Many people are still ashamed or hesitate to talk about some diseases.This is especially true for urogenital problems, which simultaneously create discomfort and affect sexual activity.More than 70% of men do not go to the doctor in the early stages of the disease, while the treatment is most effective if the disease is not too advanced.Timely recognition of disease symptoms is important for prevention and early treatment.
What is prostatitis
The prostate or prostate gland is located in the center of the pelvis, connected to the bladder and the seminal duct.The main function is the production of substances that are responsible for the viability and mobility of sperm.From a chemical point of view, this secretion is the basis of immunoglobulin with the addition of vitamins, zinc, iodine - the basis for sperm nutrition and activity.The composition of the fluid is an important diagnostic parameter that helps to recognize symptoms at an early stage.
As you can guess from the name, the disease involves inflammatory processes in the prostate.This pathology is always associated with the presence of a bacterial infection, although it does not necessarily appear in a form that is visible to humans.The type of disease progression largely depends on age, predisposition, accompanying factors and characteristics of the organism.
Normally, the prostate is not palpable and does not attract attention.However, despite its rather deep location in the pelvic area, this organ is one of the most vulnerable in the male body.There is an opinion that only older people can feel the symptoms of prostatitis, but this is not true: the disease is typical for mature men between the ages of 20 and 60.
In the early stage, it is quite difficult to recognize the disease.Signs may appear from time to time, then bother you, and then disappear without a trace.Doctors note that the psychology of men, especially young men, also plays a role: not everyone is ready to go to the doctor and admit a "shameful" disease.
At the same time, the disease is characterized by dangerous complications, including:
- Infertility due to impaired sperm motility.Sometimes asymptomatic or mild chronic prostatitis becomes the only reason for the absence of a child in a couple.A woman can undergo examinations as much as she wants, but it will not help until her husband decides to examine himself for his own fertility.
- Prostate adenoma is a benign tumor, which, however, can become very dangerous for a man.This is due to the anatomical structure - the urethra and vas deferens are located in such a way that if the prostate grows abnormally, it interferes with normal urination.There is a risk of many complications, including bladder rupture.
- According to statistics, prostate cancer is one of the most common diseases in men.Oncological disease is one of the ten main causes of death for people over the age of 50;precisely at this age, long-term chronic prostatitis tends to degenerate into a life-threatening condition.
- Psychological problems associated with erectile dysfunction, infertility, problems with natural functions.This is a secondary symptom, but it also significantly affects the patient's quality of life.
One in twenty men over thirty and more than half of those over fifty have experienced symptoms of prostatitis.This is one of the most common diseases.Prevention, early diagnosis and careful treatment can alleviate attacks and complications of the disease.
acute (bacterial)
The disease can appear in men at any age.And if chronic forms of this disease are more typical for older people, then acute bacterial types of the disease can theoretically appear in anyone.Bacteria that cause signs of prostatitis can be either pathogenic or opportunistic.
Here are a few things to remember about this pattern:
- You can get infected at any age, including unprotected sex.
- Prostatitis is not the same as classical sexually transmitted diseases (sexually transmitted diseases), such as gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia, but can manifest itself as a secondary infection on the background of some other disease.
- You can get infected either from your partner if she is sick with candidiasis, inflammation of the ovaries, vulvitis or vulvovaginitis, or you can pass the infection on to her.It happens that one of the couple becomes a "carrier" of the infection, and constant re-infection is possible even within a permanent couple.
- The main cause of acute bacterial prostatitis is unprotected sexual intercourse, accompanied by hypothermia and other situations that reduce local immunity.
Chronic bacterial
In the absence of appropriate treatment and ignoring symptoms in the acute form, as well as with regular reinfection, there is a high risk of developing a chronic pathological process.This is due to the fact that the prostate is a suitable place for the reproduction of pathogenic organisms: high temperature, humidity, nutrients.Chronic prostatitis is characterized by exposure to opportunistic strains that cause a slow but unpleasant reaction that significantly worsens the quality of life.
Features:
- Paroxysmal course: the symptoms are almost indistinguishable from the acute form, but if it appears in the beginning, the chronic form recurs regularly.Many people try to alleviate the symptoms of prostatitis in men with analgesics and other emergency methods.This works but does not solve the problem.
- Indeed, the symptoms often disappear by themselves, without additional methods of therapy, especially in young men: the body suppresses the activity of bacteria using the resources of its own immunity.As a rule, it is not possible to completely destroy the infection, so relapses return again and again.Each of them can become more difficult than the last.
- Relapses are dangerous due to the appearance of purulent foci and damage to neighboring organs: bladder, penis, testicles, kidneys.
Chronic bacterial prostatitis is the most common type of disease.Some men suffer from it for years, relieving the attacks with painkillers, but not getting rid of the underlying problem.Over time, the condition worsens.
Chronic non-bacterial
Treatment of this form of prostatitis will always be one of the most difficult.The disease is not associated with the activity of bacteria, which also makes it difficult to diagnose and identify the causative factors.Its causes are extremely diverse: from an unhealthy lifestyle to working conditions associated with lifting heavy loads - for example, it is often found among loaders, construction workers and other people whose professional activities are associated with such activities.
An attack of the disease can be caused by neurological problems, stress, poisoning, injury to the prostate and pelvic muscles - this happens in professional athletes.In many cases, it can be treated.Often the etiology remains unclear.
Asymptomatic chronic
Another "insidious" type of prostatitis in men, because it develops without symptoms characteristic of the disease, which is why a person does not suspect that he has the disease.The reasons can be different, but more often they are associated simultaneously with the action of bacteria and lifestyle characteristics.
The biggest risk is that without symptoms, one hardly ever thinks to get tested.In this regard, doctors recommend that people over 40 years of age undergo preventive diagnostics: they provide urine for the content of leukocytes, as well as the fluid secreted by the prostate.Asymptomatic prostatitis becomes one of the frequent causes of male infertility.
Causes of disease
The most obvious cause of symptoms is bacteria entering the genitourinary tract.Systemic urogenital infections are extremely common, i.e. a person simultaneously suffers from, for example, pyelonephritis.
Among the predisposing factors:
- unhealthy lifestyle - poor nutrition, alcohol abuse, it is believed that excess weight also contributes to the development of the disease;
- hypothermia;
- irregular or promiscuous sex life;
- unprotected sex with persons who may be carriers of the infection;
- physical inactivity, constant sitting position - prostatitis is typical for professional drivers;
- injuries in the pelvic area.
The main factor always remains age: if there are not so many twenty-five-year-old men who suffer from prostatitis, then after fifty - more than half of all men.The quality of prostatitis treatment depends on early diagnosis, so after forty years everyone should visit a doctor for an examination.
Symptoms
The intensity of the symptoms depends on the form of the disease.We must not forget about the asymptomatic type, which does not manifest itself at all, but also has a destructive effect on health.You should see a doctor for prostatitis medication if the following symptoms occur:
- pain, burning when urinating;
- painful intercourse, deterioration of potency;
- pain during bowel movements;
- difficult urination - a dangerous symptom that causes stones;
- high temperature - in acute form;
- blood in urine, semen.
All signs vary in intensity.Treatment of prostatitis must begin with diagnosis;even one of these manifestations is a reason to see a doctor.Painful sensations can change location, but are most often felt in the lower abdomen and rectum.In acute cases, they are unbearable, increased pain is a bad sign, which indicates a purulent form of the disease.
Diagnostics
Correct diagnosis is necessary for the treatment of prostatitis.The patient is sent for a general urine test to determine the formula of leukocytes, which indicates the presence of inflammation.Be sure to check the blood as well as the sperm - this helps determine sperm activity and often reveals infertility.Prostate secretions are taken for analysis, as well as swabs to identify specific pathogens and prescribe antibiotics for prostatitis.
Treatment
Prostatitis treatment methods are complex, including physical therapy, medical techniques, correction of the patient's diet and lifestyle.Even advanced chronic forms can be cured without serious complications with adherence to recommendations and proper therapy.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy is used in chronic forms and is prescribed only by a doctor, as it is contraindicated in some cases.
Among the methods, the following are the most effective:
- prostate massage - helps to get rid of congestion;
- warming up in warm baths;
- ultrasound therapy;
- electropheresis;
- acupuncture.
The technique depends on the type of disease, as well as on the state of the organism.For example, heating at high temperatures and acute forms is contraindicated;first you need to carry out drug therapy for prostatitis.
Medicines
For pain in the perineum, drugs for prostatitis with an analgesic effect are prescribed.Bacterial forms require the use of antibiotics, and a specific drug is prescribed only after a BAC culture and determining the sensitivity of microorganisms to a specific group.
Other medicines:
- Drotaverin - tablets for prostatitis to relieve spasms and pain;
- Tamsulosin is an alpha blocker, prostatitis pills that improve smooth muscle contractions, improving urine flow;
Self-administration of antibiotics is contraindicated, but drugs from the cephalosporin group are most often prescribed - they work well for almost all types of urogenital infections in men and women.
Candles
Rectal suppositories, also known as suppositories for prostatitis, are excellent for relieving pain, inflammation and reducing all the discomforts associated with the disease.Doctors most often recommend:
- Prostate extract - suppositories for prostatitis with complex action;
- Ketoprofen - relieves pain, swelling;
- Indomethacin.
Most of the drugs are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Taking it in the form of rectal suppositories not only improves effectiveness, but also helps reduce side effects.
Diet
Diet therapy also becomes part of the overall treatment strategy.People who are overweight are advised to normalize their weight to get rid of congestion in the pelvic area.It is prescribed to exclude fatty foods, limit carbohydrates and avoid alcohol, which is often incompatible with antibiotics.Seafood, nuts, avocados and lean meat are healthy if there are no other contraindications.Proper nutrition also serves to prevent prostatitis.
Forecast
With a timely diagnosis, a complete cure is possible.The most important thing is not to allow the disease to become chronic, otherwise complications are inevitable: from prostate adenoma to cancer.In general, with proper therapy and patient compliance with treatment conditions, the prognosis is favorable.
Prevention
Prostatitis is a disease that "grows in youth": recently it has been diagnosed even in teenagers, and men aged thirty to thirty-five are increasingly facing this problem.Therefore, it is important to prevent prostatitis, which consists of:
- correct thermal regime - the pelvic organs must not be overheated or overcooled;
- avoid general hypothermia;
- sexual activity with the use of personal protective equipment - condoms effectively block the path of bacteria;
- proper nutrition;
- Avoid a sedentary lifestyle and irrational stress, especially that associated with lifting heavy objects.
All these methods will help prevent the development of an unpleasant disease.In elderly and elderly people, even in the absence of complaints, it is necessary to periodically visit doctors: urologists and andrologists.