The fight against prostatitis is a complex and rather long process that does not allow self-medication.Since this disease can lead to pathology of the male reproductive function and serious disruptions in the functioning of other organs and systems, all measures to make a diagnosis and determine the necessary treatment strategy should be carried out exclusively by a urologist.How to treat prostatitis so that the disease recedes as soon as possible and what does the complex of therapeutic measures consist of?
Diagnosis of prostatitis
Identifying the presence of prostatitis in a patient is usually not difficult for a urologist, and the main goal of diagnostic procedures is to determine the cause and form of the disease.Some types of examinations can cause discomfort or pain to patients, but passing through certain stages of clinical diagnosis is necessary for the attending physician to collect useful information:
- Primary digital rectal examination and collection of prostate secretions for analysis to determine the nature of the disease (bacterial or infectious forms of prostatitis).If an infectious agent is detected in the biological material, a test is performed to determine the sensitivity of the pathogenic microflora to antibiotics in order to optimize the set of subsequent therapeutic measures.
- Transabdominal or transrectal ultrasound examination.They are prescribed as needed to clarify the characteristics of the prostate gland.Transabdominal ultrasound is performed through the anterior abdominal wall and does not cause discomfort to the patient.However, the transrectal examination of the prostate (through the rectum) is, although moderately painful, a more informative procedure, as it allows you to determine not only the parameters of the gland, but also its structural changes.
- PSA blood test.An excess of the normal level (4 ng/ml) of prostate-specific antigen in the blood may indicate the presence of pathological processes in the prostate gland.The determination of PSA values should be performed not only in the process of diagnosing prostatitis, but also during the treatment of the disease to evaluate the effectiveness of the therapy.
The main therapeutic components and methods of prostatitis treatment
Acute prostatitis and exacerbation of the chronic form of this disease are treated according to similar schemes.Correctly chosen rational therapy presupposes the complete recovery of the patient in the first case and leads to his recovery or long-term remission of the disease in the second case.Only a urologist can decide how to treat prostatitis without harming the patient's health and achieving the maximum effect from the tools and methods used;The role of the patient in this process is to strictly follow all the instructions of the specialist.
Drug therapy
Drug treatment is the basis of any therapeutic effect on foci of inflammation in the prostate gland.The selection of the necessary medications is made by the urologist based on data from laboratory analyzes and other preliminary studies.The direction of action of drug therapy includes:
- reduction of the patient's pain level;
- normalization of blood circulation in the prostate gland and adjacent organs;
- localization and destruction of the infectious agent;
- elimination of inflammatory reactions and congestion in the prostate;
- stabilization of immunity, sexual performance and general well-being of the patient
The optimal effectiveness of drug therapy is achieved by combining antibiotics, pain relievers, anti-inflammatory and hormonal drugs, antidepressants, micro-enemas and suppositories in a wellness program.
Local therapy
A local restorative effect on the prostate gland and its inflamed areas is achieved through the use of various types of physiotherapy in the treatment program:
- ultrasonic phonophoresis;
- transrectal microwave hyperthermia;
- diadynamophoresis;
- laser therapy;
- prostate massage.
It should be noted that, despite the relative pain, massage is the most effective means of combating prostatitis.Thanks to such procedures, stagnant secretions are removed from the prostate gland, which improves blood circulation in the affected tissues and increases the effectiveness of the medications used by the patient.Massage is prescribed to the patient during periods of remission or reduction of acute manifestations of the disease.During an exacerbation of prostatitis, procedures are excluded by the doctor from the list of therapeutic measures, as they can provoke the spread of infection.
Herbal medicine
Treatment with herbal medicines is prescribed to prostate patients as part of complex therapy.The use of health products of herbal origin is possible for a long time, due to their harmless effects on the body and the low prevalence of side effects.Herbal medicine can be carried out through internal and (or) external use, in the form of juices, decoctions or infusions of St. John's wort, ginseng, calamus, myrtle, burdock, nettle and other medicinal plants.In the chronic form of prostatitis, the doctor can prescribe magnetic herbal medicines, phono- or electrophoresis.
Medicines in the treatment of prostatitis
The course of medication used by patients was prescribed by their doctor on an individual basis.The antibiotic program is developed taking into account the following specific criteria:
- the form of the disease;
- the type of pathogen and the antimicrobial activity of the drug;
- drug penetration into prostate tissue;
- there are no contraindications for taking the drug;
- way of drug administration;
- possible side effects
Based on the effectiveness of treatment of chronic and acute prostatitis, there are three main groups of antibacterial agents:
- Fluoroquinolones.Drugs of this group have a wide spectrum of action and have the ability to accumulate in high concentrations in prostate tissue;in this case, pathogenic bacteria do not develop resistance to the active agent.The "disadvantage" of fluoroquinolones is their possible negative effect on the central nervous system and the likelihood of allergic reactions in patients.
- Tetracyclines.These drugs are more effective against atypical pathogens, but are not sufficiently active against E. coli and staphylococcus and are completely ineffective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
- Macrolides.Drugs from the macrolide group easily penetrate and actively accumulate in the gland tissues;however, being low toxic and effective in destroying gram-positive bacteria, they are poorly effective in suppressing gram-negative bacteria.
In the first days of taking prescribed antibacterial drugs, a patient diagnosed with prostatitis should visit his doctor regularly.This measure is necessary for the urologist to monitor the effectiveness of antibiotics.If after three days of treatment, the specialist does not notice any significant improvement in the patient's condition, he replaces the main drug.When prescribing antibiotics, the doctor must take into account the patient's experience in taking similar drugs, in order to avoid re-prescribing a drug of the same group.
In addition to antibacterial and sedative drugs, a patient with prostate may be prescribed hormonal therapy and (or) alpha-blockers:
- Hormonal therapy.The state and functions of the prostate depend directly on the amount of androgens and estrogens in the male body.The use of hormonal drugs in the treatment of prostatitis allows you to shift the balance of "female" and "male" hormones in a certain direction.Since such drugs help to reduce the tissue of the prostate glands, we can talk about the indirect role of antiandrogens in the recovery of a patient with prostate.
- Alpha adrenergic blockers.Taking such drugs refers to the pathogenetic therapy method;its purpose is to relieve the general symptoms of prostate inflammation.The use of alpha-blockers is particularly effective for problems with urination.By relieving the spasms of the sphincter, of the walls of the ureter, of the smooth muscles of the bladder, as well as of the prostate gland itself, stagnation or retrogression of prostatic secretion is prevented and swelling from the inflamed organ is relieved.
Regardless of the goals and specifics of the use of drugs, any drug should be taken exclusively as prescribed by a doctor and under his supervision.Self-medication can lead to complications of the disease or make subsequent therapy ineffective in a clinical setting.
Immunocorrection is the key to successful treatment
The entire complex of treatment procedures for chronic or acute prostatitis must necessarily be accompanied by immunocorrective measures (regular visits to an immunologist, normalization of lifestyle, taking vitamins, immunomodulators, etc.).The high immune status of the body contributes to a quick recovery of the patient or to prolonging the phase of remission in the chronic form of the disease.
A timely visit to a specialist in case of characteristic symptoms of the disease, strict adherence to medical recommendations in case of a diagnosis of prostatitis, prevention of the recurrence of an existing disease and a categorical rejection of self-medication in favor of the professional intervention of a urologist will allow you to avoid long-term treatment and unwanted consequences of a serious disease.