Many people are still ashamed or hesitant to talk about some illnesses.This is especially true for problems of the genitourinary system, which both create discomfort and also affect sexual activity.More than 70% of men do not go to doctors in the early stages of the disease, while treatment is more effective if the disease is not too advanced.Early detection of disease symptoms is important for prevention and early treatment.
What is prostatitis?
The prostate, or prostate gland, is located in the center of the pelvis, connected to the bladder and vas deferens.The main function is the production of a substance responsible for sperm viability and motility.From a chemical point of view, this secretion is a basis of immunoglobulins with the addition of vitamins, zinc, iodine - the basis for sperm nutrition and activity.Fluid composition is an important diagnostic parameter that helps identify symptoms at an early stage.
As you can guess from the name, the disease involves inflammatory processes in the prostate gland.This pathology is always associated with the presence of a bacterial infection, although it does not necessarily appear in a form noticeable to humans.The type of progression of the disease largely depends on age, predisposition, related factors and body characteristics.
Normally, the prostate is not felt and does not attract attention.However, despite its rather deep location in the pelvic area, this organ is one of the most vulnerable in the male body.There is an opinion that only the elderly can show the symptoms of prostatitis, but this is not true: the disease is typical for mature men aged 20 to 60 years.
At an early stage, it is quite difficult to detect the disease.The marks may appear from time to time, then bother you, and then disappear without a trace.Doctors report that the psychology of men, especially young men, also plays a role: not everyone is ready to go to the doctor and admit a "shameful" disease.
At the same time, the disease is characterized by dangerous complications, such as:
- Infertility due to reduced sperm motility.Sometimes asymptomatic or mild chronic prostatitis becomes the only reason for the absence of a child in a couple.A woman can be tested as much as she wants, but it will not help until her husband decides to be tested himself for his ability to fertilize.
- Prostate adenoma is a benign tumor, but it can become very dangerous for a man.This is due to the anatomical structure - the urinary and spermatic vessels are located in such a way that if the prostate gland develops abnormally, it interferes with normal urination.There is a risk of a huge number of complications, including rupture of the bladder.
- Prostate cancer is, according to statistics, one of the most common diseases in men.Oncological disease is one of the ten leading causes of death for people over 50 years of age.It is at this age that long-standing chronic prostatitis tends to degenerate into a life-threatening condition.
- Psychological problems related to erectile dysfunction, infertility, problems with physical functions.This is a side symptom, but it also significantly affects the patient's quality of life.
One in twenty men over thirty and more than half of those over fifty have experienced symptoms of prostatitis.This is one of the most common diseases.Prevention, early diagnosis and careful treatment can alleviate the attacks and complications of the disease.
Acute (bacterial)
The disease can appear in men at any age.And if chronic forms of this disease are more characteristic of the elderly, then acute bacterial types of the disease can theoretically appear in anyone.Bacteria that cause signs of prostatitis can be either pathogenic or opportunistic.
Here are some things to remember about this form:
- You can get infected at any age, including unprotected sex.
- Prostatitis is not the same as classic STDs (sexually transmitted diseases), such as gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, but can manifest as a secondary infection against the background of another disease.
- You can either get infected from your partner if she is sick with candidiasis, inflammation of the ovaries, vulvovaginitis or vulvovaginitis, or you can pass the infection on to her.It happens that one of the couples becomes a "carrier" of infection, and constant re-infection of each other is possible even within a stable couple.
- The main cause of acute bacterial prostatitis is unprotected sexual intercourse, followed by hypothermia and other conditions that reduce local immunity.
Chronic bacterial
In the absence of proper treatment and ignoring the symptoms in their acute form, as well as with regular re-infection, there is a high risk of developing a chronic pathological process.This is due to the fact that the prostate gland is a convenient place for the proliferation of pathogenic organisms: high temperature, moisture, nutrients.Chronic prostatitis is characterized by exposure to opportunistic strains that cause a slow but uncomfortable reaction that significantly impairs quality of life.
Features:
- Paroxysmal course: the symptoms hardly differ from the acute form, but if it appears initially, then the chronic form recurs regularly.Many people try to relieve the symptoms of prostatitis in men with pain relievers and other emergency methods.This works, but does not fix the problem.
- Indeed, the symptoms often subside by themselves, without additional treatment methods, especially in young men: the body suppresses the bacterial activity using the resources of its own immunity.As a rule, it is not possible to completely destroy the infection, so relapses return again and again.Each can become heavier than the last.
- Recurrences are dangerous due to the appearance of purulent foci and damage to neighboring organs: bladder, penis, testicles, kidneys.
Chronic bacterial prostatitis is the most common type of disease.Some men suffer from it for years, relieving the attacks with painkillers, but without getting rid of the underlying problem.Over time, the situation worsens.
Chronic non-bacterial
Treatment of prostatitis of this form will always be one of the most difficult.The disease is not related to the activity of bacteria, which also makes it difficult to diagnose and identify the causative factors.Its causes are extremely diverse: from an unhealthy lifestyle to working conditions associated with lifting heavy weights - for example, it is often found in loaders, manufacturers and other people whose professional activities are related to such activities.
An attack of the disease can be caused by neurological problems, stress, poisoning, injury to the prostate and pelvic muscles - this happens in professional athletes.In many cases it is curable.Often the etiology remains unclear.
Asymptomatic years
Another "insidious" type of prostatitis in men, as it develops without symptoms characteristic of the disease, as a result of which the person does not suspect that he has the disease.The reasons can be different, but most often they are connected simultaneously with the activity of bacteria and lifestyle characteristics.
The biggest risk is that without symptoms, it is rare for a person to be tested.In this regard, doctors recommend that people over 40 undergo a preventive diagnosis: they donate urine for the content of leukocytes, as well as fluid secreted by the prostate.Asymptomatic prostatitis is becoming one of the common causes of male infertility.
Causes of the disease
The most obvious cause of symptoms is bacteria entering the genitourinary tract.Systemic infections of the genitourinary system are extremely common, that is, a person suffers at the same time, for example, from pyelonephritis.
Among the predisposing factors:
- unhealthy lifestyle - poor diet, alcohol abuse, it is believed that excess weight also contributes to the development of the disease.
- hypothermia;
- irregular or promiscuous sex life;
- unprotected sex with people who may be carriers of infection;
- physical inactivity, fixed sitting position - prostatitis is characteristic of professional drivers.
- injuries in the pelvic area.
The main factor always remains age: if there are not so many twenty-five-year-old men who suffer from prostatitis, then after fifty - more than half of men.The quality of treatment for prostatitis depends on early diagnosis, so after forty years everyone should visit a doctor for an examination.
Symptoms
The intensity of the symptoms depends on the form of the disease.We must not forget the asymptomatic type, which does not manifest itself at all, but also has a devastating effect on health.You should consult a doctor about prostatitis medication if the following symptoms occur:
- pain, burning during urination.
- painful sexual intercourse, deterioration of potency.
- pain during bowel movements;
- difficulty urinating - a dangerous symptom that causes stones.
- high temperature - in acute form.
- blood in urine, semen.
All signs vary in intensity.Treatment of prostatitis must begin with diagnosis.even one of these manifestations is reason for a check-up by a doctor.Painful sensations can change location, but are most often felt in the lower abdomen and rectum.In acute cases, they are unbearable, increasing pain is a bad sign, indicating a purulent form of the disease.
Diagnostics
Correct diagnosis is necessary for the treatment of prostatitis.The patient is sent for a general urinalysis to determine the leukocyte formula, which indicates the presence of inflammation.Be sure to check the blood, as well as the semen - this helps determine sperm activity and often reveals infertility.Prostate secretions are taken for analysis, as well as a smear to identify specific pathogens and prescribe antibiotics for prostatitis.
Treatment
The methods for the treatment of prostatitis are complex, such as physical therapy, pharmaceutical techniques, correction of the patient's diet and lifestyle.Even advanced chronic forms can be cured without serious complications if you follow the recommendations and appropriate treatment.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is used for chronic forms and is only prescribed by a doctor, since in some cases it is contraindicated.
Among the methods, the most effective are the following:
- prostate massage - helps to get rid of congestion.
- warming up in hot baths.
- ultrasound therapy;
- electrophoresis?
- acupuncture.
The technique depends on the type of disease, as well as on the condition of the body.For example, warming up at high temperatures and acute forms is contraindicated.you must first be treated with prostatitis drugs.
Medicine
For pain in the perineum, drugs for prostatitis with an analgesic effect are prescribed.Bacterial forms require the use of antibiotics, and a specific drug is prescribed only after a BAC culture and determination of the sensitivity of microorganisms in a specific group.
Other medicines:
- Drotaverine - tablets for prostatitis to relieve spasms and pain.
- Tamsulosin is an alpha blocker, prostatitis tablets that improve smooth muscle contractions, improving urine flow.
Self-administration of antibiotics is contraindicated, but drugs of the cephalosporin group are more often prescribed - they work well for almost all types of genitourinary infections in men and women.
Candles
Rectal suppositories, also known as prostatitis suppositories, are great for relieving pain, inflammation and all the discomfort associated with the disease.Most recommended by doctors:
- Prostate extract - suppositories for prostatitis with a complex effect.
- Ketoprofen - relieves pain, swelling.
- Indomethacin.
Most medications are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Taking it as a rectal suppository not only improves effectiveness, but also helps minimize side effects.
Diet
Nutritional therapy also becomes part of the overall treatment strategy.People who are overweight are advised to normalize their weight in order to get rid of congestion in the pelvic area.It is prescribed to exclude fatty foods, limit carbohydrates and avoid alcohol, which is often incompatible with antibiotics.Seafood, nuts, avocado and lean meat are healthy if there are no other contraindications.Proper nutrition also serves to prevent prostatitis.
Forecast
With early diagnosis, complete recovery is possible.The most important thing is not to allow the disease to become chronic, otherwise complications are inevitable: from prostate adenoma to cancer.In general, with appropriate treatment and patient compliance with treatment conditions, the prognosis is favorable.
Prevention
Prostatitis is a "youthful" disease: recently it has been diagnosed even in teenagers, and men aged thirty to thirty-five are facing the problem more and more often.Therefore, the prevention of prostatitis is important, which consists of:
- correct thermal regime - the pelvic organs should neither be overheated nor overcooled.
- avoid general hypothermia.
- sexual activity using personal protective equipment - condoms effectively block the path of bacteria.
- proper diet;
- Avoid both a sedentary lifestyle and unreasonable stress, especially those associated with lifting heavy objects.
All these methods will help prevent the development of an unpleasant disease.In older and older people, even in the absence of complaints, it is necessary to visit doctors from time to time: urologist and andrologist.