Chronic prostatitis is an inflammatory process that affects the tissues of the prostate gland and leads to failure of its proper functioning. The disease is one of the most common disorders of the male genitalia.
The risk group is the male population from twenty to forty years, during their peak labor, reproductive and sexual activity. Almost every tenth man has experienced such a sexual problem at least once in his life.
Chronic prostatitis is characterized by alternating periods of exacerbation and remission of the symptoms of the disease. Under the signs of such a disease many other problems are suitable not only with the genitourinary system, but also with other internal organs, therefore, when they occur, it is important to immediately consult a qualified physician for diagnosis.
Chronic prostatitis develops over a long period of time. Quite often this disorder occurs without the manifestation of any symptoms or with a mild manifestation of them and is diagnosed during a random examination. It is difficult to treat, there is a possibility of frequent recurrences.
Etiology
Routes of infection:
- directly through the urethra;
- with a stream of contaminated urine;
- with the movement of blood or lymph;
- transmission of infection from neighboring organs.
There are pathogenic microorganisms in every male organism that can provoke the progression of prostatitis. However, not all men have such a dangerous and unpleasant disease. This means that not only the pathogenic microflora, although it is the main reason for the development of the pathology, favorable conditions are needed for its activation. There are the following favorable factors for the development of the disease:
- sedentary working conditions and sedentary lifestyle;
- frequent change of sexual partners;
- premature termination of sexual intercourse as a contraceptive;
- prolonged abstinence from sexual intercourse;
- tight underwear;
- hypothermia;
- other inflammations of the genitourinary system;
- all types of prostate injuries;
- bad habits;
- too greasy and high-calorie food;
- constant stress.
Varieties
The following classification of chronic prostatitis is widespread in the medical field:
- infectious process caused by bacteria;
- the disease is not bacterial in nature;
- asymptomatic (regardless of the infectious process);
- stagnated. It arises from prolonged sexual abstinence.
According to the stages of development, chronic prostatitis is divided into:
- exudative - accompanied by pain in the groin, scrotum, ejaculation is accelerated;
- alternative - the same signs are observed as in the previous stage, but with a slight addition, in the form of frequent urges to urinate;
- proliferation - ejaculation is delayed and the intensity of urinary flow decreases;
- scarring - all the above signs are inherent.
Symptoms
Chronic prostatitis is characterized by the following symptoms:
- pain and discomfort in the pelvis, inguinal area, inner thighs, lasting three or more months;
- frequent urge to urinate;
- acute pain at the end of the need;
- painful erection;
- sometimes complete lack of ejaculation;
- sleep disturbance;
- reduction of working capacity;
- itching, feeling cold or excessive sweating of the perineum;
- change in skin color in the groin area;
- reduction of sexual desire;
- nocturnal erections;
- loss of appetite;
- irritability;
- constant feeling of tiredness;
- slight increase in body temperature.
Complications
Chronic prostatitis often does not present with any symptoms, so the patient is unaware of the problem and does not receive timely treatment. All this can lead to a number of complications.
Complications can be:
- male infertility;
- impotence;
- urinary incontinence;
- prostate cysts;
- prostate cancer tumors.
Diagnosis
The diagnosis of such a disease is not difficult for a urologist. The doctor makes:
- questioning the patient about pain or discomfort;
- general examination of the groin area for rash, discharge or irritation;
- digital examination of the prostate gland (through the rectal opening);
- collection of prostate secretion.
These procedures are quite unpleasant and sometimes painful, but are most acceptable for diagnosing such a disease.
In addition, the patient will need to present:
- general urine analysis;
- urethral smear;
- urine for bacterial examination;
- three cups of urine sample;
- scraping to determine the cause of the disease.
Hardware diagnostics consists of:
- Prostate ultrasound - to determine the volume of the prostate gland, the presence of tumors or cysts;
- uroflowmetry - to determine the rate of urine flow. In a healthy state the movement is - fifteen milliliters per second, in chronic prostatitis - less than ten;
- CT;
- biopsy.
Without performing all the above diagnostic methods, the doctor will not be able to determine how to treat chronic prostatitis.
Treatment
Chronic prostatitis, although difficult to treat, is still possible, especially with timely detection.
The treatment of this disease consists of several stages:
- antibiotic therapy, which in most cases lasts several weeks, if necessary, longer;
- course of therapeutic massage of the prostate gland - consists of fourteen visits to the doctor;
- elimination of prostate spasms, stagnation of urine and leakage of secretions from the gland with the help of certain groups of drugs that can be prescribed only by a specialist;
- physiotherapy, consisting of microwave and laser therapy, various ultrasound methods, mud therapy and enemas with water enriched with minerals and hydrogen sulfide;
- herbal medicine. A good effect is the use of essential oil of pumpkin seeds;
- surgical medical intervention, which is directed only at changes in the size of the urethra, in the case of abscesses or prostate adenoma.
Chronic prostatitis can be treated with folk remedies at home, but only when combined with the above methods. Such therapies can reduce pain when symptoms occur, as well as prevent recurrence of the disease.
At home, the course of the disease can be mitigated by:
- mixtures of honey and crushed pumpkin seeds;
- freshly squeezed juices of cucumbers, beets and carrots. Use them at least five hundred milliliters a day;
- pear compote;
- decoction of parsley roots;
- ripe chestnut peel;
- infusion of celandine;
- coniferous baths, lasting no more than twenty minutes a day.
Also, a special diet will help speed up the recovery process, providing a reduction or complete rejection of certain foods:
- fatty and rich broths of meat, fish and mushrooms;
- hot sauces and spices;
- onion, garlic, horseradish, radish, hot pepper;
- legumes;
- cabbage;
- milk and milk products.
Preventive actions
To prevent chronic prostatitis, men should follow a few simple rules:
- if possible, avoid severe and prolonged hypothermia of the body;
- try to warm up every two hours with a sedentary or sedentary job;
- in case of constipation use special laxatives;
- wear only comfortable, not too tight clothes. This is especially true of underwear;
- to have sex without frequent partner changes;
- get rid of the long abstinence from sexual intercourse;
- consult a doctor in time if you suspect the presence of genital diseases of any nature;
- lead a healthy lifestyle, giving up all bad habits;
- normalization of the regime and composition of the consumed food. It is better to eat small meals five or six times a day. Introduce a large amount of fresh fruits, vegetables, meat in the diet;
- do daily exercise.
Following such simple recommendations will save a man from the appearance of such a problem as chronic prostatitis. After all, avoiding it is much easier than treating it.