Prostatitis is an inflammatory process, the focus of which is the prostate gland.Another popular name for it is prostate.This disease and the pain in the pelvis (groin area) that is associated with it are accompanied by painful sensations in and around the prostate.
Most cases of pain occur due to the following reasons:
- infection;
- inflammation;
- some health problems.
Prostatitis can occur in any man, both in middle age and at a young age.Do not neglect the prevention of male prostatitis.
The role of the prostate gland in the body
The prostate is a small, round, uneven gland that is a component of the male reproductive system.The location of the gland is under 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 - to help create a liquid environment for sperm.
This seminal fluid protects and energizes the sperm as it makes its way to the female egg.
The first signs of prostatitis development
There are few signs of this disease.But if you find yourself with at least 2 of the following symptoms -consult a urologist immediately.
- The stream of urine sluggishly falls down or its rangeless than 20 cm.
- Difficulty, drop by drop, urination.
- Pain and burning when urinating.
- Intermittency, bifurcation, spraying of the jet, duration of the process.
- Feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder.
- Frequent urination at night.
- Pain between the genitals and anus.
We advise you not to diagnose yourself, but to undergo all the necessary tests in the hospital.
Prostatitis has a complex pathogenesis and self-medication based on general symptoms poses a serious danger 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 many years, despite the treatment taken.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, as well as between the genitals and anus.
- Painful ejaculation.
Treatment is based on antibiotics.In most cases, doctors prescribe medications and the drug should be taken6 to 8 weeks.After completion of therapyup to 50%patients had relapses.Therefore, after the disease has subsided, we must not forget about prevention.
Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS)
CP/CPPS is the most common type of disease.The symptoms are similar to the bacterial form of prostatitis, but the pathogen is unknown.
CP/CPPS can be caused by bacteria, in particular chlamydia, mycoplasma (they are transmitted through sex) or ureaplasma.Or inflammation of the prostate in men develops if 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, treatment for CPPS is lengthy and often not very successful.For patients, this often represents serious psychological stress, which in turn can negatively affect the course of the disease.Therefore, psychological support or psychotherapy is very 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 accordingly treated with antibiotics.Antibiotics from the fluoroquinolone group are used here.Timely treatment can solve this problem and prevent the disease from becoming chronic.
Acute painful sensations force you to immediately seek medical help.
The patient exhibits the following symptoms:
- Fever.
- Chills.
- Difficulty emptying the bladder.
- Severe burning sensation when going to the toilet.
Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis
The danger of this variety is that it occurs hidden, without bothering you with symptoms.This type may be discovered during testing for other types of problems.
The reasons why the mechanism of this form is triggered are largely unclear.The nerves and muscles in the groin begin to ache 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.
- Bacteria that are atypical (resistant to antibiotics).
- Irritation caused by urine collecting in the prostate gland.
- Problems with nerve connections in the lower urinary tract.
- Parasites.
- Problems with the pelvic muscles.
- Viruses and decreased immunity.
- A sedentary lifestyle leading to poor circulation.
- Irregular sexual relations or complete absence of sex.
What risk factors exist for the development of prostatitis?
The causes of most cases of inflammation are not fully understood.Several things can increase the risk of contracting bacterial prostatitis:
- a catheter (tube to drain fluid from the body) or other device recently placed into the urethra has been inserted;
- abnormal structure of the urinary tract;
- recent bladder infection;
- hypothermia.
Is it possible to prevent prostatitis?
Most cases of the disease cannot be prevented.Practicing safe sex can only reduce the risk of contracting those types of diseases that are caused by microbes.Therefore, sexual relations with a regular partner whom you trust is another factor in men's health.
How is prostatitis diagnosed in men?
Physical examination
The doctor may perform a manual rectal examination (MRE) of the rectum:
- It occurs by inserting a lubricated finger of a hand wearing a sterile glove into the opening of the anus.
- The doctor will press on the prostate gland and feel whether it is enlarged or in a normal, soft state.
- Lumps or hardness can suggest the presence of prostate cancer.
- The specialist will ask how painful or uncomfortable you feel when he touches the area near the gland.
- If you are sick, the examination may be inconvenient and painful.
- But it will not cause any harm and will not cause long-term pain.
Taking tests in the laboratory
If the doctor suspects that you have problems with the prostate and nearby tissues, he will send you to a urologist.
Urologistis a specialist who deals with problems of the urinary tract and the male reproductive system.Your urologist or other specialist may order tests to find out the cause and how to help.
Each type of disease requires a different approach to treatment.
Your doctor will be able to determine which type you have to make sure other health problems are not contributing to your symptoms.Many tests are used to find the answer.
Ultrasound
To take a closer look at the prostate gland, the doctor prescribes an examination of the rectum using ultrasound.Ultrasounduses sound waves reflected from an organ to examine its condition.To “see” the source of inflammation, an ultrasound probe is placed in the anus.The procedure does not cause any worsening of the condition, 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, fluid flowed from the penis, identified as prostate discharge.
Urine and pronounced discharge are checked for microflora.The test result can show whether the problem is in the urinary canal, prostate or bladder.
Blood and semen are also tested for bacteria, white blood cells or other symptoms of infection.In addition, if you have recently been treated with antibiotics, your test results will also change.
Diagnosis using a cystoscope
The urologist looks inside your urinary tract, prostate, and bladder using a cystoscope.It is a long, thin telescope with a light bulb at the end.First, the doctor will give you anesthesia.Then he will carefully insert the cystoscope into your bladder and analyze the condition of your organs.
Can prostatitis cause cancer?
Although inflammation of the prostate gland causes a lot of discomfort, it is not capable of causing cancer.There is a blood test that doctors recommend to determine the presence of a tumor.It's called a prostate specific antigen test (called PSA for short).In the presence of inflammation, PDA levels may increase.This does not mean you have cancer.The doctor will measure the PDA level several times during treatment.
Do not forget that you must constantly monitor your health and adhere to preventive recommendations.Be healthy and don't get sick!