Chronic prostatitis is the most common disease in urologist-andrologist's practice.It is mainly diagnosed in men who are at the peak of reproductive, sexual activity and working capacity.Therefore, timely treatment of prostatitis is crucial for the recovery of men's health and social functions.
Causes of the development of chronic prostatitis
The chronic inflammatory process is accompanied by an acute phase caused by the activity of pathogenic microflora.If the cause is not identified in time and comprehensive treatment is not carried out, prostatitis goes into a latent form with periodic relapses.
Infection can occur in 3 ways: ascending - through the urethra, descending - when urine enters the bladder with pathogenic bacteria, hematogenous - through the circulatory system (infection passes through other inflammatory sites in the body).
The causative agent of chronic prostatitis:
- pathogenic fungi
- coli
- corynebacteria
- gardnerella
- staphylococcus
- Trichomonas
- klebsiella
- mycoplasma
- enterococcus
- gonococci
- chlamydia
- parasites
- viruses
- proteus
In the chronic form of prostatitis in men, the inflammatory process can be repeated even after the elimination of the pathogenic microflora.In such cases, against the background of primary inflammation, there is a violation of innervation in the organ with an autoimmune attack of the tissue.No infection was detected during the examination.Therefore, patients are diagnosed with "bacterial chronic prostatitis".
Prostate dysfunction is not always caused by an infectious lesion.There are a number of unfavorable factors that provoke diseases.Among the most common:
- reduction of immune defense due to hypothermia, bad lifestyle, bad habits and overwork.
- poor blood circulation in the pelvis due to chronic constipation, sedentary work and lack of physical activity
- blockage in prostate ducts and other pelvic organs
- chronic infectious diseases (sinusitis, sore throat)
- permanent damage to the prostate tissue due to increased loads on the perineal muscles and physical stress
- irregular sex, sexual abstinence, interrupted sex
- inflammation of the genitourinary system
- poor diet
- previous STDs
Chronic bacterial prostatitis often becomes a problem accompanied by cystitis, urethritis, pyelonephritis, epididymitis, orchitis.In some cases, the infectious focus is not even in the genitourinary system.It can be tonsillitis, sinusitis, bronchitis, caries, intestinal or pneumonia that has not received proper treatment.
Urologists associate the occurrence of the non-bacterial form of chronic prostatitis with obstruction in the pelvic organs.When the local circulation is disturbed, the prostate vessels are filled with blood, causing edema and stagnation of secretions.As a result, the prostate gland cannot produce the required amount of secretions and hormones.This leads to the development of an inflammatory process in the tissues.
The main symptoms of chronic prostatitis
The symptoms of the bacterial form of pathology are similar to any infectious process.They progress with an increase in the amount of pathogenic flora and cause a serious deterioration of the general condition in the absence of adequate treatment.In the initial stages, chronic prostatitis is asymptomatic or manifests itself with mild symptoms.Therefore, most men neglect to contact a urologist for examination.
Postponing a visit to a specialized doctor to determine the cause and start treatment of prostatitis leads to serious consequences not only for the genitourinary system, but also for the psycho-emotional state.In many men, urinary disorders and potential disorders against the background of gradual deterioration of well-being cause stress, apathy, increased irritability, severe fatigue and loss of appetite.In addition, failure to start treatment on time leads to infertility in 40% of cases.
Symptoms of chronic prostatitis that require contacting a urologist:
- frequent, strong urge to urinate, weakened urine stream
- aching pain that radiates to the perineum, groin, rectum, scrotum, glans penis, and sometimes the sacrum
- painful urination (especially at the beginning and end of intercourse)
- tremors, excessive sweating (characteristic endocrine symptoms, because the prostate gland is part of this system)
- change in skin color in the area where the pain is felt
- release of a small amount of prostate secretion from the urethra (during physical stress) against the background of weakening of the body's tone
- erectile dysfunction (decrease in libido, problems with erection, ejaculation due to a decrease in testosterone produced by the gland)
Any of the listed symptoms can indicate a disease, so a man should immediately contact a urologist to get medical help.Also, do not forget about regular preventive visits to the doctor, because the disease can be asymptomatic.In such cases, the diagnosis is made by measuring the number of leukocytes in prostate secretion.
Possible complications with chronic prostatitis
In the absence of timely treatment, the inflammatory process spreads.It is fraught with related problems such as:
- epididymitis
- orchitis
- vesiculitis
- urinary incontinence
- formation of stones, cysts in the prostate gland
- reproductive dysfunction
- prostate adenoma
The most serious complication can be prostate cancer.
Diagnostic methods of chronic prostatitis
After conducting a series of tests, as well as instrumental studies, urologists receive the necessary medical information to make a diagnosis and determine the causes of pathology.In the first consultation, the doctor collects an anamnesis, asks about the symptoms that bother the man and conducts an examination.Discharge from the urethra, skin irritation and rashes in the external genital area are visually determined.Also in this case, a digital rectal examination is indicated to assess the size, structure and sensitivity of the prostate.
The main methods for making a diagnosis:
- general urine test
- bacterial culture of urine, urethral smear
- microscopic examination of prostate secretion
- endoscopic examination of the urinary tract
- Ultrasound of the prostate gland (transrectal)
- PCR test for STD pathogens
A PSA test is performed for prostatitis to rule out adenoma and prostate cancer.In some cases, a tissue biopsy is indicated to clarify the diagnosis, followed by histology of the samples taken.If there are problems with reproductive function, men are prescribed spermogram and MAR test.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis
Neglected conditions are difficult to correct.However, with a comprehensive approach to treatment, stable and long-term remission can be achieved.For this, it is necessary to eliminate the cause of the inflammatory process and increase the body's resistance.This effect is achieved by choosing an individual therapy, taking into account the age of the man, the stage of prostatitis, the state of the immune system and the severity of the symptoms.In extreme cases, when there is a threat of serious complications, surgical treatment is recommended to the patient.
The main methods of treatment of chronic prostatitis:
- take antibiotics
- symptomatic therapy
- use of anti-inflammatory drugs
- physiotherapy to normalize blood circulation, remove swelling
- correction of diet, lifestyle
Completing a comprehensive course of treatment for chronic prostatitis allows you to eliminate the causes of the inflammatory process, relieve pain, and improve the general well-being of a man.An important part of therapy is the restoration of the body's protective resources.If prostatitis has a non-bacterial etiology, taking immunomodulators can prevent autoimmune aggression.
Modern physiotherapy for prostatitis
Physiotherapy methods quickly relieve many symptoms and provide stable improvement in most men.It is recommended to take a warm bath regularly at home, but the water should not be too hot.
Clinical physiotherapy methods of chronic prostatitis:
- Ultrasound therapy.Exposure to high frequency waves.
- Ultraphonophoresis.A combination of ultrasound treatment with effective drugs for prostatitis is applied during the procedure.
- Magnetotherapy.Low frequency magnetic field therapy.
- UVT.Impact of shock waves on the direct cause of prostatitis: obstruction and inflammatory processes.
- Darsonvalization.Application of high-frequency pulsed current.
- Galvanization.Low frequency direct current treatment.
- UHF.A method of eliminating the symptoms of chronic prostatitis using the effect of an electric field through capacitor plates.
Electrophoresis gives a clear result.It accelerates the delivery of drugs to the affected tissues.Thanks to this, it is possible to reduce the load on other organs that are important for general health, because chronic prostatitis requires serious drug courses.Shock wave therapy procedures have a positive effect.After them, most men note that the discomfort in the prostate is reduced, the pain is reduced, and the erection improves after the first session.
Physiotherapy is an auxiliary method in the treatment of prostatitis.The reduction of the severity of symptoms, as well as the speed of recovery in general, depends on the individual response of the body to the selected method of exposure.Some courses take several weeks or even months, but help to bring chronic prostatitis in men to a state of stable remission.
In a modern clinic, qualified urologists can prepare an optimal treatment plan for this pathology.