The prostate gland can easily be called one of the most important organs of the male reproductive system.The prostate is a small gland, about the size of a normal walnut, located around the urethra.The main function of this organ is to produce fluid: prostate juice, which actively participates in the formation of spermatozoa and gives motility to spermatozoa.
Inflammation of the prostate
According to the WHO, almost a third of the male population is diagnosed with prostate problems resulting in complications.Prostatitis is a disease of the endocrine organ, characterized in medicine as inflammation of the prostate resulting from tissue damage caused by viruses or bacteria.Also, nonspecific infectious pathology can develop against the background of inflammation of the seminal vesicles, prostatic appendages or urinary disorders.
Signs of prostatitis
Conventionally, prostate disease is usually divided into several categories: bacterial, chronic and non-bacterial.In the first two cases, prostate disorders begin due to the entry of bacteria into the body.The acute bacterial form of prostatitis is accompanied by an increase in body temperature, severe pain in the groin of the abdomen and perineum, and cramps in the lower abdomen.A sick man begins to go to the toilet more often, and sometimes droplets of blood come out along with urine.
Prostatitis of non-bacterial origin presents as a form of chronic prostatic pelvic pain syndrome, while other symptoms may be completely absent.Chronic signs of prostatitis in men are expressed in pain when urinating, in the groin, absence or disturbance of sexual function.The peculiarity of this form of prostatitis is that most of the time it is asymptomatic.
It is worth noting that the characteristics of how prostatitis manifests itself cannot be described as constant.Due to the fact that each organism is individual, some signs may be completely absent, and the disease may manifest itself differently in different categories of men.Sometimes prostatitis begins with sudden manifestations of the inflammatory process - then we talk about the acute form.If the disease bothers you only occasionally, this is most likely the chronic stage of inflammation of the prostate.
Causes of prostatitis
Many different categories of citizens can be considered at risk for this pathology, but prostatitis most often progresses in those who:
- sits a lot and moves little;
- prefers an unbalanced diet to healthy food;
- cannot in any way free himself from the addiction to drinking or smoking tobacco;
- often becomes hypothermic;
- does not have a regular sexual partner;
- often refuses sex.
However, even this is not a complete list of the causes of prostatitis.Doctors say that inflammation of the prostate can occur even in an almost healthy man, in which case everything is often attributed to excessive fatigue, stress and poor ecology.It often progresses after surgery, severe bruising, or other trauma to the genital organs.In any case, if you have even the slightest suspicion of prostatitis, you should immediately visit a urologist.
Chronic prostatitis
Manifestations of the recurrent form of the disease are different.For some men, this is a complete refusal of sex, a frequent need to go to the toilet, itching or burning in the urethra or pain in the groin.However, another category of patients may experience similar symptoms only from time to time.Much more typical are the functional signs of chronic prostatitis, which are usually divided into three subgroups:
- painful and frequent need to go to the bathroom, urinary retention, blood in the sputum, swelling in the groin, diarrhea;
- feeling of pressure in the anus during ejaculation, absence or weakness of erection, loss of desire to have sex, loss of severity of orgasm;
- feeling of anxiety, tiredness, depression, frequent nervous breakdowns and stress.
Recurrent prostatitis without proper treatment can not only cause many problems, but also lead to serious consequences: adenoma, abscess and prostate cancer.Chronic inflammation of the prostate can continue indefinitely, but the course of prostatitis is never monotonous.Acute attacks, sometimes intense, are followed by periods of relative calm.
Catarrhal prostatitis
Acute or parenchymal prostatitis in men often occurs due to weakened immunity or infection entering the body.In addition, the catarrhal form of the disease can develop even after a normal sore throat, acute respiratory viral infection and severe cough.Microbes, bacteria and other pathogenic microflora, together with lymph, penetrate the prostate, where they trigger inflammatory processes.The first signs of prostatitis in men are usually a feeling of heaviness in the lower abdomen and a slight increase in temperature.
With a detailed examination, the doctor may notice other symptoms characteristic of the catarrhal form.For example:
- upon examination, a slight swelling of the prostate is revealed, while the procedure itself is extremely painful for the patient;
- analysis of prostate secretions will reveal the release of a greater number of leukocytes;
- Ultrasound shows purulent components, blockage or partial narrowing of the ducts through which urine passes.
Diagnosis of prostatitis
Thanks to active campaigns and ubiquitous advertising, today even schoolchildren know not only the symptoms, but also how to treat the prostate.However, the absence of signs makes it difficult not only to choose the right drugs, but also to make a diagnosis in time.The best way to prevent inflammation is to visit the clinic more often.Therefore, prostatitis is often diagnosed during a routine examination by a urologist.
In case of complaints, an experienced doctor can already suspect inflammation of the prostate and prescribe appropriate tests, which often include:
- digital rectal exam;
- analysis of secretions and seminal fluid;
- ultrasound examination of the prostate;
- urine and blood analysis;
- taking a smear from the urethra.
How to treat prostatitis
How prostatitis manifests itself and its treatment are the main topics of discussion at many international medical symposiums and conferences.Every year scientists, ordinary doctors and experienced doctors try to establish more accurate symptoms of prostatitis, to develop new drugs and prevention methods.However, at the moment, the classic range of therapeutic measures remains unchanged and includes:
- prescription of antibacterial, antiviral and immunomodulatory drugs;
- the use of magnetic field devices, hirudotherapy, ultrasound and laser treatments on the patient;
- a course of prostate massage aimed at strengthening the reproductive functions of the body and normalizing the microcirculation of blood flow in the genitourinary system.
In the complex treatment of prostatitis, herbal remedies are often used.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis in men
Unfortunately, no method or medicine can alleviate the manifestations of the disease, much less completely eliminate the inflammation.Therefore, the treatment of chronic prostatitis occurs according to a comprehensive scheme, using effective drugs of three groups:
- Antibiotics – fluoroquinolones.Drugs of this series penetrate well into the soft tissues of the prostate and destroy most types of harmful microorganisms.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory tablets.They remove swelling of the prostate, improve blood circulation and relieve pain.
- Alpha blockers.They help relax the bladder and urethra, facilitating the outflow of urine.
In addition, drug therapy involves the use of a number of additional drugs that help strengthen the prostate: vitamins, enzymes, suppositories, adaptogens.Your doctor may also prescribe massage, simple physiotherapeutic procedures, or physical therapy.All patients are prescribed a special fiber diet, excluding the consumption of alcohol, canned food, fried, too spicy or salty foods.