Prostatitis is one of the most common urological diseases in men.It is generally accepted that after 30 years, 30% of men suffer from prostatitis, 40-40%, after 50-50%, etc.At the same time, the actual frequency is much higher than the registered one, this is explained by the peculiarities of the diagnosis and the possibility of the disease appearing in a latent form.During prostatitis, many problems with urination occur, libido decreases and erectile function is disturbed.
Prostatitis is one of the most common urological diseases in men.It is generally accepted that after 30 years, 30% of men suffer from prostatitis, 40-40%, after 50-50%, etc.At the same time, the actual frequency is much higher than the registered one, this is explained by the peculiarities of the diagnosis and the possibility of the disease appearing in a latent form.
The prostate gland is a small glandular-muscular organ located in the small pelvis under the bladder and covering the beginning of the urethra (urethra).The prostate gland produces a secretion that, when mixed with seminal fluid, maintains the activity of sperm and their resistance in various adverse conditions.
During prostatitis, many problems with urination occur, libido decreases and erectile function is disturbed.The saddest thing is that, in the absence of proper treatment, about 40% of patients experience some form of infertility, because the prostate gland can no longer produce enough high-quality secretions to ensure the movement of sperm.It is important to remember that similar symptoms can occur not only in prostatitis, but also in prostate adenoma and cancer.
Forms of prostatitis
According to the 1995 criteria of the National Institutes of Health (NIH USA), there are four categories of prostatitis:
- Category I - acute prostatitis;
- II category - chronic bacterial prostatitis;
- Category III - chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS):
- IIIa category - chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome with signs of inflammation;
- IIIb category - chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome without signs of inflammation;
- Category IV - asymptomatic (asymptomatic) chronic prostatitis.
Chronic granulomatous prostatitis, which is not mentioned in this classification, sometimes occurs.
Most experts distinguish 4 main forms of prostatitis:
- acute bacterial prostatitis,
- chronic bacterial prostatitis,
- Non-bacterial prostatitis
- Prostatodynia.
Causes of prostatitis in men
In people under the age of 35, the disease usually develops in the form of acute bacterial prostatitis.It is called bacterial prostatitis when there is laboratory confirmation of the presence of infection.Chlamydia, trichomoniasis, gardnerellosis or gonorrhea are found most often.The infection enters the prostate gland from the urethra, bladder, rectum, and pelvic blood and lymph vessels.
However, recent studies confirm that in most cases the infection is based on the structure of the prostate tissue and existing disorders of blood circulation in it.In non-bacterial prostatitis, bacteria cannot be isolated, although this does not exclude their presence.
Chronic forms of the disease are diagnosed more often in elderly patients.
Prostatodynia is the presence of a clinical picture of prostatitis, thickening of prostate tissue without signs of inflammation.
Symptoms of prostatitis in men
Symptoms of prostatitis can be divided into 3 groups:
- disorders of the urogenital system (frequent and painful urge to urinate, feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder), pain in the lower abdomen;
- sexual dysfunction (pain along the urethra and in the rectum during ejaculation, weak erection, premature ejaculation, loss of orgasm, etc.);
- Increased anxiety and nervousness of men, which is caused by paying attention to the condition of patients.
Acute prostatitis usually begins with an increase in body temperature to 39-40°C, fever and chills.Urination is difficult and painful.Swelling of the prostate gland develops, which can cause acute urinary retention.
Chronic prostatitis progresses more calmly, but at any time, under adverse factors, an exacerbation may occur.possibly asymptomatic.
Complications of prostatitis
In the absence of timely treatment, prostatitis can cause the following complications:
- transition from acute prostatitis to chronic,
- Bladder obstruction with acute urinary retention requiring surgical treatment;
- development of male infertility,
- narrowing of the urethra and scar,
- recurrent cystitis,
- Pyelonephritis and other kidney damage
- prostate abscess (suppression) that requires surgical intervention;
- Sepsis is a life-threatening complication that often develops in people with reduced immunity (patients with diabetes, kidney failure).
Treatment of prostatitis in men
The modern arsenal of diagnosis of prostate diseases is very wide.
The doctor will prescribe a bacteriological examination of urine and prostate secretion.To find out the location of the urinary tract infection, different parts of the urine are examined.In addition, a digital examination of the prostate gland is a mandatory diagnostic method.This procedure is not very pleasant, but very informative.Your doctor may refer you for an ultrasound scan of the prostate and pelvic organs.If necessary, computerized or magnetic nuclear tomography, cystoscopy, urography and prostate enzyme testing are prescribed.
When making a diagnosis, the doctor must exclude the presence of benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer.To quickly relieve pain in acute prostatitis, analgesics and warm baths can be recommended.
Bacterial prostatitis requires the appointment of antibiotics, the selection of which is based on the results of the bacteriological culture of the secretion on the nutrient medium and determining the sensitivity of the pathogen to chemotherapy.
Non-bacterial prostatitis is treated with anti-inflammatory drugs.
Prevention of prostatitis
Avoid hypothermia and do not sit on cold objects.Follow a gentle diet (excluding alcohol, spicy, fried and canned foods).Regular sexual life is also a way to prevent prostatitis (because one of the provoking factors is sperm stagnation and frequent erection without further ejaculation).Equally important is the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.
In adulthood, every man should undergo regular (once a year) examinations by a urologist.After prostatitis, preventive courses of outpatient treatment are carried out at least 2 times a year for one month and one course of sanatorium treatment.