Prostatitis is a common urological disease that can occur in any man over the age of 30, and every year the likelihood of its development only increases. This disease provokes serious male problems: acute prostatitis leads to depression, decreased libido and, in general, disruption of the genitourinary system; a chronic condition causes diseases of the urological sphere, infertility, impotence.
general information
Prostatitis is an inflammatory lesion of the prostate gland, an organ that only men have. Iron performs three
most important functions:
- secretory - produces a special enzyme that regulates the viscosity of sperm and ensures the viability of male germ cells for successful fertilization of the egg;
- motor - controls the muscle tissue of the urethral sphincter, due to which the correct process of urine outflow occurs, and the secretion of the prostate is released during ejaculation;
- barrier - prevents the penetration of infectious agents into the upper urinary tract from the urethra, provides an antibacterial barrier, as part of the male immune system.
With prostatitis, the prostate gland enlarges and begins to squeeze the urethra, which disrupts the normal outflow of urine. The organ itself, due to inflammation, is not able to perform its functions to the fullest.
The reasons
The source of male health problems - prostatitis - can develop for the following reasons:
- The presence of congestion in the pelvic area. Most often, such blood stasis occurs due to a sedentary, motionless lifestyle and overweight.
- Infectious infection of the prostate. It can be descending (through the urine) or ascending (through the urethra), enter the prostate along with blood or lymph.
The development of prostatitis usually occurs against the background of the presence of certain risk factors:
- lack of physical activity;
- maintaining a sedentary lifestyle;
- irregular sex life;
- hypothermia, especially covering the small pelvis;
- the presence of injuries in the pelvic area;
- weakened immunity;
- malnutrition with an abundance of sweet, fatty and fried foods;
- the presence of bad habits;
- infection with sexually transmitted infections.
Kinds
According to ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases), 4 types of prostatitis are distinguished:
- Acute prostatitis.
- Chronic bacterial prostatitis.
- Chronic prostatitis is non-bacterial, inflammatory, and non-inflammatory.
- Chronic prostatitis, asymptomatic.
In the acute form of the disease, the symptoms appear strongly and clearly, the inflammatory process develops rapidly. Common causes are infection of the prostate gland with infectious agents penetrating from the urethra or blood.
Chronic bacterial form - acute prostatitis, which was not cured in time. The development of the pathological condition is facilitated by the same factors that affect acute inflammation - infections of the genitourinary system and blood stasis in the pelvic organs.
Non-bacterial chronic prostatitis (also called chronic pelvic pain syndrome) is most commonly found in older men. It can develop both against the background of impaired functioning of the prostate, and as a result of an autoimmune reaction of the body.
Chronic asymptomatic prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland, during which patients do not manifest any unpleasant sensations.
Clinic
The clinical picture of acute prostatitis has very vivid manifestations that cannot be overlooked and are very difficult to live with:
- an increase in body temperature over 38 ° C;
- chilliness with sweat and weakness;
- severe pain in the lower abdomen, perineum, genitals;
- urination disorder - difficulty, soreness, acute urinary retention.
With the problem of chronic prostatitis, similar, but less pronounced symptoms occur, which are often overlooked:
- dull aching pain in the perineum and lower abdomen, radiating to the sacrum and genitals;
- difficult urination, painful and rapid with imperative (sharp and irresistible) urges, most often at night;
- erectile dysfunction;
- decrease in the quality and duration of sexual intercourse;
- decrease in the severity of orgasm.
The asymptomatic course of prostatitis proceeds without complaints from the patient. The problem is discovered incidentally during prostate and/or urine tests.
Diagnostic methods
If prostatitis is suspected, the doctor conducts a diagnosis, the first step of which is to clarify complaints and study the medical history. Information is collected about all symptoms and their development. The following activities are followed:
- Palpation of the prostate through the rectum in order to determine the size of the organ, its density and soreness. For further bacteriological analysis in the process of probing, the secret of the gland is also collected. The purpose of the study is to exclude a number of diagnoses: adenoma or prostate cancer, rectal cancer.
- Ultrasound and TRUS to supplement and clarify the data obtained during palpation.
- Bacteriological analysis of prostate secretion to detect infection and determine the type of pathogens. Data are needed to select and prescribe antibiotics.
- A blood test to determine the level of PSA (prostate-specific antigen) - allows you to exclude adenoma and cancer of the gland.
- Biopsy - examination of a sample of prostate tissue under a microscope to confirm or refute adenoma and cancer.
Treatment
Modern urology considers three types of treatment for acute prostatitis and exacerbations of the chronic form of the disease:
- medication;
- surgical;
- physiotherapy.
Drug exposure involves taking antibiotics from the groups of penicillins, fluoroquinolones, macrolides, tetracyclines, cephalosporins or aminoglycosides. The specific drug is prescribed by the doctor, depending on which infectious agent provoked the inflammation. Additionally, patients are prescribed:
- anti-inflammatory drugs to eliminate fever;
- painkillers;
- antispasmodics to normalize the outflow of urine;
- alpha blockers to relieve symptoms and restore healthy urination.
In the absence of the effect of drugs or in advanced cases of acute prostatitis, the doctor may prescribe a surgical intervention, during which either the entire prostate gland or part of it is removed. The operation is necessary for patients with concomitant problems: stones in the prostate or neoplasms of a benign and malignant nature.
Physiotherapy is an addition to drug treatment, it can only be done after the acute inflammatory process has been eliminated. Patients are shown:
- massage;
- exercise therapy (physiotherapy);
- magnetotherapy;
- ultrasound treatment;
- electrical stimulation;
- microwave and laser exposure;
- reflexology.
The appointment of a specific type of procedure is carried out by the attending physician.
In chronic prostatitis during remission, the patient is required to:
- undergo regular examinations and, if necessary, a course of antibiotic therapy;
- eat right, avoiding both exhaustion and the appearance of excess weight;
- protect the body from hypothermia;
- engage in exercise therapy, and exercises should strengthen the muscles of the lower abdomen and pelvic floor;
- have regular sex life;
- get rid of bad habits.
Also a useful procedure is prostate massage, due to which blood circulation and secretion outflow in the organ improves, and this helps to prevent the recurrence of the acute stage of the disease.
Complications
Complications of prostatitis are manifested both in the prostate gland itself and in the organs surrounding it, which is due to the anatomical location. In the acute form, infectious agents are able to reach the bladder and kidneys, inflammation - go to the fatty tissue of the gland, venous plexus and the rectum.
Chronic disease is dangerous because it involves not only the tissues and organs surrounding the prostate, but also affects the nervous, urological and reproductive areas.
Possible complications of acute prostatitis:
- abscess;
- phlebitis of the venous plexuses in the small pelvis;
- inflammation of adipose tissue;
- orchitis;
- epididymitis;
- vesiculitis;
- pyelonephritis.
Chronic prostatitis causes the following complications:
- chronic pain syndrome;
- sexual dysfunction;
- infertility;
- violations of the process of urination;
- general deterioration in the quality of life.
impotence and infertility
The two most common problems associated with prostatitis are impotence and infertility. The development of each condition occurs against the background of chronic damage to the prostate gland.
Impotence (erectile dysfunction) is manifested in 40% of cases of neglected and untreated prostatitis. The development of complications occurs for a long time, sometimes for years. His reasons:
- violation of the prostate with the wrong passage of nerve impulses and the failure of hormone production;
- deterioration of control over the pelvic muscles responsible for the occurrence of an erection;
- psychological uncertainty;
- pain syndrome, which causes fears about possible failure in bed.
It is impossible to talk about the unconditional connection of prostatitis with infertility. This disease has an indirect effect on the reproductive ability of a man and only with an advanced chronic course. Causes of fertility problems against the background of prostate damage:
- decrease in the quality of seminal fluid;
- decrease in the number and drop in sperm motility;
- the presence of damage and defects of germ cells;
- scarring of the vas deferens;
- failure of the secretory function;
- testicular dysfunction.
In acute prostatitis, spermatozoa are harmed, their quality and mobility deteriorate, defects form, and a smaller number of male germ cells are produced.
Prevention
It is possible to prevent prostatitis, but it is necessary to constantly follow a number of preventive recommendations:
- lead a healthy lifestyle with proper nutrition, reasonable physical and sexual activity, and the absence of bad habits;
- engage in physiotherapy exercises aimed at eliminating congestion in the pelvic organs and strengthening the pelvic muscles;
- timely undergo examinations by a urologist and andrologist;
- beware of hypothermia.
Prostatitis is a serious disease of the urological sphere that can cause significant harm to the male body. It is very important to pay attention to the first signs of its appearance and visit specialists who will prescribe a full treatment. Without this, an acute condition can become chronic and cause even greater health problems.