Chronic prostatitis is an inflammatory disease of the prostate gland characterized by changes in organic tissue and functional disorders of the prostate, male reproductive system, and urinary tract.
The prostate is a tubular alveolar gland found only in men. This gland is involved in sperm production and is located below the bladder at the beginning of the urethra. Chronic prostatitis in men can occur due to infection of the prostate gland with blood from the bladder and pelvic lymphatic vessels or otherwise. While the presence of an infection may not cause disease or impotence, it does not usually go unnoticed in men. By this time men are observing a decrease in penile density, sexual dysfunction during sex, and urinary disorders.
Chronic prostatitis does not threaten a man’s life, but it can lead to psychological strain and deterioration of family relationships. It should also be noted that according to experts, chronic prostatitis, in particular its inappropriate treatment can lead to not only the development of serious complications, but also prostate cancer. Indeed, in addition to infection, there are many other factors that cause chronic prostatitis. Nevertheless, the manifestations and exacerbations of chronic prostatitis have different specifics.
Stages of chronic prostatitis
Although there is still no specificity for the development of chronic prostatitis, experts distinguish the following types:
- Acute bacterial prostatitis;
- Bacterial genesis II prostatitis. It is most commonly found;
- III Chronic nonbacterial prostatitis is a symptomatic complex of chronic pelvic pain lasting more than 3 months;
- Category III A is a type of inflammatory form of chronic prostatitis with increased levels of leukocytes in prostate secretion;
- III B is a non-inflammatory form of chronic prostatitis without elevated levels of leukocytes and pathogens in prostate secretion;
- Type IV is diagnosed as asymptomatic chronic prostatitis that causes no pain and is detected accidentally, based on the analysis of prostate secretion or the results of its biopsy.
The frequency and causes of chronic prostatitis in this category are not yet known. As for the reasons for the development of other types of disease, it should also be noted that this may be due to the penetration of various infectious microorganisms into the urea, as well as disorders of various functions in the male body.
Prophylactic methods of prostate inflammation
Chronic prostatitis requires long-term treatment. Therefore, it is best to follow prophylactic measures to avoid it. To do this, the patient will need only certain changes in his lifestyle, which will be useful not only for the general state of health, but also to alleviate this disease. So, first of all, the following rules must be observed:
- Aspire to a healthy lifestyle;
- Completely exclude spicy foods from your diet;
- Do not abuse alcohol;
- Play sports, including exercise, which strengthens muscles and improves blood circulation in the pelvic organs;
- Attend yoga classes as desired;
- Follow the methods of prevention and treatment of infectious diseases;
- Eliminate pelvic swelling and timely cure rectal diseases;
- Eliminate excessive masturbation;
- Try to have a regular but at the same time safe sex life;
- Avoid hypothermia;
- Do not sit on cold surfaces;
- When idling, warm up more often.
In addition to these preventative measures, men should take into account the fact that chronic prostatitis manifests itself insignificantly. Therefore, if a man sees a rash during urination or defecation and also experiences mild pain, in this case you should consult a doctor immediately. It should also be noted that the course of treatment should be carried out strictly under the supervision of a specialist without any neglect. In addition, the selection of medications during antibiotic therapy is made according to the individual condition of the patient and only after he undergoes special examinations. Prescription medications should not be discontinued and, moreover, additional medications should not be taken without a doctor's prescription. Do not delay making an appointment with your doctor. By searching our website, you will easily find a clinic that is suitable for both your location and pricing policy.
Causes of inflammation of the prostate
Chronic prostatitis is classified in medicine as a polyetiological disease. In addition to the penetration of infection into the organs of the urethra, it can occur and recur due to the detection of neurovegetative and hemodynamic disorders, as well as weakening of the immune system and autoimmune, hormonal or biochemical processes. Inflammation of the prostate gland can develop in the background of diseases such as:
- Depression;
- Neurogenic bladder dysfunction;
- Reflex sympathetic dystrophy;
- Inflammatory processes in the surrounding organs;
- Bladder neck hypertrophy;
- Prostate adenoma;
- Urethral stricture;
- Diseases of the rectum.
Considering these factors, the following reasons are associated with the risk of developing prostate inflammation:
- A sedentary lifestyle, especially in a sedentary state, leads to disruption of blood supply to the pelvic organs;
- Local hypothermia of the body;
- Frequent constipation;
- Irregular sexual intercourse or sudden loading;
- Chronic infections;
- Previously sexually transmitted diseases. Namely, their delayed treatment;
- Improper nutrition;
- Lack of sleep;
- Chronic stress.
In addition, chronic nonbacterial prostatitis can be caused by the formation of myofascial trigger points during diseases, injuries, and surgical interventions on the pelvic organs.
Symptoms of chronic prostatitis
The symptoms of chronic prostatitis do not bother men much. Inflammation of the prostate occurs suddenly. The patient may experience severe pain in the perineum and uterine area, and may also experience pain during urination and defecation accompanied by discharge from the urethra. All of these signs of chronic prostatitis can be accompanied by fever, chills, and fever. Most often, these symptoms are periodic. Also, chronic prostatitis can manifest itself as a complication of sexually transmitted diseases. During the course of the disease the patient may feel discomfort when urinating, pain in the perineum, as well as the appearance of discharge. Chronic inflammation of the prostate causes erectile dysfunction and delayed ejaculation.
The inflammatory process of the prostate penetrates deep into the urinary system, which can lead to cystitis and pyelonephritis. Most often, these exacerbations end with inflammation of the testicles and appendages, leading to infertility, requiring long-term treatment. Therefore, you should not delay seeing your doctor. Timely diagnosis and treatment are needed. It is important to remember that chronic prostatitis can be cured if the disease is not caused.
Diagnosis of chronic prostatitis
Typically, a doctor can diagnose this or that type of chronic prostatitis based on the patient's complaints or after an examination. First, the specialist palpates the prostate gland, and then advises the patient to examine the urine culture tank and prostate secretion in a laboratory. This diagnosis allows you to determine further treatment for chronic prostatitis. In addition, the urologist can use diagnostic methods such as:
- Transrectal ultrasound, which allows you to determine the size and volume of the prostate, as well as to determine the presence of neoplasms;
- Determining the pressure profile of the urethra allows us to find out the cause of urinary disorders and the functions of the pelvic floor muscles;
- Microscopic examination of the urethral mucosa to help determine the presence of a specific flora that causes infectious diseases; Prostate x-ray;
- MRI of the pelvic organs, which helps to differentiate prostate cancer and also identifies the non-inflammatory type of bacterial prostatitis;
- Determining the state of humoral and cellular immunity in prostate secretion. This type of research helps not only to diagnose the category of inflammatory process of the prostate gland, but also to solve the question of which method can cure chronic prostatitis.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis
Chronic prostatitis is considered to be an insidious and complex disease, its treatment method requires an integrated approach. Urologists use treatments such as:
- Antibiotic therapy, in which medications are prescribed that kill the hidden microorganisms of the infection. The patient takes these medications for several weeks. In the absence of a proper effect, antibiotics may be substituted for another group of drugs;
- Physiotherapy may involve exposure to electromagnetic, ultrasound, and laser waves, which significantly increases the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy;
- Magnetic laser therapy has an anti-inflammatory effect and improves blood microcirculation in the pelvic organs;
- Transrectal prostate massage is the most painful and uncomfortable method of treatment, but at the same time the most effective. It is based on the elimination of inflammatory secretions by pressing a finger;
- Darsonvalization;
- Electrophoresis with drugs;
- Hormone therapy;
- Transurethral electrosurgery. This method of treatment can be used only in cases of complications that, in addition to urinary or reproductive dysfunction in men, have led to the onset of prostate and bladder neck sclerosis. If there is an exacerbation of a chronic inflammatory process after surgery, in which case the patient can remove the remaining gland;
- Immunocorrection aims not only to eliminate the infection, but also to completely eliminate its recurrence. This method of treatment involves the normalization of lifestyle, which includes an active lifestyle, regular walking, adherence to a daily routine and proper nutrition;
- Spa treatments.
In addition, prescribed treatment for chronic prostatitis may include a visit to an immunologist and additional special tests. Since the completion of this or that course of therapy does not guarantee the complete eradication of the prostatitis infection, it is therefore likely that it will recur. In order to cure chronic prostatitis, the patient must strictly follow all the recommendations of the doctor and follow the prescribed course of treatment until the end.