By prostatitis, urologists mean inflammatory processes in the prostate that occur for various reasons. The prostate belongs to the genitourinary system, it is surrounded by other organs and tissues, so the symptoms, especially in the initial stage, do not allow to determine the disease. Let's try to understand what the first signs of prostatitis may indicate the beginning of the disease and tell you where to turn for help.
Signs of chronic abacterial prostatitis
The disease occurs due to trauma to the prostate tissue or due to the influence of a number of other factors:
- sedentary lifestyle and accompanying blood microcirculation disorders;
- reflux of urine into the prostate;
- narrowing of the urethral lumen due to tumor, stone or inflammation;
- sharp contraction of pelvic muscles;
- hypothermia, smoking, alcohol abuse.
Symptoms of this form appear gradually, their severity increases over time. Initially, men may complain of a frequent need to urinate, accompanied by a burning sensation in the opening of the urethra.
At this stage, prostatitis can be confused with urethritis, so laboratory diagnosis is important.
As the inflammatory process progresses, other signs of the disease appear in the prostate tissues:
- urge to urinate at night;
- pain in the perineum (may radiate to the head of the penis, anus, thighs and lower abdomen);
- absent or weak erection;
- pain during ejaculation;
- increase in body temperature to 37, 5-37, 8 ° C.
In case of violation of the integrity of the prostate tissue or adjacent areas of the urethra, blood can be observed in the urine or semen. A person pays attention to small crimson or brown flakes.
Signs of acute bacterial prostatitis
Bacterial prostatitis is caused by pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microflora. Microorganisms can live in the intestines or on the skin of a man, if hygiene rules are not followed, they enter the prostate through the urethra and rapidly develop in the tissues of the gland. Another possibility is the penetration of pathogens into the urethra and then into the prostate during unprotected intercourse. Infection is also possible with an incorrect biopsy of the prostate.
Once on the mucous membrane of the prostate, bacteria develop rapidly, a colony grows in just 2-3 days. The first signs of prostatitis in this case will be:
- chills, fever, fever;
- pain in the perineum, lower back or lower abdomen;
- violation of urination (pain, occasional stream of urine, frequent urge).
In the absence of treatment or wrong therapy tactics, the disease will progress. After a few days, constipation, acute retention of urine, pain in muscles, joints and lymph nodes may appear. Signs of intoxication are also possible - nausea, vomiting, weakness.
The interval between the first symptoms and the most impressive clinical picture can be 3-4 days.
Signs of chronic bacterial prostatitis
The chronic form of bacterial prostatitis is caused by improper treatment of the acute course, as well as due to bladder trauma and illiterate catheterization. The situation is not excluded when the inflammatory process in the neighboring organs moves to the prostate.
A man can overlook the first signs of chronic prostatitis - the symptoms of this form are characterized by mild intensity, periods of remission are possible. You can suspect the disease by the following manifestations:
- problems with urination;
- dull, aching pain in the perineum;
- erection problems.
Periods of exacerbation alternate with calmness. One can wrongly think about healing and not visit a doctor. Such an attitude is dangerous - the inflammatory process progresses, the tissues of the prostate are reborn and the organ loses its functions. As a result, prostatitis can lead to infertility and cause sepsis - blood poisoning.
Clinical manifestations of pathology
Prostatitis has no characteristic signs, it can be confused with other diseases that have similar symptoms - with cystitis, urethritis, chlamydia.
Knowing the first signs of the disease will not help in making an accurate diagnosis. It is more effective to pay attention to clinical manifestations.
Acute bacterial prostatitis is characterized by the following signs that are detected during the examination and laboratory examination of urine and blood:
- the body temperature in the anus is higher than the temperature in the armpit by 0. 5 °C;
- increase in the number of leukocytes in the urine;
- decrease in the number of eosinophils;
- increase in C-reactive protein;
- increased level of PSA in the blood.
A blood test for PSA content is not mandatory, but it helps to get a clearer picture of the pathological process.
How to provide first aid and who to contact for treatment
Prostatitis refers to diseases that do not threaten the patient's life in the initial phase. You can take painkillers for severe pain, but this is the exception to the rule. It is better not to drink such pills, so as not to blur the clinical picture and prevent the doctor from making a correct diagnosis. Antipyretics can be taken to fight high fever.
With a competent approach, first aid is provided in a medical facility. To do this, a man must consult a urologist in his place of residence or residence. If for some reason it is not possible to visit the doctor yourself, it is necessary to call an ambulance.
It is strictly forbidden to take antibiotics on your own.
These drugs are prescribed taking into account the type of pathogen, uncontrolled intake can increase the resistance of bacteria and worsen the manifestation of intoxication.
Consequences of ignoring the first signs
Most men prefer not to go to the doctor, especially when it comes to problems in the genitourinary system. This attitude can be dangerous. Prostatitis is a serious disease and can cause negative consequences:
- transition to a chronic form, which is practically untreatable;
- development of infertility;
- spread of infection to nearby organs;
- decrease in potency;
- occurrence of sepsis.
The latter condition directly threatens the patient's life. The probability of a fatal outcome is 30-50%, and every hour of delay in medical assistance increases this value by 8%.
Collapse
Knowing the first signs of prostatitis in men helps to suspect problems in the body. A more accurate diagnosis is made on the basis of an instrumental examination and the results of a laboratory study of blood and urine. Prostatitis can threaten a man's life, so self-medication is unacceptable. If you postpone a visit to the doctor, the disease can become chronic, which is very difficult to cope with.