Prostatitis in men is a common inflammatory disease that, if left untreated, causes irreversible changes in the tissues of the prostate gland.The chronic form of the disease does not have clear symptoms, but they can appear during exacerbation of the pathology.Symptoms and treatment largely depend on the severity of the disease and the involvement of other organs of the genitourinary system in the inflammatory process.
A urologist must make a diagnosis, determine the form of the disease and prescribe treatment.
Signs of acute prostatitis
Acute prostatitis presents similar symptoms in different forms.It can be catarrhal, parenchymal, follicular and abscessive.With the development of acute inflammation of the prostate, the general health condition deteriorates quite quickly.The first signs of prostatitis in men are characterized by the appearance of pain in the groin area.Body temperature can reach 40 degrees.During this period, the patient experiences chills, headache and muscle weakness.
A slight relief from the condition and a decrease in discomfort is observed when a man lies on his back and presses his knees to his stomach.
Many patients with acute prostatitis notice pain in the rectum, some of them feel as if there is a foreign object inside it.An inflamed prostate can also manifest as problems with bowel movements.
Acute prostatitis may be accompanied by symptoms similar to intestinal infections and inflammatory diseases of the lower intestine.
This is explained by the enlargement of the prostate gland due to inflammation and increasing swelling of its tissues, which put pressure on the intestine.Therefore, the symptoms of acute prostatitis are sometimes manifested by stool retention, flatulence and false urge to defecate.
In some cases, patients experience severe pain during bowel movements.The manifestation of the disease is also possible with an increase in unpleasant sensations in the central region of the abdomen.Often, acute prostatitis can present symptoms such as discharge from the anus in the form of mucus, which is associated with the appearance of inflammation in the rectum itself.Since acute prostatitis most often has symptoms associated with the involvement of the intestine in the pathological process, sometimes it is not possible to perform rectal palpation due to severe pain in the rectum.
The first symptoms of acute prostatitis may appear to be inflammation of the urinary tract.Before a prostate problem becomes apparent, difficulty emptying the bladder may develop.
Problems with urination of various types almost always accompany acute prostatitis.
A man may feel pressure inside, as well as a feeling of incomplete emptying.The flow of urine during inflammation of the prostate gland is often weakened.Some patients complain of a complete inability to urinate.Such symptoms of prostatitis in men indicate the need for quick medical intervention, since with acute urinary retention intoxication increases, which is manifested by severe headaches, lack of appetite, vomiting and skin jaundice.This condition is dangerous and requires immediate hospitalization.
Signs of chronic prostatitis
Chronic prostate problems are not always clearly manifested;the symptoms may be so unexpressed that men attribute the onset of tiredness and weakness to other circumstances.The patient most often learns that such a disease exists during a medical examination or when visiting a doctor for another disease.
Chronic prostatitis often accompanies other genitourinary diseases, for which the patient consults a doctor.
What symptoms are characteristic of chronic inflammation of the prostate?This involves discomfort and a feeling of heaviness in the perineum, burning and pressure in the urethra when emptying the bladder.Secretions from the urethral canal and purulent threads in the urine may appear.Such signs and symptoms should alert you and be a reason to visit a urologist.
Very often chronic diseases of the glands are accompanied by problems in the intimate area.
Prostatitis can cause accelerated ejaculation, slow orgasms and decreased potency.Sometimes a man completely loses interest in sexual intercourse, becomes more aggressive and develops depression.Some patients suffer from insomnia and general tiredness.Fears related to sexual activity and failures during sexual intercourse also appear, which sometimes lead to nervous breakdown.Its treatment is also necessary, so in some situations the attending physician may refer the patient to a consultation with a psychotherapist.
Constant nervous stress reduces immunity, which further worsens the course of the disease.
Therapeutic measures
Before treating prostatitis, the urologist prescribes an examination to the patient.A man must donate blood for PSA levels, iron and a general urine test.Prostate juice is also subject to examination.
It is impossible to cure prostatitis on your own.Some men try to improve the condition of the gland by resorting to unconventional or folk methods that can reduce the symptoms of the disease.As a rule, prostatitis worsens, and without further treatment, the disease leads to complications: hardening of the glandular tissue, urination disorders and loss of reproductive function.
The treatment prescribed in the initial stage of prostatitis is much more effective.A rapid improvement in the patient's condition is facilitated by an exclusively global approach.
It is important to consult a doctor promptly to prescribe treatment.
Great importance is given to the reasons that caused prostate dysfunction.If provoking factors are not identified, the probability of relapse of the disease is very high.
The urologist selects the types of treatment depending on the form and stage of prostatitis.The doctor takes into account the presence of concomitant diseases, some of which may become a contraindication to prescribing certain drugs to the patient.
For bacterial prostatitis
The basis of therapy for the acute form of the disease is antibacterial agents.It is very important that the patient remains in bed during the treatment.With this type of prostatitis, the prostate gland should not be massaged under any circumstances.Collecting prostate juice in this way is also prohibited.This is due to the high probability of septic complications.
In case of acute inflammation of the prostate caused by infection it is necessary to limit physical activity as much as possible.
For bacterial prostatitis, agents to improve microcirculation in the gland tissues are indicated.
The effectiveness of the drugs is due to the fact that they restore the outflow of lymphatic fluid and blood from the prostate, helping to reduce the symptoms of intoxication.
Since bacterial prostatitis is almost always accompanied by acute pain, patients are prescribed NRVS and analgesics that reduce discomfort and pressure in both the perineum and rectum.Patients are shown analgesic drugs that not only reduce pain, but also help reduce the severity of the inflammatory process.
Rectal suppositories have a good effect, they work quite effectively due to the proximity of the rectum and prostate.Suppositories may contain natural ingredients, for example honey, propolis, bovine prostate extract.All these components are safe, but at the same time very effective.
In case of significant intoxication, solutions are administered to patients.If the examination reveals a prostatic abscess or the patient has urinary retention, surgical treatment is indicated.
The therapy of bacterial prostatitis is based on the use of antibacterial drugs belonging to the fluoroquinolone group.This type of medicine is effective in activating gram-negative pathogenic flora.
For the most accurate prescription of treatment, a culture test for antibiotic sensitivity should be performed.
Doctors say that such drugs should be prescribed only after identifying the type of microorganisms that caused the prostate disease.Fluoroquinolones can cause side effects if the patient has liver or kidney dysfunction.Sometimes patients develop changes in the digestive tract and nervous system.Possible decrease in blood sugar, heart problems.
If pathogenic microorganisms insensitive to fluoroquinolones are identified, the patient is prescribed macrolides or cephalosporins.These drugs are also indicated when the patient experiences side effects resulting from previous medications.If no improvement is seen after two weeks, the urologist will need to reconsider the treatment regimen.
For chronic diseases
Treatment methods of chronic prostatitis largely depend on its stage.In case of exacerbation of the disease, treatment is carried out in exactly the same way as for the acute bacterial form.
For chronic prostatitis, antibiotics are often prescribed in the form of tablets.
For symptoms characteristic of a state of remission, antibiotics, herbal antiseptics, non-steroids and drugs that help improve the outflow of lymph from the gland may be indicated.
Great importance is also given to drugs that help improve the function of the immune system.Natural herbal preparations help reduce swelling of the prostate tissue.These same drugs reduce pain, which is sometimes present in chronic prostatitis.
Since the disease is often accompanied by depression and nervousness, the patient may be prescribed sedatives and antidepressants.
Physical therapy has a good effect.Special exercises help restore blood supply to the gland, increase muscle tone and improve mood.
It is best to conduct physical therapy classes under the guidance of a trainer with medical training.
As additional measures, patients undergo a course of physiotherapeutic procedures that restore microcirculation, relieve tension in the pelvic area and relieve pain.Laser therapy, electrophoresis and magnet treatment have a good effect.
Rectal massage has a positive effect on prostate health.This procedure can be performed both in the clinic and at home.If such treatment is prescribed for the first time, it is better to carry out the first course with a professional.Massage is very effective for gland congestion.Prostate massage may cause some discomfort, but only in the first few days of treatment.In the future, there should be no pain, and patients will experience a feeling of relief, since after the procedure the heaviness, which is often observed in chronic prostatitis, disappears.
There are special devices that replace rectal massage of the prostate gland.The improvement of microcirculation, the attenuation of swelling and stagnation is ensured by the action of acoustic waves.The sensor of such a device works through the skin, so the insertion of a massager into the rectum is not necessary.Such devices can be purchased at special medical stores.You should first consult a urologist and also study the instructions.
Massagers can be used for preventive purposes;the duration of the course of procedures is determined by the doctor.
Any treatment prescribed by a urologist must be accompanied by proper nutrition and abstinence from alcohol.It is important to remember that hypothermia can lead to an exacerbation of the disease.