Prostatitis is an inflammatory process centered on the prostate gland.Another popular name is prostate.This disease and the related pelvic (lumbar) pain are accompanied by painful sensations in and around the prostate.
In most cases, pain occurs due to the following reasons:
- infection;
- inflammation;
- some health problems.
Prostatitis can occur in any man, both middle-aged and young.Do not ignore the prevention of male prostatitis.
The role of the prostate in the body
The prostate is a small, round, uneven gland that is part of the male reproductive system.The location of the gland is below the bladder, just in front of the rectum.Surrounded by muscles and nerves, the prostate contains the urethra or urethra (the tube that carries urine and sperm out of the body).
The prostate gland has a specific task: help create a liquid environment for sperm.
This seminal fluid protects and energizes the sperm as it travels to the female egg.
The first signs of the development of prostatitis
There are few signs of this disease.But if you notice at least two of the following symptoms:consult a urologist immediately.
- The stream of urine falls slowly downwards or in its rangeless than 20 cm.
- Difficulty, by drops, urinating.
- Pain and burning during urination.
- Intermittency, bifurcation, spraying of the beam, duration of the process.
- A feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder.
- Frequent urination at night.
- Pain between the genitals and the anus.
We advise you not to self-diagnose, but to do all the necessary tests at the hospital.
Prostatitis has a complex pathogenesis, and self-medication based on general symptoms poses a serious threat to your health.Only a urologist can make a correct diagnosis after a series of tests.
Forms and symptoms of prostatitis
There are 4 types of the disease:
- Chronic bacterial prostatitis.
- Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS).
- Acute (sudden) bacterial prostatitis.
- Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis.
Chronic bacterial prostatitis
This health problem can last for years despite treatment.The most common pathogen is Escherichia coli (lat.Escherichia coli).
Symptoms characteristic of this form:
- Burning sensation during urination.
- Frequent need to urinate at night.
- Pain in the bladder, testicles and penis, and between the genitals and anus.
- Painful ejaculation.
Antibiotics are the basis of treatment.In most cases, doctors prescribe medication and the medication must be taken6-8 weeks.After completing therapyup to 50%patients had relapses.Therefore, after the disease subsides, prevention should not be forgotten.
Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS)
CP/CPPS is the most common type of the disease.The symptoms are similar to the bacterial form of prostatitis, but the causative agent is unknown.
CP/CPPS can be caused by bacteria, especially chlamydia, mycoplasma (sexually transmitted) or ureaplasma.Or prostatitis in men develops when the body reacts to an infection or injury received in the past.
Treatment options includealpha 1 blockerandanti-inflammatory drugs.In many cases, simple measures such as heat, baths or relaxation procedures lead to improvement.
Of course, there is currently no most effective therapy.Therefore, the treatment of CPPS is lengthy and often not very successful.For patients, this often means severe psychological stress, which in turn can negatively affect the course of the disease.Therefore, psychological support or psychotherapy is highly desirable.
Acute (sudden) bacterial prostatitis
Its symptoms often appear suddenly.In most cases, the causative agent is Escherichia coli (lat.Escherichia coli).
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Since the acute form is a bacterial disease, it is treated accordingly with antibiotics.Here, antibiotics belonging to the group of fluoroquinolones are used.Timely treatment can solve this problem and prevent the disease from becoming chronic.
Acute painful sensations force you to consult a doctor immediately.
The patient experiences the following symptoms:
- Fever.
- Chills.
- Difficulty emptying the bladder.
- Severe burning sensation when going to the toilet.
Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis
The danger of this kind is that it occurs secretly, without bothering you with symptoms.This type can be discovered when testing other types of problems.
The reasons why the mechanism of this form is triggered are largely unclear.The nerves and muscles of the groin begin to hurt due to infection, inflammation and some other problems.
Causes of the disease
Doctors have identified several possible causes, including:
- Previously discovered bacterial infections in the prostate gland.
- Atypical (resistant to antibiotics) bacteria.
- Irritation caused by accumulated urine in the prostate gland.
- Problems with nerve connections in the lower urinary tract.
- Parasites.
- Problems with the pelvic muscles.
- Viruses and reduced immunity.
- A sedentary lifestyle that leads to poor circulation.
- Irregular sexual relations or the complete absence of sex.
What are the risk factors for the development of prostatitis?
The cause of most inflammatory cases is not fully understood.Several things can increase your risk of bacterial prostatitis:
- a catheter (tube to drain fluid from the body) or other device has recently been inserted into the urethra;
- abnormal structure of the urinary tract;
- fresh bladder infection;
- hypothermia.
Can prostatitis be prevented?
In most cases, the disease cannot be prevented.Practicing safe sex can only reduce the risk of contracting diseases caused by microbes.Therefore, having sex with a trusted partner is another factor in men's health.
How is prostatitis diagnosed in men?
Physical examination
A doctor may perform a manual rectal examination (MRE) of the rectum:
- This is done by inserting a lubricated finger of a sterile gloved hand into the opening of the anus.
- The doctor will press on the prostate and feel whether it is enlarged or normal and soft.
- Lumps or hardness may indicate the presence of prostate cancer.
- The specialist will ask how painful or uncomfortable you feel when you touch the area near the gland.
- If you are sick, the test can be uncomfortable and painful.
- But it doesn't do any harm or cause long-term pain.
Recording tests in the laboratory
If the doctor suspects that you have problems with the prostate and nearby tissues, he will refer you to a urologist.
Urologista specialist dealing with problems of the urinary tract and the male reproductive system.Your urologist or other specialist can order tests to find out the cause and help.
Each type of disease requires a different approach to treatment.
Your doctor can determine what type you should have to make sure other health problems aren't contributing to your symptoms.A number of tests are used to find the answer.
Ultrasound
In order to examine the prostate gland more closely, the doctor prescribes an ultrasound examination of the rectum.Ultrasounduses sound waves reflected from an organ to examine its condition.To "see" the source of inflammation, an ultrasound probe is inserted into the anus.The procedure does not cause deterioration, so there is no need to be afraid.
Taking a smear test
The doctor will take a urine test and fluid from the prostate gland to find out the cause of the problems.During manual rectal examination, when the prostate was massaged, there was fluid from the penis that was identified as prostatic discharge.
Urine and expressed secretions are checked for microflora.The test results can show whether the problem is in the urethra, prostate or bladder.
Blood and sperm are also tested for bacteria, white blood cells, or other signs of infection.Also, if you have recently been treated with antibiotics, your test results will also change.
Diagnosis using a cystoscope
The urologist examines the inside of the urinary tract, prostate and bladder using a cystoscope.It's a long, thin telescope with a bulb at the end.First, the doctor gives anesthesia.Then he carefully inserts the cystoscope into the bladder and analyzes the state of your organs.
Can prostatitis cause cancer?
Although inflammation of the prostate causes a lot of discomfort, it cannot cause cancer.There is a blood test that doctors recommend to determine the presence of a tumor.It's called a prostate-specific antigen test (PSA for short).In the presence of inflammation, PDA levels may rise.It doesn't mean you have cancer.The doctor measures the PDA level several times during the treatment.
Do not forget that you must constantly monitor your health and follow the preventive recommendations.Be healthy and don't be sick!