Prostatitis is one of the most unpleasant ailments of the male genital area. Due to inappropriate nutrition, physical inactivity, bad habits and other negative factors present in the life of modern representatives of the stronger sex, the ubiquity of this pathology is constantly increasing.
It is quite easy to eliminate the symptoms of prostate disease, the main thing is to start treatment on time. That is why any man must know the first signs of prostatitis, as well as all the reasons due to which this disease may occur.
General information
Prostatitis is a common infectious and inflammatory lesion of the prostate gland. But not all patients know that this pathology poses a big, latent threat to the health of the male reproductive system. The prostate is a pelvic organ that adjoins and connects to the vas deferens and urethral canal. Therefore, the presence of an infection in this gland can negatively affect the condition of the organs and systems adjacent to it.
Until recently, experts argued that prostate diseases in men are found only between the ages of 40 and 60, but nowadays this ailment has become much younger. Now doctors are increasingly announcing such a diagnosis to very young representatives of the stronger sex, whose age is 18-30 years.
Why did the symptoms of prostatitis begin to appear for the first time at such an early age? The answer to this question lies in the too careless, inattentive attitude of men to their health. Research by scientists in this branch of medicine has shown that about 80% of male patients completely ignore the first signs of pathology. The majority of patients seek qualified help from a doctor only at advanced stages of the inflammatory process. And in such situations it is already very difficult to completely avoid serious complications of the disease.
What is the reason for this problem?
A variety of factors can provoke the appearance of signs of prostatitis in men. Some of them create favorable conditions for harmful microorganisms of bacterial, viral or even fungal origin to enter the organ - others cause a malfunction of the gland and lead to stagnation of blood in it. The result of such a negative effect is the increased reproduction and growth of pathogenic microflora, as well as the progression of the disease.
Inflammation of the prostate in males develops under the influence of the following reasons:
- Untimely and inappropriate nutrition, lack of essential trace elements and vitamins.
- Sexually transmitted infections (syphilis, gonorrhea, HIV, trichomoniasis, chlamydia).
- Severe hypothermia of the whole body or the genitourinary system.
- Physical inactivity and congestion in the pelvic area.
- Pathologies recently suffered by the patient: colds, flu, ARVI.
- Wrong lifestyle, bad habits.
- Disruption of the hormonal system (leads to insufficient release of testosterone).
- Chronic reproductive diseases in a sexual partner.
- Prolonged absence of sex or excessively active sex life (both in the first and in the second case, the factor can contribute to the development of symptoms of prostatitis).
- Frequent stress and constant psycho-emotional stress.
- Heavy physical labor, prolonged overwork.
- Infectious and inflammatory diseases of other organs.
Interesting! Urethral reflux can also cause symptoms of prostatitis in men. This phenomenon is caused by a malfunction of the prostate, due to which the organ loses its ability to prevent the flow of urine in the opposite direction. As a result, urine is thrown into the prostate gland, along with an infection from the urethra. Urethral reflux occurs due to improper placement of the urinary catheter or inflammation of the urethral canal.
How to determine the onset of this disease?
Signs and symptoms of prostatitis can be subtle or overt. This property of the disease is explained by the individuality of the organism of each patient: age, the presence of bad habits or chronic pathologies, the state of immune defense and other specific factors. The very first signs of the disease most often appear 3-4 days or 1-2 weeks after the onset of the inflammatory process. The clinical manifestations of this disease include the following symptoms:
- weakness, feeling unwell;
- painful sensations in the lower abdomen;
- too frequent urination with false urge;
- problem urination;
- the presence of discomfort in the lumbar region, scrotum;
- the occurrence of pain along the urethral canal, which is associated with the process of urine output;
- slight swelling of the genitals;
- an increase in temperature indicators (can be observed for a short time);
- incomplete urinary emptying.
At the initial stage, the manifestations of prostatitis are often confused with symptomatic signs of pathologies of the urinary system or other infections. That is why the representatives of the stronger sex in most cases postpone a visit to a specialist indefinitely. During this period, men treat the disease on their own, based on the prevailing symptoms - for this purpose, they take analgesics and antipyretic medications.
To learn how to accurately determine the impending inflammation of the prostate gland, you need to know several important manifestations of this ailment. The very first symptom that appears in patients in connection with this pathology is frequent urination. In such a situation, a man almost constantly runs to the toilet, especially at night. The color of urine changes - it becomes either very dark and saturated, or too light, translucent. The amount of urine that comes out is markedly reduced. As a result of the progression of the disease, after a while, the act of urination becomes painful, a burning sensation is felt along the entire urethral canal, persistent hyperemia and irritation of the genitals occurs.
The second specific symptom of prostatitis in men is a feeling of full bladder. This symptom occurs due to the enlargement of the prostate gland, which compresses the ureter. This is why it is very difficult to completely retain urine during this time, and it can leak spontaneously from time to time. At night, incontinence is often observed, while not only urine, but also mucous, purulent or bloody discharge can come out of the urinary canal.
Sexual disruption is also associated with prostatitis, which manifests itself simultaneously with urination disorder. The inflamed prostate increases in volume, blocking the free flow of male hormones into the reproductive organs. As a result, patients notice a sharp decrease in libido, erectile dysfunction, and premature ejaculation. Failures on the sexual front negatively affect the psyche of the patient - more and more often, nervousness, aggression, irritability or depression are manifested.
Disease of prostatitis is also expressed in rapid fatigue and poor health. Previously active man, now looks tired or even sleepy. Adequate sleep in this case does not add strength, working capacity falls, and the body's natural defenses are reduced. In a similar state, the usual hypothermia or cold can result in severe complications.
What is the peculiarity of acute and chronic inflammation?
The symptoms of this pathology can be very diverse. But every patient is obliged to know how prostatitis manifests itself in men. It is also extremely important to distinguish between specific signs of acute and chronic forms of such a disease.
Acute inflammation of the prostate gland occurs infrequently in the stronger sex. The onset of this form of prostatitis is evidenced by the following violations:
- fever up to 39 ° C;
- heaviness and discomfort in the groin area;
- frequent urge to urinate;
- the appearance of mucous, stretching discharge from the urethra;
- decreased erectile function.
The symptomatology of this pathology is also complemented by general manifestations in the form of increased weakness, decreased appetite, and apathy. The chronic course of the disease most often develops due to stagnation of blood in the small pelvis. In this case, patients develop the following clinical manifestations:
- the duration of the sexual intercourse decreases;
- aching pain appears, which radiates to the perineum, lower abdomen, appendage or rectum;
- frequent urge to empty the bladder (accompanied by discomfort and pain);
- ejection of semen during sexual intercourse is difficult;
- decreased sexual desire for the opposite sex;
- specific discharge from the penis appears.
The release of secretion in inflammation of the prostate accompanies both the process of urination and the act of defecation. With the bacterial form of prostatitis, the patient may experience a yellowish discharge of a viscous consistency. The appearance of the first symptoms of prostatitis requires immediate treatment, especially in the case of the development and progression of a chronic congestive form of the disease.
Pain syndrome
One of the main symptoms of prostatitis in men is pain, so we will talk about it in more detail. In this situation, the patient should try to describe his painful sensations - they can have a pulling, bursting, cutting and pressing character. This is so important because, based on the description of this symptom, the doctor can judge the most likely cause of prostatitis. No less information can be gleaned from the site of pain localization. In inflammatory diseases of the prostate gland, pain syndrome is usually located in the following areas:
- along the urethral tract;
- in the perineum (the area between the base of the penis and the anus);
- in the lumbar or sacral area (often confused with sciatica);
- in the lower abdomen, projection of the small pelvis;
- in the scrotum.
Each patient in the event of such a pathology each time experiences almost the same painful sensations. In some men, pain is localized only in one place, while others find all of the above symptoms at the same time. Pain syndrome often radiates to different parts of the body - leg, buttock, abdomen.
Attention! What symptoms a patient experiences with an inflammation of the prostate is very important for a specialist. After all, if a man correctly describes his feelings, a qualified doctor, even by the nature of the painful manifestations, can determine the form of the disease. So, the pains of a running over nature most often indicate a non-infectious type of the disease, and the feeling of bloating and burning - about prostatitis of an infectious origin.
Specific discharge
Pain syndrome is often accompanied by the appearance of pathological secretion. One of the characteristic signs of prostatitis is the appearance of various secretions - translucent, milky white, yellowish. They can be thick or stretchy in consistency. This symptom manifests itself mainly after the passage of urine or feces.
Chronic inflammation of the gland can cause the development of spermatorrhea - in this case, a small amount of semen is released from the penis during bowel movements or in a state of tension in the muscles of the perineal region.
The presence of a greenish secret with an admixture of pus indicates a sluggish, slow course of the disease. Such secretions consist of dead leukocytes, damaged cells of epithelial tissue, mucus. Sometimes a similar phenomenon is observed with an exacerbation of a chronic form of pathology. In this case, the patient's temperature rises, painful sensations and chills appear. In such a situation, you should visit a urologist as soon as possible, since the progression of signs of prostatitis in men can lead to organ sclerosis and the development of infertility.
Treatment activities
The treatment of the disease is selected by the doctor depending on the diagnosis. Various forms of prostate inflammation require an individual approach to therapy. To eliminate the symptoms of acute prostatitis in men, it is necessary to take antibacterial medications. It is best to use medications that penetrate well into this organ of the reproductive system.
When choosing an effective therapy regimen, a qualified doctor should pay attention to the patient's immunity, take into account the nature of the disease, the individual characteristics of the man's body. Uncomplicated forms of inflammation of the prostate gland, with an acute course of the disease, can be treated at home. Patients with prostatitis are hospitalized only in severe cases, when they develop symptoms of severe intoxication.
You can also treat this disease with the help of physiotherapeutic techniques - ultrasound, magnetic laser therapy. Hirudotherapy and manual manipulation (biopuncture, acupuncture) are considered popular methods. The use of medicinal herbs, the use of immunomodulating and enzyme preparations, cytomediators perfectly helps to get rid of any type of prostatitis.
In some situations, surgical treatment of prostatitis in men is performed. Surgical intervention is performed if the patient is diagnosed with an abscess of this organ. For this purpose, drainage of the prostate gland is carried out trans-rectal (through the rectum) or trans-urethral way. In case of acute urinary retention, an epicystomy is performed - a hole is formed in the wall of the bladder to bring out a special suprapubic catheter.
Chronic prostate inflammation, which is uncomplicated, can also be treated on an outpatient basis. But the treatment of the disease in such a situation takes much longer. For treatment, suppositories, antibacterial agents, thermal methods, reflexology and gland massage are used. Patients who have suffered symptoms of prostatitis are advised to reconsider their lifestyle, give up bad habits, eat right, and avoid hypothermia.
Important! In no case do not self-medicate this pathology! Most often, inflammation begins to progress precisely as a result of symptomatic therapy and self-administration of drugs. Antibacterial drugs should be taken only under the supervision of a specialist, otherwise you can significantly weaken the body's immune defenses, which will become another problem for you and will only aggravate the current situation.
The first signs of prostatitis in men - the treatment of these manifestations should be timely. Such implicit symptoms pose a great danger, because they can arise not only as a result of inflammation of the prostate gland, but also in benign, malignant tumors of the organ. Therefore, it is so important to diagnose on time and begin treatment of pathology as soon as possible. After all, the sooner the patient see a doctor, the sooner the unpleasant and painful sensations disappear, the sex life normalizes.