Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate that affects men aged 20 and over.
According to statistics, 1 in 4 men have experienced this disease in one form or another. In recent years, there has been a persistent trend of "revitalizing" the process. This is due to sexual release, the increase in sexually transmitted infections, the tendencies of self-diagnosis and treatment on the Internet and the resistance of infectious agents to the action of antibiotic therapy.
This is especially true because the first signs of prostatitis in men are usually erased, which do not allow timely consultation with a doctor and in some cases leads to the development of advanced prostatitis.
Signs of prostatitis in men
The characteristics of the structure, blood supply and location of the prostate gland affect the nature of the symptoms that will lead to its inflammation. These include:
- Pain symptom.
- Symptom of urinary incontinence (dysuria).
- Symptom of erectile dysfunction.
Pain symptom
The sensations of pain, of varying intensity, disturb the man in the lower abdomen, in the perineum, in the genitals, in the lumbar spine. This location of the pain is due to the presence of nerve connections and the involvement of the seminal vesicles (vesicles) in the inflammatory process.
The pain can vary in intensity, from an unexplained feeling of discomfort to intense pain that affects a man's mental state and causes insomnia. Painful sensations depend on sexual behavior and result from a lack of normal ejaculation or, conversely, ejaculation, which is associated with the spread of the inflammatory process in the posterior urethra.
Note that lumbar pain may not be associated with the prostate gland in any way, but may be the result, for example, of osteochondrosis of the spine. The result of a conversation with the patient and the data of the urological examination help determine the cause of this pain.
The first sign of prostatitis in a man is a sensation of pain in the testicles (in the scrotum area) spreading along the epididymis (areas of the right and left groin). Pain radiating from inflammation of the prostate can occur in the inner thighs, in the back, which dictates the need to consult a neurologist to rule out neurological pathology, since for prostate pain such spread is not typical.
In some cases, the radiation of painful sensations is asymmetric, which makes it possible to suspect an inflammatory process in the prostate, located in one of its lobes. At the site of onset, the pain syndrome is divided into genital (in the genital area, characteristic of congestive chronic prostatitis), extragenital (above the genitals), characteristic of advanced advanced prostatitis) and mixed (chronic prostatitis).
Symptoms of dysuria or urinary incontinence with prostatitis
Urinary disorders are expressed by false desires, a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder with frequent urination, which is associated with inflammation in the neck of the bladder and urethra. Long-term signs of dysuria in prostatitis indicate the timing of the procedure.
Erectile dysfunction with prostatitis
Erectile dysfunction in prostatitis is represented by premature ejaculation, blurred sensations during orgasm, decreased libido, impaired erection. Sometimes a man may be suspected of having prostatitis in the absence of morning erections.
The decrease in activity, as the first sign of prostatitis in a man, is caused by a decrease in the synthesis of testosterone (male sex hormone).
The manifestations of inflammation in the prostate are not limited to the above three symptoms. Often the first sign of prostatitis in a man is the secretion of the prostate from the urethra during defecation (prostatorrhea), which indicates a decrease in muscle tone of the ejaculatory ducts.
In addition, one can only focus on the psychological signs of prostatitis in a man: astheno-neurotic syndrome develops from the nervous system (depression, fatigue, lack of desire to do something, physical weakness)
The first signs of acute prostatitis
All of the above symptoms are typical of chronic inflammation of the prostate, with acute prostatitis in a man, the picture is somewhat different.
The disease begins with acute severe pain in the perineum, the symptoms of urinary incontinence are more clearly identified. There is a rise in temperature to 38-39 C, chills, weakness, sweating, muscle and bone pain. During defecation, anal pain is a concern. There is no sex life.
If you do not pass the examination in time and do not start treatment, then the acute process will be complicated by purulent prostatitis, up to an abscess, which will lead to urgent surgery.
If there are no other reasons (immunodeficiency conditions, severe concomitant pathology, etc. ) - purulent prostatitis in a man - an advanced inflammatory process due to early access to a doctor!
Causes of signs of inflammation of the prostate
Factors affecting prostate inflammation are conventionally divided into 3 groups.
Non-responsive factors include:
- Body type.
- Sexual constitution.
- Age factor.
- The presence of diseases.
- Environment (climatic factor).
Partially controlled factors:
- Sexual habits.
- Profession.
- Historical diseases of the male genital area.
- Stop the disease.
And finally, controlled factors:
- Diffuse sex life.
- Alcoholism.
- Non-compliance with treatment recommendations.
- Power supply errors.
Who is at risk?
Prostatitis threatens men who:
- Follow a sedentary lifestyle.
- You suffer from chronic constipation.
- You have a history of venous infections.
- You have more than one sexual partner.
- You suffer from alcoholism, drug addiction.
- They work in cold conditions.
If there are signs of prostatitis, what to do
Laboratory diagnostics for prostatitis
- In KLA, an increase in erythrocyte sedimentation rate, a shift to the leukocyte type to the left. In OAM - leukocytes, proteinuria, bacteriuria.
- Blood for HIV infection.
- A coating from the urethra of the flora. As a rule, in the smear, the leukocytes are completely. If a venereal pathogen (Neisser gonococcus, Trichomonas) is not detected, diagnostic PCR is urgently needed.
- Prostate gland secretion Sowing of prostate secretion to the pathogen and determination of antibiotic susceptibility.
- PCR - diagnostics for sexually transmitted infections. The most reliable and fastest way to verify the pathogen.
- Blood for PSA Blood for PSA (prostate-specific antigen) should not be taken during an acute inflammatory process in the prostate gland, the result will be unreliable. It is best to do this test 1 month after the end of treatment. It is not necessary for young people under the age of 30 to have their blood PSA level tested. This test is important for a man over the age of 40, as acute prostatitis, in some cases, can be secondary and a malignant tumor in the prostate gland is covered behind its clinical manifestations.
Organization of diagnostic methods
As a rule, an ultrasound examination of the prostate (through the rectum) or diatomic (through the abdomen) is sufficient.
Signs of prostatitis on ultrasound
Increased gland volume, change in texture, swelling. with purulent prostatitis - areas of necrosis, deformity of the contours, enlargement of the peripheral lymph nodes.
What to watch out for
First of all, to get rid of the symptoms of prostatitis forever, you need to follow a specific diet.
Worsening of prostatitis in a man depends on irritants consumed with food: hot spices, vinegar, pickles, alcohol.
Special mention should be made of alcohol, even its minimal use can neutralize the effects of long-term complex therapy.
Some patients believe that they should drink less often or switch to lighter alcoholic beverages. This is their main mistake.
Diluted vinegar, kvass, citrus fruits, sauerkraut, tomatoes and cucumbers have no harmful effects on prostatitis.
Eating foods rich in fiber will relieve a person of constipation - one of the main reasons for the development of congestion in the small pelvis.
Herbal remedies are good for prevention. Taking herbal diuretics: lingonberry leaves, dill, urological collection helps to improve urination during inflammation.
Exercise, especially exercise to improve blood circulation to the pelvic organs, helps keep the prostate in good condition.
The development of inflammation in the prostate causes hypothermia. In winter it is worth dressing warmer, and in summer, after swimming, you should not be on wet swimming trunks for long.
Using condoms during sexual intercourse with an unknown partner will protect you from sexually transmitted diseases, including HIV infection.
Prolonged fatigue has a negative effect on a man's immune system, as well as stressful situations, which can exacerbate an inactive prostate infection. Regular screening by a urologist will help maintain men's health.