Prostatitis is an inflammatory disease of the prostate that is often diagnosed in older men. The first or initial signs of prostatitis are quite specific, which makes it possible to detect the pathology in a timely manner, undergo a full examination and begin treatment.
Types of disease and first signs
There are two forms of the disease: bacterial (infectious) prostatitis and non-bacterial congestive prostatitis. The first signs of the disease depend directly on the nature of the inflammation.
In the first case, the cause of the disease is an infection, inflammation is often caused by the action of bacterial agents that are sexually transmitted. This form of prostatitis is characterized by an ascending or descending route of infection of the prostate gland: the infection enters through the urethra or from the kidneys. The symptoms of inflammation are acute, increasing rapidly, and fever is often present.
Non-infectious prostatitis is a disease that affects office workers and men over 50 years of age. The disease develops due to congestion in the pelvic area. The cause of inflammation is a violation of blood microcirculation in the prostate, stagnation of secretions in the organ and a violation of trophism in the tissues of the prostate gland. The characteristic features of this form of inflammation are a slow increase in symptoms, often a latent course. If, with the bacterial form of the disease, the deterioration of well-being occurs quickly, then non-infectious prostatitis rarely bothers in the early stages, making it difficult to timely diagnose the disease.
Common symptoms of prostatitis
Regardless of the form of the disease, the symptoms of prostatitis in men are as follows:
- pain when urinating;
- discomfort in the anus;
- incomplete emptying of the bladder;
- weakened urinary pressure;
- frequent need to use the bathroom at night;
- general malaise;
- weakening of erection;
- violation of ejaculation;
- pain when ejaculating.
It is impossible to unequivocally answer the question of how exactly the initial stage of prostatitis manifests itself. Each patient presents different symptoms at the beginning of the development of the disease. This is due to the characteristics of the organism.
In most cases, the first signs of prostatitis are discomfort in the anus and mild discharge when urinating. Such symptoms indicate irritation of organs.
Often men face a weakening of the erection, while other symptoms of the initial form of inflammation may be completely absent. The problem is that patients rarely go to the doctor with the problem of ejaculation disorder or weakening of erection. As a general rule, such neglect of one's health over time results in a progressive form of prostatitis, which is quite difficult to treat.
Painful urination and frequent need to go to the bathroom are caused by pressure from an inflamed organ. This leads to a narrowing of the lumen of the urethra and incomplete emptying of the bladder. As a general rule, obvious urination problems are noted in the second stage of the disease, but not the first.
Specific symptoms
Specific signs are characteristic symptoms of various forms of inflammation. With the bacterial form of the disease, note:
- increased body temperature;
- discharge from the urethra;
- blood in the urine;
- sharp pain in scrotum;
- stinging and burning after urination.
Very often, patients experience severe pain at the end of urination. Often, blood is released or a purulent or light yellow discharge is observed. These signs are characteristic of bacterial inflammation, caused, among other things, by diseases transmitted through unprotected sex. The temperature can exceed 38 ° C. There are also symptoms of intoxication of the body, general weakness and loss of strength. Often with bacterial inflammation, the temperature rises first, and specific symptoms appear after a few days, such as painful urination and frequent urination.
Elevated temperature is characteristic of the bacterial form of prostatitis.
The first symptoms and manifestations of the non-infectious form of the disease:
- pressure and expansion in the anus;
- weakening of urinary pressure;
- erectile dysfunction;
- Frequent need to urinate, especially at night.
The temperature in this case rarely rises, there are no symptoms of intoxication. Pain does not develop in the perineal region. In the initial stage of non-infectious prostatitis, there is always discomfort in the anus, which is due to an increase in the size of the inflamed organ.
Since the frequency of the urge to urinate increases at night, patients often complain of insomnia and loss of energy, in this context, stress and neurosis may develop.
Non-specific symptoms that are rare
Prostatitis refers to diseases with specific symptoms that, in most cases, are sufficient to prescribe a digital examination of the prostate gland and make a diagnosis. Nonspecific manifestations of prostatitis are due to clinical cases in which the disease develops against the background of any primary pathology.
Therefore, prostatitis against the background of stones in the prostate gland is diagnosed quite infrequently, but in this case, a characteristic symptom will be blood in the urine and the discharge of drops of blood from the urethra duringurination.
In genital infections, prostatitis can be accompanied by severe pain in the perineum and purulent discharge.
One of the most difficult forms of the disease to diagnose is fungal prostatitis. The disease develops in the context of systemic mycoses or chronic Candida balanoposthitis. The characteristic symptoms are inflammation of the glans penis, the formation of a dense white plaque, and pain when urinating. Also, there may be pain in the anus and itching in the genitals.
Congestive prostatitis can present with discharge after urination. In this case, light mucous masses, drops of pus or blood are released. Often if there is a discharge, there are no symptoms other than discomfort after urinating.
When to see a doctor?
It is important to understand that prostatitis in the initial stage is quite treatable, while the chronic form of the pathology requires long-term medication, and treatment in this case lasts for years.
The reason for the consultation with the urologist is:
- urination disorder;
- change in the nature of the erection;
- foreign matter in semen;
- drops of blood in urine;
- fullness in the anus.
It is recommended that all men over 40 years of age visit a urologist annually. During the last decades, prostatitis has been significantly "younger", today the first symptoms and manifestations of the disease are increasingly found in men aged 25 to 30 years. The first signs of illness are found in office workers, overweight patients, and all men who lead sedentary lives.
Therefore, the first thing to do when detecting the early stage of prostatitis is to undergo a full examination, including:
- organ finger examination (prostate massage);
- ultrasound of the prostate gland, kidneys and bladder;
- blood test to determine PSA level;
- bacterial semen analysis;
- microscopic examination of prostate secretions.
The stages of the disease can be identified by the photo (ultrasound) of the prostate gland. Based on these diagnostic methods, the doctor determines the stage of inflammation and selects the optimal treatment regimen.
Principle of treatment of prostatitis
When the first signs of prostatitis are detected, the choice of treatment method depends on the form of the disease. As a general rule, a specific and symptomatic treatment is carried out.
Specific treatments include:
- prostate protectors;
- antibiotics;
- alpha blockers;
- restorative agents;
- diet and lifestyle adjustments.
Prostate protectors are drugs that improve trophism of prostate tissue. Medications are prescribed for any form of prostatitis, both for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes.
Antibiotics are indicated for bacterial inflammation. They are drunk in a long course, up to a month and a half. In some cases, they can be replaced by drugs from the group of fluoroquinolones. In the treatment of non-infectious prostatitis, anti-inflammatory drugs of the non-steroidal group are used.
Alpha blockers are medications that relax the muscles of the bladder and prostate. The intake of drugs in this group aims to facilitate the urination process.
Fortifying agents in the treatment of prostatitis are various herbal preparations, both pharmaceutical and popular. These tools include:
- candles with pumpkin extract;
- pumpkin seed oil;
- rectal suppositories with propolis;
- Echinacea tincture;
- herbal preparations;
- tablets.
These funds are used regardless of the form of inflammation at any stage of the disease.
Symptomatic therapy includes a quote:
- antispasmodics;
- antipyretic drugs;
- painkillers;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- sedatives.
Antispasmodics help make urination easier during the early stages of prostatitis. Antipyretic drugs are indicated when the temperature rises against the background of bacterial inflammation. Pain relievers help relieve pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, which is why they are often prescribed for non-infectious prostatitis. Depending on the doctor's instructions, sedatives may be recommended to the patient. They are prescribed for insomnia and stress, which are caused by discomfort and frequent need to go to the bathroom.
Possible complications
Any disease is easier to treat at an early stage and prostatitis is no exception. Timely treatment will not only eliminate discomfort and pain, but also significantly improve the quality of life and sexual activity of a man.
Onset prostatitis becomes chronic and is fraught with a number of complications, including:
- acute stagnation of urine;
- kidney infection;
- infertility;
- impotence.
The chronic form of the disease requires constant medication to normalize the well-being of a man. Often drug therapy becomes ineffective over the years, then the only method of normalizing the patient's condition is surgical intervention - partial or complete removal of the organ.
The initial stage of prostatitis lasts approximately three to four years. Then the disease becomes chronic. Knowing the first signs of prostatitis in men and the treatment of the initial stage of the disease, you should consult a specialist as soon as possible. Prostatitis is not a disease that is diagnosed from a photo, as the disease has no visible manifestations. To notice the first symptoms in a timely manner, you need to listen to your own health.