Prostatitis is a common disease that often affects men of different age categories.Inflammation of the prostate brings a lot of inconvenience to a person's life and, if left untreated, inevitably leads to the development of dangerous complications.Of course, many people seek more information about pathology.
Why does inflammation develop?How to determine prostatitis in a man?Can you do it yourself?What treatment methods does modern medicine offer?How dangerous is prostate cancer?
General information about the disease.
What are the causes of prostatitis in men?It is important to learn about the signs and symptoms, complications, and treatment.But first we should consider some general information.
Prostatitis is a disease that is accompanied by inflammation of the prostate tissue.As you know, this is a small unpaired organ located below the bladder;it actually covers the urinary canal.The prostate produces a secretion that is part of semen.
Statistics show that the disease most often affects people between 25 and 50 years old.Approximately 50% to 85% of patients aged 50 or older have experienced some type of prostate inflammation at least once in their lives.
As you can see, this is a very common disease.That's why men look for additional information.How do you know if you have prostatitis?What symptoms should you pay attention to?Are there effective treatments?
Causes of the development of prostatitisPredisposing factors
Many men are interested in questions about what are the first signs of prostatitis.Symptoms and treatment, possible complications, and diagnostic features are very important information.But first it is worth considering the causes of the development of the inflammatory process.
The cause of the inflammatory process is the activity of pathogenic microorganisms.The infection may be specific.For example, prostatitis is a consequence of a sexually transmitted disease.If we talk about nonspecific inflammation, then the cause is the activity of staphylococcus, streptococcus and E. coli.Sometimes prostatitis develops against the background of herpes.Of course, there are risk factors whose impact can trigger the start of the inflammatory process.
- To begin with, it is worth noting that the disease can develop against the background of other infectious diseases, including a cold.
- Risk factors include an irregular sex life.For example, promiscuity increases the likelihood of infection in the body.Prolonged abstinence is also harmful.Ideally, sex life should be regular, preferably with the same partner.
- Prostatitis often develops against the background of stagnant processes in the pelvic area.Risk factors include sedentary work and a sedentary lifestyle.
- Hypothermia (both general and local) can also trigger the development of the inflammatory process.
- Risk factors include chronic constipation and other digestive tract disorders.
- The inflammatory process may be the result of urethral reflux, which is accompanied by the reverse flow of urine and its reflux into the genital ducts.This disorder is often associated with inflammatory diseases of the urethra or inadequate catheterization of the bladder.
- Changes in hormonal levels are also potentially dangerous, especially when it comes to a decrease in the level of male sex hormones.By the way, this is the reason why mature and elderly men are more likely to suffer from prostatitis.
- Risk factors include constant stress and nervous tension, errors in diet (in particular, excess spicy food) and alcohol abuse.If there are prerequisites, these factors can provoke the development of an inflammatory process or an exacerbation of chronic prostatitis.
The doctor should know not only how to determine prostatitis in men.It is very important to know what exactly triggered the development of the disease.
Prostatitis in men: how to recognize it?Description of the main symptoms.
We have already become familiar with the main causes of the development of the inflammatory process.But many men are interested in questions about how to determine prostatitis on their own.In fact, this is impossible, because tests and examinations are required to confirm the diagnosis.But the disease can be suspected by noticing very characteristic signs.
- How does prostatitis manifest in men?Symptoms of the disease include various urinary disorders.Patients complain of increased urgency.At the same time, the daily volume of urine does not increase.The need appears even before the bladder is full.
- An enlarged prostate puts pressure on the urinary canal, causing the flow of urine to weaken and often stop.Sometimes, to defecate, a man has to strain and tense his abdominal muscles.
- The need to urinate also becomes more frequent at night: a man sometimes wakes up several times (or even dozens of times) during the night, which affects the quality of rest.
- Often the process of urination is accompanied by unpleasant sensations, and sometimes by severe cutting pain.
- If we talk about acute inflammation (especially if it is accompanied by the accumulation of purulent masses), the body temperature can rise to 37-39 degrees.
- Patients complain of pain in the perineum, which intensifies during physical activity, sexual intercourse, and defecation.Sometimes the pain is very acute, almost unbearable.
- Sometimes urine contains blood.This is a dangerous symptom that should not be ignored.Hematuria may indicate rupture of an abscess, development of urolithiasis, or a malignant form of hyperplasia.
- Erection problems also appear, although they do not occur in all cases (especially if we are talking about an acute form of the inflammatory process).
These are the main signs of prostatitis in men.They should not be ignored under any circumstances;Be sure to go to the doctor as soon as the first changes appear.
Characteristics of chronic inflammation.
You have already become familiar with the main signs of prostatitis in men (how to find out if a person has the disease will be explained below).Statistics show that the acute form of the disease, in the absence of timely treatment, sometimes turns into chronic prostatitis.Sometimes the chronic form of inflammation is primary: its first stages occur with hidden symptoms.In most cases, this type of disease is the result of stagnant processes in the pelvic area.
The symptoms of the disease remain the same.Patients complain of pain in the perineum and problems urinating.Sometimes there is discharge from the urethra during bowel movements.Men often encounter problems in their sexual life: it is possible to develop erectile dysfunction, the appearance of unpleasant sensations during sexual intercourse and during ejaculation.Sometimes chronic prostatitis leads to complete impotence.This form of the disease is much more difficult to diagnose and treat.
What complications can the disease lead to?
You now know what symptoms you should pay attention to and how to identify the disease.Prostatitis is a dangerous disease that should not be ignored under any circumstances.There is the possibility of very dangerous complications.
An acute inflammatory process is usually accompanied by suppuration of the gland and the formation of an abscess.An enlarged prostate compresses the urinary canal, which can cause acute urinary retention.Additionally, the abscess can open on its own and result in purulent masses entering the urinary system or intestines.
Chronic prostatitis is no less dangerous because it leads to the gradual replacement of glandular tissue by connective tissue, to the formation of scars and stones.Chronic inflammation affects potency and causes erection problems.In addition, the affected gland cannot produce high-quality secretion to support the vital activity of sperm, leading to conception problems and sometimes infertility.
How to identify prostatitis in men?List of diagnostic measures.
If you notice the above symptoms, you should consult a specialist.How to diagnose prostatitis?In this case, a variety of procedures are widely used.
- To begin with, the doctor collects information about the symptoms that bother patients, the presence of certain diseases and lifestyle.
- It is necessary to examine the gland itself.How is a prostate test done in men?Palpation is performed rectally.During the procedure, the doctor may notice an enlargement of the prostate and a change in its structure.If we talk about an inflammatory process, palpation is usually accompanied by painful and very unpleasant sensations.
- During a digital rectal examination, samples of secretions from the prostate are often taken for analysis.If it contains bacterial microorganisms and the acidity of the environment increases, this indicates the presence of an inflammatory process and the activation of one or another infection.
- A urethral swab is mandatory.This procedure is unpleasant, but very informative.Samples are sent for diagnosis by PCR and bacterial culture.The study helps detect and identify infectious diseases, including sexually transmitted diseases.
- A general urine and blood analysis is performed to confirm the presence of an inflammatory process in the body.
- The diagnostic scheme also includes cystoscopy.With the help of special equipment, the doctor examines the urethral canal and bladder from the inside.This makes it possible to detect certain diseases of the urinary system.
- Uroflowmetry is also mandatory.The procedure allows you to determine the speed of urine flow.This is important when diagnosing prostatitis and hyperplasia.
- How to determine prostatitis in men?Ultrasound of the prostate is mandatory.It is a simple, accessible and painless procedure that allows you to examine the gland, determine its size and shape, detect existing stones, etc.
- Sometimes (if an accurate diagnosis cannot be established) the patient is sent for an MRI.
Pharmacological treatment
You already know how to determine prostatitis in men.After a thorough diagnosis, the doctor will definitely draw up a treatment regimen;It is individual in each case, since it depends on the cause of the development of the disease, the characteristics of the course, etc.
Hospitalization is indicated only in cases of severe poisoning and suspected abscess formation.In all other cases, treatment is carried out on an outpatient basis.
Since the inflammatory process is associated with the activity of bacterial microorganisms, antibiotics should be included in the treatment regimen.Symptomatic treatment is also carried out: patients are prescribed anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic drugs.If there is an abscess, a procedure is done to open it.
You already know what the main symptoms of prostatitis in men are.And the first signs are a good reason to immediately consult a doctor.The fact is that the acute form of inflammation quickly becomes chronic.The symptoms become less pronounced, but irreversible changes occur in the gland tissues, which can no longer be corrected.
Physiotherapeutic procedures.
Physiotherapy is necessary for the chronic form of the disease;This is the only way to stop the disease.Naturally, patients take antibacterial medications and the treatments are quite long (sometimes 2 to 3 months).
Prostate massage is mandatory (it is contraindicated during periods of acute inflammation).During the procedure, it is possible to normalize the outflow of secretions from the prostate, as well as improve blood microcirculation (and, consequently, tissue nutrition).
Patients are sent for laser and ultrasound therapy sessions.Sometimes warm microenemas are performed with special medicinal solutions.The treatment regimen also includes immunomodulatory drugs.
Diet for prostatitis
You already know the symptoms and treatment of prostatitis.Signs in men can vary, as can treatment regimens.But in any case the treatment must be complemented with an adequate diet.
- The basis of the diet should be vegetables and fruits, salads dressed with olive oil, nuts and dried fruits.
- Soups, broths, lean meats and fish are allowed to be consumed, but only boiled or baked.Various cereals will be useful.
- But you will have to give up fatty meats, eggs, flour products and butter for a while.The fact is that regular consumption of these products increases the level of cholesterol, which is deposited on the walls of blood vessels, disrupting blood circulation in the prostate.
- Spicy foods and spices, pickles, canned foods, semi-finished products, overly salty foods and smoked foods are contraindicated.These foods irritate the intestinal walls and retain water in the body.
- It is necessary to give up alcoholic beverages.It is important to drink enough fluids.Fresh juices will be beneficial.But at night, the amount of water consumed should be limited;This will reduce the number of nightly trips to the bathroom.
Agree, this diet does not provide for too strict dietary restrictions.But if you follow such a diet, you can really speed up the healing process, improve the functioning of the digestive tract and strengthen the immune system.
Prostatitis and sexual activity.
You already know how to tell if a man has prostatitis.But many patients are interested in questions about whether it is possible to maintain sexual activity during treatment.
Immediately it is worth noting that regular sex life directly affects the state and functioning of the prostate gland.Both promiscuous and excessively frequent relationships and periods of prolonged abstinence are potentially dangerous.
But if the inflammatory process is already occurring, then you should give up sexual activity for a while.Of course, prostatitis is a purely male disease and in most cases is associated with the activity of nonspecific microorganisms and, therefore, cannot be transmitted during sexual relations.However, male semen contains various products of the inflammatory process that negatively affect the functioning of the organs of the female reproductive system.It is better to wait until you fully recover and only then have sex again.
Prevention: how to prevent the development of the disease?
We have already discovered information about what functions the prostate performs in men, how can we know if the organ is inflamed?If the disease is not diagnosed in time and treatment is started too late, it can lead to the development of a large number of unpleasant complications.That is why it is much easier to try to prevent the development of the disease.
There is no medication that protects the prostate gland from inflammation.However, following some recommendations will help significantly reduce the risk of developing the disease.
- Doctors recommend carefully monitoring personal hygiene and avoiding wearing too tight synthetic underwear.
- Remember that prostatitis can be caused by sexually transmitted infections.Therefore, it is advisable to abandon promiscuity and use condoms.
- Nutrition also plays an important role.Together with food, the body must receive a sufficient amount of nutrients, fiber, minerals and vitamins.
- Physical activity (gymnastics classes, active recreation, daily jogging or walking) prevents blood stagnation in the pelvic organs, which also reduces the likelihood of developing an inflammatory process.
- Doctors recommend giving up alcohol, smoking and other bad habits.
- It is very important to strengthen the immune system.This will help hardening and preventive intake of vitamin complexes.
- It is worth reducing your overall stress level and learning to cope with adverse situations.Remember that nervous tension directly affects hormonal levels and often leads to a decrease in the activity of the immune system and the development of certain diseases.
Men over 40 should have an annual exam;Only this can ensure timely diagnosis of prostatitis.How to identify a disease, how to draw up a treatment regimen, how to prevent the development of complications - only a doctor knows this.You should not ignore the problem, much less try to fix it yourself.