteria into the genitourinary tract.Systemic urogenital infections are extremely common, that is, a person simultaneously suffers from, for example, pyelonephritis.
Among the predisposing factors:
- unhealthy lifestyle - improper diet, alcohol abuse, it is believed that being overweight also contributes to the development of the disease;
- hypothermia;
- irregular or promiscuous sex life;
- unprotected sex with people who may be carriers of the infection;
- physical inactivity, constant sitting position - prostatitis is typical for professional drivers;
- injuries in the pelvic region.
The main factor always remains age: if there are not so many 25-year-old men suffering from prostatitis, then after fifty - more than half of all men.The quality of prostatitis treatment depends on early diagnosis, therefore, after forty years, everyone should consult a doctor for an examination.
Symptoms
The intensity of symptoms depends on the form of the disease.We must not forget about the asymptomatic type, which does not manifest itself in any way, but also has destructive effects on health.You should see a doctor for prostatitis medicine if the following symptoms appear:
- pain, burning when urinating;
- painful sexual intercourse, deterioration of potency;
- pain during bowel movements;
- difficulty urinating - a dangerous symptom that causes stones;
- high temperature - in acute form;
- blood in urine, semen.
All signals vary in intensity.Prostatitis treatment must begin with diagnosis;even one of these manifestations is a reason to be examined by a doctor.Painful sensations can change location, but are most often felt in the lower abdomen and rectum.In acute cases, they are unbearable, increased pain is a bad sign, indicating a purulent form of the disease.
Diagnosis
To treat prostatitis, a correct diagnosis is necessary.The patient is sent for a general urine test to identify the leukocyte formula, which indicates the presence of inflammation.Be sure to check the blood as well as the sperm - this helps determine sperm activity and often reveals infertility.Prostate secretions are collected for analysis, as well as a smear to identify specific pathogens and prescribe antibiotics for prostatitis.
Treatment
Prostatitis treatment methods are complex, including physiotherapy, medicinal techniques, correction of the patient's diet and lifestyle.Even advanced chronic forms can be cured without serious complications if you follow appropriate recommendations and therapy.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is used in chronic forms and is prescribed only by a doctor, as in some cases it is contraindicated.
Among the methods, the most effective are the following:
- prostate massage - helps eliminate congestion;
- heating in hot baths;
- ultrasound therapy;
- electrophoresis;
- acupuncture.
The technique depends on the type of disease, as well as the state of the body.For example, heating at high temperatures and acute forms is contraindicated;you must first carry out drug therapy for prostatitis.
Medicine
For pain in the perineum, prostatitis medications with an analgesic effect are prescribed.Bacterial forms require the use of antibiotics, and a specific medication is prescribed only after BAC culture and identification of the sensitivity of microorganisms to a particular group.
Other drugs:
- Drotaverine - prostatitis tablets to relieve spasms and pain;
- Tamsulosin is an alpha blocker, prostatitis tablets that improve smooth muscle contractions, improving urinary flow;
Self-administration of antibiotics is contraindicated, but drugs from the cephalosporin group are most often prescribed - they work well in almost all types of urogenital infections in men and women.
Candles
Rectal suppositories, also known as prostatitis suppositories, are great for relieving pain, inflammation and reducing all discomfort associated with the disease.Most recommended by doctors:
- Prostate extract - suppositories for prostatitis with a complex effect;
- Ketoprofen - relieves pain, swelling;
- Indomethacin.
Most medications are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Taking it as a rectal suppository not only improves effectiveness but also helps minimize side effects.
Diet
Diet therapy also becomes part of the overall treatment strategy.Overweight people are advised to normalize their weight to get rid of congestion in the pelvic area.It is prescribed to exclude fatty foods, limit carbohydrates and avoid alcohol, which is often not compatible with antibiotics.Seafood, nuts, avocados and lean meats are healthy if there are no other contraindications.A proper diet also serves to prevent prostatitis.
Forecast
With timely diagnosis, complete cure is possible.The most important thing is not to allow the disease to become chronic, otherwise complications are inevitable: from prostate adenoma to cancer.In general, with adequate therapy and patient compliance with treatment conditions, the prognosis is favorable.
Prevention
Prostatitis is a disease that “grows in youth”: recently it has been diagnosed even in teenagers, and men aged thirty to thirty-five are increasingly facing the problem.Therefore, it is important to prevent prostatitis, which consists of:
- correct thermal regime - the pelvic organs should not be overheated or supercooled;
- avoid general hypothermia;
- sexual activity using personal protective equipment - condoms effectively block the path of bacteria;
- adequate nutrition;
- Avoid a sedentary lifestyle and irrational stress, especially those associated with lifting heavy objects.
All these methods will help prevent the development of an unpleasant disease.In increasingly elderly people, even in the absence of complaints, a periodic visit to the doctor is necessary: a urologist and an andrologist.