Prostatitis - inflammation of the prostate gland - can manifest itself in acute and chronic forms.
It is difficult to ignore acute inflammation: its signs are clearly intense, which cannot be said about the chronic manifestation of the disease.Thisasymptomatic, but it does its job "excellently", destroying the tissues of the organ, reducing its functions.
About chronic prostatitis: types and characteristics
Prostate inflammation is considered chronic,if his sluggish symptoms persist for more than 3 months.
According to statistics, only 5% of cases are acute, the remaining 95% are chronic prostatitis.It affects men of reproductive age and even young men aged 18-20 are susceptible to this disease.
There can be two reasons for the development of chronic prostatitis: infection and blood stagnation in the pelvis.
infectionenters the prostate in various ways:
- with blood flow from infectious foci in the body - carious teeth, pneumonia, inflamed maxillary sinuses, pustular formations,
- with lymph flow from neighboring organs, for example, from the intestines with hemorrhoids, dysbacteriosis,
- sexually
- descending or ascending from the infected urinary tract - bladder or urethra.
Inflammation of the prostate caused by a sexually transmitted pathogen, such as gonococcus, chlamydia, and treponema pallor, requires special attention.The symptoms of such prostatitis and genital infections are similar to each other and can "hide" behind the signs of these diseases.This type of prostatitis is easy to trigger.
Reduced immunity and hormonal imbalancesparticularly stimulate the growth and spread of infection.
Non-infectious or congestive prostatitisoccurs as a result of a violation of the outflow of blood and lymph from the pelvis, as well as stagnation of prostate juice in the ducts of the gland.
They cause such phenomenathe following factors:
- disturbances in sexual life - prolonged abstinence, intermittent acts, unfulfilled desire,
- smoking - nicotine breaks blood vessels and interferes with normal blood circulation,
- sedentary lifestyle,
- tight clothes,
- alcohol abuse.Alcoholic drinks irritate the walls of the ducts of the glands, causing them to become inflamed,
- constipation
Congestive prostatitis occurs 8 times more often than infectious prostatitis and very rarely develops as a complication of acute inflammation of the prostate.
Bacterial prostatitis
This type of disease is also calledchronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS).The main symptom is pain in the pelvic area, but the absence of pathogenic microorganisms in the microbiological examination of urine and prostate secretions.
Painful sensations acquire different severity and location.They spread to the perineum or bladder, genitals.The process of ejaculation is also painful.There are also problems with the excretion of urine and in the sexual sphere, but they are secondary.
The diagnosis is made if the pain persists for 3 months or more.
There are 2 types of CPPS:
- Inflammatory CPPS– an increased number of leukocytes is detected in the urine and prostate secretions, which indicates inflammation.Microorganisms are not detected.There are several reasons for the appearance of this type of inflammation.On the one hand, this is possible with reflux (reflux) of clear urine from the urethra to the gland.This is facilitated by anatomical defects or reduced muscle contractions of the bladder, prostate organ and perineum.Urine or rather the uric esters in it cause inflammation of the prostate.On the other hand, it is believed that the culprit of this process is still bacteria that are not identified by the classical method.Molecular diagnostics should be used for their identification.The 3rd reason is autoimmune processes in the body.
- Non-inflammatory CPPS– analyzes do not contain leukocytosis and microorganisms.To determine a diagnosis, diagnostic instruments are used.It allows you to detect innervation problems or muscle changes in the prostate and other organs:
- cervical part of the cyst - narrowing or proliferation,
- pelvic area – myalgia, muscle tension, disturbance of the passage of nerve impulses,
- urethra - narrowing, increased pressure,
- prostate – urinary reflux, increased pressure.
OftenNervous disturbances are observed in patients with CPPS: anxiety, irritability, depressive tendencies.
Bacterial prostatitis
Chronic inflammation of the prostate of bacterial etiologybegins to manifest itself with slight discomfort during urination.This includes minor pain, itching or burning and a reduction in stream flow.The color of the urine changes and it acquires an unpleasant smell.Unpleasant sensations may also bother you during bowel movements.A weak, dull pain occurs in the perineum.
ariseproblems in sex life.At the beginning of the disease, they are occasional: weakening of erection or increased frequency of its occurrence at night, acceleration of ejaculation, disturbances in orgasmic sensations.
Characteristic symptom for this stage- appearance of secretions from the urethra during defecation.
Such sluggish symptoms may persist for quite a long time.A man may not pay attention to them, attributing everything to other reasons.If there is no treatment, they progress and an exacerbation of the chronic process occurs, the intensity of sensations increases.
Urination becomes intensely painful, the urge to go to the toilet becomes more frequent.At a certain point, these manifestations weaken due to the compensatory growth of the bladder muscles, and then they recur again, with greater force.
The pain in the perineum also intensifies.It radiates to the lower back, pubic cavity, leg, scrotum.The nature of the pain also changes: it becomes stronger and sharper and bothers you at night.
Sexual dysfunction increases and becomes permanent.Ejaculation is accompanied by pain, erection and decreased libido.
Patients are also accompanied by increased sweating, including in the perineum.Body temperature is slightly elevated - 37-37.5°.
In the context of sexual disorders in menmental disorders develop.They become irritable, nervous and may become depressed.
Treatment of the disease at this stage reduces the intensity of the symptoms and the exacerbation stage goes into remission.
Other types of chronic prostatitis
There is a concepthard prostatitis.This disease is extremely rare and affects older men.It is characterized by the formation of stones consisting of prostatic juice, inflammatory discharge, as well as phosphates and calcium.
Signs of this type of disease are pain, which has a typical location for prostatitis.They intensify with movement, after sexual intercourse.Blood appears in ejaculation.There are other signs of inflammation of the gland.
Stones are a consequence of long-term prostatitis or adenoma.
Congestive prostatitisThere are bacterial and non-bacterial.Its peculiarity is the mild symptoms:
- low fever,
- uncomfortable sensations in the groin,
- problems with urination,
- irritability,
- sexual disorders.
There are those tootypes of chronic prostatitis:
- autoimmune– develops in immune diseases, for example, rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus,
- hormonal-dystrophic– appears due to hormonal imbalances, with hormonal diseases (diabetes), as a result of normal aging of the body,
- phytovascular– is formed against the background of vegetative-vascular dystonia.It causes problems in blood circulation.
How the disease is detected: diagnosis
Chronic prostatitis is diagnosedthe same methods as acute.
First of allthe doctor interviews and examines the patient.The examination is carried out with the digital rectal examination of the prostate.It may be enlarged, painful, asymmetric and indurated.In rare cases (non-inflammatory CPPS) it does not change.
Next doctorwill order tests.Laboratory methods include general examination of blood and urine and analysis of prostate secretions.They will show an increased white blood cell count.Bacteriological examination of urine and prostate juice reveals the pathogen.Sometimes these indicators may be normal, but the process is still there.
To confirm the fact of the disease, the blood is tested for PSA.Instrumental methods will also help: ultrasound, TRUS, urometry.
Very often it turns out that a man does not suspect that he has such a disease, ignoring the symptoms.It is detected by chance, during routine examinations.Therefore, it is recommended not to disturb the system and not to neglect the scheduled checks.
Pharmacological treatment
First of all, for the treatment of chronic prostatitisantibiotics are prescribed.The course is long - 1-1.5 months.Before prescribing antibacterial agents, the type of pathogen and its sensitivity to drugs are determined.
It is requireduse immunosuppressive drugs, because reduced immunity is a frequent cause of inflammation.An immunologist can help.
Treatment for chronic inflammation of the prostateIt cannot be done without anti-inflammatory drugs.Initially, non-steroidal drugs are prescribed.They are used in the form of tablets or injections.If they fail to achieve the desired result, hormones are used.
Alpha blockerswill help relieve muscle tension from the bladder and perineum.They act symptomatically, reducing pain and improving urination.
If unbearable pain occurs,pain meds are relevant.
It is worth mentioning separatelyon the use of a dosage form such as suppositories.They are ideal for the treatment of chronic prostatic processes.Most of the time, its symptoms are mild and the mild action of the suppositories is enough to relieve them.
They are inserted into the rectum.Its close location to the prostate gland allows you to achieve quick and effective results.In addition, the harmful effects of tablets on the gastrointestinal tract and difficulties with injections are eliminated.Suppositories have an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect on the organ.
Physiotherapy and other methods
In addition to drugs, other methods of treating chronic prostatitis are used:
- rectal massage– is carried out through the rectum.The procedure eliminates stagnation of prostate juice and also enhances the effect of drugs.Contraindicated in case of exacerbation of the disease and the presence of stones in the prostate,
- Physiotherapy improves blood circulation in the affected organ and improves its nutrition.Methods usedUHF, electrophoresis, darsonvalizationand others.They are indicated only in the stage of recession,
- Prostatitis affects not only the organs, but also the soul of a man.It may be necessaryhelp from a psychologist or psychotherapist,
- acupunctureis a common method of treating chronic prostatitis.The procedure affects the organ indirectly, through acupuncture points,
- exercises, such as squats, walking, jumping will increase blood circulation in the pelvis and eliminate congestion,
- is actively usedbath therapy– treatment with mineral waters.
Medicines are an integral part of the treatment of chronic prostatitis.But they can cause a number of complications.And since the treatment of this type of disease is long-term, people have found ways to partially replace such drugs.He came to the rescuetraditional medicine.
The leader among folk remedies for the treatment of prostatitis ispumpkin seeds.They contain a lot of zinc, which is essential for men's health.The seeds can be eaten separately: 30 grams will replenish the daily needs of the necessary trace element.You can also grind them in a meat grinder and mix them with honey, making balls from the resulting mixture.They should be stored in the refrigerator and consumed 1 piece before meals.
It is very useful for prostate inflammation to drink itfreshly squeezed juices from beets, carrots, cucumbers and asparagus.The volume per day should be at least 0.5 liters.
BlueberriesIdeal for restoring the prostate.It contains many useful substances, trace elements and vitamins.
In rare cases, in the treatment of prostatitisthey have to resort to surgery.Indications for this include the lack of improvement from conservative treatment, as well as acute processes: abscess and other purulent inflammations of the prostate, acute urinary retention, proliferation of glandular tissue, as well as benign and malignant formations.
Surgical treatment is carried out by various methods: This may be partial excision of an organ, opening of ulcers, excision of the foreskin or removal of the entire gland.
How to prevent the development of chronic prostatitis
Prevention of this diseaseit can be primary or secondary.
Primary preventionis the prevention of the occurrence of the disease and results in the following measures:
- maintaining immunity,
- regularity of sexual activity,
- physical exercises and moderate loads.This is especially important for those who lead a sedentary life,
- avoid hypothermia,
- stopping infectious foci in the body,
- timely treatment of genitourinary infections,
- make sure you undergo regular medical examinations,
- do not abuse alcohol and smoking.
Secondary preventionincludes measures to prevent recurrence of the disease.In the first year after suffering from prostatitis, a man is required to visit a urologist once every 3 months.Then – once every 6 months.If no exacerbation of the disease occurs, the patient is removed from the clinic's follow-up.
Excellent for preventing prostatitissanatorium-resort treatment is appropriate.Modern sanatoriums offer complexes of procedures from physiotherapy and spa therapy and other natural resources.
Importantwatch your diet too.Include more vegetables and fruits and a variety of grains in the menu.You should also enrich your diet with fermented dairy products.Eating seafood will compensate for zinc deficiency.
You should avoid salty, spicy and smoky foods and do not overuse spices.Legumes, fatty foods and flour products should be excluded.
Chronic prostatitis is a slow but long-term process.He's a sneak with complications:
- cystitis, pyelonephritis - urolithiasis,
- cystitis - an inflammatory process in the seminal vesicles,
- Epididymo-orchitis is an inflammatory process of the testicles,
- gland scholarship,
- infertility and impotence.
Treatment of the disease -quite a long process.But it is worth following this path to the end in order to maintain your health and maintain the opportunity to have healthy offspring.