Prostatitis is one of the most common urological diseases.No man is immune from it and with age the likelihood of this happening only increases.What treatment does modern medicine offer?
What is the prostate
The prostate, or prostate gland, is a gland of the male reproductive system.With its relatively small size, it fulfills an important function: it participates in the production of seminal fluid, namely, it produces a secretion responsible for the motor activity of spermatozoa.
Where is the prostate located?
The prostate in men is located in the pelvis, below the bladder, around the urethra.Therefore, the first signs of prostate inflammation can be suspected by difficulty urinating.
What is prostatitis
Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate.It can manifest in an acute form or become chronic.Usually, the disease occurs against the background of weakened immunity and under the influence of various negative factors:
- bacterial and viral urinary tract infections;
- prolonged hypothermia;
- physical inactivity;
- alcohol abuse and smoking;
- sexually transmitted diseases;
- chronic fatigue;
- prolonged stress;
- hormonal disorders;
- non-compliance with personal hygiene rules.
Signs of prostatitis
The symptoms of acute prostatitis in most men manifest themselves quite similarly:
- pain and burning sensation when urinating;
- frequent urination;
- pain of varying intensity and duration in the abdomen, pelvic organs, and groin;
- decreased sexual activity, pain during and after sexual intercourse, premature and painful ejaculation, erectile dysfunction;
- cloudy urine and bloody discharge in the urine;
- increase in temperature;
- nervousness, depression.
If the symptoms of prostatitis do not disappear within three months, most likely we are talking about a chronic form of the disease.Depending on the causes and manifestations of symptoms, chronic prostatitis can be:
- Bacterial (caused by a bacterial infection).Unpleasant sensations can come and go over a long period of time, but without proper treatment they will become stronger and stronger and can lead to dangerous complications.
- Abacterial (a type of illness in which tests may not show inflammation).Diagnosed by characteristic symptoms excluding other diseases.
- Asymptomatic (calculated as a result of tests for other diseases and does not manifest itself in any way).
Diagnosis of prostatitis
Diseases of the urinary system in men are often accompanied by similar symptoms.Therefore, for an accurate diagnosis of prostatitis and effective treatment, you need to consult a doctor.He will carry out an examination which may include:
- digital rectal exam;
- urine and blood tests;
- Ultrasound of the urinary system;
- urodynamic tests;
- infection testing;
- analysis of prostate secretion.
Treatment of prostatitis
Depending on the causes, different medications may be used to treat the condition.
Antibiotic therapy is used to treat the infection causing the disease.In the acute form of the disease, high doses of drugs are prescribed for one to two weeks;in the chronic form, low doses are prescribed for a long time.
Be careful!Only a doctor can prescribe antibiotics (like other drugs) after accurately identifying the causative agent of the infection.Self-medication can lead to even more serious health problems.
In case of problems with urination due to spasms of the urethra and smooth muscles of the bladder and ureters, alpha-blockers are prescribed.These medications slow the transmission of nerve impulses to receptors that cause smooth muscle spasms, help reduce pressure in the urethra, and make urination easier.To relieve pain, doctors may prescribe nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
Also, to alleviate the disease, doctors often prescribe hormonal drugs - they block the work of male sex hormones and help reduce swelling and relieve pain.
To treat chronic prostatitis, products based on prostate extract are used.They have a complete normalizing effect on the prostate and relieve unpleasant symptoms of inflammation.
Some herbal remedies are also effective for prostatitis: they relieve pain and inflammation, and also strengthen the immune system.These include preparations containing an extract from the fruits of the creeping palm tree, as well as preparations based on biomass from silkworm larvae.
Complications and prevention
Advanced prostatitis can subsequently lead to erectile dysfunction or even infertility.In addition, long-term inflammation of the prostate can progress to serious diseases, such as benign and malignant neoplasms.Therefore, it is so important to promptly contact a urologist if symptoms of prostatitis appear, and not forget about the following precautions:
- maintain personal hygiene;
- lead an active lifestyle;
- have a balanced diet;
- strengthen immunity;
- give up bad habits;
- treat diseases in a timely manner and regularly consult a urologist;
- reduce stress levels.
Unfortunately, in our country, men tend to postpone the visit to the doctor and treatment until the unpleasant symptoms become unbearable and sometimes very painful.This makes the treatment process more complex, longer and often ineffective.Don't delay your trip to the vac.Take care of your health and receive a timely diagnosis.