Prostatitis is a common inflammatory disease in men and, 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 may appear during the exacerbation of the pathology.Symptoms and treatment mainly depend on the severity of the disease, as well as 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.
Symptoms of acute prostatitis
Acute prostatitis has similar symptoms in different forms.It can be catarrhal, parenchymal, follicular and abscess.With the development of acute inflammation of the prostate, the general state of health deteriorates very 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 feels tremors, headaches, muscle weakness.
A slight relief of the condition and a decrease in anxiety is observed when a man lies on his back and presses his knees to his stomach.
Many patients with acute prostatitis report pain in the rectum, and some feel that there is a foreign body there.An inflamed prostate can also manifest as problems with bowel movements.
Acute prostatitis can be accompanied by symptoms similar to intestinal infections and inflammatory diseases of the lower intestine.
This is explained by the growth of the prostate gland due to inflammation and increased swelling of its tissues, which puts pressure on the intestines.Therefore, the symptoms of acute prostatitis are sometimes manifested by faecal retention, flatulence and a false urge to defecate.
In some cases, patients feel 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 may have symptoms such as discharge from the anus in the form of mucus, which is associated with the formation of inflammation in the rectum itself.Since acute prostatitis often has symptoms related to the involvement of the intestine in the pathological process, sometimes rectal palpation is not possible due to severe pain in the rectum.
The first symptoms of acute prostatitis may appear as inflammation of the urinary tract.Difficulty emptying the bladder may occur before a prostate problem is detected.
Problems with various types of urination are almost always accompanied by acute prostatitis.
A man may feel pressure in it, as well as a feeling of incomplete ejaculation.During inflammation of the prostate gland, the flow of urine is often weakened.Some patients complain of inability to urinate.Such symptoms of prostatitis in men indicate the need for urgent medical intervention, because intoxication, manifested by severe headache, loss of appetite, vomiting and yellowing of the skin, increases with acute urinary retention.This condition is dangerous and requires immediate hospitalization.
Symptoms of chronic prostatitis
Chronic problems with the prostate are not always obvious;symptoms may not be so pronounced that men associate the appearance of fatigue and weakness with other conditions.The patient most often learns about the existence of such a disease during a medical examination or when consulting a doctor about another disease.
Chronic prostatitis is often accompanied by other genitourinary diseases, for which the patient consults a doctor.
What are the symptoms of chronic inflammation of the prostate?These are a feeling of discomfort and heaviness in the perineum when emptying the bladder, burning and pressure in the urethra.Discharge from the urethral canal and purulent threads in the urine may be seen.Such signs and symptoms should alert you and be a reason to consult a urologist.
Chronic gland diseases are often accompanied by problems in the intimate area.
Prostatitis can cause premature ejaculation, slow orgasms, and decreased potency.Sometimes a man completely loses interest in sex, and he becomes more aggressive and depressed.Some patients suffer from insomnia and general fatigue.Fears related to sexual activity and failures during intercourse also appear, which sometimes lead to a nervous breakdown.Its treatment is also necessary, therefore, in some cases, the attending physician may send the patient to consult a psychotherapist.
Constant nervous tension reduces immunity, which worsens the course of the disease.
Therapeutic measures
Before treating prostatitis, the urologist prescribes an examination for the patient.A man should give blood for PSA level, iron and general urine test.Prostate juice is also examined.
Prostatitis cannot be treated alone.Some men try to improve the condition of the gland by resorting to non-traditional or folk methods that can reduce the symptoms of the disease.As a rule, prostatitis worsens later, and without additional treatment, the disease leads to complications - hardening of the glandular tissue, impaired urination and loss of reproductive function.
The treatment prescribed in the initial stage of prostatitis is more effective.A rapid improvement in the patient's condition is facilitated only by a comprehensive approach.
It is important to consult a doctor in time to prescribe treatment.
Great importance is attached to the causes of prostate gland dysfunction.If the provoking factors are not identified, the probability of recurrence of the disease is very high.
The urologist chooses treatment types depending on the form and stage of prostatitis.The doctor takes into account the presence of concomitant diseases, some of which may be a contraindication for prescribing certain drugs to the patient.
For bacterial prostatitis
Antibacterial agents are the basis of therapy for the acute form of the disease.It is very important that the patient stays in bed during the treatment.With this type of prostatitis, you should not massage the prostate gland under any circumstances.Even collecting prostate juice in this way is prohibited.This is due to the high probability of septic complications.
Physical activity should be limited as much as possible during acute inflammation of the prostate as a result of infection.
For bacterial prostatitis, agents are indicated to improve microcirculation in glandular tissues.
The effectiveness of the drugs is due to the restoration of lymph fluid and blood flow from the prostate, which helps to reduce the symptoms of intoxication.
Since bacterial prostatitis is almost always accompanied by acute pain, patients are prescribed NRVS and analgesics, which reduce discomfort and pressure in both the perineum and the rectum.Patients are given analgesics, which not only relieve 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 the prostate gland.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, patients are given solutions.If an abscess of the prostate gland is detected during the examination 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 group of fluoroquinolones.This type of drug is effective in activating gram-negative pathogenic flora.
For the most accurate determination of treatment, it is necessary to conduct a culture test for sensitivity to antibiotics.
Doctors say that such drugs should be prescribed only after determining the type of microorganisms that cause prostate disease.Fluoroquinolones can cause side effects if the patient has liver or kidney dysfunction.Sometimes patients have changes in the digestive system and nervous system.Possible decrease in blood sugar, heart problems.
If pathogenic microorganisms insensitive to fluoroquinolones are detected, the patient is prescribed macrolides or cephalosporins.These drugs are also indicated when the patient experiences side effects from previous drugs.If there is no improvement after two weeks, the urologist should reconsider the treatment regimen.
For chronic disease
Treatment methods of chronic prostatitis mainly depend on its stage.In case of exacerbation of the disease, the treatment is carried out in the same way as for the acute bacterial form.
Antibiotics for chronic prostatitis are often prescribed in the form of tablets.
Antibiotics, herbal antiseptics, non-steroids, as well as drugs that help improve lymph flow from the gland may be indicated for symptoms characteristic of remission.
Medicines that help improve the functioning of the immune system are also of great importance.Natural preparations of herbal origin help to reduce the swelling of the prostate tissue.These same drugs reduce pain, which sometimes occurs in chronic prostatitis.
Since the disease is often accompanied by depression and irritability, 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.
Exercise therapy classes are conducted under the guidance of a trainer with the best medical education.
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, magnetic therapy 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 a treatment is prescribed for the first time, it is better to conduct the first course with a specialist.Massage is very effective for glandular blockage.Prostate massage can cause some discomfort, but only in the first days of treatment.In the future, there should be no pain, and patients experience a sense of relief, because after the procedure, the heaviness often observed in chronic prostatitis disappears.
There are special devices that replace the rectal massage of the prostate gland.Improvement of microcirculation, elimination of swelling and stagnation is ensured by the effect of acoustic waves.The sensor of such a device moves through the skin, so it is not necessary to insert the massager into the rectum.Such devices can be purchased in special medical stores.First, you should consult a urologist, and also study the instructions.
Massages can be used for preventive purposes;the duration of the procedures is determined by the doctor.
Any treatment prescribed by a urologist should be accompanied by proper nutrition and abstinence from alcohol.It should be remembered that hypothermia can cause exacerbation of the disease.