One of the most common diseases of the male genitourinary system is chronic prostatitis.As medical practice shows, every twelfth male of puberty suffers from this disease, about 40% of cases are diagnosed in patients aged 20-40.Chronic prostatitis, which brings physical suffering to its owner, often leads to deterioration of the patient's general condition, prevents his normal sexual and social activities.What is the nature of this disease, how to avoid an unpleasant diagnosis - and if you are among those affected, how favorable are the prognosis for treatment?
Causes of chronic prostatitis
Chronic prostatitis is a long-lasting inflammatory process in the prostate gland, accompanied by pain and discomfort in the pelvic area, urinary disorders and pathologies of male sexual function.
Predisposing conditions for the occurrence of chronic prostatitis may be infections, obstruction in the prostate, benign hyperplasia, or a combination of these factors.There are several possible ways for the infection to enter the prostate gland:
- with blood flow from existing infection centers in the body (pneumonia, caries, pustular skin lesions, sinusitis, etc.);
- with lymph flow from other organs (dysbacteriosis, hemorrhoids, inflammatory bowel diseases, etc.);
- through the urethra, sexually (one of the consequences of infectious urethritis).
Non-infectious or bacterial prostatitis is diagnosed 8 times more often than bacterial;Its occurrence is based on congestive processes and blood circulation disorders in the prostate and adjacent organs.
Among the main causes of stagnation of secretions in the prostate gland, urologists distinguish the following:
- irregular sexual life, long-term abstinence;
- defective ejaculation, interrupted sexual experience;
- often unrealized sexual excitement.
The risk of chronic prostatitis increases in men with reduced physical activity, severe or minor but regular hypothermia, prolonged stress, and alcoholism.
The main symptoms of the disease
Chronic prostatitis is caused by the failure to treat acute prostatitis in time or ineffective treatment and is a slow inflammatory process in the prostate gland.
In most cases, asymptomatic, the disease is usually detected in patients only during a medical examination, so every man is advised to regularly visit a specialist to check for urological diseases.However, the so-called "hidden" stage of chronic prostatitis can cause hypothermia, disruption of intimate life, etc. in a man.As a result, stress can go into an acute phase after having an inflammatory disease.
- increased sweating, especially in the perineal region;
- itching or discomfort in the groin area;
- frequent urge to urinate, pain while urinating, urinary retention;
- discharge of prostate secretions through the external opening of the urethra after urination or defecation;
- slight increase (up to 37.5) body temperature;weakness, sleep and performance disorders;
- sexual dysfunction (unstable or weak erection, decreased libido, rapid ejaculation, orgasm disorders, pelvic pain during ejaculation, etc.);
- pains of various severity and intensity in the perineum, lumbosacral region, external genitalia
Taken together, these symptoms of chronic prostatitis can lead to disorders of the nervous system, which are characterized by neurotic states with concern for the patient's well-being.
If left untreated, the possible consequences of chronic prostatitis
Unlike acute, chronic prostatitis, it is characterized by changes in wave-like, periodic exacerbations and relatively long remissions, during which a man can feel completely healthy.It is the fact that the patient does not communicate with a specialist, which leads to the further development of the inflammatory process.
If the inflammation spreads through the genitourinary system, complications in the form of cystitis or pyelonephritis may develop into urolithiasis.However, often the result of advanced chronic prostatitis is vesiculitis (inflammatory disease of the seminal vesicles) or epididymo-orchitis (inflammation of the testicles).Both of these diseases can cause severe infertility and sometimes irreversible damage to male reproductive function.
One of the most severe consequences of chronic prostatitis is scarring of the prostate tissue due to the shrinkage of the organ.This process often spreads to the back of the urethra and bladder, which causes a permanent violation of the flow of urine.
The situation is significantly aggravated by the combination of the disease with prostate adenoma, which is most common in men over 50 years of age.Disrupting the output from the prostate gland, the adenoma provokes the progression of chronic prostatitis, therefore, if the patient is indicated for surgical removal of a benign tumor, prostatitis should be treated before that.
Disease diagnosis, methods and treatment perspectives
The doctor's initial appointment consists of collecting information about the main symptoms of the disease, followed by a general examination, a digital rectal examination, and taking prostate secretions from the patient.Another diagnostic measure to make an accurate diagnosis is a transrectal ultrasound examination.
Before starting a course of therapy, a patient with chronic prostatitis should undergo a urine culture test to optimize the treatment method and study the prostate secretion to find out the sensitivity of the flora to antibacterial drugs.
Modern medicine uses the following methods traditionally used in combination for the treatment of chronic prostatitis:
- Antibiotic therapy.The use of antibacterial drugs is necessary to eliminate the pathogenic bacterial flora that causes inflammation.The effectiveness of treatment directly depends on the correct selection of drugs, because if all microorganisms are not destroyed during therapy, the disease will make itself felt again sooner or later.For this reason, the patient must complete the course of antibiotics in full, without interruption or other violations of medical recommendations.
- Physiotherapy.Prostate massage is one of the most effective components of treatment in a complex of such procedures.The essence of prostate massage is as follows: the effect on the gland helps to remove the inflammatory secretion accumulated in it by squeezing it into the ducts and then into the urethra.At the same time, the quality of blood flow in the prostate improves, which increases the effect of antibacterial drugs taken by the patient.In addition to prostate massage, a patient diagnosed with chronic prostatitis can be prescribed treatment with laser, ultrasound waves or electromagnetic influence on the inflamed area.
- Immunocorrection.A long-term inflammatory process such as chronic prostatitis, as well as independent or incorrectly prescribed antibiotics, can contribute to a significant decrease in the patient's immunity.The goal of immunocorrection is to restore the protective functions of the body as much as possible.This is facilitated by normalizing the lifestyle and visiting an immunologist.
Although not every case of chronic prostatitis can result in a complete recovery of the patient due to various forms of complications, the patient's strict adherence to medical recommendations ensures a long-term, perhaps lifelong, remission of the disease.
How to avoid an unpleasant diagnosis?
Prevention of chronic prostatitis consists of following several basic rules:
- Change your lifestyle to a more active one.If it is not possible to do sports, do warm-up or gymnastics exercises every day.
- Avoid hypothermia.For stone slabs, metal curbs, etc.do not sit on it.
- Use laxatives for constipation and consult a doctor if constipation becomes chronic.
- Try to normalize your sex life.Excessive sexual activity, as well as long-term abstinence, negatively affects the condition and functions of the prostate gland.
- Don't engage in casual sex;otherwise, prefer protected sex.
- At the first suspicion of an STD, consult a specialist immediately;do not self-medicate.
- Visit a urologist at least once a year to rule out the possibility of developing the disease.
Take care of your men's health and the diagnosis of "chronic prostatitis" will never stand in your way!