Acute or chronic prostatitis is found in nearly half of men of active age. Bacteria, congestion, stones are diagnosed more often in old age. Infections cause disease in the young section of the male population. The therapy is long, complex, it does not always give a complete recovery. Therefore, contacting a urologist early in identifying symptoms is important for quick treatment.
Etiology of prostatitis
Inflammation of the prostate gland is called prostatitis. Men of active age suffer from the disease. It depends on the causes, the presence of aggravating factors, the patient's lifestyle. There are several types of prostatitis. Often the disease contributes to the development of other prostate problems. Among these are tumors.
Benign processes cause the development of adenoma. Malignant ones lead to cancer. Cancers tend to develop in older men.
Ascending infection refers to the predominant causes of the onset of the disease. The harmful agent from the urination canal reaches the prostate gland. There it has a detrimental effect on the organ tissue. This type of inflammation is called non-specific.
This scenario of development of the disease is typical of the spread of the alien and its own microflora. Its own bacteria cause inflammation under certain conditions. This can occur with reduced protective function due to hypothermia, a concomitant disease. An important role is played by a chronic focus of infection: caries, tonsillitis. Prostatitis of a non-specific nature makes up the majority of the problems that occur in the prostate gland.
The following pathogens cause non-specific infectious inflammation:
- virus;
- gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria;
- gardnerella - sticks;
- chlamydia;
- mycoplasma.
Nonspecific infectious prostatitis can appear due to the patient's infection after sexual contact. There is also a way that a foreign agent can penetrate from purulent foci of the skin, mucous membranes and other sources of infection, for example, with tonsillitis.
The causes of inflammatory processes in the prostate can be congestive (stagnant) phenomena. In certain situations, venous or secretory stasis in the gland is possible. Provoking factors include reduced or excessive sexual activity, prolonged abstinence, frequently practiced interrupted sexual intercourse, nicotine and alcohol addiction.
Men often ignore the initial manifestations of the inflammatory process. Postponing a visit to the doctor is dangerous. It is also important to lead a correct lifestyle, treat comorbidities in a timely manner, and eliminate sources of infection. Chronic prostatitis is often caused by a variety of pathogens.
Risk factors
The possibility of problems with the prostate increases if there is a history of infectious diseases, as well as conditions accompanied by stagnation. Hypothermia and reduced immunity also affect. Factors contributing to the development of prostatitis:
- not the correct rhythm of sexual activity;
- hypothermia (frequent or one-time);
- inert lifestyle, work that forces you to sit for a long time;
- frequent constipation;
- diseases of the genitourinary system;
- perineal lesion;
- sexually transmitted diseases;
- chronic pathologies or foci of infection (cholecystitis, caries, tonsillitis);
- nervous stress, depression;
- frequent colds.
With constant intoxication after the use of nicotine, alcohol, drugs, the risk of developing the disease increases. All of the above causes contribute to the appearance of pathology, improving the latent inflammatory process in the prostate.
The main role in the development of the disease is played by the phenomena of stagnation. Problems with blood flow in the capillaries cause metabolic disturbances. The addition of specific and non-specific flora against the background of the described situations is the most common cause of prostatitis.
Classification of types and forms
Currently, there are many classifications of prostatitis. This includes process definitions based on frequency of occurrence, cause of occurrence, location of infection. Let's dwell on the simplest and most popular varieties from a practical point of view. According to the etiology, prostatitis is:
- bacterial;
- infectious;
- calculation;
- stagnant;
- purulent.
Flow shape:
- spicy;
- chronic.
Statistical data indicate that more often the pathology is provoked by causes of a non-bacterial nature. There is also a significant rejuvenation of the disease. Previously, it was considered a problem for older men. Now more and more young patients suffer from prostatitis.
Acute prostatitis
It occurs quickly, the symptoms are growing actively, rapidly. Usually the process is infectious, provoked by harmful agents: bacteria, fungi, protozoa. A common cause can be Escherichia coli, enterococci, Proteus and others. Many microorganisms are part of their flora. Under conditions of reduced immune response, they become pathogens and damage the prostate gland.
The presence of sources of infection - caries, tonsillitis, chronic pathological processes increases the likelihood of the disease. Men determine their disease almost immediately. There are symptoms of general intoxication.
Pain expressed in the perineum, groin, radiating to the anus, lower back. Possible pain during defecation, myalgia. Urine comes out with difficulty, the urge to empty the bladder is frequent, with delays. Patients notice a worsening of erection, ejaculation. There is pus in the urine and secretions, usually when the disease is neglected.
Chronic prostatitis
The disease can be caused by various reasons: the phenomena of stagnation, the entry of microbes, age-related changes. Often the prostate is attacked by one's own immune system after an absolute cure. This is possible if the patient is stressed, has damaged the prostate gland and is often hypothermic.
Furthermore, chronicity is due to an untreated acute process. It can be asymptomatic. In this case there is inflammation, but the pathogenic flora does not reveal itself.
The disease manifests itself less pronounced than in the acute course. Patients note some problems with urination against the background of discomfort. There may be a decrease in sexual activity, weakness appears, sometimes there is pain in the groin, a burning sensation.
Periods of exacerbation are characterized by symptoms of an acute process.
Bacterial prostatitis
This type of inflammation is acute and chronic. It is caused by various pathogenic organisms. Symptoms such as in acute course. After the examination, changes in the fluid media are detected, a diagnosis is made on this basis.
This disease is more common in young people. Contributing to its development is a decrease in the immune response, the influence of external factors: stress, frequent alcohol consumption, cooling, weak motor mode. Infectious foci and chronic pathologies of the body, surgical interventions are also important.
In an acute course, patients notice symptoms of intoxication: chills, weakness, hyperthermia, myalgia. Painful sensations of the perineum, anus and genital organs are manifested locally. Problems with urination, worsening of erection are also expressed. In the blood, the secreted fluids change characteristic.
In its chronic course, the symptoms are not so obvious. Exacerbation is manifested by signs of an acute course.
Infectious prostatitis
Inflammatory process of the gland caused by foreign microbes. There are acute and chronic. Symptoms and course resemble a type of bacterial pathology. This disease is distinguished by the fact that it is caused by protozoa, fungal pathogens. Among other types of the disease, it is rare, mainly in young patients. The reasons are common factors and the penetration of pathogens into the gland from the foci of infection.
Calculous prostatitis
The inflammatory process develops due to the presence of stones. A very rare form, it almost always occurs in elderly patients. It appears after untreated chronic inflammation. The stones can be of endogenous and exogenous origin.
The first appear due to stagnation in the body. They are small and may not appear. They are rarely detected, as there are no painful sensations.
The latter are similar in composition to those found in the bladder and kidneys. Formed due to chronic inflammation of the gland or adenoma. They usually give a pronounced pain syndrome. Localization of sensations: sacrum, lower back, small pelvis. After sex, moving, walking, the pain intensifies. The ejaculate may contain a few drops of blood. Other symptoms of the disease are also expressed: irritability, worsening of erection, problems with emptying the bladder.
congestive prostatitis
Refers to the chronic form. Its appearance is provoked by the stagnation of the secretion of an organ or blood in the small pelvis. The development goes unnoticed. Symptoms are mild:
- urination disorders;
- general intoxication;
- discomfort, pain in the perineum, groin, scrotum;
- decrease in sperm quality, orgasm;
There are no specific changes in the excreted fluids. There are infectious and non-infectious. Symptoms such as weakness, depression are possible.
Purulent prostatitis
Severe form of the acute course of the infectious process. The diagnosis is based on the main symptom - the appearance of pus from the canal. It works at high temperatures. Its varieties:
- catarrhal;
- follicular;
- parenchymal;
- abscesses.
It occurs against the background of flu, tonsillitis, SARS, weakened immunity. These types differ in the severity of the flow. A different amount of pus is released.
Differential diagnosis
All types and forms of prostatitis require a medical examination, laboratory diagnostics. The clinic depends on the characteristics of the course. Be sure to perform excreted fluid tests for the presence of PSA antigen (a disease specific protein). An ultrasound of the pelvic organs is performed.
The test for pathogens, sexually transmitted, allows to differentiate the bacterial or infectious process. Congestive is diagnosed based on the results of a study of the veins of the small pelvis. The calculation is determined by evaluating the patient's general condition, organ palpation data, urine and blood tests.
Features of treatment depending on the type and stage of the disease
Acute prostatitis is treated in the hospital. Antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, substances that reduce swelling and improve the outflow of urine, immunomodulators, therapeutic microenemas and physiotherapy are prescribed. It is recommended to use medicinal suppositories. In chronic processes, prostate massage is added. With a stone disease, massages are prohibited, surgical treatment is possible.
Consequences and prevention
Any type and form of prostatitis requires urgent diagnosis and adequate treatment. It is difficult to cure a chronic process, so it is important not to start an acute one. Under the influence of inflammation, iron changes irreversibly. This leads to infertility, impotence, abscesses, stone formation and tumors in the organ.
Prevention implies the right lifestyle, sport, regular sex, the exclusion of promiscuity.