Prostatitis - inflammation of the prostate gland - can manifest itself in acute and chronic forms.
It is difficult to ignore acute inflammation: its signs are clearly expressed, which cannot be said about the chronic manifestation of the disease.Thatasymptomatic, but it does its job "excellently", damaging the tissues of the organ, reducing its functions.
About chronic prostatitis: types and characteristics
Prostate inflammation is considered chronic,if his indolent symptoms persist for more than 3 months.
According to statistics, only 5% of cases are acute, and the remaining 95% are chronic prostatitis.It affects men of reproductive age, and even young men of 18-20 years are susceptible to this disease.
There can be two reasons for the development of chronic prostatitis: infection and stagnation of blood in the pelvis.
Infectionenters the prostate in several ways:
- with blood flow from infectious foci in the body - carious teeth, pneumonia, inflamed maxillary sinuses, pustular formations,
- with the flow of lymph from nearby organs, for example, from the intestines with hemorrhoids, dysbacteriosis,
- sexually
- descending or ascending from the infected urinary tract - bladder or urethra.
Prostate inflammation caused by a sexually transmitted pathogen, such as gonococcus, chlamydia and treponema pallidum, requires special attention.The symptoms of such prostatitis and genital infections are similar to each other and can be "hidden" behind the signs of these diseases.This type of prostatitis is easy to cause.
Reduced immunity and hormonal imbalancein particular, they encourage the development and spread of infection.
Non-infectious or congestive prostatitisit appears as a result of a violation of the outflow of blood and lymph from the pelvis, as well as stagnation of prostate juice in the ducts of the gland.
To provoke such occurrencesthe following factors:
- disturbances in sexual life - prolonged abstinence, interrupted acts, unfulfilled desire,
- smoking - nicotine constricts blood vessels and interferes with normal blood circulation,
- sedentary lifestyle,
- tight clothes,
- alcohol abuse.Alcoholic drinks irritate the walls of the ducts of the gland, causing their inflammation,
- prison
Congestive prostatitis occurs 8 times more often than infectious prostatitis and very rarely develops as a complication of acute prostatitis.
Abacterial prostatitis
This type of disease is also calledchronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS).The main symptom is pain in the pelvic region, but the absence of pathogenic microorganisms in the microbiological examination of urine and prostate secretions.
Painful sensations take on different severity and localization.They spread to the perineum or bladder, genitals.The ejaculation process is also painful.Problems with urinary excretion and in the sexual sphere are also present, but they are secondary.
The diagnosis is made if the pain lasts for 3 months or more.
There are 2 types of CPPS:
- Inflammatory CPPS- an increased number of leukocytes is detected in the urine and secretions of the prostate, which indicates inflammation.Microorganisms were not detected.There are several reasons for the appearance of this type of inflammation.On the one hand, this is possible with reflux (reflux) of pure urine from the urethra into the gland.Anatomical defects or disturbed muscle contractions of the bladder, prostate and perineum contribute to this.Urine, or urates in it, cause inflammation of the prostate.On the other hand, it is believed that the culprit of this process is still bacteria that cannot be determined by the classical method.Molecular diagnostics should be used for their identification.The third reason is autoimmune processes in the body.
- Non-inflammatory CPPS- analyzes do not contain leukocytosis and microorganisms.Instrumental diagnostics are used to establish the diagnosis.It allows you to identify innervation problems or muscle changes in the prostate and other organs:
- cervical part of the bladder - stenosis or proliferation,
- pelvic area - myalgia, muscle tension, disorder of the passage of nerve impulses,
- urethra - narrowing, increased pressure,
- prostate – urine reflux, increased pressure.
OftenNervous disturbances have been observed in patients with CPPS: anxiety, irritability, depressive tendencies.
Bacterial prostatitis
Chronic inflammation of the prostate of bacterial etiologyit begins to manifest itself with slight discomfort when urinating.These include minor pain, itching or burning, and a decrease in stream flow.The color of the urine changes and it acquires an unpleasant smell.Unpleasant sensations can also disturb you during bowel movements.A weak, dull pain occurs in the perineum.
ariseproblems in sexual life.At the beginning of the disease, they are situational: weakening of erection or increased frequency of its occurrence at night, acceleration of ejaculation, disorders of orgasmic sensations.
A characteristic symptom for this stage- the appearance of discharge from the urethra during defecation.
Such sluggish symptoms can last quite a long time.A person may not pay attention to them, attributing everything to other reasons.If there is no treatment, they progress and the chronic process worsens, the intensity of sensations increases.
Urination becomes sharply painful, the desire to go to the toilet becomes more and more frequent.At a certain point, these manifestations weaken due to the compensatory growth of the bladder muscles, and then they continue again, with greater force.
The pain in the perineum also increases.It radiates to the lower back, pubis, legs, scrotum.The nature of the pain also changes: it becomes stronger and sharper, and torments you at night.
Sexual dysfunction increases and becomes permanent.Ejaculation is accompanied by pain, erection and decreased libido.
Patients are also accompanied by increased sweating, including in the perineum.The body temperature is slightly elevated - 37-37.5°.
Against the background of sexual disorders in menmental disorders develop.They become irritable, nervous and may become depressed.
Treatment of the disease in this phase reduces the intensity of the symptoms, and the exacerbation phase turns into remission.
Other types of chronic prostatitis
There is a conceptcalculous prostatitis.This disease is extremely rare and affects older men.It is characterized by the formation of calculus consisting of prostate juice, inflammatory effusion, as well as phosphate and calcium.
Signs of this type of disease are pain, which has a localization typical of prostatitis.They increase with movement, after sexual intercourse.Blood appears in the ejaculate.There are other signs of inflammation of the gland.
Stones are the result of long-term prostatitis or adenoma.
Congestive prostatitisThere are bacterial and non-bacterial.Its specialty is mild symptoms:
- low temperature,
- discomfort in the groin,
- urination problems,
- irritability,
- sexual disorders.
There are those tootypes of chronic prostatitis:
- autoimmune- develops in immunological diseases, for example, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus,
- hormonal-dystrophic- occurs due to hormonal imbalance, in hormonal diseases (diabetes mellitus), as a result of physiological aging of the body,
- vegetovascular– formed on the background of vegetovascular dystonia.It causes problems with blood circulation.
How the disease is detected: diagnosis
Chronic prostatitis is diagnosedsame methods as acute.
First of allthe doctor interviews and examines the patient.The examination is carried out with a digital rectal examination of the prostate.It can be enlarged, painful, asymmetrical and hardened.In rare cases (non-inflammatory CPPS) it does not change.
The next doctorwill order tests.Laboratory methods include a general blood and urine test and an analysis of prostate secretions.They will show an increased white blood cell count.Bacteriological examination of urine and prostate juice reveals the pathogen.Sometimes these indicators can be normal, but the process is still present.
To confirm the fact of the disease, the blood is tested for PSA.Instrumental methods will also help: ultrasound, TRUS, uroflowmetry.
Very often it turns out that a man does not suspect that he has such a disease, ignoring the symptoms.It is discovered accidentally, during systematic examinations.Therefore, it is recommended not to disturb the system and not to neglect scheduled examinations.
Pharmacological treatment
First of all, for the treatment of chronic prostatitisantibiotics are prescribed.The course is long - 1-1.5 months.Before prescribing antibacterial agents, the type of pathogen and its sensitivity to drugs are determined.
Mandatoryuse immunocorrective drugs, because reduced immunity is a common cause of inflammation.The help of an immunologist is possible.
Therapy of chronic inflammation of the prostateIt cannot be done without anti-inflammatory drugs.To begin with, non-steroidal drugs are prescribed.They are used in the form of tablets or injections.If they do not achieve the desired result, hormones are used.
Alpha blockersit will help release muscle tension from the bladder and perineum.They act symptomatically, reducing pain and improving urination.
If unbearable pain occurs,painkillers are relevant.
It is worth a special mentionon the use of a dosage form such as suppositories.They are perfect for the treatment of chronic prostatic processes.Most often, his symptoms are mild, and the mild effect of suppositories is quite enough to relieve them.
They are inserted into the rectum.Its proximity to the prostate enables quick and efficient results.In addition, the harmful effects of tablets on the gastrointestinal tract and difficulties with injections are eliminated.Suppositories have an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect on the organ.
Physiotherapy and other methods
In addition to drugs, other methods of treating chronic prostatitis are also used:
- rectal massage of the prostate– is carried out through the rectum.The procedure eliminates the stagnation of prostate juice and also enhances the effect of drugs.Contraindicated in case of exacerbation of the disease and in the presence of stones in the prostate,
- physiotherapy improves blood circulation in the affected organ and improves its nutrition.Methods usedUHF, electrophoresis, darsonvalizationand others.They are indicated only in the phase of remission,
- Prostatitis affects not only the organs, but also the psyche of a man.He might need itthe help of a psychologist or psychotherapist,
- acupunctureis a common method of treating chronic prostatitis.The procedure affects the organ indirectly, through acupuncture points,
- exercises, such as squats, walking, jumping will increase blood circulation in the pelvis and eliminate congestion,
- actively usebalneotherapy– mineral water treatment.
Medicines are an integral part of the treatment of chronic prostatitis.But they can cause a number of complications.And since the treatment of this type of disease is long-term, people have found ways to partially replace such drugs.He came to the rescuetraditional medicine.
The leader among folk remedies for the treatment of prostatitis arepumpkin seeds.They contain a lot of zinc, which is essential for men's health.The seeds can be consumed separately: 30 grams will cover the daily need for an essential microelement.You can also grind them in a meat grinder and mix them with honey, making balls from the resulting mixture.It is necessary to store them in the refrigerator and consume 1 piece each before eating.
It is very useful to drink in prostate inflammationfreshly squeezed juices from beets, carrots, cucumbers and asparagus.The daily amount should be at least 0.5 liters.
BlueberriesPerfect for restoring the prostate.It contains a lot of useful substances, microelements and vitamins.
In rare cases, in the treatment of prostatitisthey have to resort to surgery.Indications for this are the lack of improvement from conservative treatment, as well as acute processes: abscess and other purulent inflammations of the prostate, acute urinary retention, proliferation of glandular tissue, as well as benign and malignant formations.
Surgical treatment is carried out with the help of several methods: This can be partial resection of organs, opening of ulcers, excision of the foreskin or removal of the entire gland.
How to prevent the development of chronic prostatitis
Prevention of this diseaseit can be primary or secondary.
Primary preventionis the prevention of the onset of disease, and it boils down to the following measures:
- maintaining immunity,
- regularity of sexual activity,
- physical exercises and moderate loads.This is especially important for those who lead a sedentary lifestyle,
- avoid hypothermia,
- stopping infectious foci in the body,
- timely treatment of urogenital infections,
- be sure to have routine medical examinations,
- do not abuse alcohol and smoking.
Secondary preventionincludes measures to prevent disease recurrence.In the first year after suffering from prostatitis, a man is obliged to visit a urologist once every 3 months.Then – once in 6 months.If the disease does not worsen, the patient is removed from dispensary supervision.
Excellent for the prevention of prostatitissanatorium-resort is suitable.Modern sanatoriums offer complexes of physiotherapy and balneotherapy procedures, as well as other natural resources.
Importantmonitor your diet as well.Include more vegetables and fruits and various grains in your menu.You should also enrich your diet with fermented milk products.Eating seafood will compensate for zinc deficiency.
You should avoid salty, spicy and smoked food, and do not overdo it with spices.Legumes, fatty foods and flour products should be excluded.
Chronic prostatitis is a slow but long-lasting process.He's sneaky with complications:
- cystitis, pyelonephritis - urolithiasis,
- vesiculitis - inflammatory process in the seminal vesicles,
- Epididymo-orchitis is an inflammatory process of the testicles,
- hypotrophy of the gland,
- infertility and impotence.
Treatment of diseases -quite a long process.But it is worth following this path to the end in order to preserve your health and preserve the chance of a healthy offspring.