Prostate disease is one of the most common and insidious in men over 40. At first, patients may not even be aware that there is a problem, but over time the symptoms kick in. If you do not see a doctor in time, prostatitis becomes chronic, and complications can occur. Depending on the severity, causes and nature of the course, different types of prostatitis are distinguished.
Types of prostatitis depending on the form of its course:
- acute;
- chronic;
- latent.
What is prostatitis due to the occurrence of:
- herpetic;
- bacterial;
- calculator;
- stagnant;
- infectious;
- purulent;
- chlamydial;
- fungal;
- gonorrhea;
- fibrous.
Classification
Faced with a disease of the genitourinary system as unpleasant as inflammation of the prostate, many men wonder why they have prostatitis.
Understanding the etiology of the disease allows for accurate diagnosis and effective prevention.
By the form of flow
Depending on the form of the course, prostatitis is divided into acute, chronic and latent, among which catarrhal, follicular, parenchymal (purulent) are distinguished.
There are the following forms of the disease:
- With catarrhal prostatitis in the male body, there is a urination disorder and discomfort in the pubic area. It is the most common type of acute prostatitis.
- Follicular prostatitis is characterized by symptoms such as pain in the groin or anus, fever, and severe urinary tract problems (dysuria). In a more advanced form, when the patient postpones the visit to the doctor, sharp pain occurs during urination and urinary retention occurs.
- Parenchymal prostatitis - an abscess with purulent contents is formed in the body of the prostate. In this case, fever appears, sharp pains appear with a frequent urge to urinate. The temperature rises to 39-40 ° C, the act of defecation becomes almost impossible.
Acute prostatitis
Acute prostatitis is a condition characterized by inflammation of the prostate, which occurs over a short period of time and is characterized by various symptoms. Swelling of the gland occurs, provoked by the negative effects of pathogenic microflora. Pathogenic bacteria disrupt the integrity of the tissues, causing permanent discomfort in the pelvic area, even at rest.
There are several predominant routes of infection to enter the prostate:
- with inflammation of the rectum - the lymphogenic way;
- after infectious diseases - hematogenous;
- directly through the urethra - canalicular.
Excessive accumulation of content in the prostate creates excellent conditions for the growth of bacteria, which leads to various complications:
- abscess;
- BPH;
- Prostate cancer;
- power loss;
- infertility.
Symptoms of prostatitis are so painful that the patient is forced to urgently consult a doctor. If you do not do it in time, the prostatitis will turn into a chronic form, which is much more difficult to cure. Antibiotic therapy in combination with drugs that strengthen the immune system effectively fights the disease.
Chronic prostatitis
Symptoms of chronic prostatitis are usually found against the background of congestion of the prostate, resulting from untreated disease in an acute form. Usually occurs in men over 50 who have not sought help and are self-medicating. Many of them developed complications due to concomitant illnesses. In addition, at this age, not everyone is sexually active enough, causing the secret to thicken and stagnate in the prostate, leading to dysfunction. Interrupted sex also causes fluid stagnation. According to modern research, about 40% of people with symptoms of chronic prostatitis have erection problems.
As a rule, chronic prostatitis has mild symptoms that appear only during an exacerbation. Patients notice a dull ache in the groin area, which increases after physical exertion and at the end of the day. Often the pain radiates to the lower back, scrotum and perineum. Frequent urination is noted, especially at night, the jet is intermittent, pours askew.
Sexual intercourse becomes shorter, an incomplete erection is noted, sometimes there is pain in the glans penis. Infertility is usually found in people with chronic prostatitis; impotence at this stage of the disease is practically non-existent. Sometimes there is a change in color of the genitals, due to poor blood circulation they turn purple.
Each of the symptoms of prostatitis gets worse if left untreated. The condition is similar to manifestations during the acute course of the disease. Weakened immune system, stress, neglect of diet, bad habits - all this leads to exacerbation and deterioration of the condition.
Often the chronic form leads to the appearance of symptoms of diseases such as cystitis, kidney disease and adenoma. The risk of urolithiasis and the formation of a malignant tumor increases. Often the pathological process is almost asymptomatic and is discovered quite by accident during laboratory tests associated with another disease.
Due to the event
There are many reasons provoking the development of prostatitis of infectious and non-infectious etiology, as well as predisposing factors. Due to the event, the following types of prostatitis are distinguished:
- bacterial;
- calculator;
- stagnant;
- infectious;
- purulent.
Sedentary lifestyle, frequent hypothermia, infrequent sexual activity, interrupted intercourse, smoking, alcohol abuse, stressful situations - all these circumstances affect the stagnation of secretions in the vessels of the prostate and inthe vessels next to it. Prostatitis is classified into several forms, depending on the reasons for its occurrence.
Bacterial prostatitis
Bacterial prostatitis is caused by bacteria that enter the prostate in various ways. It can be a type of bacteria or a group of them. The disease can be triggered by:
- mushrooms;
- gonococci;
- Koch's wand;
- chlamydia;
- several types of bacteria at the same time.
The inflammatory process is most often associated with the penetration of bacteria into the prostate caused by sexually transmitted diseases. Promiscuous sex with frequent changes of partners and without the use of protective means leads to such diseases as gonorrhea, chlamydia, fungal infections. In addition, the development of pathology is facilitated by a decrease in immunity due to a violation of the regime of work and rest. Bad habits, like smoking, drinking alcohol, a sedentary lifestyle, etc. , also reduce immunity.
The most obvious symptoms accompanying bacterial-type prostatitis include burning, pain, and cloudy discharge during urination. The smell of urine is unpleasant. General symptoms accompanying intoxication are observed: dizziness, weakness, nausea, fever. Pain is noted during ejaculation and sometimes blood is present. With chronic bacterial prostatitis, urination becomes more frequent, a yellowish or greenish discharge from the penis appears.
Calculous prostatitis
With calculous prostatitis, stones form in the ducts of the prostate. This form of the disease is very complex and is accompanied by severe pain. The conglomerates come from various origins: phosphates, oxalates, with a predominance of calcium and proteins.
There are two reasons for the appearance of stones in the ducts: stagnation of the contents of the gland and the jet of urine into the prostate.
Stagnation is associated with various factors that interfere with the normal flow of secreted fluid. Prolonged sexual abstinence, hyperplasia, the presence of a tumor that closes the ducts and a sedentary lifestyle lead to stagnation of secretions and disruption of the vascular and lymphatic systems.
The urine stream is triggered by a dysfunction of the sphincter, which relaxes, and urine flows both outside and inside. The presence of stones and sand in the bladder contributes to the development of stones in the ducts of the prostate. They enter it with urine, settle in and continue to grow, eventually reducing the outlet. Injury to the genitals and surgical procedures can lead to sphincter dysfunction.
At first, the calculating form of prostatitis is asymptomatic, as stones develop, symptoms appear and increase. There is pain in the lower abdomen or in the scrotum, radiating to the buttocks and lower back. Pain at rest is not observed and occurs only during physical exertion, the act of defecation and urination, as well as during sexual intercourse and when walking.
Large stones with sharp edges during their movement injure the duct, which leads not only to pain, but also to the release of blood in the urine and ejaculation. Stone wounds can easily get infected, and then calculous prostatitis turns into infectious.
After about a month, with calculating prostatitis, the work of the whole body is disturbed, a person feels unwell, suffers from insomnia, increased fatigue and irritability.
In advanced stages of calculous prostatitis, after a comprehensive diagnostic examination, medication is prescribed and surgical treatment is performed to remove conglomerates.
Congestive prostatitis
The stagnant appearance of prostatitis is due to delayed secretion in the prostate. Most often, such problems are observed in men with sedentary work, who do not play sports. Due to hypodynamia, there is a violation of blood circulation in the pelvic organs, the prostate suffers from an insufficient supply of oxygen and nutrients, stagnation and inflammation occur. If left unchecked, the disease becomes chronic and causes great discomfort.
Congestive prostatitis causes irregular sex life or its complete absence. In this case, men should independently release the gland from the secretion, but do not overdo it, since regular masturbation can be harmful due to incomplete ejaculation. Many spouses have found a way on their own to prevent pregnancy by stopping sex. It also leads to incomplete ejaculation and inflammation.
Sometimes hypothermia or varicose vein disease becomes a provoking factor. Abnormalities in the structure of the prostate can also cause stagnation. Regular overheating of the pelvic area and constant constipation negatively affect the production of secretions. Depending on the factors provoking the disease, several types of congestive prostatitis are distinguished.
- Venous prostatitis. It happens in people with varicose veins of the lower extremities. In this disease, all the organs of the small pelvis are affected due to poor circulation.
- Congestive. It develops with partial emptying of the prostate. The progressive overflow leads to stagnation.
- Chronic. It develops when the wrong lifestyle has become a habit. If nothing is done to change the situation, the disease becomes chronic. Most often this happens in single men with obesity, already in adulthood, when the anamnesis is weighed down by concomitant diseases. At this point, the prostate is often enlarged, which is easy to determine on examination.
- Infectious. Join the already existing inflammation of the prostate when the infection enters the genitourinary system.
The manifested symptoms of prostatitis are caused by difficulty urinating, pain in the groin, strained bowel movements, and reduced sexual activity. Due to these symptoms, with stagnant types of prostatitis, poor health, irritability develops, working capacity decreases, and sleep is disturbed.
Infectious prostatitis
Microorganisms that can cause the appearance of signs of acute prostatitis include Escherichia coli, Staphylococcus aureus, Proteus, Eltirococcus, Klebsiella. There are bacteria that are constantly in the body, but in the dormant state they do not lead to inflammatory processes. When penetrating through the urethra on the mucous membrane of the prostate, the process of development and reproduction of microorganisms begins, as a result of which inflammation develops. Indiscriminate and unprotected sex also allows harmful bacteria to enter the body.
Typical symptoms are pain in the scrotum, perineum, lower abdomen, lower back, pain and a burning sensation in the small pelvis. Difficulty urinating, acute urinary retention occurs. In addition to the listed symptoms accompanying an infectious type of prostatitis, constipation, discharge from the urethra, hemospermia, and pain during ejaculation may occur.
This is a dangerous disease, which even in the early stages can provoke infection of a sexual partner, lead to general intoxication of the blood or the development of pyelonephritis and cystitis.
Purulent prostatitis
Purulent prostatitis usually develops when a bacterial infection enters the prostate. The disease occurs in four stages.
- Catarrhal. It develops after suffering from acute respiratory viral infections, tonsillitis, influenza. A purulent content is present in the urine. There is a burning sensation when the bladder is empty. Patients note a weakening of potency. The process that accompanies this type of prostatitis involves the surface tissues of the prostate.
- Focal. The process extends to the glandular tissue. The ducts swell, the flow is disturbed. The gland increases in size due to the accumulation of pus, which is excreted in the urine. Body temperature rises.
- Parenchyma. Connective tissue is involved in the process, the edema becomes even larger, the temperature can reach 40 ° C. A bursting pain in the anus haunts, a false urge to defecate is felt.
- Abcessive. The most insidious form of prostatitis. The temperature is severely confused, there is an abundant presence of pus and intolerable pain. This stage can be complicated by peritonitis and is fraught with death.
Purulent prostatitis can be complicated by symptoms and diseases such as paraproctitis, paracystitis, abscess, sepsis. Usually, these pathologies are treated surgically and involve the removal of purulent bags.
Diagnostic
Diagnosis of types of prostatitis is not particularly difficult and begins with the collection of the anamnesis, which helps to better understand the picture of the disease. Then a rectal examination is performed, during which the size of the gland is determined, the nature of the pain is established, the presence of edema and seals is revealed.
In order to make a correct diagnosis, laboratory tests are prescribed:
- Urine analysis;
- urine culture with an AB sensitivity test;
- general blood test;
- analysis of the secretion of the prostate;
- blood chemistry;
- rectal examination.
Additional diagnostics include instrumental research methods. First, an ultrasound is performed, if necessary, additional MRI and TRUS are prescribed. Relatively recently, a new method of PET examination has appeared, it is considered the most informative.
Treat inflammation
Urologists treat all types of prostatitis. Traditional methods are good, but only with medical prescriptions and with the permission of the attending physician.
First you need to find out the cause of the disease, and only after that you can carry out post-symptomatic treatment.
- Active antibiotic therapy helps cure prostatitis. Parenteral antibiotics are the most effective.
- With a pronounced pain syndrome, analgesics and diuretics are indicated.
- For constipation, laxatives are prescribed.
- With severe pain and difficulty urinating, a novocaine blockage is placed.
- The course of vitamin therapy and immunocorrectors is shown.
- It is worth following a special diet that excludes spicy, salty and smoked dishes.
- Bed rest is prescribed.
From local procedures, sitz baths with water are indicated, the temperature of which is two degrees higher than body temperature. Enemas are made with a decoction of anti-inflammatory herbs with the addition of 1% anesthetic, while the contents are slowly injected into the intestines and left there for as long as the patient can resist.
Physiotherapy treatment also has a beneficial effect on restoring prostate function. Massage of the prostate with acute prostatitis is prohibited, but in chronic form it is recommended. To restore metabolism, normal blood circulation and relieve edema, UHF and microwave are prescribed.
In case of prolonged urinary retention, a catheter is inserted. At certain stages of the development of the disease, surgical treatment is indicated to open the purulent bags with the installation of drainage.
Treatment for acute prostatitis takes from several weeks to a month. A favorable outcome is generally observed. If the disease has become more complicated or has progressed to a chronic stage, the process will be difficult, long, and may take several months.
During treatment, restriction of sexual activity and the use of personal protective equipment are indicated.
A medical physiotherapy machine helps cure prostatitis. It effectively eliminates the symptoms of prostatitis, is able to restore reduced sexual activity, relieve pain, relieve swelling and inflammation. The device can be used at home for the treatment and prevention of diseases of the pelvic organs.
The device will relieve muscle tension, improve sperm production, strengthen blood vessels, and prevent the development of other possible diseases in the small pelvis. The device, with which prostatitis in men is treated, is easy to use, equipped with a regulator of heating and vibration modes, and is powered by a network. The compact size allows the device to be used in all conditions.
How to prevent the development of the disease?
Prevention of various types of prostatitis, like any other disease, is a healthy lifestyle, not bad habits and a balanced diet. If you've been diagnosed with prostatitis, exercise shouldn't be overlooked. For any nidus of inflammation that has arisen, you should immediately consult a doctor in order to eliminate the cause and prevent the infection from entering other organs.
You need to lead a decent life, have regular sex with a regular partner. It is important not to forget about personal hygiene of the genitals and not to neglect regular preventive examinations by a urologist. If a man knows what prostatitis can be, and at the same time leads a passive lifestyle, then exercises should be done to avoid the appearance of congestion in the small pelvis.
Summarize
Depending on the causes and features of the course, both acute and chronic types of prostatitis are diagnosed. Chronic pelvic pain syndrome belongs to a separate group. Acute prostatitis is characterized by clinical manifestations such as chills, fever, and pain. The chronic form may not manifest itself in any way or have a mild picture: a violation of urination, aching pain in the pelvic area, which, as complications develop, can lead to impotence and loss offertility.
Acute prostatitis develops suddenly and is easily diagnosed. In contrast, chronic prostatitis proceeds in waves, alternating periods of remission and exacerbation. In a chronic course, the identification of pathogenic microbes can lead to certain difficulties. Foci of infection occurring in the genitourinary system cause complications in the form of diseases of organs anatomically adjacent to the prostate. Depending on the diagnosed prostatitis, the urologist prescribes a differentiated treatment regimen.