The prostate can easily be considered one of the most important organs in the male reproductive system.The prostate is a small gland, about the size of a normal walnut, located around the urethra.The main function of this organ is to produce fluid - prostate juice, which actively participates in the formation of sperm and provides sperm motility.
Prostate inflammation
According to the WHO, almost a third of the male population is diagnosed with prostate problems with subsequent complications.Prostatitis is a disease of the endocrine organ, characterized in medicine as an inflammation of the prostate resulting from tissue damage by viruses or bacteria.Also, nonspecific infectious pathology can develop against the background of inflammation of the seminal vesicles, prostate appendages or urinary disorders.
Signs of prostatitis
Conventionally, prostate diseases are usually divided into several categories: bacterial, chronic and non-bacterial.In the first two cases, prostate disorders begin due to the entry of bacteria into the body.The acute bacterial form of prostatitis is accompanied by an increase in body temperature, severe pain in the groin of the abdomen and perineum, and cramps in the lower abdomen.A sick man begins to go to the bathroom more often, and sometimes drops of blood come out along with the urine.
Prostatitis of non-bacterial origin occurs as a form of chronic prostatic pelvic pain syndrome, while other symptoms may be completely absent.Chronic signs of prostatitis in men are expressed in pain when urinating, in the groin, absence or disturbance of sexual function.The peculiarity of this form of prostatitis is that it is most often asymptomatic.
It is important to emphasize that the characteristics of prostatitis manifestation cannot be described as constant.Due to the fact that each organism is individual, certain signs may be completely absent and the disease may proceed differently in different categories of men.Sometimes prostatitis begins with sudden manifestations of the inflammatory process - so they speak of an acute form.If the disease bothers you only occasionally, it is probably the chronic stage of prostate inflammation.
Causes of prostatitis
Many different categories of citizens can be considered at risk for this pathology, but more often prostatitis progresses in those who:
- sits a lot and moves little;
- prefer an unbalanced diet to a healthy diet;
- cannot in any way get rid of the addiction to drinking or smoking;
- often becomes hypothermic;
- does not have a regular sexual partner;
- often refuses sex.
However, even this is far from a complete list of what causes prostatitis.Doctors say that prostate inflammation can appear even in an almost healthy man;In this case, everything is often attributed to excessive fatigue, stress and poor ecology.It often progresses after surgery, severe bruising, or other trauma to the genitals.In any case, if you have the slightest suspicion of prostatitis, you should immediately consult a urologist.
Chronic prostatitis
The manifestations of the recurrent form of the disease are diverse.For some men, this is a complete refusal to have sex, frequent urges to go to the bathroom, itching or burning in the urethra, or pain in the groin.However, another category of patients may experience similar symptoms only from time to time.Much more typical are the functional signs of chronic prostatitis, which are usually divided into three subgroups:
- painful and frequent urge to go to the bathroom, urinary retention, blood in sputum, swelling in the groin, diarrhea;
- feeling of pressure in the anus during ejaculation, absence or weakness of erection, loss of desire to have sex, loss of orgasm severity;
- feeling of anxiety, fatigue, depression, frequent nervous breakdowns and stress.
Recurrent prostatitis without adequate treatment can not only cause a lot of problems, but also lead to serious consequences: adenoma, abscess and prostate cancer.Chronic prostate inflammation can continue indefinitely, but the course of prostatitis is never monotonous.Acute, sometimes intense attacks are followed by periods of relative calm.
catarrhal prostatitis
Acute or parenchymal prostatitis in men often occurs due to a weakening of immunity or the entry of infection into the body.In addition, the catarrhal form of the disease can develop even after ordinary sore throat, acute respiratory viral infection and severe cough.Microbes, bacteria and other pathogenic microflora, together with lymph, penetrate the prostate gland, where they trigger inflammatory processes.The first signs of prostatitis in men are usually a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen and a slight increase in temperature.
With a detailed examination, the doctor may notice other symptoms characteristic of the catarrhal form.For example:
- upon examination, a slight swelling of the prostate gland is revealed, while the procedure itself is extremely painful for the patient;
- analysis of prostate secretions will reveal the release of an increased number of leukocytes;
- Ultrasound shows purulent components, blockage or partial narrowing of the ducts through which urine passes.
Prostatitis diagnosis
Thanks to active campaigns and ubiquitous advertising, today even schoolchildren know not only about the symptoms, but also how to treat the prostate.However, the absence of any signs makes it difficult not only to choose appropriate medications, but also to make a timely diagnosis.The best way to prevent inflammation is to go to the clinic more often.Therefore, prostatitis is often diagnosed during a routine examination by a urologist.
If there are complaints, an experienced doctor can already suspect prostate inflammation and prescribe appropriate examinations, which usually include:
- digital rectal examination;
- analysis of secretions and seminal fluid;
- ultrasound examination of the prostate;
- urine and blood analysis;
- taking a swab from the urethra.
How to treat prostatitis
The way in which prostatitis manifests itself and its treatment are the main topics of discussion at various international symposiums and medical conferences.Every year, scientists, ordinary doctors and experienced doctors try to establish more accurate symptoms of prostatitis, develop new medicines and prevention methods.However, at this time, the classical set of therapeutic measures remains unchanged and includes:
- prescription of antibacterial, antiviral and immunomodulatory medications;
- use of magnetic field devices, hirudotherapy, ultrasound and laser treatment on the patient;
- a course of prostate massage aimed at strengthening the reproductive functions of the body and normalizing the microcirculation of blood flow in the genitourinary system.
In the complex treatment of prostatitis, herbal remedies are often used.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis in men
Unfortunately, no method or medication can alleviate the manifestations of the disease, much less completely eliminate inflammation.Therefore, the treatment of chronic prostatitis occurs according to a comprehensive scheme using effective drugs from three groups:
- Antibiotics – fluoroquinolones.Medicines in this series penetrate well into the soft tissue of the prostate and destroy most types of harmful microorganisms.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory tablets.They remove prostate swelling, improve blood circulation and relieve pain.
- Alpha blockers.They help relax the bladder and urethra, making it easier for urine to come out.
Also, drug therapy involves the use of a number of additional medications that help strengthen the prostate gland: vitamins, enzymes, suppositories, adaptogens.The doctor may also prescribe massages, simple physical therapy procedures, or physical therapy.All patients receive a special fiber diet, excluding the consumption of alcohol, canned foods, fried foods, very spicy or salty foods.