Prostatitis is one of the most common urological diseases in men.It is generally accepted that after 30 years, 30% of men suffer from prostatitis, after 40 - 40%, after 50 - 50%, etc.At the same time, the real incidence is much higher than the recorded one, this is explained by the peculiarities of the diagnosis and the possibility of the appearance of the disease in a latent form.With prostatitis, many problems with urination occur, libido decreases and erectile function is impaired.
Prostatitis is one of the most common urological diseases in men.It is generally accepted that after 30 years, 30% of men suffer from prostatitis, after 40 - 40%, after 50 - 50%, etc.At the same time, the real incidence is much higher than the recorded one, this is explained by the peculiarities of the diagnosis and the possibility of the appearance of the disease in a latent form.
The prostate gland is a small glandular-muscular organ located in the small pelvis below the bladder, covering the initial part of the urethra (urethra).The prostate gland produces a secretion that, when mixed with seminal fluid, maintains sperm activity and resistance to various adverse conditions.
With prostatitis, many problems with urination occur, libido decreases and erectile function is impaired.The saddest thing is that in the absence of proper treatment, about 40% of patients face some form of infertility, since the prostate gland can no longer produce a sufficient amount of high-quality secretions to ensure sperm motility.It is important to remember that similar symptoms can occur not only with prostatitis, but also with prostate adenoma and cancer.
Forms of prostatitis
According to the criteria of the American National Institutes of Health (NIH USA) since 1995, there are four categories of prostatitis:
- Category I - Acute prostatitis.
- Class II - Chronic bacterial prostatitis.
- Category III - Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CP/CPPS):
- Category IIIa - Chronic prostatitis/Chronic pelvic pain syndrome with signs of inflammation.
- Category IIIb - Chronic prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome without signs of inflammation.
- Class IV - Asymptomatic (asymptomatic) chronic prostatitis.
Occasionally, chronic granulomatous prostatitis, not listed in this classification, also occurs.
Most experts distinguish 4 main forms of prostatitis:
- acute bacterial prostatitis,
- chronic bacterial prostatitis,
- non-bacterial prostatitis
- Prostatodynia.
Causes of prostatitis in men
In people under the age of 35, the disease usually occurs in the form of acute bacterial prostatitis.Bacterial prostatitis is called when there is laboratory confirmation of the presence of infection.Most often it turns out to be chlamydia, trichomoniasis, gardnerellosis or gonorrhea.The infection enters the prostate gland from the urethra, bladder, rectum and through the blood and lymphatic vessels of the pelvis.
However, recent studies prove that in most cases the infection is associated with existing disorders in the structure of the prostate tissue and blood circulation in it.With non-bacterial prostatitis, bacteria cannot be isolated, although this does not rule out their presence.
Chronic forms of the disease are more often diagnosed in older patients.
Prostatodynia is the presence of a clinical picture of prostatitis, thickening of the prostate tissue without signs of inflammation.
Symptoms of prostatitis in men
Symptoms of prostatitis can be divided into 3 groups:
- disorders of the urinary system (frequent and painful urge to urinate, feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder), pain in the lower abdomen.
- sexual function disorders (pain along the urethra and in the rectum during ejaculation, weak erection, premature ejaculation, loss of orgasm, etc.)
- increased anxiety and nervousness of a man, caused by the fixation of patients' attention on their condition.
Acute prostatitis usually begins with an increase in body temperature to 39-40°C with fever and chills.Urination is difficult and painful.Swelling of the prostate gland develops, which can cause acute urinary retention.
Chronic prostatitis progresses more calmly, but at any time, under adverse factors, an exacerbation may occur.Probably asymptomatic.
Complications of prostatitis
In the absence of timely treatment, prostatitis can cause the following complications:
- transition of acute prostatitis to chronic,
- bladder obstruction with acute urinary retention, which requires surgical treatment,
- development of male infertility,
- urethral stricture and scarring,
- recurrent cystitis,
- pyelonephritis and other kidney damage,
- abscess (hypostasis) of the prostate, which requires surgery,
- Sepsis is a life-threatening complication that often develops in people with reduced immunity (patients with diabetes mellitus, renal failure).
Treatment of prostatitis in men
The modern arsenal for diagnosing prostate diseases is very wide.
The doctor will prescribe a bacteriological examination of your urine and prostate secretions.To clarify the location of a UTI, various sections of urine are examined.In addition, a mandatory diagnostic method is the digital examination of the prostate gland.This process is not very pleasant, but it is very informative.Your doctor may refer you for an ultrasound of your prostate and pelvic organs.If necessary, computed or magnetic nuclear tomography, cystoscopy, urography and prostate enzyme testing are prescribed.
When making a diagnosis, your doctor must rule out the presence of benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer.For the rapid relief of pain in acute prostatitis, analgesics and warm baths are recommended.
Bacterial prostatitis requires the prescription of antibiotics, the selection of which is carried out based on the results of the bacteriological culture of secretions in nutrient media and the determination of the sensitivity of the pathogen to chemotherapy.
Non-bacterial prostatitis is treated with anti-inflammatory drugs.
Prevention of prostatitis
Avoid hypothermia and do not sit on cold objects.Follow a bland diet (excluding alcohol, spicy, fried and canned foods).Regular sex life is also a way to prevent prostatitis (since one of the factors that cause it is sperm stagnation and frequent erections without subsequent ejaculation).Equally important is the prevention of sexually transmitted diseases.
In adulthood, every man must undergo regular (once a year) examinations by a urologist.After prostatitis, preventive courses of external treatment are carried out at least 2 times a year for a month and one course of treatment in the sanatorium.