Inflammation of the prostate is one of the most common urological problems in men of any age. Bacteria and viruses predominate among the causes of prostatitis.
What is bacterial prostatitis?
Currently, several forms of bacterial prostatitis are distinguished in the classification:
- Acute inflammation of the prostate.The main features of the disease are the severity of clinical manifestations and patient complaints, as well as differences in laboratory tests. But despite the acute form, the prognosis is favorable. In most cases, complete recovery is possible. Of course, only with the right diagnosis and treatment. And through prevention, the disease may no longer be reminiscent of itself.
- Subacute form.This occurs when, in the background of an acute illness, the patient seeks self-medication or does not initially complete the prescribed medication. In some situations, this may initially be an incorrect handling tactic. Because of this, a significant part of the symptoms gradually disappears, but some manifestations (urinary disorders, deterioration of sexual function, genital discomfort) may persist and cause discomfort. If not taken in time, the disease becomes chronic with frequent exacerbations. Depending on the characteristics of the infection, the initial development of a subacute form of the disease is also possible.
- Chronic type of disease.Chronic prostatitis is almost always a neglected, untreated, or improperly treated disease. Most symptoms consistently cause tangible discomfort. Any adverse condition quickly worsens as the condition worsens.
Acute bacterial prostatitis
The disease always begins acutely and develops rapidly. Initially, a general temperature reaction occurs, often reaching values above 38. 5 degrees. Dysuria disorders occur almost immediately (frequent, difficult to urinate in small doses, compulsive (sudden) urination, weakening of the urine stream, sometimes until complete retention of urine).
Very important symptoms are pain in the perineum, groin, scrotum, lower abdomen. If initially the pain only accompanies the urination process, you may be constantly upset after a while, including calm. In addition to the manifestations of pain, the patient's sexual desire decreases and the erection deteriorates.
With these signs of bacterial prostatitis, the patient turns to a urologist. Your doctor will order a blood and urine test, and in most cases this may be enough. In the absence of severe pain, prostate secretions may be taken for microscopic examination.
The characteristic manifestation of the disease in its acute form will be severe pain during the digital examination. However, prostate massage is not performed due to the risk of spreading the infection.
The urologist makes a diagnosis based on laboratory tests and patient complaints. It then prescribes treatment, which usually includes:
- Antibiotic therapy with a broad spectrum of drugs. If data on the susceptibility of microorganisms are available, it is possible for the patient to select more effective antibiotics.
- Painkillers can be prescribed in the form of tablets and rectal suppositories for topical use. They are often combined with severe pain syndrome.
- Anticonvulsants and medications that improve urine output.
- Topical preparations for the activation of resistance mechanisms. One of the most commonly prescribed preparations is those extracted from prostate tissues that stimulate local immunity and resistance because they contain organotropic biologically active molecules.
This list of therapeutic measures, followed by adherence to medical prescriptions and prevention, guarantees complete recovery.
Subacute inflammation of the prostate
The subacute form in the initial stage is no different from the acute one. However, it develops due to incomplete or interrupted treatment. At the same time, the patient's alertness is alleviated by the fact that the most acute symptoms, such as fever, disappear most of the time. But other symptoms — dysuria disorders, disturbances in the intimate sphere, pain or discomfort in everyday life — persist, albeit with minimal manifestations. Gradually, the patient gets used to not paying attention to them.
The constant slow process gradually becomes chronic. Very often, a weakened immune system leads to a worsening of the process with the development of a clinical picture. Treatment of subacute prostatitis is based on:
- Antibiotic therapy with mandatory determination of susceptibility of microorganisms.
- Painkillers and most often have a long duration of action.
- Anticonvulsants and medications that improve urine output. In this case, longer courses are needed as some changes are difficult to reverse.
- Topical formulations by activating local immune and organotropic resistance mechanisms. One of the most commonly prescribed formulations is those containing an extract of prostate tissue.
In the case of subacute prostatitis, it is extremely important to stop treatment and to follow all the necessary recommendations conscientiously. In this case, there is a chance to cure the disease and prevent its transition to a chronic form that will be impossible to get rid of.
Chronic prostatitis
This clinical form of the disease can develop in several ways. In the case of exacerbation, the clinical picture becomes similar to the acute form of inflammation of the prostate, and in addition to exacerbation, minimally pronounced symptoms are present continuously.
The main signs of bacterial prostatitis in remission are:
- Dysuria disorders. They are most often caused by a decrease in the flow rate of urine in the form of a slow, attenuated beam. There is no feeling of complete emptying of the bladder. Frequent urination to urinate in small doses, especially at night, is typical - this symptom is called nocturia.
- Violation of the intimate sphere. In this case, an uncomfortable feeling is experienced during intercourse, and pain during ejaculation can also be observed. An important sign of the disease is a decrease in the quality of the erection as well as a decrease in fertility until complete infertility.
- Chronic pain syndrome. It is constantly present, reduces a person’s quality of life, and negatively affects their activities and ability to work. However, factors such as hypothermia, physical activity, and stress often increase pain.
With the progression of chronic disease, the treatment of bacterial prostatitis is no different from the treatment of acute or subacute forms:
- Antibiotic therapy with mandatory determination of the susceptibility of inflammatory microorganisms.
- Painkillers and most often have a long duration of action.
- Anticonvulsants and medications that improve urine output. Long-term intake of sufficiently large doses is often required because existing changes are virtually irreversible and permanent. The main task in this case is to reduce the severity of dysuria.
- Topical drugs against bacterial prostatitis with an organotropic and organoprotective resistance mechanism. One of the most commonly prescribed drugs is products containing extracts of prostate tissue.
Appropriate prevention of any form of bacterial prostatitis
Currently, experts identify three main areas of prevention that initially reduce the risk of the disease and reduce the frequency and severity of exacerbations in its chronic forms. This can be achieved by reducing the impact of risk factors such as:
- Stagnation of blood circulation in glandular tissues with irregular sexual activity;
- Frequent exchange of partners during unprotected intercourse;
- Long break in sex life or excessive, debilitating sexual activity;
- Mechanical rough stimulation of the urethra is particularly dangerous due to microtraumatization and direct bacterial infection;
- general and local hypothermia;
- Low physical activity and a predominantly sedentary lifestyle;
- Physical exhaustion, exhausting physical activity;
- Genital trauma.
Primary preventionprevention of disease. Ensuring personal and intimate hygiene, normalizing physical and sexual activity, and avoiding stressful situations and perineum hypothermia play an important role here.
Secondary preventionaims to cure the infectious process to the fullest. The best result is complete recovery. The better the treatment is chosen and the more responsibly the man meets the doctor’s prescriptions, the more likely he or she is to recover completely.
Tertiary preventionbacterial prostatitis is required in situations where the disease has already taken a chronic form. Its main purpose is to prevent the disease from getting worse.
Not all of the above preventative measures may provide complete protection against exacerbation. Drugs that increase the level of local immunity have recently appeared and are actively used. This increases the resistance of the prostate tissue. Some of the preparations are of plant origin. These are due to plant analogs of hormonal compounds. However, the effectiveness of these funds is still being tested and has not been fully demonstrated.
Preparations based on animal tissue extracts have more evidence. Organic compounds that are completely suitable for the human body. Among them, the most commonly prescribed suppositories and ampoules are from bovine prostate tissue extract. They reduce the risk of adverse effects on the prostate with proven clinical efficacy. When these funds are used, the protective reserve of the gland increases. In addition, resistance increases and the prostate receives the necessary biologically active molecules. In this way, the reinforcement is realized at the "minimum resistance point".