Prostatitis is an inflammatory process, the focus of which is the prostate gland.Another popular name for it is the prostate.This disease and the pain in the pelvis (hip area) associated with it are accompanied by painful sensations in and around the prostate.
Most cases of pain occur for the following reasons:
- infection;
- inflammation;
- some health problems.
Prostatitis can appear in any man, both in middle age and in 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 below 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 the development of prostatitis
There are few signs of this disease.But if you find yourself with at least 2 of the following symptoms –consult a urologist immediately.
- Urine flow slowly drops down or its rangeless than 20 cm.
- Difficulty, drop by drop, urination.
- Pain and burning during urination.
- Intermittency, bifurcation, jet spray, process duration.
- Feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder.
- Frequent urination at night.
- Pain between the genitals and the anus.
We advise you not to make the diagnosis 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 risk to your health.Only a urologist can make an accurate 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, regardless of the treatment received.The most common pathogen is Escherichia coli (lat.Escherichia coli).
Characteristic symptoms 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 medication and the medication must be taken6 to 8 weeks.After the end of the therapyup to 50%patients had relapses.Therefore, after the disease is gone, we must not forget about prevention.
Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS)
CP/CPPS is the most common type of the disease.The symptoms are similar to the bacterial form of prostatitis, but the pathogen is unknown.
CP/CPPS can be caused by bacteria, especially chlamydia, mycoplasma (they are sexually transmitted) 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 more effective therapy.Therefore, treatment for CPPS is long and often not very successful.For patients, this often represents severe psychological stress, which in turn can negatively affect the course of the disease.Therefore, psychological support or psychotherapy is highly 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 treated accordingly with antibiotics.Here, antibiotics from the fluoroquinolone group are used.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 shows the following symptoms:
- Fever.
- Chills.
- Difficulty emptying the bladder.
- Strong burning sensation when going to the toilet.
Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis
The danger of this variety is that it appears hidden, without bothering you with symptoms.This type can be detected when testing for other types of problems.
The reasons why the mechanism of this form is activated are mostly unclear.The nerves and muscles in the groin begin to hurt due to infection, inflammation and some other problems.
Causes of the disease
Doctors have identified several possible causes, including:
- Bacterial infections previously detected in the prostate gland.
- Bacteria that are atypical (resistant to antibiotics).
- Irritation caused by the accumulation of urine in the prostate gland.
- Problems with nerve connections in the lower urinary tract.
- Parasites.
- Pelvic muscle problems.
- Viruses and reduced immunity.
- A sedentary lifestyle leads to poor circulation.
- Irregular sexual relations or a complete lack of sex.
What risk factors exist for the development of prostatitis?
The causes of most cases of inflammation are not fully understood.Some things can increase your risk of getting bacterial prostatitis:
- a catheter (tube to drain fluid from the body) or other device recently placed in 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 alone can reduce the risk of contracting those types of diseases that are caused by germs.Therefore, having sex with a regular partner 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 with a sterile glove into the anus opening.
- The doctor will press on the prostate gland and feel whether it is enlarged or in a normal and soft state.
- Lumps or stiffness may 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 won't cause any harm and won't cause long-term pain.
Taking analyzes in the laboratory
If the doctor suspects that you have problems with the prostate and nearby tissues, he will refer you to a urologist.
urologyis 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 what type you have to make sure other health problems aren't contributing to your symptoms.Many tests are used to find the answer.
ULTRASOUND
To see the prostate gland more closely, the doctor prescribes a rectal examination 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.
Getting a smear test
The doctor will take an analysis of urine 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 prostatic effusion.
Urine and marked discharge are checked for microflora.The test result can show whether the problem is in the urinary tract, 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, the results of your tests will also change.
Diagnosis using a cystoscope
The urologist looks inside the urinary tract, prostate, and bladder using a cystoscope.It's a long, thin telescope with a 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 (PSA) test.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 the treatment.
Remember that you must constantly monitor your health and adhere to preventive recommendations.Be healthy and don't get sick!