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) 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 occur in any man, both in middle age and in youth.Do not neglect the prevention of male prostatitis.
The role of the prostate gland in the body
The prostate is a small, round, irregular 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 special job - 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 experiencing at least 2 of the following symptoms –consult a urologist immediately.
- Urine flow drops slowly or rangesless than 20 cm.
- Difficulty, drop by drop, urinating.
- Pain and burning when urinating.
- Intermittency, bifurcation, jet spray, process duration.
- Feeling of incomplete bladder emptying.
- Frequent urination at night.
- Pain between the genitals and anus.
We advise you not to diagnose yourself, but to undergo all the necessary tests at 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 disease:
- Chronic bacterial prostatitis.
- Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS).
- Acute (sudden) bacterial prostatitis.
- Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis.
Chronic bacterial prostatitis
These health problems can last for years, even if treatment is taken.The most common pathogen is Escherichia coli (lat.Escherichia coli).
Characteristics of the symptoms of this form:
- Burning sensation when urinating.
- 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, the doctor prescribes medicine and the medicine should be taken6 to 8 weeks.After completing therapyup to 50%the patient relapsed.Therefore, after the disease subsides, 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 prostate inflammation in men develops if the body reacts to an infection or injury received in the past.
Treatment options includealpha blocker 1andanti-inflammatory drugs.In most cases, simple measures such as warming up, bathing or relaxation procedures lead to improvement.
Of course, there is currently no single most effective therapy.Therefore, treatment for CPPS is long 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 highly desirable.
Acute (sudden) bacterial prostatitis.
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 should be treated with antibiotics.Antibiotics from the fluoroquinolone group are used here.Timely treatment can solve this problem and prevent the disease from becoming chronic.
An acute painful sensation forces you to immediately seek medical help.
Patients show the following symptoms:
- Fever.
- shivering.
- Difficulty emptying the bladder.
- Severe burning sensation when going to the toilet.
Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis
The danger of this variety is that it happens in secret, without bothering you with symptoms.This type may be encountered during testing for other types of problems.
The reason why this form mechanism is triggered is largely unclear.The nerves and muscles in the groin begin to hurt due to infection, inflammation and some other problems.
Cause of disease
Doctors have identified several possible causes, including:
- Bacterial infection previously found in the prostate gland.
- Atypical bacteria (resistant to antibiotics).
- Irritation caused by the accumulation of urine in the prostate gland.
- Problems with nerve connections in the lower part of the urinary tract.
- Parasites.
- Problems with the pelvic muscles.
- Viruses and decreased immunity.
- A sedentary lifestyle leads to poor circulation.
- Irregular sexual intercourse or complete absence of sex.
What risk factors exist for the development of prostatitis?
The cause of most cases of inflammation is not fully understood.Several things can increase the risk of getting bacterial prostatitis:
- a catheter (a tube to drain fluid from the body) or other device that has recently been 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 diseases caused by microbes.Therefore, sexual relations with a regular partner that you trust is another factor in men's health.
How is prostatitis diagnosed in men?
Physical examination
A doctor may perform a manual rectal examination (MRE) of the rectum:
- It occurs by inserting a lubricated finger wearing sterile gloves into the anal opening.
- The doctor will press the prostate gland and feel whether it is enlarged or normal and tender.
- A lump or hardness may suggest the presence of prostate cancer.
- The specialist will ask how much pain or discomfort 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.
Take the test 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 can order tests to find out the cause and how to help.
Each type of disease requires a different treatment approach.
Your doctor will be able to determine which 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 take a closer look at the prostate gland, the doctor prescribes a rectal examination using ultrasound.Ultrasoundusing sound waves reflected from the organ to check its condition.To "see" the source of inflammation, an ultrasound probe is placed in the anus.This procedure does not cause the condition to worsen, so there is no need to be afraid.
Take a smear test
The doctor will take urine and fluid tests from the prostate gland to find out the cause of the problem.During a manual rectal examination, when the prostate is massaged, fluid flows from the penis, which is identified as prostatic discharge.
Urine and clear discharge are checked for microflora.Test results can indicate 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, your test results will also change.
Diagnosis using a cystoscope
A urologist looks inside your urinary tract, prostate, and bladder using a cystoscope.It's a long, thin telescope with a light bulb at the end.First, the doctor will give you anesthesia.Then he will carefully insert a 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 are blood tests recommended by doctors to determine the presence of tumors.It's called the 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.
Do not forget that you must always monitor your health and follow the prevention recommendations.Be healthy and don't get sick!