Prostatitis in men has various symptoms, everything largely depends on the form of the disease.The inflammatory process in the tissues of the prostate gland occurs for several reasons.Viruses, bacteria and even chronic diseases such as tuberculosis and pyelonephritis can be to blame.
Some forms of the disease are rare, while others are diagnosed more often.There is also a so-called general symptomatology, 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 gland, is characterized by unpleasant symptoms and may be a consequence 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.Requires hospital treatment under the supervision of a specialist; it can cause sepsis or septic shock.
- Chronic bacterial - the disease often occurs without pronounced symptoms, but in some cases certain signs of an acute type of prostatitis are observed.
- Chronic (not 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 were unable to identify all the factors that led to the development of the inflammatory process.
- Asymptomatic (asymptomatic) - may appear as a concomitant disease, develops quickly, but has 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 - occurs against the background of replacement of prostate tissue with growths of fibrous tissue with granules inside.In this case, there may be foci of necrosis in the granules.The disease develops as a complication after surgery on the pelvic organs or as a consequence of an infectious process occurring in the tissues.
Classification in detail
Forms of prostatitis may also have a slightly different classification, according to the type of pathogen that led to the development of inflammation:
Bacterial type of disease.The causative agents are Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, streptococci and staphylococci.Bacteria enter the prostate tissue through the lymph and bloodstream.
- Gonorrheal type of disease.Pathogens: Gonococci.Infection occurs through unprotected sexual contact.
- Viral type of disease.Appears due to the herpes virus, cytomegalovirus and human papillomavirus.The main danger of the disease is that the virus cells actively multiply and can infect cells in 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 a concomitant disease during the active course of the main one - tuberculosis.
- Fungal type of disease.The causative agent is fungi of the genus Candida.It develops while taking antibiotics or after unprotected sex with a woman who has thrush.
- Mixed type of disease.Appears as a result of infection with at least two of the above diseases.It is extremely rare.
A woman can infect a man with various bacteria.Infection occurs during the period of unprotected PA.Moreover, the partner’s pregnancy increases the risk of infection during this period; a woman, against the background of a weakened immune system, often develops thrush, and this, in turn, becomes the cause of the development of fungal prostatitis.
Signs and symptoms of prostate inflammation in men
The first sign of prostatitis is pain that occurs during urination and is of an increasing nature, intensifying as the ureter is compressed.
Main signs of prostatitis:
- problems in the intimate sphere;
- discharge from the urethra (in rare cases, it all depends on the type of disease);
- pain when urinating;
- frequent urge;
- increased body temperature, general signs of intoxication.
Symptoms of prostatitis in men are increasing.The swelling of the prostate tissue gradually increases.It increases in volume, as it increases, the pain increases and the symptoms become more intense.
Signs of acute and chronic prostatitis
So, how does acute prostatitis manifest itself, a description of the symptoms:
- Increase in body temperature to 38 degrees and above.
- The appearance of discharge from the urethra.
- Increasing pain in the groin area.
- Frequent and painful urge to urinate.
- Erection problems.
Symptoms often occur spontaneously, they increase and may be accompanied by a deterioration in the patient’s general condition: decreased 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, testicle or even perineum;
- difficulties encountered during urination.
In the chronic form of the course, the signs of prostatitis in men are mild and occur periodically.They bother a man from time to time.But under unfavorable conditions, the symptoms intensify, problems with erection and urination arise.
Causes of prostate disease
The causes of prostatitis in men are diverse; the inflammatory process in tissues develops against the background of:
- failure to comply with personal hygiene rules;
- sexual contact with a woman who has an infectious disease;
- systematic hypothermia;
- chronic pyelonephritis or tuberculosis.
The causes of the disease are often associated with the presence of an infectious agent in the human body.In the absence of adequate therapy, a chronic inflammatory process gradually develops and affects nearby tissues.
The cause of prostatitis in young people can be constant stress, poor nutrition, lack of vitamins, 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, which includes people:
- Elderly.
- With reduced immunity.
- Leading a sedentary lifestyle.
- Alcohol abusers.
Chronic diseases, systematic alcohol consumption, promiscuous sexual intercourse - all this can cause the development of an inflammatory process.But if you regularly undergo examinations, visit a urologist and get tested, you may never encounter this disease.
Diagnosis of the disease
Diagnosis of prostatitis takes place in several stages, it includes:
- collecting anamnesis (description of symptoms that bother the patient);
- performing an ultrasound of the pelvic organs (prostate, kidneys and ureters);
- urine analysis (general, clinical, according to Nechiporenko, daily portion and bacterial culture);
- smear from the urethra for microflora;
- inspection;
- blood test for ELISA;
- urography (performed if necessary, due to the toxicity of the method and the presence of contraindications).
The main diagnostic method is to conduct a comprehensive study to identify and eliminate the root cause of the disease.
Treatment methods for prostatitis
Treatment of prostatitis in men begins with stopping the inflammatory process and reducing the intensity of unpleasant symptoms.It can take place in several stages and include:
- taking antibiotics;
- carrying out physiotherapeutic procedures;
- taking diuretics, vitamins and immunomodulators.
How to treat prostatitis in men and, most importantly, how, the doctor should tell you.Since it all depends on the cause of inflammation and the severity of symptoms.
Tablets for prostatitis can be divided into several groups:
- anti-inflammatory drugs;
- antibacterial drugs;
- vitamins and immune system stimulants.
Antibiotics are prescribed in any case, but in order to prescribe such medications to a patient, the doctor must be sure of the diagnosis.
Medicines are taken in a course of 2–3 weeks.If necessary, the duration of therapy is increased.But if antibiotics do not have the desired effect on the patient’s body, then the therapy is subject to correction.
Prostate massage is a method to enhance the effectiveness of treatment.It is prescribed for congestion in the prostate gland and is used as an addition to the main therapy.
Massage is most effective during the period of exacerbation of the disease.It helps to “relieve” the prostate gland of secretions accumulated in it, thereby removing pathogenic microorganisms through the urethra.This helps enhance the effect of antibiotics and shorten the duration of treatment.
What physiotherapeutic 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 thing is that inflammation develops rapidly, it “invades” the tissue of the prostate gland and if the disease is not treated, it can cause:
- chronic infertility;
- fibrous changes in tissues;
- impotence (with a probability of up to 45%);
- chronic diseases of the kidneys and other nearby organs.
What is the danger of prostatitis with incorrectly selected therapy:
- Without treatment, the inflammatory process can become chronic.
- Lead to the development of prostate adenoma.
- Erection problems.
Over a long period of time, inflammation will cause intoxication, the signs of which will only worsen the patient’s well-being and complicate the course of the disease.
Prevention of prostatitis at home
Prevention of prostatitis comes down to simple rules:
- maintaining personal hygiene;
- use of antiseptics after unprotected PA;
- streamlining sexual life;
- correction of the diet (it is worth including meat in the diet, it is rich in proteins).
Prevention of prostatitis in men may also include taking certain medications:
- vitamins and minerals;
- immunostimulants;
- diuretics of plant origin.
Preventive methods will help prevent the development of the inflammatory process, but you should not lose vigilance.
In order not to encounter prostatitis, it is worth treating colds and viral diseases.
Inflammation of the prostate is a dangerous disease that can cause serious complications.Therefore, if unpleasant symptoms appear, you should contact a urologist as soon as possible, this will avoid serious complications: impotence, infertility.