Chronic prostatitis is a disease that most often occurs in the practice of the urologist-andrologist.It is predominantly diagnosed in men who are at the peak of their reproductive, sexual activity and working capacity.Therefore, timely treatment of prostatitis is crucial for restoring men's health and social functions.
Causes of the development of chronic prostatitis
The chronic inflammatory process is followed by an acute stage caused by the activity of pathogenic microflora.If the cause is not identified in time and comprehensive treatment is not carried out, prostatitis goes into a latent form with periodic relapses.
Infection can occur in three ways: ascending - through the urinary canal, descending - when urine containing pathogenic bacteria enters the bladder, hematogenous - through the circulatory system (the infection is transmitted from other foci of inflammation in the body).
Pathogens of chronic prostatitis:
- pathogenic fungi
- coli
- Corynebacteria
- Gardnerella
- Staphylococci
- Trichomonas
- klebsiella
- Mycoplasmas
- Enterococci
- Gonococci
- Chlamydia
- Parasites
- Viruses
- Proteus
With the chronic form of prostatitis in men, the inflammatory process can recur even after the pathogenic microflora has been eliminated.In such cases, against the background of primary inflammation, an innervation disorder in the organ occurs with an autoimmune attack on the tissue.The examination revealed no infection.Therefore, patients are diagnosed with “abacterial chronic prostatitis”.
Prostate dysfunction is not always caused by an infectious lesion.There are a number of unfavorable factors that provoke disease.Among the most common:
- reduced immune defense due to hypothermia, poor lifestyle, bad habits and overwork.
- poor blood circulation in the pelvis as a result of chronic constipation, sedentary work and lack of physical activity
- Blockage of the prostate ducts and other pelvic organs
- chronic infectious diseases (sinusitis, sore throat)
- Permanent damage to the prostate tissue due to increased strain on the perineal muscles and physical stress
- irregular sexual intercourse, sexual abstinence, interrupted sexual intercourse
- Inflammation of the urogenital system
- poor diet
- previous sexually transmitted diseases
Chronic bacterial prostatitis often becomes a concomitant problem with cystitis, urethritis, pyelonephritis, epididymitis and orchitis.In some cases, the source of infection is not even in the urogenital system.These can be tonsillitis, sinus infections, bronchitis, tooth decay, intestinal or pneumonia that have not been treated properly.
Urologists associate the occurrence of a nonbacterial form of chronic prostatitis with congestion of the pelvic organs.If there is a local circulatory disorder, the prostate vessels become overfilled with blood, which leads to edema and stagnation of secretions.As a result, the prostate cannot produce the required amount of secretions and hormones.This leads to the development of an inflammatory process in the tissue.
Main signs of chronic prostatitis
Symptoms of the bacterial form of pathology are similar to any infectious process.They progress with an increase in the amount of pathogenic flora and, without appropriate treatment, lead to a serious deterioration in the general condition.In the early stages, chronic prostatitis is asymptomatic or has mild symptoms.Therefore, most men ignore the need to contact a urologist for an examination.
Postponing a visit to a specialist to determine the cause and start treatment for prostatitis leads to serious consequences not only for the genitourinary system, but also for the psycho-emotional state.Potency disorders against the background of urination disorders and a gradual deterioration in well-being lead to stress, apathy, increased irritability, severe fatigue and loss of appetite in many men.In addition, delayed start of treatment leads to infertility in 40% of cases.
Symptoms of chronic prostatitis requiring contact with a urologist:
- frequent, strong urge to urinate, weakened urine stream
- aching pain radiating to the perineum, groin, rectum, scrotum, glans and sometimes sacrum
- Painful urination (especially at the beginning and end of intercourse)
- Chills, excessive sweating (characteristic endocrine symptoms, since the prostate is part of this system)
- Change in skin color in the area where the pain is felt
- the release of a small amount of prostatic secretion from the urethra (during physical exertion) against the background of a weakening of the tone of the organ
- Erectile dysfunction (decreased libido, erection problems, ejaculation due to a reduction in testosterone produced by the gland)
Any of the listed signs may indicate an illness, so a man must immediately contact a urologist for medical care.Also, do not forget about regular preventive visits to the doctor, as the disease can be asymptomatic.In such cases, the diagnosis is made by measuring the number of leukocytes in the prostate secretion.
Possible complications of chronic prostatitis
Without timely treatment, the inflammatory process spreads.This is fraught with associated problems such as:
- Epididymitis
- orchitis
- Vesiculitis
- Urinary incontinence
- Formation of stones, cysts in the prostate
- reproductive disorder
- Prostate adenoma
The most serious complication can be prostate cancer.
Methods for diagnosing chronic prostatitis
Urologists receive the necessary medical information to make a diagnosis and identify the causes of pathology after conducting a series of tests, as well as instrumental studies.During the first consultation, the doctor takes an anamnesis, asks the man about disturbing symptoms and carries out an examination.The presence of discharge from the urethra, skin irritation and rashes in the external genital area is determined visually.In this situation, a digital rectal examination is also indicated to assess the size, structure and sensitivity of the prostate.
Basic methods for making a diagnosis:
- general urine test
- Bacterial culture of urine, urethral swab
- Microscopic examination of the prostate secretion
- endoscopic examination of the urinary tract
- Ultrasound of the prostate (transrectal)
- PCR test for STD pathogens
To rule out adenomas and prostate cancer, a PSA test for prostatitis is performed.In some cases, a tissue biopsy with subsequent histology of the samples taken is indicated to clarify the diagnosis.If there are problems with reproductive function, men are prescribed a spermogram and a MAR test.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis
Neglected conditions are difficult to correct.However, with an integrated treatment approach, stable and long-term remission can be achieved.To do this, it is necessary to eliminate the cause of the inflammatory process and increase the body's resistance.This effect is achieved by selecting individual therapy taking into account the man's age, the stage of prostatitis, the state of the immune system and the severity of symptoms.In extreme cases, when there is a threat of serious complications, the patient is recommended surgical treatment.
Basic methods of therapy for chronic prostatitis:
- Taking antibiotics
- symptomatic therapy
- Use of anti-inflammatory drugs
- Physiotherapy to normalize blood circulation, relieve swelling
- Correction of diet, lifestyle
By completing a comprehensive treatment of chronic prostatitis, you can eliminate the causes of the inflammatory process, relieve pain, and also improve the general well-being of a man.An essential part of therapy is the restoration of the body's protective resources.If prostatitis has a nonbacterial cause, taking immunomodulators can prevent autoimmune aggression.
Modern physiotherapy for prostatitis
Physiotherapeutic methods quickly relieve many symptoms and ensure stable improvement for the majority of men.At home, it is advisable to take regular warm baths, but the water should not be too hot.
Clinical methods of physiotherapy for chronic prostatitis:
- Ultrasound therapy.Exposure to radio frequency waves.
- Ultraphonophoresis.A combination of ultrasound treatment and anti-prostatitis medications administered during the procedure.
- Magnetic field therapy.Low frequency magnetic field therapy.
- UVT.Influence of shock waves on the immediate cause of prostatitis: congestion and inflammatory processes.
- darsonvalization.Application of high-frequency pulse current.
- Electroplating.Low frequency direct current treatment.
- UHF.A method of relieving the symptoms of chronic prostatitis by the influence of an electric field through capacitor plates.
Electrophoresis provides a clear result.It accelerates the delivery of drugs to affected tissues.This makes it possible to reduce the load on other organs, which is important for general health, since chronic prostatitis requires serious medication.Shock wave therapy procedures have a positive effect.Afterwards, after the first session, most men notice a reduction in prostate discomfort, pain relief and an improvement in erection.
Physiotherapy is an auxiliary method in the treatment of prostatitis.The reduction in the severity of symptoms, as well as the speed of recovery in general, depends on the individual reaction of the body to the chosen method of exposure.Some courses last several weeks or even months, but help bring chronic prostatitis in men into a state of stable remission.
Qualified urologists from a modern clinic can develop an optimal treatment plan for this pathology.