Prostatitis is an inflammatory process localized in the prostate. This pathology is quite common and is often diagnosed in the reproductive age of men. The prostate (another name for the prostate) is located below the bladder and partially surrounds the urethra. Therefore, even a slight dysfunction of this organ leads to disorders of the genitourinary system.
Reasons for the development of prostatitis
Prostatitis is classified as an inflammatory process, but this does not mean that it is caused exclusively by pathogenic microorganisms. Doctors (andrologists dealing with diseases of the male reproductive system) identify several reasons for the development of pathology:
- Stagnation of blood in the small pelvis. This refers to the violation of the microcirculation of blood in the prostate and nearby organs, which causes an increase in organs. Violation may occur in the background of a sedentary lifestyle, obesity (not necessarily critical), in the postoperative period.
- Infection of the genitourinary system. Most often, when examining a patient with prostatitis, doctors isolate gonococci, staphylococci, chlamydia and trichomonas. Very rarely, the infection can penetrate the prostate on the background of sore throat or flu - in this case, the inflammatory process in question differs as a complication.
- Regular pelvic organ trauma. For that reason, prostatitis develops in drivers - they constantly receive a load on the perineum, the prostate experiences tremors and vibrations.
- Bacteria enter through biological body fluids. In the body of every person there are colonies of bacteria that live in the intestines and urethra. In their normal state, they are absolutely harmless and only under favorable conditions (weakening of the immune system, prolonged use of drugs, chronic diseases, human immunodeficiency virus) do they become pathogenic and cause inflammatory processes. These bacteria can enter the prostate through the blood or lymph.
In addition, when diagnosing the inflammatory process in the prostate, factors that serve as provokers of pathology can be taken into account:
- regular hypothermia - this may be due to special working conditions or neglect of the rules for wearing clothes at certain times of the year;
- disorders of the endocrine system - excessive or insufficient production of male hormones, diagnosed with diabetes mellitus;
- too active sexual life, as well as prolonged abstinence - the prostate is exhausted;
- any chronic diseases - cases of prostatitis have been officially reported on the background of untreated bronchitis, caries, cystitis, urological infections.
Symptoms of the inflammatory process
Andrologists distinguish between the main and indirect signs of the development of the inflammatory process in the prostate. The main symptoms are pronounced:
- urination becomes more frequent, regardless of the amount of fluid consumed;
- the moment of outflow of urine is painful, the man feels cramps and tingling in the urethra;
- body temperature (hyperemia) rises to critical levels.
These symptoms are very quickly accompanied by a burning sensation in the entire perineum and pain when emptying the bowel.
Indirect signs of prostate inflammation are not so noticeable, but men should not ignore them:
- ejaculation becomes too rapid - the time of sexual intercourse is reduced;
- an erection can be quite long at night;
- decreased sex drive - partial or complete;
- "scales" or white "threads" appear in the urine.
Keep in mind: these indirect signs indicate the very beginning of the development of the inflammatory process in question - it responds well to treatment and passes without complications.
Prostatitis is divided into acute and chronic forms of the flow, each of which has its own characteristics.
Acute prostatitis
Acute prostatitis always starts suddenly and manifests itself:
- increase in temperature;
- prolonged pain in the perineum;
- frequent need to use the toilet;
- releasing a very small amount of urine with a feeling of a full bladder.
Note: urinary retention is considered to be the most dangerous condition in the acute form of the inflammatory process of the prostate. In that case, the man will feel a strong desire to go to the toilet, but the urine will not be excreted even under strong exertion. Acute urinary retention is accompanied by severe pain in the area of the anatomical location of the bladder, a feeling of pressure - patients describe their condition "now the bladder will burst". The condition requires urgent medical attention, which consists of using a catheter - it is inserted into the urethra and bladder, literally "pushing" the swollen gland. As soon as the catheter reaches the bladder, urine begins to flow and the patient is immediately relievednormalizes for a short time.
Chronic prostatitis
This type of pathology under consideration is almost asymptomatic - occasionally a man experiences short-term pain in the perineum (similar to lumbago), notices changes in sexual intercourse - it can be prolonged or contracted. In addition, the patient becomes irritable, sleep at night is restless, urine flow may become weak (this is due to narrowing of the urinary tract), in the morning white clots in the urine may appear in the form of flakes or threads.
Keep in mind: the chronic form of the inflammatory process in the prostate can develop imperceptibly for the patient himself. The fact is that in youth, acute prostatitis passes with mild symptoms, and if a young man likes to drink alcohol or is too interested in his job, then he does not have time to pay attention to changes in urination or periodic pain in the perineum. The symptoms of acute prostatitis will disappear over time, but that doesn't mean the disease has receded - it has simply become chronic.
Methods of treating prostatitis
Treatment of the inflammatory process in the prostate should take place only under the supervision of an andrologist. He not only diagnoses prostatitis itself (often its symptoms are identical to prostate cancer), but also discovers the true cause of its occurrence. In general, several different therapies can be used to treat prostate inflammation.
Drug treatment
In prostatitis, antibacterial agents (antibiotics) may be prescribed, but only if pathogenic bacteria have been isolated during the examination and identified as the cause of the pathology. Simultaneously with antibiotics, the patient is prescribed probiotics or prebiotics - drugs that normalize the intestinal microflora and resist the development of pathological processes in it.
If the inflammatory process began as a result of the negative effects of external factors (hypothermia, trauma), then anti-inflammatory nonsteroidal drugs will be prescribed.
In case of hormonal disorders, the man must undergo hormone therapy.
Keep in mind: drug treatment is very variable, so it should be chosen on an individual basis - self-medication in this case is strictly prohibited.
Physiotherapy
Treatment of prostate inflammation should be comprehensive. And in the background of the use of drugs, it will be effective to conduct certain physiotherapy procedures:
- Electrical stimulation - accelerates metabolic processes, causes more active hormone production, restores the structure of the gland.
- Magnetotherapy is a painless procedure that helps reduce inflammation levels and eliminate prostate swelling.
- Prostate massage - is performed only after the implementation of medical measures in connection with acute inflammation, the procedure is painful, but very effective.
ethnoscience
Keep in mind: prescriptions from the category of traditional medicine should not be the only way of treatment - they can only speed up the therapeutic process and improve the effect of taking medication and conducting physiotherapy.
The most effective and safest methods of alternative treatment include:
- Eat pumpkin seeds. They contain zinc, which is a necessary element for men's health, so for prostatitis it is necessary to eat 30 raw seeds 30 minutes before meals during the entire duration of therapy.
- Pumpkin honey balls. Peel 100 grams of raw pumpkin seeds, grind them in a meat grinder (or in a blender, but not into small crumbs) and mix with 200 grams of honey. Roll out the balls from the obtained mass and store them in the refrigerator. Before eating (30 minutes) it is necessary to eat 1-2 balls - no need to chew, it is better to dissolve slowly. Treatment with this recipe is continued until the symptoms of prostatitis disappear.
- Decoction of hazelnut leaves. You can collect hazelnut leaves yourself or you can buy dry raw materials at the pharmacy, a glass of boiling water is needed for a tablespoon of the spring. The soup is brewed as ordinary tea for 20 minutes, filtered and taken in 50 ml at least 4 times a day. Note: Hazelnut peel is also sold in pharmacies - it can be used in the treatment of prostatitis and according to the same recipe. But keep in mind that the cooking time is doubled for the crust.
- Parsley juice. Prepare it from the green leaves of the plant and take 1 dessert spoon 3 times a day before meals.
- Parsley seed soup. It is necessary to take 1 tablespoon of parsley seeds, pour 400 ml of boiling water and leave for 2 hours (you can do this in a thermos). The soup should be taken every morning and evening in the amount of 1 tablespoon.
In any case, no matter how safe the medicine seems, you must first consult your doctor. For example, if a man, in addition to prostatitis, has cholelithiasis, then the use of pumpkin seeds is strictly prohibited - each appointment is made on a strictly individual basis.
Diet and lifestyle
To achieve the best result during therapeutic measures related to prostatitis, it is necessary to adhere to a certain diet. Fatty meats, smoked and salty foods, pastries and chocolate should be excluded from the diet. On the menu you can find fish and seafood, milk and its derivatives, steamed vegetables. For prostatitis, it is very useful to use freshly prepared juices from vegetables and fruits - they will help strengthen and restore the immune system.
During the therapy, you must exclude alcohol and lead an active lifestyle - at least do morning exercises, walk more and get rid of excess weight.
Prostatitis is not considered a life-threatening disease for men, but neglecting its symptoms can lead to the development of severe complications. One of the most serious consequences is male infertility and loss of erectile function, which often occurs in long-term chronic prostatitis.