Prostatitis is an inflammatory process, the focus of which is the prostate gland.Another popular name for it is prostate.This disease and the associated pain in the pelvis (groin area) are accompanied by painful sensations in and around the prostate.
Most cases of pain occur due to the following reasons:
- infection;
- inflammation;
- some health problems.
Prostatitis can occur in any man, both in middle and young age.Do not neglect the prevention of male prostatitis.
The role of the prostate gland in the body
The prostate is a small, round, bumpy gland that is a component 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 gland has a specific task - to help create a liquid environment for the sperm.
This seminal fluid protects and energizes the sperm as it makes its way to the female egg.
The first signs of the development of prostatitis
There are few signs of this disease.But if you find that you have at least 2 of the following symptoms:consult a urologist immediately.
- The stream of urine slowly falls down or its rangeless than 20 cm.
- Difficulty, dribbling, urination.
- Pain and burning when urinating.
- Interruptibility, splitting, jet spatter, process duration.
- Sensation of incomplete emptying of the bladder.
- Frequent urination at night.
- Pain between the genitals and anus.
We advise you not to make a diagnosis yourself, but to do all the necessary tests in the hospital.
Prostatitis has a complex pathogenesis, and self-medication based on common symptoms poses a serious danger to your health.Only a urologist can make a correct diagnosis after a series of tests.
Forms and symptoms of prostatitis
There are 4 types of disease:
- 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 (Latin 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 medicine and the medicine must be taken6 to 8 weeks.After completion of 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 pathogen is unknown.
CP/CPPS can be caused by bacteria, particularly chlamydia, mycoplasma (they are sexually transmitted) or ureaplasma.Or inflammation of the prostate in men develops if the body reacts to an infection or injury received in the past.
Treatment options include:alpha 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, treatment of CPPS is lengthy 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 (Latin Escherichia coli).
%20and%20inflammation%20of%20the%20prostate%20with%20prostatitis%20(right).jpg)
Since the acute form is a bacterial disease, it is treated accordingly with antibiotics.Antibiotics from the fluoroquinolone group are used here.Timely treatment can solve this problem and prevent the chronicity of the disease.
Sharp painful sensations prompt you to seek medical help immediately.
The patient exhibits the following symptoms:
- A fever.
- Shivering.
- Difficulty emptying the bladder.
- Strong burning sensation when going to the toilet.
Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis
The danger of this variety is that it runs in secret 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 largely unclear.The nerves and muscles in the groin begin to hurt due to infection, inflammation and some other problems.
Causes of the disease
Doctors have identified several possible causes, including:
- Previously detected bacterial infections in the prostate gland.
- Bacteria that are atypical (resistant to antibiotics).
- Irritation caused by collection of urine in the prostate gland.
- Problems with nerve connections in the lower urinary tract.
- parasites.
- Pelvic muscle problems.
- Viruses and reduced immunity.
- A sedentary lifestyle leads to poor blood circulation.
- Irregular sexual relations or complete lack of sex.
What risk factors exist for the development of prostatitis?
The causes of most cases of inflammation are not fully understood.Several things can increase your risk of contracting bacterial prostatitis:
- a catheter (tube to drain fluid from the body) or other device recently placed in the urethra is in place;
- 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 these types of diseases caused by germs.Therefore, sexual relations with a constant partner whom you trust is 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:
- This is done by inserting a lubricated finger of a sterile gloved hand into the opening of the anus.
- The doctor will press on the prostate gland and feel whether it is enlarged or in a normal, soft state.
- Lumps or hardness may suggest the presence of prostate cancer.
- The specialist will ask how painful or uncomfortable you feel when he or she touches the area near the gland.
- If you are sick, the examination can be uncomfortable and painful.
- But it won't do any harm and won't cause long-lasting pain.
Taking tests in the laboratory
If the doctor suspects that you have problems with the prostate and nearby tissues, he will refer 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 can order tests to find 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 have to make sure other health problems aren't contributing to your symptoms.Many tests are used to find the answer.
Ultrasound
To take a closer look at the prostate gland, the doctor prescribes a rectal examination using ultrasound.Ultrasounduses sound waves reflected from an organ to examine its condition.To "see" the source of inflammation, an ultrasound probe is inserted into the anus.The procedure does not lead to a worsening of the condition, so there is no room for fear.
Taking a Pap smear
The doctor will take a test of urine and fluid from the prostate gland to determine the cause of the problems.During a manual rectal examination, when the prostate is massaged, a fluid identified as prostatic secretion oozes from the penis.
Urine and expressed secretion 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.Also, if you have recently been treated with antibiotics, your test results will also change.
Diagnosis using a cystoscope
The urologist looks inside the urinary tract, prostate, and bladder using a cystoscope.It's a long, thin telescope with a light bulb at the end.First, the doctor will give you anesthesia.He will then carefully insert the cystoscope into your bladder and analyze the condition of your organs.
Can prostatitis cause cancer?
Although inflammation of the prostate gland causes a lot of discomfort, it cannot cause cancer.There is a blood test that doctors recommend to determine the presence of a tumor.It's called the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test.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.
Remember that you must constantly monitor your health and adhere to preventive recommendations.Be healthy and don't get sick!