Acute prostatitis: Symptoms, forms and features of treatment

Acute prostatitis is an infectious and inflammatory disease that involves the tissues of the prostate gland, causing extensive swelling and the formation of purulent foci. The disease can manifest itself in different ways, depending on the stage of its development. Therefore, an integrated approach is needed for its accurate diagnosis. Treatment of acute prostatitis is most often based on medication and physiotherapy techniques.

ᲛReasons

Alcohol consumption as a cause of acute prostatitis

Alcoholism can cause acute prostatitis.

The disease most often develops in men over 30 years. In most cases, the disease develops due to the negative impact of pathogenic microflora on the male body. Thus, acute prostatitis in men can be caused by the action of the following microorganisms:

  • აფიTaphylococcus bacteria;
  • Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli;
  • Klebsiela;
  • Enterococci;
  • Proteus.

Most of the microorganisms listed above are constantly present in the human body, while inflammation is not observed. If such bacteria enter the tissues of the prostate gland, then the process of their active reproduction begins, resulting in the development of acute inflammation of the prostate.

Bacteria invading the genitourinary system can occur during unprotected sex. Therefore, the use of condoms is very important for people who do not have regular sexual partners.

Inflammation can be non-infectious and develops for the following reasons:

  • Obesity;
  • Sedentary lifestyle;
  • Infrequent sexual intercourse;
  • Significant hypothermia;
  • Termination of relationship;
  • Eating disorders;
  • Smoking and alcohol abuse.

The above factors create a fertile ground for stagnation of prostate secretion. At the same time, blood stagnation processes are observed in the vessels in the immediate vicinity of the body.

Significant accumulation of prostate secretion creates a favorable environment for the reproduction of pathogenic microflora. As a result, an inflammatory process develops. The latter can lead to a number of complications, such as:

  • BPH;
  • Abscess;
  • Oncological process.

ᲛImportant!Against the background of acute prostatitis, most men develop problems with potency and there is a risk of infertility.

Thus, in the risk group of developing this disease are those persons who:

  • There is no regular sex life;
  • There is a lack of physical activity;
  • There are bad habits.

Forms and stages

Lower abdominal pain as a symptom of acute prostatitis

For any symptoms of prostate discomfort, you should go to the hospital immediately.

There are three main stages of this disease in modern medicine. Let us consider them in more detail:

  1. The first stage is called catarrh.It is characterized by the formation of the primary inflammatory process with swelling of the glandular tissue, with the expansion of the acin. In this case, the prostate gland increases in size. If the disease is not treated, then the inflammation gradually spreads to the ducts separating the prostate glands that connect to the back of the urethra. Inflammation of the prostate ducts causes their gradual narrowing and blockage, resulting in a somewhat complicated process of prostate secretion. At the catarrhal stage of its development, the inflammatory process involves only the mucous layers.
  2. This is followed by the follicular stage of the disease.It is characterized by further progression of the inflammatory process, in which the remaining tissues of the body gradually participate. As a result, an acute form of bacterial prostatitis develops. There is a purulent disease in the urine analysis at this stage of disease development. However, despite the significant amount of tissue damage, the follicular form of prostatitis responds well to treatment.
  3. The last stage is called parenchymal.It is characterized by destructive changes in the tissues of the prostate gland. At the same time, the swelling gradually increases and the inflammatory process eventually covers the entire body. If the development of the disease reaches this stage, then the treatment process is significantly complicated, requiring radical measures. In the absence of timely and adequate treatment, chronic prostatitis can develop.

In the initial stage of development of this disease, there is usually a subacute stage. It is characterized by a weak severity of signs, which is explained by the low activity of pathogens. The disease can be at this stage for a long time if the patient's body has good resistance. At the same time, it is very difficult to diagnose the disease in the subacute stage, which is why most patients do not receive timely treatment.

Symptoms

Each form of this disease is characterized by its own symptoms. Therefore, they should be considered separately.

Catarrhal form

Insomnia in men with acute prostatitis

This form of the disease is characterized by frequent urges to walk for small needs.

If the infection has reached the excretory ducts, then this stage of the disease develops. But while the inflammatory process does not extend beyond the mucous membrane, the prostate gland grows in size and swells. In this case, the urea is depleted.

The symptoms of acute prostatitis are mild at this stage:

  • Due to compression of the canal, the patient may notice minor problems with urination;
  • The urge to urinate at night became more frequent;
  • There may be an increase in body temperature to 38 degrees;
  • When the patient is in a sitting position, he may feel some heaviness in the perineum.

In some cases, the catarrhal form occurs without acute hyperthermia.

The symptoms of the disease may disappear on their own after a couple of weeks of development. And in this case most patients do not go to the doctor. However, it is fraught with the transition to a chronic state of the disease. Provided that the treatment of acute prostatitis is started in time, the disease recedes after 10 days.

Follicular form

If the catarrhal stage is not treated, then the disease develops further, affecting individual parts of the body. In this case, pronounced symptoms appear:

  • Severe pain observed during urination;
  • The patient's body temperature is kept at about 38 degrees;
  • Dry pain occurs in the perineum that irradiates the penis;
  • Complicates the urination process;
  • The patient has difficulty defecating due to the presence of severe pain.

Since this stage is characterized by purulent lesion of the prostate, purulent threads may be observed in the patient's urine. Provided that the therapy is carried out in a timely manner, complete cure of the disease at this stage occurs less than two weeks after the start of the procedures.

Parenchymal form

It is also called diffuse. Since the inflammatory process covers the whole body, the following symptoms appear:

  1. Perineal pain becomes almost unbearable. Periodically, they move around the penis area. Some relief of pain is possible in the supine position when the patient puts both feet on the chest.
  2. Foreign body sensation in the rectum. There is significant pain in bowel movements. Constipation has become more frequent and if the inflammatory process has turned into a reactive form, then mucus secretion starts from the anus.
  3. There are serious problems with urination. In this case, both partial and complete retention of urine is possible.
  4. Body temperature can reach 40 degrees. The patient suffers from chills.

Diagnosis

A visit to the doctor for acute prostatitis

Many different examinations are needed to make a final diagnosis.

This disease is diagnosed by a specialist urologist who conducts a comprehensive examination that includes the following procedures:

  • Physical examination;
  • Instrumental research;
  • Laboratory research.

During the initial examination of the patient, the specialist palpates the gland. This should be done very carefully, to avoid massaging movements and strong pressure. Otherwise, you may cause significant discomfort to the patient.

The main diagnostic method is the study of the prostate gland, which is carried out by inserting a rectal tube. This procedure allows specialists to obtain the following data:

  • Determines the pain response;
  • Identify major foci of destruction;
  • Confirm or deny signs of purulent tissue fusion;
  • Evaluate the shape of the body and its symmetry, size and consistency.

Palpation of the prostate usually reveals the secretion of this organ. Its analysis allows you to accurately determine the presence of an inflammatory process. The study checked the number of leukocytes, amyloid bodies and other components.

  • Bacterial culture of urine and urethral discharge with antibioticogram;
  • Scrap PCR studies;
  • Sows blood for blood culture.

The nature and severity of dysuric disorders during the acute course of the disease are assessed using uroflowmetry.

Ultrasound with moderate pain syndrome in the prostate gland can be done transrectally, and in case of acute pain reaction - transabdominal. Ultrasound assesses the shape, size, focal or diffuse changes of the gland, determines the stage of the acute inflammatory process.

MRI of the pelvic region is recommended when planning surgery for destructive forms of acute prostatitis.

Treatment of the disease

The main method of treatment of acute prostatitis is etiotropic therapy. It is based on the timely appointment of antimicrobial drugs to the patient, which will prevent the further development of pathogenic microflora in the pelvic organs. In addition to medications, the patient is prescribed folk remedies and physiotherapy procedures. A balanced diet plays an important role in the treatment of acute prostatitis.

Medications

Treatment of acute prostatitis should include elimination of the infection that caused the inflammation. In addition, the task of therapy is to eliminate stagnation and normalize the circulatory process.

In most cases, outpatient treatment is used for patients with acute prostatitis. If the patient has a parenchymal form of the disease, then he is subject to hospitalization.

Therapy for acute infectious prostatitis involves the mandatory administration of antibiotics. In this case, the duration of treatment is determined by a specialist, as well as the drugs used.

Antibiotics of different groups are active against different microorganisms. Therefore, professional treatment is carried out only on the basis of a thorough diagnosis. Thus, the physician will be able to choose exactly the remedy that will be effective against a particular pathogen. Usually, treatment is carried out using drugs from these groups:

  • Fluoroquinolones;
  • Penicillins;
  • Macrolides.

The first is considered the most effective. For this reason, they are most commonly used to treat acute prostatitis.

Although antibiotics are a mainstay of treatment, they are not the only medications used to treat acute prostatitis. In particular, patients are prescribed antihistamines and gut-friendly bacteria.

Stimulation of the immune system is very important at all stages of treatment of acute prostatitis. For this reason, immunostimulatory drugs are prescribed to patients.

In addition to the remedies listed above, interferons are used to treat acute prostatitis. Such medications can be taken both in the form of tablets and by intramuscular injection. The latter option is preferred.

Physiotherapy

With properly selected medical treatment for acute prostatitis, the severity of the symptoms of this disease is significantly reduced. The following physiotherapy techniques are used to consolidate the obtained results:

  • Microwave and UHF therapy;
  • Rectal electrophoresis;
  • Prostate massage.

Folk remedies

Herbs Coltfoot for the treatment of acute prostatitis

Many experts argue that acute prostatitis can not be cured using only traditional medicine. In addition, such self-medication can significantly exacerbate the disease, leading to a number of complications. In this case, folk recipes can be used only as an addition to official medicines. In addition, many pharmaceutical medicines are made from different plants.

Patients with acute prostatitis are usually prescribed various infusions and decoctions. They should be taken orally or used to take a healing solution while taking a bath. The following plants are most effective in this case:

  • Chestnut;
  • mother and stepmother;
  • Field horse tail;
  • Oak bark;
  • Chamomile.

Dietary foods

The key to curing acute prostatitis is a balanced diet. The inclusion of certain products in a patient's weekly menu is based on the severity of his or her illness. However, regardless of the stage of the disease, the following foods should be excluded from the diet for a while:

  • Smoked meat;
  • Fried foods;
  • Conservation;
  • Strong tea and coffee;
  • Alcoholic beverages;
  • Spicy and salty foods;
  • Fatty fish and meat.

Prevention

Sports game for the prevention of acute prostatitis

Sports activities are very useful for the prevention of prostate diseases.

Prevention of acute prostatitis involves the timely elimination of the inflammatory process. This requires timely treatment of bacterial, fungal and viral diseases. At the same time, any medical manipulation related to endometrial or endovesectomy should be performed in accordance with the relevant aseptic rules.

Effective prevention of acute prostatitis is based on the following principles:

  1. Strengthen the immune system.
  2. Genital hygiene.
  3. Regular sex life.
  4. Systematic physical activity and walking in the fresh air.
  5. Rejection of bad habits.
  6. Normalization of diet.

Periodic massage of the prostate can be an excellent prevention of a number of urological diseases.

If you notice the first signs of prostatitis, do not hesitate - you should consult a specialist as soon as possible. This will help the disease to heal faster and avoid a number of negative consequences.