Chronic prostatitis is an inflammatory disease of the prostate gland, which is characterized by organic changes in the tissues and functional disorders of the prostate, male reproductive system and urinary tract.
The prostate is a tubular alveolar gland that occurs only in men. This gland is involved in the production of sperm and is located below the bladder around the beginning of the urethra. Chronic prostatitis in men can occur due to an infection in the prostate gland from the bladder through the blood and lymph vessels of the pelvis or otherwise. Although the presence of an infection may not cause illness or impotence, it usually does not go away for the man without a trace. Currently, the man is experiencing a decrease in the hardness of the penis, sexual dysfunction during sex and urinary disorders.
Chronic prostatitis does not endanger a man's life, but it can still cause psychological stress and deterioration of family relationships. It should also be noted that according to experts, chronic prostatitis, namely its untimely treatment, can lead not only to the development of serious complications, but also to prostate cancer. In fact, in addition to infection, there are a number of other factors predisposing to chronic prostatitis. Nevertheless, the manifestation and exacerbation of chronic prostatitis has different specifics.
Stages of chronic prostatitis
Although there is still no single specificity for the development of chronic prostatitis, experts distinguish the following types:
- I acute bacterial prostatitis;
- II prostatitis with bacterial genesis. It is most common;
- III chronic nonbacterial prostatitis is a symptom complex of chronic pelvic pain lasting more than 3 months;
- category III A is a type of inflammatory form of chronic prostatitis with increased level of leukocytes in the secretion of the prostate;
- III B is a non-inflammatory form of chronic prostatitis without elevated levels of leukocytes and pathogens in the secretion of the prostate;
- Type IV is diagnosed as asymptomatic chronic prostatitis, which does not cause pain and is detected quite by accident based on the results of the analysis of prostate secretion or its biopsy.
The frequency and causes of this category of chronic prostatitis are not yet known. As for the reasons for the development of other types of diseases, it should be noted here that they may be due to the penetration of various infectious microorganisms into the ureter, as well as the violation of various functions in the body of a man.
Preventive methods for inflammation of the prostate
Chronic prostatitis requires long-term treatment. Therefore, it is better to follow preventive measures to avoid it. To do this, the patient will only need to make some lifestyle adjustments that will not only benefit the general health, but will also alleviate this disease. So, first of all, the following prevention rules must be observed:
- strive to lead a healthy lifestyle;
- completely exclude spicy foods from the diet;
- do not abuse alcohol;
- sports, including exercises that help strengthen muscles and improve blood circulation in the pelvic organs;
- attend optional yoga classes;
- observe methods for prevention and treatment of infectious diseases;
- removal of pelvic congestion and timely treatment of rectal diseases;
- exclude excessive masturbation;
- try to have a regular but at the same time safe sex life;
- avoid hypothermia;
- do not sit on cold surfaces;
- warm up more often during sedentary work.
In addition to these preventative measures, men should take into account the fact that chronic prostatitis is insignificant. Therefore, if the man observes urination or defecation and also experiences mild pain, then in this case it is worth consulting a doctor immediately. It is also worth remembering that the course of treatment should be carried out strictly under the supervision of a specialist, without any neglect. In addition, the selection of drugs during antibiotic therapy is carried out depending on the individual condition of the patient and only after he has undergone special studies. Prescription medications should not be interrupted and, moreover, no over-the-counter medications should be taken. Do not delay your doctor's appointment. By searching on our website, you can easily find a clinic that is suitable for both location and pricing.
Causes of inflammation of the prostate
Chronic prostatitis in medicine is positioned as a polyetiological disease. In addition to the penetration of infection into the ureteral organs, it can occur and recur due to the appearance of neurovegetative and hemodynamic disorders, as well as weakening of the immune system and autoimmune, hormonal or biochemical processes. Inflammation of the prostate gland can develop against the background of diseases such as:
- depression;
- neurogenic bladder dysfunction;
- reflex sympathetic dystrophy;
- inflammatory processes of nearby organs;
- bladder neck hypertrophy;
- prostate adenoma;
- stricture of the urethra;
- diseases of the rectum.
Given these factors, the risk of developing inflammation of the prostate is attributed to the following reasons:
- sedentary lifestyle, especially in a sitting position, leads to dysfunction of the blood supply to the pelvic organs;
- local hypothermia of the body;
- frequent constipation;
- irregular sexual intercourse or sudden stress;
- chronic infections;
- previous sexually transmitted diseases. In particular, their delayed treatment;
- malnutrition;
- lack of sleep;
- chronic stress.
In addition, chronic nonbacterial prostatitis can be caused by the formation of myofascial trigger points in the course of diseases, injuries and pelvic surgery.
Symptoms of chronic prostatitis
The symptoms of chronic prostatitis do not bother many men. Inflammation of the prostate occurs suddenly. The patient may be bothered by acute pain in the perineum and groin, and may also experience pain during urination and defecation, accompanied by discharge from the urethra. All of these signs of chronic prostatitis can be accompanied by fever, chills and fever. Most often these symptoms are periodic. Also, chronic prostatitis can manifest itself in the form of complications of sexually transmitted diseases. During the illness, the patient may experience discomfort when urinating, pain in the perineum, and a manifestation of discharge. Chronic inflammation of the prostate leads to erectile dysfunction and delayed ejaculation.
The inflammatory process of the prostate passes deep into the urinary system, which can lead to cystitis and pyelonephritis. Most often, these exacerbations end with inflammation of the testicles and appendages, leading to infertility that requires long-term treatment. Therefore, you should not delay a visit to the doctor. Timely diagnosis and treatment are needed. It is important to remember that chronic prostatitis can be cured if the disease is not triggered.
Diagnosis of chronic prostatitis
As a rule, the doctor can diagnose this or that type of chronic prostatitis based on the complaints indicated by the patient or after the examination. First, the specialist palpates the prostate gland, and then recommends that the patient perform a laboratory examination of the urine culture tank and prostate secretions. This diagnosis allows you to determine the further treatment of chronic prostatitis. In addition, the urologist may apply diagnostic methods such as:
- transrectal ultrasound, which allows you to determine the size and volume of the prostate, as well as to identify the presence of tumors;
- determining the profile of urethral pressure makes it possible to determine the cause of disorders of urination and pelvic floor muscle function;
- microscopic examination of scrapings of the mucous membrane of the urethra, which helps to determine the presence of specific flora causing infectious diseases; X-ray of the prostate;
- MRI of the pelvic organs, which helps to differentiate with prostate cancer, as well as identify non-inflammatory type of bacterial prostatitis;
- determination of the state of humoral and cellular immunity in prostate secretion. This type of research helps not only to diagnose the category of the inflammatory process of the prostate gland, but also to decide which method can be used to treat chronic prostatitis.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis
Chronic prostatitis is considered an insidious and complex disease, the method of its treatment requires an integrated approach. Urologists use treatments such as:
- antibiotic therapy, during which drugs are prescribed that destroy the hidden microorganisms of the infection. The patient takes these medications for several weeks. In the absence of the correct effect, antibiotics can be replaced by another group of drugs;
- physiotherapy may include exposure to electromagnetic, ultrasonic and laser waves, which significantly increases the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy;
- magnetic laser therapy has an anticongestive effect and improves blood microcirculation in the pelvic organs;
- Transrectal prostate massage is the most painful and inconvenient method of treatment, but at the same time the most effective. It is based on the elimination of inflammatory secretions by squeezing them with a finger;
- darsonvalization;
- drug electrophoresis;
- hormone therapy;
- transurethral electrosurgery. This method of treatment can be used only in case of complications which, in addition to disorders of the process of urination or reproductive function in men, have led to the appearance of sclerosis of the prostate and bladder neck. If after surgery there is an exacerbation of the chronic inflammatory process, then in this case the patient can remove all other glands;
- immunocorrection is aimed not only at eliminating the infection, but also at completely eliminating its recurrence. This method of treatment involves the normalization of lifestyle, which implies an active lifestyle, regular walks, adherence to the daily routine and proper nutrition;
- Spa treatment.
In addition, prescribed treatment for chronic prostatitis may include a visit to an immunologist and additional special tests. As discontinuation of this or that course of therapy does not guarantee complete destruction of the prostatitis infection, it is therefore likely to recur. To cure chronic prostatitis, the patient must strictly follow all the doctor's recommendations and follow the prescribed course of treatment to the end.