Prostatitis is a specific disease that occurs primarily in men of childbearing age.It is characterized by acute or chronic inflammation of the prostate, the man's second “heart”.
The signs of prostatitis in men are not always easy to recognize, especially if the pathology has a chronic course without a previous acute stage.If the process is acute, the symptoms of prostatitis in men are quite typical and pronounced.
If a man has the first signs of prostatitis, he should immediately see a doctor.Even minor complaints that indicate the development of a disease of the genitourinary system can lead to serious complications.
The ability to recognize the first symptoms of the inflammatory process allows you to diagnose the pathology in a timely manner and begin treatment.Therefore, every man should familiarize himself with them in order to avoid serious problems that prostatitis leads to.
The prostate and its role in a man's life
Although the prostate is small, a man can experience many problems if its function is impaired.The prostate is an organ about the size of a nut between the penis and the bladder.The prostate produces a secretion that mixes with the sperm and forms a complete seminal fluid.
Unlike other prostate diseases such as prostatic hypertrophy or cancer, which often affect older men, prostatitis can develop at any age, but the highest incidence occurs between the ages of 30 and 50.
Types of prostatitis
Based on the severity of the symptoms, the time of their occurrence and the duration of the disease, two variants of the pathology are distinguished:
- Chronic prostatitis.Symptoms can be subtle and come and go over several months.This is the most common type of prostatitis;The causes of inflammation are usually not contagious.
- Acute prostatitis.In this form, the symptoms of prostatitis in men are severe and develop suddenly.This variant of the disease is most often caused by a microbial infection;The condition can be serious and requires immediate treatment, including hospitalization.
Problems of chronic prostatitis
The causes of prostatitis have long been studied, but the understanding of the essence of the process has changed significantly in recent years.Chronic prostatitis, sometimes referred to as chronic pelvic pain syndrome, is characterized by a range of symptoms that can lead to a significant decline in quality of life in men.It is not always possible for a doctor to immediately recognize chronic prostatitis, and subsequent treatment is no less difficult, as it depends on various causative factors and existing symptoms of prostatitis in men.
In contrast to previous approaches, diagnosis and subsequent treatment are based on the separation of chronic bacterial prostatitis from other forms of the disease, which are considered a multifactorial disease.According to data published in 2019 in Research and Reports in Urology, autoimmunity and systemic inflammation, nervous system dysfunction, and psychological causes play a role in the development of chronic inflammation.
Chronic pelvic pain syndrome is characterized by various symptoms related to the urinary organs, genitals, rectum and perineum.Often men can undergo long-term treatment for other pathologies until the problem ultimately turns out to be inflammation of the prostate.
Signs of prostatitis in men
If there is acute inflammation of the prostate, it can be recognized relatively easily;The manifestations are quite bright and pronounced.The first signs of prostatitis in men include:
- severe pain spreading around the penis, testicles, anus, lower abdomen, or lower back.Emptying your bladder can be painful;
- Problems urinating, pain when filling the bladder, frequent urge to urinate (especially at night), intermittent urination, urgency to urinate and sometimes blood in the urine;
- against the background of severe swelling of the prostate and severe pain, acute urinary retention is possible;
- malaise, fever, nausea;
- light, thick, odorless discharge from the urethra.
If you notice these or other signs of prostatitis in men, you should immediately consult a doctor or urologist.
Chronic inflammation: symptoms of prostatitis in men
We can speak of a chronic process if the following symptoms of prostatitis in men have been detected in the last three months:
- Pain around the penis, in the testicles, in the anus, in the lower abdomen or in the lower back that is pulling, pressing or aching in nature.
- Painful urination, frequent or urgent need to urinate, especially at night, or intermittent urination.
- an enlarged or tender prostate on rectal examination, although in some cases this may be normal.
- Intimate problems such as erectile dysfunction, pain during ejaculation or pelvic pain after sexual intercourse.
These symptoms can have a significant impact on a man's quality of life.Without treatment, the condition may gradually worsen and symptoms of prostatitis become more common.
How is the examination carried out?
At the first signs of prostatitis in men, it is necessary to contact a urologist who will conduct a comprehensive diagnosis.The doctor will ask in detail about all symptoms and events as well as health problems that preceded their occurrence.A genital, abdominal and rectal examination will then be performed.The doctor inserts a gloved finger into the rectum to feel the prostate.The examination may cause discomfort if the prostate is enlarged or inflamed.Blood and urine tests will also be ordered to look for signs of infection.
How is prostatitis treated?
Treatment tactics for prostatitis depend on the form of the disease – acute or chronic prostatitis.
In acute inflammation, when symptoms appear suddenly and severely, painkillers and a two to four week course of antibiotics are usually prescribed.If acute urinary retention occurs, hospitalization and emergency measures are required - bladder catheterization with urine diversion and intensive care treatment.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis, in which symptoms appear and disappear over several months, is usually aimed at eliminating all symptoms.Your doctor may suggest the following procedures:
- Painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs that eliminate pain and discomfort in the pelvis.
- Alpha-blocker drugs that eliminate urinary problems.They help relax the muscles of the prostate and the base of the bladder.
- Sometimes antibiotics can be prescribed if the microbial nature of the infection is confirmed or there is evidence that an acute process has previously occurred that was not treated.
The goal of treating chronic prostatitis is to reduce symptoms to the point where they no longer interfere with daily activities.