Chronic prostatitis is an inflammatory disease of the prostate gland characterized by organic tissue changes and functional disorders of the prostate, male reproductive system, and urinary tract.
The prostate is a tubular alveolar gland found only in men. This gland is involved in sperm production and is located below the bladder around the beginning of the urethra. Chronic prostatitis in men can result from infection of the prostate gland from the bladder through the pelvic blood and lymphatic system or otherwise. Although the presence of an infection cannot cause illness or impotence, it usually does not go away without a trace for a man. Currently, the man is observing a decrease in penile hardness, sexual dysfunction during sex, and urinary disorders.
Chronic prostatitis does not threaten a man’s life, but it can still cause mental anxiety and deterioration in family relationships. It should also be noted that experts say that chronic prostatitis, namely its premature treatment, can lead not only to the development of serious complications but also to prostate cancer. Indeed, in addition to infection, several other factors are also prone to chronic prostatitis. Nevertheless, the manifestation and exacerbation of chronic prostatitis have different characteristics.
Stages of chronic prostatitis
Although there is still no single specificity for the development of chronic prostatitis, experts distinguish the following types:
- I acute bacterial prostatitis;
- Prostatitis II of bacterial genesis. It is most commonly found;
- Chronic, non-bacterial prostatitis III is a syndrome of chronic pelvic pain lasting more than 3 months;
- category III A is a form of chronic prostatitis, increased leukocyte levels in prostate secretion;
- III B is a non-inflammatory form of chronic prostatitis without the presence of increased leukocytes and pathogens in prostate secretion;
- A IV. The type is diagnosed as asymptomatic chronic prostatitis that does not cause pain and can be accidentally detected based on the results of analysis of prostate secretion or biopsy.
The frequency and causes of this category of chronic prostatitis are still unknown. As for the causes of other types of disease, it should be noted here that these can be caused by the penetration of various infectious microorganisms into the ureter, as well as the violation of various functions of the male body.
Methods of preventing prostatitis
Chronic prostatitis requires long-term treatment. Therefore, it is better to avoid preventive measures. To do this, the patient only needs to make some adjustments to their lifestyle that will not only benefit their overall health but also alleviate this disease. So first of all, the following prevention rules must be followed:
- strive for a healthy lifestyle;
- completely exclude spicy foods from the diet;
- do not abuse alcohol;
- sports, including muscle strengthening and exercise to improve blood circulation in the pelvic organs;
- participates in yoga classes as desired;
- observe methods of preventing and treating communicable diseases;
- eliminates pelvic congestion and treats rectal diseases immediately;
- excludes excessive masturbation;
- try to have regular but safe sex;
- avoid hypothermia;
- do not sit on cold surfaces;
- warm up more often while sitting.
In addition to these preventive measures, men should take into account the fact that chronic prostatitis is insignificant. Therefore, if a man observes discharge during urination or defecation and also experiences mild pain, it is advisable to see a doctor immediately. It is also worth remembering that the treatment should be performed under the strict supervision of a specialist, without neglect. In addition, during antibiotic therapy, the selection of drugs is made according to the individual condition of the patient and only after special studies are performed. Prescribed medications should not be discontinued and, in fact, additional medications should not be taken without a doctor’s prescription. Do not delay the appointment of your doctor. By searching our website, you can easily find a clinic that is suitable for both location and pricing policy.
Causes of prostatitis
Chronic prostatitis is found in medicine as a polyethiological disease. In addition to infiltration of ureteral organs, infection can occur and recur due to the appearance of neurovegetative and hemodynamic disorders, as well as weakening of the immune system and autoimmune, hormonal or biochemical processes. Inflammation of the prostate gland can be caused by diseases such as:
- depression;
- neurogenic bladder dysfunction;
- reflex sympathetic dystrophy;
- there is an inflammatory process in nearby organs;
- bladder neck hypertrophy;
- prostate adenoma;
- narrowing of the urethra;
- diseases of the rectum.
Taking these factors into account, the following reasons are attributed to the risk of developing inflammation of the prostate:
- a sedentary lifestyle, especially in a sitting position, is associated with dysfunction of the blood supply to the pelvic organs;
- local hypothermia of the body;
- frequent constipation;
- irregular sexual intercourse or sudden exertion;
- chronic infections;
- previous sexually transmitted diseases. In particular, their delayed treatment;
- malnutrition;
- lack of sleep;
- chronic stress.
In addition, chronic, non-bacterial prostatitis can be caused by the development of myofascial trigger points during diseases, injuries, and surgical interventions in the pelvic organs.
Symptoms of chronic prostatitis
The symptoms of chronic prostatitis do not bother a person very much. Inflammation of the prostate occurs suddenly. The patient may be disturbed by acute pain in the perineum and lumbar region, and may also experience pain during urination and defecation accompanied by urethral discharge. These symptoms of chronic prostatitis can all be accompanied by fever, fever, and fever. Most often, these symptoms are intermittent. Chronic prostatitis can also be expressed in the form of complications of sexually transmitted diseases. During the course of the disease, the patient may experience discomfort while urinating, pain in the perineum, and manifestation of discharge. Chronic inflammation of the prostate leads to erectile dysfunction and delayed ejaculation.
The inflammatory process in the prostate enters deep into the urinary system, which can lead to cystitis and pyelonephritis. Most often, these exacerbations end with inflammation of the testicles and appendages, which results in infertility and requires long-term treatment. Therefore, you should not delay seeing a doctor. Timely diagnosis and treatment are required. It is important to note that chronic prostatitis can be cured if the disease is not triggered.
Diagnosis of chronic prostatitis
As a general rule, the physician may diagnose this or that type of chronic prostatitis based on the patient's complaints or after the examination. First, the practitioner will feel the prostate gland and then recommend that the patient perform a laboratory test on the urine culture vessel and prostate secretion. This diagnosis makes it possible to determine further treatment for chronic prostatitis. In addition, the urologist may use diagnostic methods, such as:
- transrectal ultrasound, which allows the size and volume of the prostate to be determined and the presence of neoplasms to be identified;
- determining the pressure profile of the urethra makes it possible to find out the cause of urinary disorders and the functions of the pelvic floor muscles;
- microscopic examination of the scraping of the urethral mucosa to help determine the presence of a specific plant causing infectious diseases; X-ray of the prostate;
- MRI of the pelvic organs to help differentiate between prostate cancer and to identify the non-inflammatory type of bacterial prostatitis;
- determination of the state of humoral and cellular immunity in prostate secretion. This type of research not only helps in diagnosing the category of inflammatory process in the prostate gland, but also helps in the question of which method can be used to treat chronic prostatitis.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis
Chronic prostatitis is considered an insidious and complex disease, and its method of treatment requires an integrated approach. Urologists use treatments such as:
- antibiotic therapy, in which drugs are prescribed that kill the hidden microorganisms of the infection. The patient takes these medications for several weeks. In the absence of adequate effect, antibiotics may be replaced by another class of drugs;
- physiotherapy may include exposure to electromagnetic, ultrasonic, and laser waves, which significantly increases the effectiveness of antibiotic therapy;
- magnetic laser therapy has an anti-congestive effect and improves blood microcirculation in the pelvic organs;
- transrectal prostate massage is the most painful and uncomfortable treatment method, yet the most effective. It is based on the elimination of inflammatory secretions by squeezing with your finger;
- darsonvalization;
- electrophoresis with drugs;
- hormone therapy;
- transurethral electrosurgery. This method of treatment should only be used for complications that have led to the development of sclerosis of the prostate and bladder neck in addition to impaired urination or reproductive function. If an exacerbation of the chronic inflammatory process is observed after surgery, the patient can remove all remaining glands;
- immune correction is aimed not only at eliminating the infection but also at completely eliminating its recurrence. This method of treatment includes a normalization of lifestyle that involves an active lifestyle, regular walks, adherence to daily routine, and proper nutrition;
- Medical treatment.
In addition, the prescribed treatment for chronic prostatitis may include a visit to an immunologist and additional special examinations. Since completion of this or that therapy does not guarantee complete eradication of prostatitis, there is a possibility of recurrence. To cure chronic prostatitis, the patient must strictly follow all of the doctor’s recommendations and follow the prescribed treatment until the end.