Prostatitis is a dangerous, but, unfortunately, very common disease of the male genitourinary system. Previously, the disease mainly occurred in older men, today urologists increasingly diagnose this disease in young patients. Every man who cares about his health needs to know what types of prostatitis are and how they manifest themselves.
Reasons for the development of prostatitis
Severe hypothermia of the prostate is the "safest" way to get prostatitis.
Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland. This disease must be diagnosed and treated in a timely manner, otherwise serious consequences are possible.
The causes of this disease are divided into two large groups: infectious and non-infectious. Infectious causes of this disease include:
- opportunistic pathogens that are always present in the human body;
- fungus;
- sexually transmitted bacteria;
- virus;
- mycobacteria.
The opportunistic pathogens of this disease are Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, since infectious prostatitis is most often caused by these pathogens. They enter the prostate from the gastrointestinal tract with the movement of blood or lymph. Also, the disease can be caused by the penetration of pyogenic bacteria (pneumococcus, staphylococcus) from the urethra or by the hematogenous route.
The fungi that cause prostatitis are most often the yeast microflora of the genus Candida. Infection with this fungus can occur sexually, but Candida is an important part of the normal human microflora, so it can enter the prostate from other organs and systems. In rare cases, fungal prostatitis is caused by mold.
Inflammation of the prostate can be caused by an infection with syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, and other infections transmitted through unprotected intercourse.
In rare cases, viruses become the cause of the disease. So, prostatitis can develop against the background of influenza or SARS, in the case of the spread of the virus throughout the body with blood flow. Prostatic tuberculosis is isolated separately. This is a dangerous disease associated with infection of the organ with Koch's bacillus, the causative agent of tuberculosis.
Non-infectious causes of inflammation of the prostate:
- stagnation of prostatic secretion;
- violation of blood circulation and outflow of lymph from the pelvic organs;
- hypothermia of the genitals;
- Varicose veins.
In general, non-infectious prostatitis is often referred to as the "employee disease", since its development is directly related to physical inactivity.
Risk factors
If earlier the main risk group for the development of this disease were men over the age of 50, today there are many more risk factors, then young men aged 23-25 are increasingly facing prostatitis. The risk of developing inflammation of the prostate increases due to:
- lack of regular sex life;
- sedentary and hypodynamic work;
- endocrine disorders;
- hormonal disorders;
- hypothermia;
- fatigue;
- malnutrition;
- bad habits;
- unprotected relationship.
Lack of sex life is the main enemy of the prostate gland. But at the same time, too intense sex life also damages this organ. If, with prolonged abstinence, inflammation can be triggered by stagnation of the prostate secretion, which escapes during ejaculation, a rich sex life depletes the prostate gland, thus also causing the development of prostatitis.
A man's body needs regular physical activity. Otherwise, the blood circulation of the pelvic organs worsens, which leads to swelling of the prostate gland and disruption of the trophism of the tissues of the organ, and this, in turn, is the main cause of the development of non-infectious inflammation of the prostate.
Risk factors also include a decrease in immunity, promiscuity and various diseases of the genitourinary system, which can be a potential source of infection.
Prostatitis classification
To understand what prostatitis is, the classification of diseases will help in the first place. However, it is not recommended to diagnose yourself by describing the symptoms. At the first sign of discomfort, you should consult a urologist. It should be understood that different types of prostatitis manifest themselves in different ways, but they all pose a threat to men's health in the absence of timely treatment.
Regardless of the form of prostatitis, treatment should begin as soon as possible. Early diagnosis and timely therapy are an opportunity to get rid of the disease in a few weeks without the risk of complications.
Prostatitis is classified according to the nature of the inflammation and the degree of involvement of the prostate tissue in the pathological process. Each form of the disease has specific signs that are detected during the examination. Thus, the results of the analysis of prostate secretion, which should be taken by all men with suspected inflammation of the prostate, will speak more fully about the type of disease.
What is acute prostatitis?
Before considering the specific forms of the inflammatory process in the prostate, it is necessary to understand what prostatitis is based on the nature of the course. There are two main forms: acute and chronic inflammation.
Acute prostatitis is a rapidly spreading inflammation in the prostate. Most often it is a disease caused by any pathogen. However, the non-infectious form of the disease can also manifest itself in an acute form, for example, during the initial manifestation.
Acute prostatitis is characterized by vivid symptoms. Men complain of severe urination disorders, severe pain radiating to the perineum, lower back, anus. The discomfort increases when trying to urinate and ejaculating.
Features of chronic prostatitis
The chronic form of the disease arises from acute prostatitis. This type of prostatitis in men has less pronounced symptoms and is mainly associated with the lack of treatment or inadequate therapy for acute prostatitis. The pathology is characterized by slow inflammation, which can sometimes get worse.
Symptoms of the disease: weak urine stream, slow erection, weak arousal. In chronic prostatitis, the nocturnal urge to go to the toilet increases, during defecation, discomfort is felt in the prostate gland, manifested by a sensation of squeezing or bursting of the organ.
With hypothermia or a decrease in immunity, symptoms intensify, pain and spasms appear in the bladder, and the urge to go to the toilet becomes more frequent.
Bacterial prostatitis: characteristics and symptoms
One of the most common types of the disease is bacterial prostatitis. It is caused by the penetration of various bacteria into the prostate gland. Most often, the causative agent is Escherichia or Pseudomonas aeruginosa or other opportunistic bacteria that inhabit the human body.
The main reasons for its development are a decrease in immunity, severe stress, smoking and other conditions that weaken the body.
Bacterial prostatitis is manifested by the following symptoms:
- pain and pain when urinating, associated with irritation of the urethra by bacteria entering the prostate;
- high body temperature;
- symptoms of general intoxication: nausea, dizziness, weakness;
- pain in the perineum;
- excretion of blood in the urine.
This form of the disease progresses rapidly and can lead to a prostate abscess. When the first symptoms appear, you should immediately make an appointment with a specialist.
Infectious prostatitis
Infectious is called prostatitis, caused by bacteria, fungi, viruses. In fact, bacterial prostatitis is a type of infectious inflammation. This type of pathology has the same symptoms as bacterial inflammation.
The infectious form of the disease can manifest itself in acute and chronic form. As a rule, the chronic form of the disease develops due to complications or improper treatment of an acute inflammatory process.
Viral prostatitis
Acute respiratory viral infection can act as a catalyst for the development of viral prostatitis
The most dangerous and little studied form of infectious prostatitis is inflammation of a viral nature. It can be triggered by herpes, the human papillomavirus, the causative agent of measles, rubella, flu. Often, inflammation of the prostate gland occurs against the background of the spread of the causative agent of the usual SARS.
The problem with viral prostatitis is that antibiotic therapy is ineffective and antiviral agents do not penetrate well into the tissues of the prostate gland.
As a result, a long course of therapy with antiviral and immunomodulatory agents is required, after which the disease is likely to become chronic and treatment continued with other drugs. This form of prostatitis often leads to infertility at a young age.
Fungal prostatitis
This is a rare form of the disease caused by a fungus of the genus Candida. The main feature of this type of inflammation is the almost complete absence of symptoms in the initial stage. Therefore, fungal prostatitis does not manifest itself in an acute form, but immediately turns into a chronic disease.
Purulent prostatitis
This is the most serious and dangerous form of infectious inflammation caused by pyogenic bacteria. Pathology proceeds in an acute form, manifested by high body temperature and the release of purulent masses from the urethra. The disease can lead to an abscess of the prostate, which requires urgent hospitalization and surgery, otherwise the abscess can rupture and become infected with purulent blood masses.
Calculated form of inflammation
Stones or stones can form in the prostate gland. They are deposits of phosphates and calcifications in the walls of the organ. The stones irritate the prostate tissue, causing an inflammatory response. This form of the disease is characterized by the excretion of blood in the urine and severe pain during defecation due to the movement of salt deposits due to muscle tension and damage to the prostate tissue. This form of the disease is experienced by older men. Also, stone prostatitis is considered a complication of congestive prostatitis that humans have not treated.
Diagnostics
Having understood the types of prostatitis in men and the symptoms of different types of inflammation, it becomes clear that the diagnosis should be made exclusively by a specialist. It is necessary to contact a urologist at the first signs of malaise and undergo examinations. To make a diagnosis, palpation of the prostate, analysis of prostate secretion and ultrasound of the organ are performed.
The cause of inflammation is determined by the composition of the prostate juice, its consistency and quantity. Ultrasound is done to rule out calculous prostatitis. Based on the results of these tests, a diagnosis is made and an optimal treatment regimen is prescribed.
Treatment of inflammation
Signs and symptoms of prostatitis depend on the type of disease. Treatment is selected individually for each patient, depending on the nature of the inflammatory process. In general, all bacterial inflammatory processes are treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics with antimicrobial activity. Antiviral drugs and drugs to boost the immune system are used to treat a viral disease. The fungal form of the disease requires the use of special drugs - antifungals.
To eliminate non-infectious inflammation, so-called prostate biostimulators are used. These are drugs that improve the trophism of the tissues of the inflamed organ, dilute the prostatic secretion and stimulate its outflow. These drugs improve the functions of the body.
In addition, symptomatic treatment is prescribed. In the acute form of the disease, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used, which relieve pain and fever. If a man has severe problems with urination, drugs that relax the muscles of the bladder and urethra are used - alpha-blockers.
In addition, herbal diuretics, suppositories that improve blood circulation in the gland, anti-inflammatory drugs with a natural composition and other groups of medicines are used.
It is important to remember that self-medication can seriously harm health. Drug therapy should only be prescribed by the attending physician.
How to prevent the development of the disease?
To prevent the disease, you should have regular medical examinations.
The prevention of prostatitis is a topical issue for all men. For a healthy prostate, you need to:
- treat all diseases in a timely manner;
- always dress according to the time and avoid hypothermia of the genitals;
- take care of your health and use contraception;
- live an active lifestyle;
- play sport;
- reject bad habits;
- eat properly.
For prevention, all men are advised to consume pumpkin seeds in small quantities, as this product is a natural protector of the prostate.
In addition, all men over the age of 40 should visit a urologist every year, even in the absence of complaints.