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 regular walnut, that is located around the urethra.The main function of this organ is to produce fluid - prostate juice, which actively participates in the formation of sperm and gives sperma motility.
Prostate inflammation
According to WHO, almost a third of the male population is diagnosed with problems with the prostate gland with subsequent complications.Prostatitis is a disease of the endocrine organ, characterized in medicine as inflammation of the prostate resulting from tissue damage by viruses or bacteria.In addition, nonspecific infectious pathology can develop against the background of inflammation of the seminal vesicles, prostate 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 bacteria entering 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 occurs as a form of prostatic chronic pelvic pain syndrome, while other symptoms may be completely absent.Chronic signs of prostatitis in men are expressed in pain during urination, in the groin, absence or disorder 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 features of how prostatitis manifests itself cannot be described as constant.Due to the fact that each organism is individual, certain signs may be completely absent, and the disease may occur differently in different categories of men.Sometimes prostatitis begins with sudden manifestations of the inflammatory process - then they speak of an acute form.If the disease bothers you only occasionally, then most likely the chronic stage of prostate inflammation.
Causes of prostatitis
Many different categories of citizens can be considered at risk for this pathology, but more often prostatitis progresses in those who:
- sits a lot and moves little;
- prefers an unbalanced diet to healthy food;
- cannot in any way get rid of addictions to drinking or smoking tobacco;
- often gets hypothermic;
- does not have a regular sexual partner;
- often refuses sex.
However, even this is far from a complete list of what causes prostatitis.Doctors say that inflammation of the prostate can appear 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 bruise 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 diverse.For some men, this is a complete refusal of sex, frequent urge 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 urge to go to the toilet, urinary retention, blood in the sputum, swelling in the groin, diarrhea;
- a feeling of pressure in the anus during ejaculation, absence or weakness of an erection, loss of desire to have sex, loss of the severity of orgasm;
- feeling of anxiety, fatigue, depression, frequent nervous breakdowns and stress.
Recurrent prostatitis without proper treatment can not only cause a lot of trouble, 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.Sharp, sometimes intense attacks 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.Moreover, the catarrhal form of the disease can develop even after an ordinary sore throat, acute respiratory viral infection and severe cough.Microbes, bacteria and other pathogenic microflora, together with lymph, penetrate into 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, slight swelling of the prostate is revealed, while the procedure itself is extremely painful for the patient;
- analysis of secretions from the prostate will reveal the release of an increased number of leukocytes;
- Ultrasound shows purulent components, blockage or partial narrowing of the ducts through which urine passes.
Diagnosis of prostatitis
Thanks to active campaigning and ubiquitous advertising, today even schoolchildren know not only about the symptoms, but also how to treat the prostate.However, the absence of any signs makes it difficult not only to choose the right medications, but also to make a diagnosis on 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.
If there are complaints, an experienced doctor may already suspect inflammation of the prostate and prescribe appropriate tests, which often include:
- digital rectal examination;
- 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 in many international symposia and medical conferences.Every year scientists, ordinary physicians and experienced doctors are trying to establish more accurate symptoms of prostatitis, develop new medications and prevention methods.However, at the moment, the classic range of therapeutic measures remains unchanged and includes:
- prescription of antibacterial, antiviral drugs and immunomodulators;
- the use of magnetic field devices, hirudotherapy, ultrasound and laser treatment on the patient;
- a prostate massage course aimed at strengthening the reproductive functions of the body and normalizing 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
Alas, not a single method or medicine can relieve you of the manifestations of the disease, much less completely eliminate inflammation.Therefore, treatment of chronic prostatitis takes place according to a comprehensive scheme, using effective drugs from three groups:
- Antibiotics – fluoroquinolones.Drugs from this series penetrate well into the soft tissue 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.The 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.