Prostatitis is an inflammatory process whose focus is the prostate.Another popular name for it is prostate.This disease and the pain in the pelvis (groin) associated with it are accompanied by painful sensations in and around the prostate.
Most cases of pain are due to the following reasons:
- infection;
- inflammation;
- some health problems.
Prostatitis can occur in any man, both middle-aged and younger.Do not neglect the prevention of male prostatitis.
The role of the prostate in the body
The prostate is a small, round, uneven gland that is an integral part 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 has a specific task - to help create a liquid environment for sperm.
This seminal fluid protects and energizes the sperm as it travels 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.
- The stream of urine falls slowly or its rangeless than 20 cm.
- Difficulty, drop by drop, urination.
- Pain and burning when urinating.
- Intermittency, bifurcation, jet spraying, 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 a diagnosis yourself, but to undergo all the necessary tests in a hospital.
Prostatitis has a complex pathogenesis and self-medication based on general symptoms is a serious danger to your health.The correct diagnosis can only be made by a urologist after a series of tests.
Forms and symptoms of prostatitis
There are 4 types of diseases:
- 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, despite treatment.The most common pathogen is Escherichia coli (lat.Escherichia coli).
Symptoms characteristic 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 should be taken6 to 8 weeks.After completing the therapyup to 50%patients had relapses.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 disease.The symptoms are similar to the bacterial form of prostatitis, but the cause is unknown.
CP/CPPS can be caused by bacteria, especially chlamydia, mycoplasma (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 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 most effective therapy.Therefore, the treatment of CPPS is long-term and often not very successful.For patients, this often represents a 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
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 accordingly treated with antibiotics.Antibiotics from the fluoroquinolone group are used here.Timely treatment can solve this problem and prevent the disease from becoming chronic.
Acute painful sensations make you seek medical help immediately.
The patient shows the following symptoms:
- Fever.
- The chills.
- Difficulty emptying the bladder.
- Severe burning 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 during testing for other types of problems.
The reasons why the mechanism of this form is triggered are mostly unclear.The nerves and muscles in the groin begin to hurt due to infection, inflammation and some other problems.
Causes of disease
Doctors have identified several possible causes, including:
- Previously detected bacterial infections in the prostate.
- Bacteria that are atypical (resistant to antibiotics).
- Irritation caused by accumulation of urine in the prostate.
- 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 complete absence of sex.
What are the risk factors for developing prostatitis?
The causes of most cases of inflammation are not fully understood.Several things can increase your risk of contracting bacterial prostatitis:
- a catheter (a tube for draining fluid from the body) or other device recently placed in the urethra is 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 the types of diseases caused by microbes.Therefore, sexual relations with a regular partner you trust are 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 is created by inserting a lubricated finger of a hand wearing a sterile glove into the anus opening.
- The doctor will press the prostate and feel whether it is enlarged or in a normal, soft state.
- Lumps or hardness may indicate 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 can be inconvenient and painful.
- But it won't cause any harm and won't cause long-term pain.
Taking tests in the laboratory
If the doctor suspects that you have problems with the prostate and surrounding 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 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 which type you need to make sure other health problems aren't contributing to your symptoms.Many tests are used to find the answer.
Ultrasound
For a more detailed examination of the prostate, the doctor prescribes an ultrasound examination of the rectum.Ultrasounduses sound waves reflected from the organ to examine its condition.In order 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 reason to fear.
Smear taking
The doctor will take a urine test and fluid from the prostate to find out the cause of the problem.During a manual rectal examination, when the prostate was massaged, fluid, identified as prostatic discharge, flowed from the penis.
Urine and expressed discharge are checked for microflora.The test result can show whether the problem is in the urethra, 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 examines your urinary tract, prostate and bladder using a cystoscope.It's a long, thin telescope with a light bulb on the end.First, the doctor will give you anesthesia.Then they will carefully insert a cystoscope into your bladder and analyze the state of your organs.
Can prostatitis cause cancer?
Although prostate inflammation 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.This is called the prostate specific antigen test (PSA for short).In the presence of inflammation, PDA levels may increase.It doesn't mean you have cancer.The doctor will measure the PDA level several times during treatment.
Do not forget that you must constantly monitor your health and adhere to preventive recommendations.Be healthy and don't get sick!