Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland.Currently, urologists tend to believe that prostatitis is not a single disease, but combines several diseases of the male reproductive system.This is one of the most common pathologies of the male urogenital tract, and according to experts, the percentage of men suffering from prostatitis in one form or another is constantly growing.The risk of developing prostatitis increases with age.
Causes of prostatitis
The direct cause of prostatitis is two factors of equal importance.The first is the appearance of congestion in the pelvis, and as a consequence also in the prostate, and the second is the addition of an infection.However, in some cases it is not possible to detect an infectious pathogen in prostate tissues;it is assumed that in such cases the cause of prostatitis is autoimmune processes, which means that the prostate is attacked by the cells of its own immune system as a result of a malfunction that occurred in it.
Predisposing factors for the occurrence of prostate inflammation are: weakened immunity as a result of infection, hypothermia, stress;hormonal disorders, incomplete ejaculation, physical inactivity, food addiction (addiction to fried, fatty, smoked, spicy food), frequent retention of urine.Irregular sex life is considered one of the frequent causes of prostatitis.
Types of prostatitis
Currently, the international classification of prostatitis has been adopted, which is the most complete and includes all types of inflammation:
- Category I. Acute prostatitis;
- Category II.Chronic bacterial prostatitis;
- Category III.Non-bacterial chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome – a disease in which the infection is not detected, lasts longer than 3 months;
- Subcategory III A. Chronic inflammatory pelvic pain syndrome (leukocytes are detected in prostate secretions);
- Subcategory III B. Chronic non-inflammatory pelvic pain syndrome (no leukocytes in prostate secretion);
- Category IV.Asymptomatic chronic prostatitis (leukocytes are present in the secretion of the prostate, the patient has no complaints, the disease is discovered accidentally).
Symptoms of prostatitis
There is a so-called "triad of prostatitis", the three most common symptoms of prostatitis.This includes:
- pain in the pelvis and genitals;
- urination disorders, which include a slow stream, intermittent stream, incomplete emptying of the bladder, frequent urination, etc.;
- disorders in the genital area.
It should be noted that not all three symptoms of prostatitis are mandatory;in addition, acute and chronic prostatitis occur differently.
Symptoms of acute prostatitis: strong, sharp pain in the prostate, radiating to the rectum, perineum, testicles, lower back;worsening of the general condition, fever, headache and muscle pain, general weakness;urination disorder to acute retention of urine as a result of prostate swelling and urethral compression.
Symptoms of chronic prostatitis: pain in the prostate, but less intense than in acute prostatitis;urinary disorders, sexual disorders: incomplete erection, short-term erection, accelerated ejaculation, etc.Chronic prostatitis can have an undulating course, when periods of exacerbation are followed by periods of remission, or it can have constant mild symptoms.
Unlike other inflammatory diseases, when the chronic process is the result of untreated acute inflammation, chronic prostatitis is often primarily chronic, when it is difficult for the patient to determine the beginning of the disease.
Diagnosis of prostatitis
The following studies are performed to diagnose prostatitis:
- prostate secretion analysis;
- digital rectal examination;
- transrectal ultrasound of the prostate;
- Ultrasound of the kidneys and bladder;
- blood test for PSA (prostate antigen);
- general blood test;
- general urinalysis;
- urine test for urogenital infections before and after prostate massage;
- uroflowmetry (study of urination).
The main thing in diagnosis is to identify the cause of prostatitis, because therapeutic measures depend on it.Another diagnostic task is to rule out prostate cancer.
Treatment of prostatitis
Acute and chronic prostatitis of bacterial origin are treated with antibacterial drugs.For acute prostatitis, strong doses of antibiotics are prescribed, even before culture results are obtained, because the acute process requires immediate action.In combination, anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs are prescribed, which also have an analgesic effect.
Chronic prostatitis is treated depending on the cause that caused it.For non-bacterial prostatitis, restorative and immunomodulatory drugs are taken.Treatment of prostatitis is carried out with the mandatory participation of physiotherapeutic procedures: laser therapy, magnetic therapy, electrophoresis of medicinal substances, ultrasound, etc.
Urologists claim that the treatment of prostatitis only with medical means will lead to only temporary relief, because without changing the usual lifestyle, the treatment of prostatitis is ineffective.It is necessary to give up bad habits, lead an active lifestyle, eliminate physical inactivity, avoid congestion in the pelvis with the help of special gymnastics, try to spend less time in the car, move more on foot, and also get enough rest.
It is also important to improve your sex life, make it regular and eat well.Chronic prostatitis is prone to relapses, so lifestyle changes should be permanent, only in this case the treatment of prostatitis will lead to a complete cure.
Treatment of prostatitis with folk remedies
Traditional methods are widely and successfully used for the treatment of prostatitis, especially for the treatment of chronic prostatitis.They act milder than drugs, but are still quite effective and have fewer side effects, so the treatment of prostatitis with folk remedies can be carried out for a long time, until the symptoms of the disease are eliminated.
Among folk remedies for the treatment of prostatitis, herbal teas with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects are widely used: chamomile tea, sage leaves, calendula flowers, etc.Medicinal herbs are also used in the form of tinctures and salves.Honey and bee products are used as general tonics.Beeswax is perfect for poultices in the treatment of chronic prostatitis, replacing paraffin.Echinacea tincture is used as a mild immunostimulant, and some types of honey are successfully used for the same purpose.