The symptoms of chronic prostatitis are often mild, and treatment is not carried out at the initial stage. However, the problem can be dealt with if you take it seriously.
What it is
Many patients learn about what chronic prostatitis is when they visit a doctor for a completely different reason. Meanwhile, this disease is very dangerous and is a long-term inflammatory process that occurs in the prostate gland. If left untreated, serious complications may occur: impotence, infertility, vesiculitis, prostate cysts, adenomas and prostate cancer.
There are several forms of the disease:
acute bacterial prostatitis, caused by the penetration of infectious pathogens into the prostate gland. Characterized by typical pain in the lower abdomen and when urinating;
chronic bacterial prostatitis, which, along with the clinical picture of the acute form of the pathology, is accompanied by the presence of bacteria and an increased level of leukocytes in the urine and prostate secretions;
chronic prostatitis, which is a consequence of a previous bacterial form of the disease with ineffective treatment or its absence;
asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis, characterized by the absence of any symptoms, but manifests itself during laboratory diagnostic methods.
More than 90% of cases of the disease account for non-bacterial chronic prostatitis, which is asymptomatic, which leads to delayed treatment.
Is it possible to cure
The diagnosis itself indicates that the disease has been progressing in the body for a long time. It is often difficult for men to see a doctor for such a pressing matter until the situation becomes critical. Meanwhile, the sooner a man seeks medical help (at the first signs of ill health), the more effective the treatment will be and the higher the likelihood of completely getting rid of the disease. In its advanced form, chronic prostatitis is almost impossible to cure, but with proper and regular therapy, the symptoms will become less pronounced. This is why timely consultation with a doctor is so important.
Causes
The disease occurs in men aged 20 to 50 years and depends on a number of prerequisites:
Infectious pathogens. They enter the prostate gland in several ways:
ascending (along the urethra);
descending (through infected urine);
lymphogenous (through lymphatic channels);
hematogenous (through blood).
Examples of pathogenic microflora that provoke the bacterial form of prostatitis are staphylococcus, Escherichia coli, enterococcus, Proteus, pathogens of a viral, fungal, parasitic nature, as well as chlamydia, gonococcus, gardnerella and others.
Disruption of normal blood circulation in the pelvic organs. This may be due to a sedentary lifestyle, sedentary work (drivers, office workers), and poor nutrition. As a result, congestion and swelling occur in the tissues of the prostate gland, and incomplete expulsion of secretions from the organ cavity is observed. All this leads to partial or complete dysfunction of the gland.
Prolonged sexual abstinence or practice of interrupted sexual intercourse. These actions also provoke inflammatory processes in the prostate gland.
Accompanying illnesses. First of all, this concerns pathologies of a urological nature: cystitis, urethritis, pyelonephritis, untreated acute prostatitis. However, the cause of chronic prostatitis can also be other diseases: chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, sinusitis, etc.
Frequent and prolonged stay in the cold, in conditions of high ambient temperature or high humidity, constant psycho-emotional stress.
Symptoms
The clinical picture of chronic prostatitis is poorly expressed at the initial stage. A man, as a rule, does not experience any discomfort or does not pay attention to the appearance of signs of the disease if they do not interfere with leading a normal lifestyle. Over time, the general condition worsens and is accompanied by the following symptoms:
The appearance of pain in the perineum, genitals, groin. The pain can be weak, aching or quite intense during urination, defecation, after sexual intercourse and during ejaculation. Often the pain syndrome spreads to the sacrum, anus, scrotum, and testicles.
Disturbances during urination and defecation. In the first case, the process is characterized by frequent and painful urges and burning in the urethra. The presence of thread-like formations in the urine is observed. During defecation, discharge from the urethra is possible, which indicates insufficient tone of the prostate gland.
Sexual function disorders. In men suffering from chronic prostatitis, there is a decrease in libido, unstable erection or its absence, pain during and after sexual intercourse, hemospermia, and infertility.
Poor sleep, irritability, increased nervousness, fatigue, depression.
Increased body temperature. It can be observed during an exacerbation of the disease and have minor deviations from the norm.
Symptoms may not appear all at once, but may be constant.
Diagnostics
Diagnostic studies make it possible to refute or confirm a presumptive diagnosis, determine what type of disease it is and how possible it is to cure it.
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The main diagnostic procedures are:
general urine analysis;
analysis of prostate secretion for the presence/absence of pathogenic microflora, as well as for determining deviations of physiological parameters from normal values (increased number of leukocytes, etc. );
bacteriological culture of urine and taking a smear from the urethra;
a three-glass urine sample to determine the area of localization of inflammation;
analysis to identify pathogens of genital tract infections;
Ultrasound of the prostate gland;
study of spermogram data, MAR test (for reproductive abnormalities);
urodynamic, endoscopic examinations;
determination of prostate-specific antigen (PSA).
Treatment of chronic prostatitis
The answer to the question of how to treat chronic prostatitis depends on the severity of the pathology and its type. The disease requires an integrated approach to its elimination or stable relief of symptoms.
Drug treatment
It involves taking drugs from the following groups:
Antibiotics, which are necessarily prescribed when diagnosing a bacterial form of pathology. However, such therapy may also be indicated for non-bacterial chronic prostatitis if a persistent positive effect is observed. Drugs from the groups of penicillins, cephalosporins, tetracyclines, aminoglycosides, and fluoroquinolones are taken in strict accordance with the doctor’s instructions for at least two weeks.
Antispasmodics that help eliminate painful spasms in the perineum.
Anti-inflammatory, painkillers.
Alpha1-blockers used to reduce prostate hypertonicity and normalize motility.
Immunostimulating medications.
The medication regimen is selected individually in accordance with the characteristics of the diagnosis and intolerance to individual drugs (if present).
Non-drug treatment
In this case, the positive effect of therapy is achieved by physical influence of a different nature on the diseased area. Patients may be prescribed:
Prostate massage. It activates the full expulsion of secretions from the prostate gland, improves blood circulation, and normalizes the tone of the organ. Massage along with antibiotics is especially effective for treating bacterial chronic prostatitis. However, there are contraindications to its use if the patient is diagnosed with:
acute bacterial prostatitis;
concomitant diseases of the gonads (vesiculitis, cooperitis);
the presence of stones in the prostate gland;
prostate cysts;
BPH;
cancer of an organ or suspicion of it;
prostate abscess;
hemorrhoids, rectal fissures and other disorders.
Electrophoresis. The physiotherapy procedure involves the therapeutic effect on the pathological area with a small electric current (no more than 50 μA). In this way, recovery reactions are stimulated, pain is relieved, and blood flow in the tissues of the gland is optimized. Electrophoresis promotes deep penetration of antibiotics into the structures of the prostate, thereby increasing the effectiveness of their action.
Ultrasound. The method is widely used in the treatment of chronic prostatitis, as it has a pronounced anti-inflammatory effect, restores sexual function, and suppresses pain. Prostate tumors are successfully treated with ultrasound.
Ultraphonophoresis is the use of ultrasound therapy together with medications. This method allows drugs to penetrate into the deep layers of the affected organ and act most effectively there.
Magnetotherapy. The physiotherapy procedure has a comprehensive restorative effect on the genitourinary system, improves metabolic processes and neurogeneration.
Laser magnetic therapy. Laser exposure also effectively treats the manifestations of the disease, eliminating the risk of possible complications.
Inductometry is exposure to a high-frequency alternating magnetic field.
Instillations into the urethra, mud therapy, therapeutic enemas, hot baths.
Physiotherapy together with drug treatment makes it possible to obtain a lasting therapeutic effect and, in most cases, completely defeat the disease at the initial stage.
Surgical intervention
Indicated in cases where it is impossible to help the patient with other methods.
Prostatectomy is partial or complete removal of the prostate gland while maintaining erectile function.
Transurethral resection (TUR) is an operation to excise or remove overgrown gland tissue. Prescribed for adenoma or prostate cancer.
Laser surgery. The operation involves removing the affected organ tissue using a laser beam. In this case, the blood vessels are "sealed", eliminating bleeding.
Drainage of prostate abscess. This surgery allows you to extract pus from the gland cavity using a rubber drainage inserted through the perineum or rectum by cutting the skin tissue.
Transurethral incision of the prostate. The surgery involves making several cuts in the prostate to relieve pressure from the affected organ on the urethra and restore urination.
After the surgical intervention, the patient requires rehabilitation, the time interval of which, depending on the type of surgery used, ranges from 2-3 days to several months.
Folk remedies
Herbal remedies are also effective medications in the complex therapy of chronic prostatitis. For these purposes, tinctures, decoctions, food mixtures or ointments are used, which include:
pumpkin seeds;
aspen bark;
hazel leaves and bark;
chestnut shells;
parsley;
honey, propolis;
Kalanchoe etc.
Regular use of herbal medicine helps eliminate unpleasant symptoms, restore impaired functions and have a long-term preventive effect.
Chronic prostatitis is a disease that you should pay attention to at its first signs in order to eliminate dangerous complications and cure it in time.