Prostatitis is an inflammatory process in the tissues of the prostate.Today, approximately 30% of men suffer from prostatitis after the age of 30, and this figure increases with age.This disease is much easier to prevent than to treat, therefore it is important to know the causes of prostatitis, symptoms of its acute and chronic forms and ways to prevent complications such as adenoma and prostate cancer.
The main causes of prostatitis
The clinical picture of prostatitis includes a wide range of symptoms associated with the body's systemic response to the inflammatory process.The most common and significant are problems with urination and disorders of sexual life.The degree of manifestation of prostatitis symptoms is multifactorial in nature, that is, it depends on many factors: individual characteristics of the male body, the state of the prostate and the presence of accompanying pathologies, the lifestyle a man leads, smoking, alcohol abuse and the activity of the immune system.
Experts distinguish between two main types of diseases on which further treatment will depend:
- Contagious.Inflammation is associated with the pathogenic action of microorganisms.
- It stagnates.Inflammation is associated with blood stagnation, hypoxia (lack of oxygen) and, on its background, the manifestation of ischemia and alteration (damage) and remodeling of the gland, replacement of functionally active connective tissue.
Often one form of the disease passes into another.The infectious process affects blood vessels and disrupts local circulation, causing stagnation;on the other hand, initial stagnation reduces the ability of the immune system to locally fight the developing infection, as it reduces the rate of blood transport of immunocompetent cells to the lesion.Prostatitis occurs in acute and chronic forms.More often, experts encounter the first - its symptoms are quite characteristic, so the process can be slowed down and completely prevent further development.
If the disease is not treated properly, it can become stationary and then chronic.During the exacerbation of prostatitis, a man experiences a general deterioration of health, pain appears in the lower back, in the groin area, the urination process is disturbed, and the body temperature rises.
Spicy
An acute pathological process, unlike a chronic one, manifests itself suddenly and has clear clinical symptoms that force a person to consult a doctor.The body temperature rises to 39 degrees, the man feels severe pain in the lumbar region.The highest point of incidence occurs between the ages of 30 and 40.
The cause of the pathological process are infectious foci that can be located in distant organs.The causative agent of the disease can enter the prostate either ascending rectally or through the urethra, or descending hematogenously (through the blood) and lymphogenically (through the lymph).
The type of pathogen directly affects the therapy:
| Pathogen | Frequency of occurrence | Gram stain (necessary for selection of antibiotic therapy) |
|---|---|---|
| Escherichia coli | Often | GR- |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) | Often | GR- |
| Klebsiella spp. | Often | GR- |
| Enterococcus faecalis | Often | GR+ |
| Proteus (Proteus mirabilis) | Often | GR- |
| Serratia marcescens | Rarely | GR- |
| chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis) | Often | 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 of the genital area;
- diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract.
Caries is often the cause of inflammatory lesions of the internal organs.
The ascending route of infection with bacteria, fungi and protozoa is when they enter the prostate tissue from the urethra and rectum.More often, the lesion is associated with urological infections, such as:
- urethritis (inflammation of the urethra);
- cystitis (bladder inflammation);
- pyelonephritis (inflammation of the renal pelvis).
Sexually transmitted diseases often become the main cause of inflammation of the prostate, the most common being gonorrhea.The formed pathological focus, located in the immediate vicinity of the prostate, easily spreads into the prostate tissue.For the prevention of such diseases, it is important to practice protected sexual intercourse.
The downward path of the spread of the pathogen consists of its penetration from the primary focus into the prostate lymphogenously and hematogenously.The source of infection can be a pathological process in the throat (laryngitis), 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.Collection of epidemiological anamnesis is an important component of diagnosis.
Immune status plays an important role in the incidence of prostatitis.Not all men exposed to infectious diseases develop prostatitis.If the immune system suppresses the development of the pathogenic microorganism, then the process in the gland tissue is stopped without the appearance of pathology.On the other hand, weakened immunity leads to complications.The prostate is a vulnerable organ located close to potential entry points for infection, so it is the first to be negatively affected by microbes.
Chronic
If acute prostatitis is not treated, a chronic process develops.The symptoms of this form of pathology are less pronounced, 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 phases of remission and exacerbation.In the chronic course, the inflammation of the prostate tissue is slow, so the symptoms may not be fully manifested.They will intensify only at the moment of aggravation.
The chronic pathological process causes deterioration of organ innervation, which leads to organ trophism (nutrition) disorders, which negatively affects its function.An autoimmune reaction is also likely to develop.A person's immune system produces antibodies against prostate cells.In this case, the inflammation will persist even after the complete removal of the pathogenic microorganism.
It stagnates
Non-infectious inflammation of the prostate occurs due to congestion in the pelvis.The disease develops progressively, and the intensity of the symptomatic complex increases over time.This form of prostatitis is the most common today.
The main reason is discirculation phenomena that lead 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 adequate oxygenation.The outflow of secretions is disturbed and there is degeneration of the muscles of the pelvic diaphragm.The most important reason for stagnation is an inactive lifestyle.Suffered traumas also contribute to stagnation.Diabetes mellitus, through macro- and microangiopathy, can reduce blood flow to the pelvic organs.
Causes of congestive inflammation of the prostate:
| Etiological factor | Pathogenesis |
|---|---|
| Low level of physical activity | Experts consider it the most common cause of congestive prostatitis.This is contributed by the increasing impact 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 from the organs.Prevention is exercise, sports, walking |
| Poor nutrition | It has a negative effect on all systems of the body and above all on the regulation of the circulatory system due to local and systemic factors |
| Excessive weight | Obesity is one of the components of the metabolic syndrome, which also includes hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus.One component has a beneficial effect on the likelihood of development of others, all of which leads to vascular insufficiency and stagnation |
| Prison | An increase in the volume of the rectum leads to vein compression and outflow disorders |
| 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, there is compression of certain venous vessels and local congestion.Prevention is a change in sitting position and periodic gymnastics, walks |
| Irregular sex life | It leads to stagnation not only of blood, but also of prostate secretion.As a result of metabolic processes, the secretion can turn into a poison and cause a systemic toxic effect.Excessive sexual activity is also harmful for men, because it leads to exhaustion of the nervous and hormonal system, loss of nutrients, hyperfunction of the gland and depletion of its regenerative properties. |
| Frequent retention of the urge to urinate | The prostate is an additional sphincter in the male body.Its overexertion leads to an increase in the volume of muscle tissue and a decrease in the volume of glandular tissue.Moreover, an enlarged bladder puts pressure on the veins, impeding outflow |
| Smoking and alcohol abuse | Smoking and alcohol lead to disorders of vascular tone |
| Traumatization in the lumbar region | Trauma often damages the prostate itself or important neurovascular bundles.This will disrupt the trophism of the gland and reduce blood flow |
| Excessive nervous tension, stress and depression | They lead to exhaustion of the nervous regulation of vascular tone.Hormonal imbalance develops, which leads to gland regulation disorders (prostate adenoma development) and systemic hemocirculation |
| Characteristics of the development and structure of organs of the genitourinary system | It can make the gland more likely to become infected or remodeled |
All these reasons have a destructive effect on the circulatory system, local and general.
If a man feels that he has problems urinating, starts going to the toilet more often, has pain in the lower back and groin when urinating, then he should consult a urologist.
The effect of age
Experts believe that prostatitis is a disease that manifests itself more often in old age, but recently the percentage of young people with this pathology has been increasing.According to unofficial statistics, based on a comparison of data on diagnostic cases and research, about 16% of men aged 20 to 40 are officially diagnosed with chronic prostatitis.
Taking as a basis the indicators of men aged 20 to 39 years, experts obtain a statistical incidence of prostatitis in the age interval of 40 to 49 years 1.7 times higher, and in those older than 55 years – 3.1 times higher.However, the statistics only take into account identified patients.However, official statistics have a noticeable error, and the 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 point is the diagnosis, which includes:
- A collection of life histories and epidemiological histories.
- Ultrasound.
- Digital rectal examination.
- Bacteriology of prostate secretion.
- PSA level - analysis (necessary to rule out prostate adenoma and prostate cancer).
- Urine tests.
- General and biochemical blood test.
Treatment of prostatitis is effective with a combination of the following methods:
- Pharmacological treatment.Medicines are chosen, as a rule, comprehensively.
- Medical massage.
- Physiotherapy.Medical electrophoresis, darsonvalization, UHF therapy, etc.
- Gymnastics and an active lifestyle.
- Folk remedies.The use of various herbal preparations sold in pharmacies.
You should not self-prescribe pills or engage in traditional medicine without consulting a specialist.Many drugs and herbs for the treatment of prostatitis are systemic in nature and are contraindicated in some patients.
Do not forget about prevention, which includes removing harmful factors and leading an active lifestyle.