Prostatitis is an inflammatory process in the tissue of the prostate gland.Today, about 30% of men develop prostatitis after the age of 30, and this figure increases with age.This disease is easier to prevent than to treat, so it is important to know the causes of prostatitis, symptoms of acute and chronic forms and ways to prevent complications such as adenoma and prostate cancer.
The main cause of prostatitis
The clinical picture of prostatitis implies various symptoms related to the body's systemic response to the inflammatory process.The most common and noticeable are urinary problems and sexual life disorders.The degree of manifestation of prostatitis symptoms is multifactorial, that is, it depends on many factors: the individual characteristics of the male body, the state of the prostate and the presence of concomitant pathologies, the man's lifestyle, smoking, alcohol abuse, and the activity of the immune system.
Experts distinguish two main types of diseases, on which further treatment will depend:
- Contagious.Inflammation is associated with the pathogenic action of microorganisms.
- Stagnant.Inflammation is associated with blood stagnation, hypoxia (lack of oxygen) and manifestations against the background of ischemia and changes (damage) and remodeling of glands, replacement of actively functioning connective tissue.
Often one form of disease moves to another.The infectious process affects blood vessels and disrupts local circulation, causing stagnation;on the other hand, early stagnation reduces the ability of the immune system to fight the locally developing infection, because it reduces the rate of blood transport of immunocompetent cells to the lesion.Prostatitis occurs in acute and chronic forms.Most often, specialists encounter the first - the symptoms are quite characteristic, so the process can be slowed down and further development can be completely prevented.
If the disease is not treated properly, it can become stationary and then become chronic.At the time of exacerbation of prostatitis, a man experiences a general deterioration in his health, pain appears in the lower back, in the groin area, the urination process is disturbed, and the body temperature rises.
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Acute pathological processes, unlike chronic ones, appear suddenly and have obvious clinical symptoms that force a man to see a doctor.The body temperature rose to 39 degrees, the man felt severe pain in the lumbar region.The highest incidence occurs between the ages of 30 and 40.
The cause of the pathological process is an infectious focus that may be located in a distant organ.The causative agent of this disease can enter the prostate gland either ascending rectally or through the urethra, or descending hematogenously (via blood) and lymphogenously (via lymph).
The type of pathogen directly affects the therapy performed:
| Pathogens | Frequency of occurrence | Gram stain (necessary to select antibiotic therapy) |
|---|---|---|
| Escherichia coli | Most of the time | GR- |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) | Most of the time | GR- |
| Klebsiella spp. | Most of the time | GR- |
| Enterococcus faecalis | Most of the time | GR+ |
| Proteus (Proteus mirabilis) | Most of the time | GR- |
| Serratia marcescens | Rarely | GR- |
| Chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis) | Most of the time | GR- |
| Staphylococci (Staphylococci spp) | Rarely | GR+ |
| Enterobacteriaceae | Rarely | GR- |
| Ureaplasma (Ureaplasma urealyticum) | Rarely | GR- |
| Gonococci (Neisseria gonorrhoeae) | Rarely | GR- |
| Mycoplasma (Mycoplasma hominis) | Rarely | Mollicutes |
| Candida (Candida spp.) | Rarely | mushrooms |
| Trichomonas | Rarely | Protozoa |
Prostatitis can be caused by:
- intestinal and urological infections;
- infectious diseases in the genital area;
- upper and lower respiratory tract diseases.
Often the cause of inflammatory lesions of internal organs is caries.
The ascending route of infection by bacteria, fungi and protozoa is when they enter the prostate tissue from the urethra and rectum.More often, lesions are associated with urological infections, such as:
- urethritis (inflammation of the urethra);
- cystitis (bladder inflammation);
- pyelonephritis (inflammation of the renal pelvis).
Sexually transmitted diseases are often the main cause of inflammation in the prostate gland, gonorrhea being the most common.The pathological focus that is formed, located close to the prostate, easily spreads into the prostate tissue.To avoid such diseases, it is important to practice protected sexual relations.
The downward path of the spread of the pathogen consists of its penetration from the main focus into the prostate lymphogenously and hematogenously.The source of infection can be a pathological process in the throat (sore throat), in the upper and lower respiratory tract (bronchitis, flu) or in the oral cavity (caries).
Disseminated or hematogenous tuberculosis.The first symptoms appear 2-3 weeks after the underlying disease.Gathering an epidemiological history is an important component of diagnosis.
Immune status plays an important role in the occurrence of prostatitis.Not all men who are exposed to infectious diseases develop prostatitis.If the immune system suppresses the development of pathogenic microorganisms, then the process in the gland tissue stops without the occurrence of pathology.On the other hand, weak immunity leads to complications.The prostate gland is a vulnerable organ located close to the potential entrance for infection, so it is the first to be negatively affected by microbes.
Chronicle
A chronic process develops if acute prostatitis is not treated.The symptoms of this pathological form are less obvious, the general condition is satisfactory, the temperature is normal.That is why men do not consider such a pathological process dangerous and postpone going to the doctor.
Like any chronic disease, prostatitis occurs in stages of remission and exacerbation.In a chronic course, the inflammation of the prostate tissue is sluggish, and therefore the symptoms may not be fully manifested.They will intensify only at the moment of exacerbation.
Chronic pathological processes cause a deterioration in organ preservation, which leads to organ trophism (nutrition) disorders, which negatively affects its function.Autoimmune reactions may also develop.A person's own immune system produces antibodies against prostate cells.In this case, inflammation will be maintained even after the complete removal of pathogenic microorganisms.
Stagnant
Non-infectious inflammation of the prostate occurs due to congestion in the pelvis.The disease develops progressively, and over time the intensity of the symptom complex increases.This form of prostatitis is the most common today.
The main reason is the discirculatory phenomenon, which leads to the fact that blood does not flow from the pelvic area, so all the organs located in this area do not receive sufficient nutrition and sufficient oxygenation.The outflow of secretions is disturbed, and degeneration of the pelvic diaphragm muscle occurs.The most important reason for stagnation is a sedentary lifestyle.Trauma experienced also contributes to stagnation.Diabetes mellitus, through macro and microangiopathy, can reduce blood flow to the pelvic organs.
Causes of congestive inflammation of the prostate:
| Etiological factors | Pathogenesis |
|---|---|
| Low level of physical activity | Experts consider it the most common cause of congestive prostatitis.This is facilitated by the increasing influence of technological progress on human life: escalators, elevators, cars.Low physical activity leads to the failure of the muscle pump mechanism, which helps blood flow out of the organs.Prevention is exercise, sports, walking |
| Poor nutrition | Has a negative effect on all body systems and, above all, the regulation of the vascular system due to local and systemic factors. |
| Excess body weight | Obesity is one of the components of the metabolic syndrome, which also includes hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus.One component has a favorable effect on the possibility of developing the other, which all lead to a lack of vascularity and stagnation |
| constipation | An increase in rectal volume leads to vein compression and outflow obstruction |
| Sedentary lifestyle (common among drivers and office workers) | Sitting on a chair, a person does not change his position for a long time.As a result, compression of individual venous vessels and local congestion occurs.Prevention is a change in sitting position and periodic gymnastics, walking |
| Irregular sex life | Leads to stagnation of not only blood, but also prostate secretions.As a result of metabolic processes, secretions can turn into poisons and produce systemic toxic effects.Excessive sexual activity is also dangerous for a man, because it leads to a deficiency of the nervous system and hormones, loss of nutrients, hyperfunction of glands and lack of regenerative properties. |
| Frequent urge to urinate | The prostate is an additional sphincter in the male body.Overstrain leads to an increase in the amount of muscle tissue and a decrease in the amount of glandular tissue.Moreover, the enlarged bladder puts pressure on the veins, affecting the outflow |
| Smoking and alcohol abuse | Smoking and alcohol lead to dysregulation of vascular tone |
| Trauma in the lumbar region | Trauma often damages the prostate gland itself or important neurovascular bundles.This will interfere with glandular trophism and reduce blood flow |
| Excessive nervous tension, stress and depression | Leads to a lack of nerve regulation of vascular tone.Hormonal imbalance develops, which leads to disruption of gland regulation (prostate adenoma development) and systemic blood circulation |
| Characteristics of the development and structure of the organs of the genitourinary system | Can make the gland more prone to infection or remodeling |
All these reasons have a damaging effect on the circulatory system, both local and general.
If a man feels that he has problems with urination, he starts going to the toilet more often, he is bothered by pain in the lower back and groin when urinating, then he should consult a urologist.
Age effect
Experts consider prostatitis as a disease that more often manifests itself in old age, but recently the percentage of young people with this pathology has increased.According to unofficial statistics, based on a comparison of diagnostic and research case data, about 16% of men between the ages of 20 and 40 are officially diagnosed with chronic prostatitis.
Taking as a basis the indicator of men from 20 to 39 years old, experts obtained the statistical incidence of prostatitis in the age interval from 40 to 49 years is 1.7 times higher, and in those over 55 years old - 3.1 times higher.However, the statistics only take into account identified patients.However, official statistics have significant errors, and methods for diagnosing prostatitis are not sufficiently developed.
Diagnosis and treatment
The treatment method directly depends on the cause of the disease, so the most important thing is the diagnosis, which includes:
- Collection of life history and epidemiological history.
- Ultrasound.
- Digital rectal examination.
- Bacteriology of prostate secretions.
- PSA level - analysis (necessary to exclude prostate adenoma and prostate cancer).
- Urine test.
- General blood and biochemical tests.
Treatment of prostatitis is effective using a combination of the following methods:
- Pharmacological treatment.Drugs are chosen, as a rule, comprehensively.
- Medical massage.
- Physiotherapy.Medical electrophoresis, Darsonvalization, UHF therapy, etc.
- Gymnastics and active lifestyle.
- People's recovery.The use of various herbal preparations sold in pharmacies.
You can not prescribe pills yourself or practice traditional medicine without consulting a specialist.Many drugs and herbs for the treatment of prostatitis are systemic and contraindicated in some patients.
Do not forget about prevention, which involves eliminating harmful factors and leading an active lifestyle.