What is prostatitis? First signs and symptoms, as well as treatment of acute and chronic stage

It's prostatitisa purely male disease. It is one of the most common lesions of the genitourinary system and occurs in approximately 80% of men, 4 of which occur before the age of 40.

Disease is not an isolated process: itit exposes nearby organs to trauma and also poisons the whole body.

How does prostatitis occur?

The essence of the process is inflammation of the prostate or prostate gland.

Inflammation of the prostate with prostatitis

The prostate is located in the pelvis, next to the bottom of the bladder. This is an unpaired organ that looks like a chestnut. The urethra passes through it. Behind the gland is the rectum, and in front of it is the pubis.

The prostate is quite an elastic organ, because its base is made up of muscle fibers and glandular cells. It consists of 2 lobes, which are connected by an isthmus. It is the main source of problems related to urination. Thickening and increasing with age, the isthmus puts pressure on the urethra, hindering the process of urine excretion.

Prostateperforms such functions for the body:

Function The bottom line
Secretariat It produces a secretion that is part of the sperm. It dilutes it, sets the required pH value and increases sperm motility.
Engine The muscle fibers of the gland form the urinary sphincter, which helps to retain urine.
Barrier It contains zinc-peptide complex, lysozyme, factors of cellular immunity, spermine, which prevent the development of infection in the ascending way.

Prostatitis develops when an inflammatory process begins in the gland. At the same time, it increases in size, squeezing the urinary canal. This causes difficulty in urinating.

In addition, the enlarged prostate "invades" the bladder, squeezing it. Because of this, the evacuation of urine from it is disturbed, it stagnates, causing inflammation now in the bladder. Long-term stagnation of urinary fluid in its "reservoir" leads to intoxication of the entire body with metabolic products in its composition.

Contributing factors

The main reason for the development of prostatitis isinfection. It can be staphylococcus, enterococcus, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli, Proteus. The most common is prostatitisconsequence of sexually transmitted diseases: syphilis or gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis.

It is less often the cause of the diseaseinfectious processes of other systems: flu, tuberculosis, tonsillitis, etc. Bacteria and viruses enter the prostate through lymph and blood, as well as through sexual contact. Pathogenic flora is often introduced into the gland ascending from the urethra or descending from the bladder with infected urine.

Other factorsthat cause inflammation of the gland include:

  • circulation disorders in the pelvis. This can be caused by a sedentary lifestyle, excess weight and pelvic injuries. A special risk group is represented by drivers who are constantly in a sitting position and experience vibrations and pressure on the perineal area. Reduced blood circulation in the pelvis causes congestion and lack of oxygen in the prostate, which also causes the development of infection,
  • hypothermia,
  • hormonal imbalance,
  • urination problems,
  • irregular sexual activities – too "violent" sexual life, abstinence, cessation of sexual intercourse,
  • chronic constipation,
  • inflammation of the rectum,
  • reduced immunity, due to which the body becomes sensitive to infectious agents.

There is an opinion that the risk of developing the disease increases with regular use of alcohol and drugs.

Typification and symptoms of the disease

In the modern world, the division of prostatitis into types is done according to the classification of the American National Institute of Health from 1995.based on clinical data, as well as the presence of leukocytes and pathogenic flora in semen, prostate secretions and urine:

  1. Acute bacterial prostatitis.
  2. Chronic bacterial prostatitis.
  3. CPPS – chronic pelvic pain syndrome or chronic nonbacterial prostatitis.
  4. Asymptomatic prostatitis.

Acute prostatitisis contagious in nature. There are several stages:

  • catarrhalFollowed by frequent and painful urination. The pain spreads to the sacrum and perineum,
  • follicular.The intensity of the pain increases. It also appears during defecation. Urination becomes difficult - urine comes out in a thin stream or drips. Hyperthermia up to 38°,
  • parenchymatous.It is characterized by acute retention of urine and problems with defecation. Severe pain in the perineum, lower back and above the pubis. Body temperature rises to 38-40°. Intoxication of the body develops, the symptoms of which are general weakness, nausea and rapid heartbeat.

During a digital examination by a urologist, an enlarged, thick prostate is palpated, hot and painful to the touch. A large number of leukocytes and bacteria are detected in the urine.

Pain in the perineum in men is a symptom of prostatitis

Chronic prostatitisit can develop as a consequence of an acute illness or as a separate illness. The diagnosis is made if the process lasts 3 months or more.

Chronic prostatitis manifests itself in 3 main syndromes:

  • painful.Interestingly, the prostate itself does not contain pain receptors. Pain occurs when the inflammatory process affects the nerve fibers of the pelvis, of which there are many. It is of a different nature. It can be insignificant or sharp and strong, disturbing even at night, subsiding and repeating again. It is localized in the sacrum, scrotum, lower back and perineum.
  • dysuric.The urge to urinate becomes more frequent. It becomes sluggish, and there is a feeling of a heavy, not completely emptied bladder. Then the process can improve due to the compensatory increase of the bladder muscles, but it soon resumes. Discharge appears from the urethra during bowel movements.
  • sexual disorders- increase or decrease of night erection, blurred orgasm, pain during ejaculation and its acceleration. Aggravation of sexual disorders, which ultimately lead to impotence. There is a concept of psychogenic dyspotency, when a man is convinced that in his condition, disturbances in the intimate sphere are inevitable. And they are actually developing. With the development of sexual dysfunction, a man's mood also changes: he becomes irritable and depressed.

Often the chronic form of prostatitis becomes a manifestation of hidden sexually transmitted infections.

Diagnosis of CPPSit is established if clinical manifestations of prostatitis are present, but the causative agents of the disease are not detected in biological fluids (urine, ejaculate and prostate secretion). Leukocytes are also determined at the same time.

The main criterion for diagnosis is pain that does not stop within 3 months.

Chronic pelvic pain syndrome is divided into 2 categories: inflammatory and non-inflammatory.

Inflammatory CPPSit is determined when a large number of leukocytes are found in biological fluids. No bacteria were detected.

Non-inflammatory CPPScharacterized by the absence of leukocytes and pathogenic flora in biological fluids.

In both cases, the symptoms of prostatitis persist.

Asymptomatic formThe disease is characterized by the absence of signs of prostate inflammation. It is discovered accidentally during the histology of the prostate tissue if the patient is prescribed a prostate biopsy. A similar procedure is prescribed, for example, when the PSA level increases.

The disease, regardless of its type (except the asymptomatic form), manifests itself, first of all, urinary disorders:

  • pain when urinating,
  • a weak stream or leakage of urine,
  • feeling that the bladder is not completely empty.

If such symptoms appear, do not delay the visit to the urologist. This will help stop the process in its first stage.

How to recognize the disease

The main criterion for establishing a diagnosis is the patient's clinical picture and complaints.

But to finally confirm it,it is necessary to undergo a series of tests and examinations:

  1. Examination by a urologist.The doctor must perform a rectal examination of the prostate. It is passed with a finger through the rectum. It is preferable to defecate before the examination. Manipulation determines the shape and size of the gland, as well as its consistency. The procedure helps to determine the presence of tumors and inflammation in the prostate. Digital examination allows the collection of prostate secretions.
  2. Urinalysis.Two portions are tested: urine collected at the beginning of urination and urine collected at the end of the process. 1 portion indicates the state of the urethra, 2 – kidneys and bladder. The presence of leukocytes in the urine above normal (15 per visual field) indicates inflammation.
  3. After collecting the urine, the prostate is massaged, due to which its secretion is obtained.If there is too little of it and it does not leave the urethra, but remains on its walls, urine is collected after the massage. It is as informative as the prostate discharge itself. Leukocytes are determined here (there should be no more than 10 of them), as well as lecithin granules and amyloid bodies. If the first analysis of glandular secretions did not show any abnormalities, this does not mean the absence of the process. Prostatic juice can be too viscous and clog the lumen of the ducts of the affected glands. Then the secretory secret will be produced by healthy glandular cells. Therefore, it is necessary to go through such an analysis several times. Cultures of urine and prostate secretions are also performed to determine the causative agent of the disease and determine sensitivity to antibiotics.
  4. General blood analysis.
  5. Analysis for the presence of sexually transmitted diseases.
  6. Ultrasound of kidneys, urinary bladder, TRUS,which allows you to thoroughly assess the state of the prostate,
  7. Uroflowmetry.It is used to estimate the rate and time of urine excretion. It is performed with a special device consisting of a sensor and a container. All the patient has to do is urinate into it as usual.
  8. PSA in the blood– prostate specific antigen. It is an indicator of the presence of tumor formations in the prostate - adenoma or cancer,
  9. Prostate biopsy.It is carried out if the presence of cancer is suspected.

It is necessary to make a spermogram that will help to confirm or deny infertility.

Therapy of acute and chronic prostatitis

Acute prostatitis without complications is usually treated on an outpatient basis. Hospitalization is indicated in case of severe intoxication or development of complications.

Treatment of acute prostatitisstart antibiotics. If the condition is severely disturbed, they are given without waiting for the results of the analysis. They use groups of antibacterial drugs that can penetrate deep into the tissues of the prostate. They act on those types of bacteria that most often cause inflammation in it. These antibiotics include fluoroquinolones.

Prostatitis is treated with drugs

Upon receipt of testsantibiotic therapy can be adjusted differently. Everything depends on the causative agent of the disease and its sensitivity to the drug. Therapy is also changed if the effect is not observed after 2 days.

In the case of acute inflammation of the prostate, the use of painkillers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is indicated. In addition to oral medications, suppositories are also used, which have both an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect: based on prostate extract, suppositories with propolis.

In case of severe intoxicationcarry out detoxification therapy. To do this, use glucose solution.

Prescribed drugs that improve blood circulation in the prostate. They ensure the drainage of lymph from the gland, relieve swelling and promote the elimination of toxins.

In the case of acute prostatitis, it is forbidden to massage the gland, as this can cause the development of sepsis.

Treatment of chronic prostatitis depends on the stage of the disease.

In the acute form, antibiotics are used. In the phase of remission, the therapy is aimed at maintaining the normal functioning of the gland:

  1. Medicines that normalize the microcirculation of organs.
  2. Anti-inflammatory drugs.
  3. It is important to maintain the body's immune function, which decreases under the influence of antibiotic courses. For this, patients are prescribed immunostimulants.
  4. Antidepressants and sedatives can be prescribed for sexual dysfunction.
  5. Prostate massage.
  6. physiotherapy:
    • laser,
    • ultrasound,
    • rectal electrophoresis,
    • transrectal microwave hyperthermia.
  7. Physiotherapy.
Physiotherapy for effective treatment of prostatitis

Physiotherapy for prostatitis helps to increase the tone of the pelvic floor muscles and reduce pain.

Prostate massage: purpose and technique

Prostate massage with fingers has several purposes.

It is used as a diagnostic, to obtain glandular secretions, and also as a method of treating chronic prostatitis.

The majorityThe usual method for this procedure is transrectal. In this case, the patient is placed on the right side with bent knees. The doctor inserts his index finger into the anus, moving it along the rectum. Then a massage is performed: gently caressing each lobe of the gland around it and along the duct. At the end of the procedure, the furrow between the lobes is kneaded to release the secretory fluid.

It is necessary to focus on the patient's sensations: there should be no pain during the manipulation. The procedure lasts 1 minute, the full course is 15 sessions.

An indicator of a quality massage is the release of a few drops of glandular secretions.

Such manipulation, above all,increases blood circulation in the prostate. This accelerates tissue repair and improves the passage of drugs, eliminates congestion and relieves inflammation.

Massage helps to strengthen the muscles of the gland and perineum. The procedure allows you to remove stagnant seminal fluid from the organ, due to which the prostate is cleansed of bacteria and toxins. Compression of the urethra is removed and urination is improved. Massage increases potency by increasing the circulation of seminal fluid.

In addition to the transrectal method, there is an instillation method and bougie massage.

Instillation methodit begins with the introduction of a medicinal solution through the urethra. Then it is clamped and the prostate is massaged using the finger method. In this case, the medicinal solution penetrates the gland, enhancing the effect of the procedure. In the end, the urethra is not squeezed, it is recommended to wait a little while urinating. The drug is re-introduced into the urethra.

Bougie massagethey are performed through the urethra using bougies - special instruments for dilation and examination of tubular organs. The patient is in the right lateral position. The bougie is inserted into the urethra and held with one hand. With the other hand, stroke and press the penis from top to bottom. The duration of the procedure is 1 minute, after which the drugs are administered intraurethrally. This massage is supported by antibiotic therapy.

Finger prostate massage- medical manipulation, performed by a specialist according to clear indications.

A self-massage option is possible: to do this, rhythmically tense and relax the muscles around the anus. This procedure will be invisible to others and will help strengthen the gland.

Like any manipulation,Prostate massage has its contraindications:

  • acute inflammation of the prostate,
  • carcinoma or adenoma of the gland,
  • hemorrhoids,
  • stones, cystic formations in the prostate organ.

A professionally performed procedure will help restore the structure of the prostate and its function, and stimulation of sensitive points will eliminate sexual dysfunction.

Prostatitis and traditional medicine

Along with medication, traditional methods will help you deal with prostate inflammation.A combination of these 2 types of treatment, you will speed up the healing process and get rid of unpleasant sensations.

There are many home remedies that help fight prostatitis. Here are some of them:

  • Grind 500 grams of peeled raw pumpkin seeds through a meat grinder and mix with 200 grams of honey. Make small balls from the obtained mass. Consume before meals 2 times a day, slowly, chew and dissolve thoroughly. Pumpkin seeds contain a large amount of zinc, which is essential for men's health.
  • blueberries have an anti-inflammatory effect. Eating 200 grams of this berry a day will support the health of your men,
  • Parsley first became known as a culinary spice. But in addition, it also contains a lot of useful substances, including those that are needed by the male body. Take parsley juice 1 tbsp. l. 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals. This will help relieve inflammation and improve sex life,
  • take the green skin of the chestnut along with the spines, chop them and pour boiling water over them. Use as a tea
  • Grind 300 grams of onion to a paste consistency, add 100 grams of honey, 600 ml of dry wine. Keep for 1 week in a dark and cool place, stirring occasionally. Strain. Use 2 tbsp. l. 3 times a day before meals. Effective in the treatment of chronic prostatitis.

Some will help speed up recoveryphysical exercises. They stimulate blood circulation in the pelvic area and, accordingly, in the prostate.

  1. Deep squats below knee level. The optimal number of times is 100. Perform 3 times a week. If you cannot do such a number at once, perform squats in several approaches with breaks.
  2. Scissors. Sit on the floor with your hands on the floor behind you. Extend your legs in front of you, lift them off the floor. Cross them over each other. The movements resemble the work of scissors.
  3. Lying on your back, bend your knees and bring them closer to your chest. Wrap your hands around them. Hold the pose for up to 20 minutes.
  4. Regular walking is also a great way to relieve congestion.

You cansupplement this complex with other exercises, which activate and warm up the muscles.

Teenage prostatitis

It's hard to believe, but prostatitis, which was considered middle-aged and old, is now much younger and is found even among teenagers. It negatively affects the state of the entire organism, as well as the reproductive capacity of young people.

A teenager with signs of prostatitis should consult a doctor

Consequentlyit is important to understand the reasonsthat lead to teenage prostatitis:

  • early sexual activity and sexual illiteracy.Unprotected sex contributes to the growth of sexually transmitted infections that can cause bacterial inflammation of the prostate,
  • hypothermia- a factor that contributes to the occurrence of prostatitis. Temperature imbalance reduces immunity and exposes the body to an infectious attack,
  • fashion trends- wearing clothes and underwear that are too tight disrupts blood circulation in the pelvis and leads to stagnation in this area,
  • sedentary lifestyle- work on the computer of modern youth replaces sports, walks and other active pastimes,
  • excessive sexual activityliterally exhausts the gland. Its functions are reduced, and the small amount of secreted secretion and the deterioration of its quality make it more susceptible to infections.

Prostatitis in young people manifests itself in different ways. Some are worried about the obvious symptoms: hyperthermia, severe pain in the groin with radiation to neighboring organs and when urinating. In others, the symptoms appear in a mild form. General weakness, reduced activity, low temperature and urethral discharge appear.

Very much soIt is important not to ignore the signs of the disease, but to start treatment on time. A neglected pathological process will leave a mark on the condition of the organs and the lives of young men.

Preventive actions

It is better to prevent any disease than to treat it. Measures to prevent prostatitis are quite simple and not difficult to follow.

  1. First,rethink your daily routine. If you have a sedentary job, be sure to introduce five-minute sports exercises into your routine. Stretch your body, move more. This is necessary so that the blood "passes" through the vessels faster. At the same time, avoid excessive physical activity that exhausts the body.
  2. Stop smoking. Tobacco smoke constricts blood vessels and hinders blood circulation, reducing the supply of oxygen to the prostate. Limit your intake of alcoholic beverages.
  3. Avoid hypothermia and nervous tension.
  4. It is worth eating marinated dishes, as well as spices and pickles, and hot sauces in doses.
  5. Attention should be paid to the regularity of sexual activity and the adequacy of sexual intercourse.

Untreated prostatitis threatens with numerous complications: the transition to a chronic form, the development of infertility, the spread of the process to the kidneys and bladder. More serious consequences include adenoma and prostate cancer. It is possible for purulent foci - abscesses - to appear in the gland and become septic.

As you can see, the disease is quite insidious. And, despite the delicacy of the problem, you should not delay its treatment. Block the process in the early stages of its development: only then will you preserve your health and masculinity.