Prostatitis is a specific disease that is mainly characteristic of men of reproductive age.It is characterized by acute or chronic inflammation of the prostate gland, which is the second "heart" of a man.
It is not always easy to recognize the symptoms of prostatitis in men, especially if the pathology has a chronic course, without a previous acute stage.If the process is acute, then the symptoms of prostatitis in men will be quite typical and obvious.
If a man has the first signs of prostatitis, he should immediately consult a doctor.Even a small discomfort indicating the development of a disease of the genitourinary system can cause serious complications.
The ability to recognize the first signs of the inflammatory process allows to detect the pathology in time and start treatment.Therefore, every man should be familiar with them to avoid serious problems caused by prostatitis.
Prostate and its role in men's life
Although the prostate is small, if its function is disturbed, a man can face many problems.The prostate gland is an organ about the size of a walnut, located between the penis and the bladder.The prostate produces a secretion that mixes with the sperm to form the seminal fluid.
Unlike other prostate pathologies, such as prostate hypertrophy or cancer, which often affect older men, prostatitis can develop at any age, but the peak incidence occurs between the ages of 30 and 50.
Types of prostatitis
Based on the severity of the symptoms, the time of their onset and the duration of the disease, two variants of the pathology are distinguished:
- Chronic prostatitis.Symptoms can be subtle and may come and go over several months.This is the most common type of prostatitis;then the causes of inflammation are usually non-infectious.
- Acute prostatitis.With this form, the symptoms of prostatitis in men are severe and develop suddenly.This variant of the disease is most often provoked by a microbial infection;the condition can be serious and requires immediate treatment, including hospitalization.
Chronic prostatitis problems
The causes of prostatitis have been studied for a long time, but in recent years, the understanding of the essence of the process has been significantly revised.Chronic prostatitis, sometimes with an alternative name, chronic pelvic pain syndrome, is characterized by a group of symptoms that can cause a significant deterioration in the quality of daily life for men.It is not always possible for a doctor to immediately identify chronic prostatitis, and subsequent treatment is no less difficult, as it depends on various causative factors and existing symptoms of prostatitis in men.
Unlike the approaches used in the past, the diagnosis and subsequent treatment are based on the separation of chronic bacterial prostatitis from other forms of the disease, which is considered a multifactorial disease.According to information published in Urology Research and Reports in 2019, autoimmune and systemic inflammation, nervous system dysfunction, and psychological factors play a role in the development of chronic inflammation.
Chronic pelvic pain syndrome is characterized by various symptoms related to the urinary organs, genitals, rectum and perineum, and often men can undergo long-term treatment for other pathologies until the problem turns out to be inflammation of the prostate.
Symptoms of prostatitis in men
If acute inflammation of the prostate occurs, it is relatively simple to recognize;its manifestations are quite bright and obvious.The first symptoms of prostatitis in men include:
- severe pain that radiates around the penis, testicles, anus, lower abdomen, or back.Emptying the bladder can be painful;
- problems with urination, pain when the bladder is full, frequent urination (especially at night), intermittent urination, urgent urination, and sometimes blood in the urine;
- severe swelling of the prostate and acute urination against the background of severe pain is possible;
- weakness, fever, nausea;
- light, thick, odorless discharge from the urethra.
If these or other symptoms of prostatitis are detected in men, you should immediately consult a doctor or urologist.
Chronic inflammation: symptoms of prostatitis in men
If the following symptoms of prostatitis are detected in men for at least the last three months, we can talk about a chronic process:
- pulling, squeezing, or aching pain around the penis, testicles, anus, lower abdomen, or lower back.
- pain when urinating, frequent or urgent need to urinate, especially at night or intermittent urination.
- An enlarged or tender prostate on rectal examination, in some cases this may be normal.
- intimate problems such as erectile dysfunction, pain during ejaculation or pelvic pain after intercourse.
These symptoms can significantly affect a man's quality of life.Without treatment, the condition can gradually worsen, and the symptoms of prostatitis appear more and more often.
How is the examination conducted?
At the first signs of prostatitis in men, it is necessary to contact a urologist who will conduct a comprehensive diagnosis.The doctor will ask in detail about all symptoms and events, health problems before their appearance.Later, a genital, abdominal and rectal examination will be performed.The doctor inserts a gloved finger into the rectum to feel the prostate.During the examination, discomfort is possible in case of enlargement or inflammation of the prostate gland.Blood and urine tests are also prescribed to look for signs of infection.
How is prostatitis treated?
Prostatitis treatment tactics will depend on the form of the disease - acute or chronic prostatitis.
For acute inflammation, when symptoms are sudden and severe, pain relievers and a 2-4 week course of antibiotics are usually prescribed.If acute urinary retention occurs, hospitalization and urgent measures are required - catheterization of the bladder with urinary flow along with intensive treatment.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis, when symptoms appear and disappear over a period of several months, is usually aimed at relieving all discomfort.Your doctor may suggest the following procedures:
- pain relievers and anti-inflammatory drugs that relieve pain and discomfort in the pelvis.
- alpha-blocker drugs that relieve urinary problems.They help relax the muscles of the prostate gland and the base of the bladder.
- Sometimes, antibiotics may be prescribed if the microbial nature of the infection is confirmed or if there are signs of an acute process that has not been previously treated.
The goal of chronic prostatitis treatment is to reduce symptoms to a point where they do not interfere with daily activities.