Prostatitis - forms, causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment of the disease in men

The pathological process affecting the seminal gland can be diagnosed not only in representatives of the stronger sex. The fact is that some women have a rudimentary organ (Skeen's gland) that produces prostatic secretion. Inflammation of the back of the urethra is called "female prostatitis".

Classification

In modern medicine, inflammation of the prostate is usually divided into several categories, depending on the nature of the symptoms and the severity of the disease. In recent years, the criteria of the American National Institute of Health have been most often used. Experts from the USA distinguish four forms of prostatitis:

1. Bacterial (acute) - occurs as a result of abnormal development of prostate adenoma and has an infectious nature.
2. Chronic bacterial - is characterized by deterioration of blood supply to the seminal gland.
3. Chronic non-bacterial (pelvic pain syndrome) - inflammatory and non-inflammatory prostatitis of unclear etiology.
4. Asymptomatic - occurs without obvious changes in general health.

In 90-98% of cases, prostatitis is a primary chronic disease.

Acute prostatitis

Infectious lesion of the prostate gland, developing over a relatively short period of time, is detected quite rarely (no more than 5% of requests for help to a medical institution). All representatives of the strong half of humanity over 25 years old are at risk.

Causes

Acute prostatitis usually results from infection of the body with gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria. In addition to staphylococci, E. coli, streptococci, the causative agents of the inflammatory process are often microorganisms that cause diseases such as gonorrhea, candidiasis, chlamydia.

Sources of the disease can also be injuries to the pelvic organs, long-term treatment with certain types of drugs, surgical or diagnostic procedures (hardware examination carried out through the urethra). Possible non-infectious causes include venous congestion and congestion.

Symptoms of acute prostatitis

The most common manifestations of acute prostatitis include dull throbbing pain in the perineum and problems with urination. In addition, patients often complain of blood in the urine, a sharp increase in body temperature (up to 40 ° C), constant thirst, and unmotivated weakness.

Diagnostics

To confirm concerns, the doctor interviews and examines the patient (assessment of the correct development of the genitals and a rectal examination).

Additional diagnostic procedures include:

• laboratory blood and urine tests;
• taking a smear from the urethra;
• bacteriological culture of a urological sample;
• PCR diagnostics.

Under certain conditions, prostate ultrasound and uroflowmetry (determination of the rate of urination) are prescribed.

Treatment of acute prostatitis

Therapeutic actions are selected only by a qualified physician. A distinction is made between conservative and surgical treatment. In the first case, in addition to classic antibiotics, drugs are prescribed that improve the functioning of the circulatory system and accelerate the metabolism in the prostate. Surgical intervention is required if an abscess or acute urinary incontinence is detected.

Complications

If you do not seek help in a timely manner or choose the wrong treatment, negative consequences such as infertility, impotence, wrinkling of the reproductive organ, cystitis, pyelonephritis, proctitis are possible. Mental disorders and depressive states should be placed in a separate group.

Chronic bacterial prostatitis

A protracted form of the inflammatory process in the prostate gland is considered one of the most common male diseases. More than 50% of all representatives of the stronger sex suffer from damage to the pelvic organs, urination disorders and decreased libido. As in the case of the acute type of the disease, the sources of problems are pathogenic microorganisms that have entered the body through the urethra, from the bladder or through the lymphatic collectors.

Predisposing factors

The main difference between the chronic form of inflammation is the direct dependence of the risk of the disease on the state of the internal organs of the small pelvis and immunity. The likelihood of the disease increases significantly with:

• abuse of alcohol, smoking;
• frequent hypothermia;
• irregular sexual life;
• sedentary lifestyle;
• susceptibility to emotional overload.

Diseases of the genitourinary organs have a negative effect. It is necessary to treat cystitis, urethritis, balanoposthitis in a timely manner.

Symptoms of chronic bacterial prostatitis

The first signs of the body about the onset of the disease are a weakening of the urine stream, burning, itching in the urethra, aching pain in the groin, decreased sexual desire, uncharacteristic discharge from the reproductive organ. Associated signs of the disease include mental disorders, sleep problems, neurasthenia, constant fatigue.

Diagnostic methods

When the first signs of prostate damage are detected, it is necessary to undergo a comprehensive examination in a specialized institution. Confirmation or refutation of fears can be achieved by laboratory tests (general tests, microscopy, bacteriological culture of a smear) or a biopsy of the prostate gland.

Treatment of chronic bacterial prostatitis

Therapy of the disease is based on the use of antibacterial, anti-inflammatory drugs, medications that eliminate vascular spasm. Innovative methods of combating inflammation include laser therapy, the use of transurethral microwave devices. In case of abnormal narrowing of the urethra or the appearance of purulent areas, surgical intervention is indicated.

Chronic non-bacterial prostatitis

One of the most difficult forms of prostatitis to treat is chronic pelvic pain syndrome. In the presence of all the signs of classic inflammation of the prostate, such an ailment is distinguished by a negative result of a bacteriological study of the biomaterial. According to statistical studies, most often such an ailment is detected in men over 35-40 years old.

Causes

Despite the development of diagnostic science and the invention of many "smart" devices, it has not yet been possible to determine the root cause of non-bacterial prostatitis. There are several theories that have not received 100% confirmation. Most experts agree that this form of damage to the seminal gland occurs when several negative factors combine. Such "motivators" of the disease include mental disorders, hypothermia, decreased immunity, injuries (damage, consequences of operations), untreated infectious pathologies.

Symptoms of chronic non-bacterial prostatitis

Characteristic manifestations of the disease are pain in the perineum, lower back and pelvis. Frequent signs of a pathological condition of the genitourinary system are:

• problems with urination;
• discomfort and unpleasant sensations during sexual intercourse;
• failures in the digestive system.

With prolonged progression of prostatitis, chronic pain syndrome, depression and insomnia appear.

Diagnostics

Since bacteriological culture of sperm, urine and secretion samples does not give a positive result, a digital rectal examination (determination of a painful seal) and a study of urine analysis are performed. With an elevated level of leukocytes, it is recommended to additionally undergo magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound to visualize the size of the prostate, the state of the nerve endings.

Treatment of chronic nonbacterial prostatitis

Pelvic pain syndrome can be relieved with alpha-blockers, sedatives and painkillers. Often, doctors prescribe broad-spectrum antibiotics for insurance. Non-drug procedures show good results. Diet (no fried, spicy foods, strict control of water-salt balance), prostate massage, pelvic floor muscle training and warm baths are indicated.

Asymptomatic chronic prostatitis

The asymptomatic form of inflammation of the prostate gland is the most dangerous. The patient notices the disease late, and the treatment becomes less effective. As a rule, the described form of prostatitis is detected completely by chance, during a routine examination or treatment of a concomitant disease of the genitourinary system. The risk group includes men over 40 years of age (although in recent years the disease has been increasingly diagnosed in young men under 25).

Causes

The pathological condition is usually provoked by infections of the bladder and urethra (cystitis, pyelonephritis, gonorrhea, mycoplasmosis). Asymptomatic prostatitis is often a consequence of hypothermia, chronic, physical or psychological fatigue, and an unhealthy lifestyle. It is necessary to pay attention to such negative factors as promiscuous or irregular sex life, bad habits, unhealthy diet, and prostate structure anomalies.

Diagnostics and treatment

The main indicator of the presence of an inflammatory process is an increase in leukocytes in the secretion of the seminal gland and urine. In this case, differential diagnostics is performed to exclude oncological diseases by studying the level of prostate-specific antibodies. If prostatitis is confirmed, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory therapy, ultrasound, and manual procedures are prescribed.

Prostatitis Prevention

In order to reduce the risk of prostate disease, it is necessary to follow simple recommendations from doctors aimed at maintaining overall health and immunity. Preventive measures are best started as early as possible, since the latest statistical studies show that the disease of the seminal gland is rapidly getting younger and is increasingly diagnosed in young men under 30 years of age.

Lifestyle

First of all, it is necessary to eliminate all negative factors that increase the risk of developing the disease. It is important to engage in active sports, avoid hypothermia, and have regular sex. Periodic prostate massage shows good results, improving trophism and the outflow of the contents of the acini.

Nutrition

Often, the main source of health problems is an unbalanced menu. To maintain libido, it is necessary to include seafood, vegetables, fruits, lean meat, honey, and dairy products in your daily diet. At the same time, it is necessary to exclude or limit as much as possible the amount of smoked, fatty foods, sweet carbonated drinks, and alcohol.

It is very important to detect the initial stages of the disease in time. You should undergo a comprehensive examination in a urological clinic at least once a year. If there are concomitant diseases of the genitourinary system, specialist consultations are necessary every 6-8 months.