Prostatitis is a common urological disease that can occur in any man over the age of 30, and every year the possibility of its development only increases. This disease causes serious problems for men: acute prostatitis leads to depression, decreased libido and, in general, disorders of the genitourinary system; Chronic conditions cause diseases of the urological sphere, infertility, impotence.
general information
Prostatitis is an inflammatory lesion of the prostate gland, an organ that only men have. Iron does three
most important functions:
- secretory - produces special enzymes that control sperm viscosity and ensure the viability of male germ cells for successful egg fertilization;
- motor - controls the muscle tissue of the urethral sphincter, because the proper outflow of urine occurs, and prostate secretions are released during ejaculation;
- barrier - prevents the penetration of infectious agents into the upper urinary tract from the urethra, provides an antibacterial barrier, as part of the male immune system.
With prostatitis, the prostate gland enlarges and begins to squeeze the urethra, which interferes with the normal outflow of urine. The organ itself, due to inflammation, cannot fully perform its functions.
The reasons
The source of men's health problems - prostatitis - can develop for the following reasons:
- The presence of congestion in the pelvic area. Often, such blood stagnation occurs due to an inactive lifestyle, immobility and excess weight.
- Infectious infection of the prostate. It can descend (via urine) or ascend (via the urethra), entering the prostate along with blood or lymph.
The development of prostatitis usually occurs against the background of the presence of certain risk factors:
- lack of physical activity;
- maintain a sedentary lifestyle;
- irregular sex life;
- hypothermia, especially covering the small pelvis;
- the presence of injuries in the pelvic area;
- weak immunity;
- malnutrition with a lot of sweet, fatty and fried foods;
- the presence of bad habits;
- infection with sexually transmitted infections.
Type
According to ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases), 4 types of prostatitis are distinguished:
- Acute prostatitis.
- Chronic bacterial prostatitis.
- Chronic prostatitis is non-bacterial, inflammatory, and non-inflammatory.
- Chronic, asymptomatic prostatitis.
In the acute form of the disease, symptoms appear strongly and clearly, the inflammatory process develops rapidly. A common cause is infection of the prostate gland with infectious agents penetrating from the urethra or blood.
Chronic bacterial form - acute prostatitis, which does not heal in time. The development of pathological conditions is facilitated by the same factors that affect acute inflammation - infections of the genitourinary system and blood stagnation in the pelvic organs.
Chronic non-bacterial prostatitis (also called chronic pelvic pain syndrome) is most often found in older men. It can develop against the background of prostate dysfunction, and as a result of the body's autoimmune response.
Chronic asymptomatic prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland, in which the patient does not show any unpleasant sensations.
Clinic
The clinical picture of acute prostatitis has very clear manifestations that cannot be ignored and is very difficult to live with:
- an increase in body temperature above 38 ° C;
- coldness with sweat and weakness;
- severe pain in the lower abdomen, perineum, genitals;
- urinary disorders - difficulty, pain, acute urinary retention.
With the problem of chronic prostatitis, similar, but less obvious symptoms occur, which are often ignored:
- dull aching pain in the perineum and lower abdomen, radiating to the sacrum and genitals;
- difficult to urinate, painful and quick with an urgent urge (sharp and irresistible), most often at night;
- erectile dysfunction;
- decrease in the quality and duration of sexual intercourse;
- decreased intensity of orgasms.
The asymptomatic course of prostatitis continues without complaints from the patient. The problem was discovered incidentally during a prostate and/or urine test.
Diagnostic method
If prostatitis is suspected, the doctor conducts a diagnosis, the first step is to clarify the complaint and review the medical history. Information is collected about all symptoms and their development. The following activities followed:
- Palpation of the prostate through the rectum to identify the size of the organ, its density and pain. For further bacteriological analysis in the research process, glandular secretions are also collected. The purpose of the study is to exclude several diagnoses: adenoma or prostate cancer, rectal cancer.
- Ultrasound and TRUS to supplement and clarify the data obtained during palpation.
- Bacteriological analysis of prostate secretions to detect infection and determine the type of pathogen. Data are needed to select and prescribe antibiotics.
- A blood test to determine the level of PSA (prostate-specific antigen) - allows you to exclude adenomas and glandular cancer.
- Biopsy - examination of a sample of prostate tissue under a microscope to confirm or deny adenomas and cancer.
Treatment
Modern urology considers three types of treatment for acute prostatitis and exacerbation of the chronic form of the disease:
- medicine;
- surgery;
- physiotherapy.
Drug exposure involves taking antibiotics from the penicillin, fluoroquinolone, macrolide, tetracycline, cephalosporin or aminoglycoside groups. Specific drugs are prescribed by the doctor, depending on which infectious agent caused the inflammation. In addition, patients are prescribed:
- anti-inflammatory drugs to eliminate fever;
- painkillers;
- antispasmodic to normalize the outflow of urine;
- alpha blockers to relieve symptoms and restore healthy urination.
If there is no effect of the drugs or in the case of the extension of acute prostatitis, the doctor may prescribe a surgical intervention, in which either the entire prostate gland or part of it is removed. This operation is necessary for patients with concomitant problems: stones in the prostate or benign and malignant neoplasms.
Physiotherapy is an addition to drug treatment, it can only be done after the acute inflammatory process has been eliminated. Patients are shown:
- massage;
- exercise therapy (physiotherapy);
- magnetotherapy;
- ultrasound treatment;
- electrical stimulation;
- microwave and laser exposure;
- reflexology.
The appointment of certain types of procedures is carried out by the attending physician.
In chronic prostatitis during remission, the patient is required:
- undergo regular examinations and, if necessary, a course of antibiotic therapy;
- eat properly, avoiding both fatigue and the appearance of excess weight;
- protect the body from hypothermia;
- engage in exercise therapy, and exercise should strengthen the muscles of the lower abdomen and pelvic floor;
- have a regular sex life;
- get rid of bad habits.
Also a useful procedure is prostate massage, because blood circulation and the outflow of secretions in the organ improves, and this helps to prevent the recurrence of the acute stage of the disease.
Complications
Complications of prostatitis are manifested in the prostate gland itself and in the organs around it, which are caused by the anatomical location. In the acute form, the infectious agent can reach the bladder and kidneys, inflammation - go to the fatty tissue of the glands, venous plexus and rectum.
Chronic disease is dangerous because it not only involves tissues and organs around the prostate, but also affects the nervous, urological and reproductive areas.
Possible complications of acute prostatitis:
- abscess;
- phlebitis of the venous plexus in the small pelvis;
- inflammation of adipose tissue;
- orchitis;
- epididymitis;
- vesiculitis;
- pyelonephritis.
Chronic prostatitis causes the following complications:
- chronic pain syndrome;
- sexual dysfunction;
- infertility;
- violation of the urinary process;
- general deterioration in quality of life.
impotence and infertility
The two most common problems associated with prostatitis are impotence and infertility. The development of each condition occurs against the background of chronic damage to the prostate gland.
Impotence (erectile dysfunction) is shown in 40% of cases of neglected and untreated prostatitis. The development of complications occurs for a long time, sometimes for years. His reason:
- violation of the prostate with the wrong path of nerve impulses and failure of hormone production;
- loss of control over the pelvic muscles responsible for erection;
- psychological uncertainty;
- pain syndrome, which causes fear of possible failure in bed.
It is impossible to talk about the unconditional connection of prostatitis with infertility. The disease has an indirect effect on the reproductive capacity of a man and only with an advanced chronic course. Causes of fertility problems against the background of prostate damage:
- decreased quality of seminal fluid;
- decrease in the number and decrease in sperm motility;
- the presence of germ cell damage and defects;
- scars on the vas deferens;
- secretory function failure;
- testicular dysfunction.
In acute prostatitis, spermatozoa are injured, their quality and mobility deteriorate, defects are formed, and a small number of male germ cells are produced.
Prevention
It is possible to prevent prostatitis, but it is necessary to always follow some preventive recommendations:
- lead a healthy lifestyle with proper nutrition, reasonable physical and sexual activity, and the absence of bad habits;
- engage in physiotherapy exercises aimed at eliminating congestion in the pelvic organs and strengthening the pelvic muscles;
- timely undergo an examination by a urologist and andrologist;
- be careful with hypothermia.
Prostatitis is a serious disease of the urological sphere that can cause significant harm to the male body. It is very important to pay attention to the first signs of its appearance and visit a specialist who will prescribe full treatment. Without this, acute conditions can become chronic and cause greater health problems.