Prostatitis is an inflammatory process localized in the prostate gland. This pathology is quite common and is often diagnosed in the reproductive age of men. The prostate (the second name for the prostate gland) is located under the bladder and partially surrounds the urinary tube (urethra). Therefore, even a slight dysfunction of this organ leads to disturbances in the functioning of the genitourinary system.
The 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 are engaged in diseases of the male reproductive system) identify several reasons for the development of the pathology in question:
- Stagnation of blood in the small pelvis. This refers to the violation of blood microcirculation in the prostate gland and nearby organs, which provokes an increase in the organ. A violation can occur against the background of a sedentary lifestyle, obesity (it does not have to be 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, an infection can penetrate the prostate gland against the background of sore throat or flu - in this case, the inflammatory process in question is differentiated as a complication.
- Regular trauma to the pelvic organs. For this reason, prostatitis develops in drivers - they constantly receive a load on the perineum, the prostate gland experiences shaking and vibration.
- The entry of bacteria through biological body fluids. In the body of every person there are colonies of bacteria living in the intestines and urethra. In the 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 gland through the blood or lymph.
In addition, when diagnosing an inflammatory process in the prostate gland, factors that serve as provocateurs of pathology can also be considered:
- regular hypothermia - this may be due to the peculiarities of working conditions or ignoring the rules for wearing clothes in specific periods of the year;
- disorders in the endocrine system - excessive or insufficient production of male hormones, diagnosed diabetes mellitus;
- too active sex life, as well as prolonged abstinence - the prostate gland is depleted;
- any chronic diseases - there are officially recorded cases of the development of prostatitis against the background of untreated bronchitis, caries, cystitis, urological infections.
Symptoms of the inflammatory process
Andrologists distinguish between the main and indirect signs of a developing inflammatory process in the prostate gland. The main symptoms are pronounced:
- urination becomes more frequent, regardless of the amount of fluid consumed;
- the moment of urine outflow is painful, the man experiences cramps and burning in the urethra;
- the body temperature (hyperemia) rises to critical levels.
These symptoms are very quickly joined by a burning sensation in the area of the entire perineum and pain during bowel movements.
Indirect signs of inflammation in the prostate gland are not so noticeable, but men should not ignore them:
- ejaculation becomes too accelerated - the time of intercourse is reduced;
- an erection can be quite long at night;
- decreased sex drive - partial or complete;
- "flakes" or white "threads" appear in the urine.
Please note: these indirect signs indicate the very beginning of the development of the inflammatory process in question - it responds well to treatment and proceeds without complications.
Prostatitis is classified into acute and chronic forms of the course, each of which has its own characteristics.
Acute prostatitis
Acute prostatitis always begins suddenly and manifests itself:
- an increase in temperature;
- prolonged pain in the perineum;
- frequent urge to use the toilet;
- the release of a very small amount of urine with a feeling of a full bladder.
Please note: urinary retention is considered the most dangerous condition in the acute form of the inflammatory process of the prostate gland. In this case, the man will feel a strong urge to go to the toilet, but urine will not be released even with strong straining. 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 immediate medical attention, which consists in using a catheter - it is inserted into the urethra and bladder, literally "pushing" the swollen gland. As soon as the catheter reaches the bladder, the outflow of urine begins and the patient is immediately relieved, his condition is normalized 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 a lumbago), notes changes in intercourse - it can either lengthen or contract. In addition, the patient becomes irritable, the night sleep is restless, the urine stream may become weak (this is due to the narrowing of the urinary tract), in the morning there may be white clots in the urine in the form of flakes or threads.
Please note: the chronic form of the inflammatory process in the prostate gland can develop imperceptibly for the patient himself. The fact is that at a young age, acute prostatitis proceeds with mild symptoms, and if a young man is fond of drinking alcohol or is too keen on his work, then he has no time to pay attention to changes in urination or periodic pain in the perineum. Symptoms of acute prostatitis will disappear over time, but this does not mean that the disease has receded - it has simply become chronic.
Methods for the treatment of prostatitis
Treatment of the inflammatory process in the prostate gland 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 identify the true cause of its occurrence. In general, several different therapies can be used to treat prostate inflammation.
Drug treatment
With prostatitis, antibacterial agents (antibiotics) can be prescribed, but only if during the examination, pathogenic bacteria were identified and recognized as the cause of the development 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, a man must undergo a course of hormonal therapy.
Please note: treatment with medicines is very variable, therefore, it should be selected on an individual basis - self-medication in this case is strictly prohibited.
Physiotherapy
Treatment of inflammation of the prostate gland should be comprehensive. And against the background of the use of drugs, it will be effective to carry out certain physiotherapy procedures:
- Electrical stimulation - accelerates metabolic processes, provokes a more active production of hormones, restores the structure of the gland.
- Magnetotherapy is a painless procedure that helps to reduce the level of inflammation and get rid of the swelling of the prostate gland.
- Massage of the prostate gland - is carried out only after carrying out medical measures in relation to acute inflammation, the procedure is painful, but very effective.
ethnoscience
Please note: recipes from the category of traditional medicine should not be the only method of treatment - they can only speed up the therapeutic process and improve the effect of taking medications and carrying out physiotherapy.
The most effective and safe methods of alternative treatment include:
- Eating pumpkin seeds. They contain zinc, which is an essential element for men's health, so for prostatitis, you need to eat 30 raw seeds 30 minutes before meals throughout the course 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 into small balls from the resulting mass and store them in the refrigerator. Before eating (30 minutes), you need to eat 1-2 balls - no need to chew it, it is better to dissolve slowly. Treatment with this prescription continues until the symptoms of prostatitis disappear.
- A decoction of hazel leaves. You can collect hazel leaves yourself, or you can buy dry raw materials at the pharmacy, a glass of boiling water is needed for a tablespoon of the source. The broth is brewed like regular tea for 20 minutes, filtered and taken in 50 ml at least 4 times a day. Please note: Hazel bark is also sold in pharmacies - it can also be used in the treatment of prostatitis and according to the same prescription. But keep in mind that for the crust, the brewing time is doubled.
- Parsley juice. Prepare it from the green leaves of the plant and take 1 dessert spoon 3 times daily before meals.
- Broth from parsley seeds. You need 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). You need to take the broth every day in the morning and in the evening in the amount of 1 tablespoon.
In any case, no matter how safe the remedy may seem, 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 for him - any appointment is made on a strictly individual basis.
Diet and lifestyle
To obtain the best result during the therapeutic measures in relation to prostatitis, you need to adhere to a certain diet. It is supposed to exclude fatty meat, smoked and too salty dishes, pastries and chocolate from the diet. The menu can include fish and seafood, milk and its derivatives, steamed vegetables. It is very useful for prostatitis to use freshly prepared juices from vegetables and fruits - they will help to strengthen and restore the immune system.
During therapy, you need to exclude alcohol and lead an active lifestyle - at least, do morning exercises, walk more and get rid of extra pounds.
Prostatitis is not considered a life-threatening disease for men, but ignoring its symptoms can lead to the development of severe complications. One of the most difficult consequences is male infertility and loss of erectile function, which often occurs with prolonged chronic prostatitis.