Inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis) is a very painful condition. But usually, prostatitis is not limited to just pain and causes even more serious symptoms. Which? How long does prostate inflammation usually last? And how does this help?
What is prostatitis?
Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate (prostate gland). The prostate can become inflamed, for example, because of bacteria that can enter prostate tissue from the urinary tract. Depending on whether the cause of prostate inflammation is bacterial or not, the following types of prostatitis are distinguished:
- bacterial;
- abacterial prostatitis.
The prostate is a four-centimeter gland located in men under the bladder. It is one of the internal reproductive organs that produces a secretion that mixes with sperm during ejaculation. This secretion ensures the motility of the sperm and supports them on the way to the female egg.
The prostate in men may become inflamed as a result of inflammation of the bladder or urethra (urethra), and the causative agents of the inflammation may be bacteria migrating from the bladder or urethra intoprostate. In this case, we speak of acute prostatitis. In most cases, the infection can be controlled with antibiotics.
In about 5 out of 100 patients, bacteria remain in the prostate despite treatment, leaving the inflammation unchanged. Diagnosis of chronic prostatitis.
Bacteria are not always the cause of prostate inflammation
Besides bacteria, other factors can cause prostate inflammation, such as central nervous system (CNS) disorders, mental problems, stress, and chronic inflammation of the bladder wall. Since prostatitis occurs in this casenot because of bacteria, He is calledabacterial prostatitis.
Sometimes abacterial prostatitis is called one of the forms of chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS for short). However, this pain syndrome can also develop without inflammation of the prostate. In addition to inflammatory forms, there are also non-inflammatory forms of chronic pelvic pain syndrome.
Note:In chronic non-inflammatory pelvic pain syndrome, the symptoms are similar to those of prostatitis, but there are no bacteria or signs of inflammation found.
However, in the official rankingprostatitisThe US National Institutes of Health lists inflammatory and non-inflammatory forms of the syndrome.chronicpelvic pain.
According to many, this introducesdoctorsmisleading and, in the worst case, can lead to inappropriate processing. Unlike prostate inflammation, chronic non-inflammatory pelvic pain syndrome does not respond to antibiotic therapy.
Causes of prostatitis
A number of factors contribute to prostate inflammation. The most important are:
- recurrent urinary tract infections;
- bladder catheterization;
- surgeries in the urogenital region;
- unprotected anal sex.
In these and other circumstances, bacteria can easily enter the urinary tract and cause inflammation of the prostate. If bacteria enters the prostate, it can lead to bacterial prostatitis.
Abacterial prostatitis can have more diverse causes. Let's take a closer look at the causes of both types of prostatitis.
Bacterial prostatitis
Most bacterial prostatitis is caused by intestinal bacteria such as Escherichia coli or enterococci. If they enter the urinary tract through the opening of the penis, they first cause an infection of the urethra or bladder, and then the pathogens enter the prostate, causing inflammation of the prostate.
Men who contract prostatitis in hospital often have Pseudomonas aeruginosa. They enter the urinary tract after bladder catheterization.
In rare cases, inflammation of the prostate results from sexually transmitted diseases. In this case, the causative agents are mainly chlamydia.
Abacterial prostatitis
In abacterial prostatitis (a form of chronic pelvic pain syndrome), any bacteria can be the cause. However, after tests, leukocytes (white blood cells which protect the body) are found in the prostate and in semen. This indicates that the body is fighting inflammation.
The causes of this inflammation are not fully understood or studied by specialists. This is probably the result of the combined effects of various factors. The following factors may play a role:
- impaired immune response;
- central nervous system disorders that affect the nerves and muscles of the genitourinary system and prevent a person from emptying their bladder as usual;
- mental disorders such as stress, anxiety or depression.
Some experts suggest that hidden infections could be the cause of chronic pelvic pain syndrome. However, this hypothesis is controversial.
Typical symptoms of prostatitis
Typical symptoms of acute bacterial prostatitis are:
- frequent urination;
- burning sensation during urination (usually with a small amount of urine);
- pain in the bladder and perineum;
- pain during bowel movements;
- nausea Vomiting;
- fever and chills.
Chronic bacterial prostatitis also causes pain and problems urinating. However, these symptoms disappear immediately and then appear after a while. Chronic prostatitis is characterized by a recurring course with inflammation that fades and reappears. This can last several months.
Another characteristic sign of chronic inflammation of the prostate is erectile dysfunction.
Abacterial inflammation of the prostate, which is not caused by bacteria, essentially causes symptoms similar to those of chronic bacterial prostatitis. In addition, victims sometimes complain of pain during ejaculation.
Special case: asymptomatic inflammation of the prostate
In rare cases, the doctor may detect an increase in the number of white blood cells in the ejaculate or prostate secretions, but the affected person may not feel pain or other symptoms of prostate inflammation.
Such cases are classified as asymptomatic inflammation of the prostate and are usually discovered incidentally during cancer or infertility screening.
Diagnostic
A doctor can diagnose acute bacterial prostatitis by asking the patient about their symptoms and examining the prostate. First, the doctor palpates the prostate with his finger. If, upon palpation, heat and swelling are felt in the prostate area and the patient feels pain, this indicates acute bacterial inflammation.
To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor may also perform a urine test and draw blood from the patient to examine the level of inflammatory cells.
Chronic bacterial inflammation of the prostate cannot be diagnosed by palpation alone. For example, if the patient is between two bouts of inflammation, the doctor will not be able to detect significant swelling on palpation. Therefore, blood and urine tests are necessary to diagnose chronic bacterial prostatitis.
To detect chronic prostatitis, a single urine sample is not enough. Because if the urine contains white blood cells and bacteria, this can also indicate a urinary tract infection. To find out if the inflammation is affecting the prostate, your doctor will need to examine several urine samples.
Treatment of prostatitis
The treatment that will help with prostate inflammation depends on the cause: if the inflammation is caused by bacteria, the treatment will be different from the treatment of abacterial prostatitis. However, in both cases, the doctor may prescribe anti-inflammatory medications (called antiphlogistics).
Treatment of bacterial prostatitis
In case of bacterial inflammation of the prostate, antibiotics will help eliminate the symptoms.
- In case of mild acute prostatitis, the doctor must prescribe antibiotics from the Fluoroquinolone group, the patient must take them for 10 days.
- If the inflammation is severe, the doctor may give the patient broad-spectrum antibiotics.
- If it is chronic inflammation, the patient usually takes a fluoroquinolone for 4 to 6 weeks.
Treatment of abacterial prostatitis
Doctors usually try to control nonbacterial inflammation of the prostate using a combination of different medications. For example, in addition to anti-inflammatory medications, they may also prescribe what is calledalpha-1 receptor blockers. They relax the muscles of the prostate and bladder and thus promote emptying of the bladder.
Depending on your doctor's suspicions about the cause of the inflammation, additional measures may be necessary. For example, it has been suggested that psychological problems may also play a role in the development of nonbacterial prostatitis. In this case, the doctor may recommend psychotherapy.
Additionally, thermal treatments such as baths can often be used to relieve symptoms.
Treatment of prostatitis with folk remedies
Folk remedies for prostatitis are an alternative to drug treatment. Used for bacterial prostatitis. Before using folk remedies, consult your doctor.
Fireweed
Fireweed has proven to be an excellent remedy for prostate diseases.
Fireweed is a perennial herbaceous plant. It has small flowers, usually white, but they also come in different shades of red.
The seeds of fireweed are small, on their surface there is a fluff, with the help of which they propagate.
There are approximately 200 species of willowherb, the plant is often considered a weed and can be very toxic, but its beneficial effects have only been demonstrated in willowherb. Both flowers and roots are used. The content of biological active substances (myricetin, kaempferol, quercetin, lectin and sitosterol) has a positive effect on the activity of the prostate.
Use of willow herb:
Pour 1 heaped teaspoon of herbs into 1/4 liter of water, bring to the boil and leave to infuse for a short time (15 minutes). You should drink it in small sips throughout the day (up to 2 cups) chilled.
This medicinal plant is used for various urological diseases, including:
- for all prostate diseases, including prostate cancer;
- for kidney disease;
- for bladder diseases;
- for bladder cancer;
- for wound healing.
Fireweed is effective against inflammation of the urological tract, as a rule, it is combined with other herbs, depending on the nature of the problems, most often with cranberry, goldenrod, horsetail or birch.
Green tea
Medicines in the form of green tea are probably the most pleasant way to treat prostatitis.
It is recommended to drink 3 cups of green tea per day.
This drink promotes frequent urination, which helps cleanse the entire body. In addition, green tea directly participates in the detoxification of the body.
Advice!Men are advised to urinate while sitting. In this way, complete emptying of the bladder is achieved. Sitting completely releases all pelvic muscles, so that no residual urine remains in the bladder, in which certain pathogenic bacteria would otherwise multiply quickly.
Nettle
2 handfuls of freshly picked nettle leaves - about 15 cm from the top of the plant - should be poured with 300 ml of drinking water and left to infuse overnight (about 12 hours). In the morning, the infusion should be slightly warmed up and drunk.
Cranberry
Cranberry is one of the famous fighters against prostatitis. Home treatment of cranberries involves consuming them in dried, fresh or canned form. In the latter case, however, you must be wary of added sugar.
Cranberry juices are also available in stores. You also need to be careful here and read the label carefully to make sure the juice does not contain additional juices from other fruits or artificial sweeteners.
Only 100% cranberry juice has healing effects.
Add dried cranberries to porridge or oatmeal.
Who cranberries are not suitable for:
Cranberries are contraindicated for people taking blood thinning medications. Cranberry may reduce the antiplatelet effects of the medication, which will lead to bleeding.
Ginger
When treating prostatitis, you can pay attention to another useful product: ginger root. Ginger is a promising product for the treatment of this disease. It has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect and antioxidant properties, interrupts the reproduction cycle of cancer cells (which is especially important in the treatment of prostate cancer) and promotes apoptosis. Along with this, ginger is not toxic to other fast-growing cells.
It should be taken after meals, adding the root to tea (preferably green).
Pumpkin seeds
As practice shows, the most effective method of treating prostatitis is to use fresh, rather than dried, pumpkin seeds.
Preparation:The pumpkin seeds must be crushed. The resulting mass is mixed with honey in equal proportions and slightly heated. Then you need to leave it in the refrigerator for several hours, after which you need to form balls the size of a walnut.
The balls are taken before meals, 1 to 2 times a day, daily.
For preventive purposes, you can eat 4-5 pumpkin seeds every day. They contain zinc, selenium and other biochemical substances that reduce inflammation in the body, including the prostate, and have a positive effect on the formation of the male hormone testosterone.
Chestnuts
Chestnuts are also effective and have no side effects, which is very important for older people.
Chestnuts need to be peeled, crush the core into small pieces, pour boiling water over and leave to infuse for an hour.
The decoction should be taken 3 times a day before meals, 30 drops.
Regular sex
Regular sexual intercourse, like masturbation, cleanses the prostate, promotes blood circulation and prevents local inflammation.
Prognosis: duration and progression of prostatitis
Acute prostatitis usually responds well to treatment. If the patient takes the antibiotics prescribed by the doctor, the pain and fever usually disappear within 36 hours. After a few days, the symptoms should diminish significantly.
Chronic prostatitis lasts several months and usually occurs in relapses, between which the patient experiences little or no discomfort. Chronic prostatitis is generally more persistent than acute prostatitis: antibiotic therapy often lasts several weeks.
Is it possible to prevent prostatitis?
Early treatment of urinary tract infections can prevent germs from spreading to the prostate and thus prostate inflammation. Using condoms can also help prevent prostate inflammation caused by certain sexually transmitted diseases.