Prostatitis is a common urological disease that can occur in any man over the age of 30, and every year the probability of its development only increases. This disease causes serious male problems: acute prostatitis leads to depression, decreased libido and, in general, disorders of the genitourinary system; a chronic condition causes diseases of the urological sphere, infertility, impotence.
General information
Prostatitis is an inflammatory lesion of the prostate, an organ found only in men. Iron executes three
Main functions:
- secretory - produces a special enzyme that regulates the viscosity of sperm and ensures the viability of male germ cells for successful fertilization of the ovum;
- motor - controls the muscle tissue of the urethral sphincter, due to which the correct process of outflow of urine occurs and the secretion of the prostate is released during ejaculation;
- Barrier - prevents penetration of infectious agents into the upper urinary tract from the urethra, provides an antibacterial barrier as part of the male immune system.
In prostatitis, the prostate gland enlarges and begins to squeeze the urethra, disrupting the normal flow of urine. The organ itself cannot fully perform its functions due to inflammation.
The reasons
The source of male health problems - prostatitis - can develop for the following reasons:
- The presence of congestion in the pelvic area. Most often, such stagnation of blood occurs due to a sedentary, sedentary lifestyle and excess weight.
- Infectious infection of the prostate. It can be descending (through the urine) or ascending (through the urethra) and enters 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;
- maintaining a sedentary lifestyle;
- irregular sex life;
- hypothermia, especially for the small pelvis;
- the presence of injuries in the pelvic area;
- weakened immunity;
- malnutrition with an abundance of sweet, fatty, and fried foods;
- the presence of bad habits;
- Infection with sexually transmitted infections.
species
According to ICD-10 (International Classification of Diseases), 4 types of prostatitis are distinguished:
- Acute prostatitis.
- Chronic bacterial prostatitis.
- Chronic prostatitis is nonbacterial, inflammatory and non-inflammatory.
- Chronic prostatitis, asymptomatic.
In the acute form of the disease, the symptoms appear strongly and clearly, the inflammatory process develops rapidly. Common causes are infections of the prostate with infectious agents that enter from the urethra or the blood.
Chronic bacterial form - acute prostatitis that has not been cured in time. The development of the pathological condition is facilitated by the same factors that affect acute inflammation - infections of the genitourinary system and stagnation of blood in the pelvic organs.
Nonbacterial chronic prostatitis (also called chronic pelvic pain syndrome) is most common in older men. It can develop both against the background of prostate dysfunction, and as a result of an autoimmune reaction of the body.
Chronic asymptomatic prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate, in which patients do not experience any unpleasant sensations.
clinic
The clinical picture of acute prostatitis has very vivid manifestations that cannot be overlooked and are difficult to live with:
- an increase in body temperature above 38 ° C;
- chilliness with sweat and weakness ;
- severe pain in the lower abdomen, perineum, genitals;
- Disorders of urination - difficulty, pain, acute urinary retention.
With the problem of chronic prostatitis, there are similar but less pronounced symptoms that are often overlooked:
- dull pain in the perineum and lower abdomen radiating to the sacrum and genitals;
- difficult urination, painful and rapid with compelling (sharp and irresistible) urges, mostly at night;
- erectile dysfunction;
- decrease in the quality and duration of sexual intercourse;
- Decrease in the severity of orgasm.
The asymptomatic course of prostatitis proceeds without complaints from the patient. The problem is discovered incidentally on prostate and/or urine tests.
diagnostic methods
If prostatitis is suspected, the doctor carries out diagnostics, the first step of which is to clarify symptoms and study the anamnesis. Information about all symptoms and their development is collected. The following activities are tracked:
- Palpation of the prostate through the rectum to determine the size of the organ, its density and pain. For further bacteriological analysis in the probing process, the secret of the gland is also collected. The purpose of the study is to rule out a number of diagnoses: adenoma or prostate cancer, rectal cancer.
- Ultrasound and TRUS to complement and clarify the data obtained during palpation.
- Bacteriological analysis of the prostate secretion to detect infection and determine the type of pathogen. Data is needed for the selection and prescription of antibiotics.
- A blood test to determine the level of PSA (prostate-specific antigen) - allows the exclusion of adenomas and gland cancer.
- Biopsy - Examination of a sample of prostate tissue under a microscope to confirm or refute adenomas and cancer.
treatment
Modern urology considers three types of treatment of acute prostatitis and exacerbations of the chronic form of the disease:
- Medication;
- surgical;
- Physical therapy.
When exposed to drugs, antibiotics from the groups of penicillins, fluoroquinolones, macrolides, tetracyclines, cephalosporins or aminoglycosides are taken. The specific drug will be prescribed by the doctor depending on which infectious agent caused the inflammation. Additionally, patients are prescribed:
- anti-inflammatory drugs to eliminate fever;
- Painkiller;
- antispasmodics to normalize urine outflow;
- Alpha blockers to relieve symptoms and restore healthy urination.
In the absence of the effect of drugs or in advanced cases of acute prostatitis, the doctor may prescribe surgical intervention, during which either the entire prostate or part of it will be removed. The operation is necessary in patients with concomitant problems: prostate stones or benign and malignant neoplasms.
Physiotherapy is an adjunct to drug treatment, it can be carried out only after eliminating the acute inflammatory process. Patients are displayed:
- Massage;
- movement therapy (physiotherapy);
- magnetotherapy;
- ultrasonic treatment;
- electrical stimulation;
- microwave and laser exposure;
- reflexology.
The appointment of a certain type of procedure is carried out by the attending physician.
With chronic prostatitis during remission, the patient must:
- undergo regular examinations and, if necessary, antibiotic therapy;
- eat right, avoiding both exhaustion and the appearance of excess weight;
- protect the body from hypothermia;
- engage in exercise therapy, and exercises should strengthen the muscles of the lower abdomen and pelvic floor;
- have regular sex life;
- get rid of bad habits.
Also a useful procedure is prostate massage, due to which blood circulation and the outflow of secretions in the organ improve, which helps to prevent the recurrence of the acute stage of the disease.
complications
Complications of prostatitis are manifested both in the prostate itself and in the organs surrounding it, which is due to the anatomical location. In the acute form, infectious agents can reach the bladder and kidneys, inflammation - reach the fatty tissue of the gland, venous plexus and rectum.
Chronic diseases are dangerous because they not only affect the tissues and organs surrounding the prostate, but also affect the nervous, urological and reproductive areas.
Possible complications of acute prostatitis:
- Abscess;
- venous plexus phlebitis in the small pelvis;
- inflammation of adipose tissue;
- orchitis;
- epididymitis;
- vesiculitis;
- pyelonephritis.
Chronic prostatitis causes the following complications:
- chronic pain syndrome;
- sexual dysfunction;
- Infertility;
- violations of urination;
- general deterioration in quality of life.
impotence and infertility
The two most common problems associated with prostatitis are impotence and infertility. The development of any disease occurs against the background of chronic damage to the prostate.
Impotence (erectile dysfunction) manifests itself in 40% of cases of neglected and untreated prostatitis. Complications take a long time to develop, sometimes years. His reasons:
- Violation of the prostate with improper passage of nerve impulses and failure of hormone production;
- Deterioration in control of the pelvic floor muscles responsible for the occurrence of an erection;
- psychological insecurity;
- Pain syndrome that provokes fears of possible failure in bed.
It is impossible to talk about the unconditional connection of prostatitis with infertility. This disease has an indirect impact on a man's reproductive capacity and only with an advanced chronic course. Causes of fertility problems against the background of prostate damage:
- Decrease in the quality of seminal fluid;
- decrease in the number and decrease in sperm motility;
- the presence of damage and defects of germ cells;
- scarring of the vas deferens;
- failure of secretory function;
- testicular dysfunction.
In acute prostatitis, sperm are damaged, their quality and mobility deteriorate, defects form and fewer male germ cells are produced.
prevention
It is possible to prevent prostatitis, but it is necessary to constantly follow a number of preventive recommendations:
- lead a healthy lifestyle with proper nutrition, adequate physical and sexual activity and the absence of bad habits;
- engage in physiotherapy exercises aimed at removing congestion in the pelvic organs and strengthening the pelvic muscles;
- be examined in time by a urologist and andrologist;
- Beware of 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 specialists who will prescribe a full course of treatment. Without this, an acute condition can become chronic and cause even greater health problems.