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, after 40-40%, 50-50% etc.At the same time, the real incidence is much higher than the registered one, which is explained by the specifics of the diagnosis and the possibility of the disease occurring in a latent form.In case of prostatitis, many urination problems occur, libido decreases and erectile function is impaired.
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, after 40-40%, 50-50% etc.At the same time, the real incidence is much higher than the registered one, which is explained by the specifics of the diagnosis and the possibility of the disease occurring in a latent form.
The prostate gland is a small glandular-muscular organ located in the pelvis below the bladder and covering the beginning of the urethra (urethra).The prostate gland produces a secretion that, mixed with seminal fluid, maintains the activity and resistance of spermatozoa against various adverse conditions.
In case of prostatitis, many urination problems occur, libido decreases and erectile function is impaired.The saddest thing is that in the absence of proper treatment, approximately 40% of patients face some form of infertility, as the prostate can no longer produce a sufficient amount of high-quality secretions to ensure sperm motility.It is important to note that similar symptoms can occur not only with prostatitis, but also with prostate adenoma and cancer.
Forms of prostatitis
According to the 1995 criteria of the US National Institutes of Health (NIH USA), there are four categories of prostatitis:
- Category I - Acute prostatitis;
- II.category - chronic bacterial prostatitis;
- III.category - Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS):
- Category IIIa – Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome with signs of inflammation;
- Category IIIb - Chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome without signs of inflammation;
- ARC.category - Asymptomatic (asymptomatic) chronic prostatitis.
Occasionally, chronic granulomatous prostatitis, which is not included in this classification, may occur.
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 occurs in the form of acute bacterial prostatitis.We speak of bacterial prostatitis when the presence of the infection is confirmed in the laboratory.Most often it turns out to be chlamydia, trichomoniasis, gardnerellosis or gonorrhea.The infection enters the prostate gland from the urethra, bladder, rectum, and through the blood and lymph vessels of the pelvis.
However, the latest studies prove that the infection is, in most cases, stratified by disturbances in the structure of the prostate tissue and in the blood circulation within it.In non-bacterial prostatitis, bacteria cannot be isolated, although this does not rule out their presence.
Older patients are more often diagnosed with chronic forms of the disease.
Prostatodynia is the presence of the clinical picture of prostatitis, thickening of the prostate tissue without signs of inflammation.
Symptoms of prostatitis in men
Symptoms of prostatitis can be divided into 3 groups:
- urinary tract disorders (frequent and painful urge to urinate, feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder), pain in the lower abdomen;
- disorders of sexual functions (pain along the urethra and in the rectum during ejaculation, weak erection, premature ejaculation, loss of orgasm, etc.);
- the man's increased anxiety and nervousness caused by the patients' attachment to their condition.
Acute prostatitis usually begins with an increase in body temperature to 39-40 °C, with 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 it can flare up at any time under the influence of unfavorable factors.Maybe asymptomatic.
Complications of prostatitis
In the absence of timely treatment, prostatitis can cause the following complications:
- the transition of acute prostatitis to chronic,
- bladder obstruction with acute urinary retention requiring surgical treatment,
- development of male infertility,
- narrowing and scarring of the urethra,
- recurrent cystitis,
- pyelonephritis and other kidney damage,
- an abscess of the prostate that requires surgical intervention,
- sepsis is a life-threatening complication that often develops in people with reduced immunity (patients with diabetes mellitus, kidney failure).
Treatment of prostatitis in men
The modern arsenal for diagnosing prostate diseases is very wide.
The doctor prescribes a bacteriological examination of urine and prostate secretions.In order to clarify the location of the urinary tract infection, different parts of the urine are examined.In addition, 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 examination 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, your doctor must rule out the presence of benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer.Painkillers and warm baths can be recommended to quickly relieve the pain of acute prostatitis.
Bacterial prostatitis requires the prescription of antibiotics, which are selected based on the bacteriological culture of the secretion in the culture medium and the determination of 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 (except for alcohol, spicy, fried and canned foods).Regular sexual life is one way to prevent prostatitis (as one of the provoking factors is sperm stagnation and frequent erections without subsequent ejaculation).Prevention of sexually transmitted diseases is equally important.
In adulthood, all men must undergo a regular (once a year) urological examination.After prostatitis, preventive outpatient treatment is carried out at least twice a year for one month and one sanatorium treatment.