Prostatitis is a frequently diagnosed disease.And if previously it was detected mainly in men over 45 to 50 years old, today it is often detected during standard examinations at 35 years old and even before.What is this linked to?What causes inflammation of the prostate (prostate gland) in men, why can it also appear in young patients?Let’s find out!Let's also consider issues related to the treatment and prevention of the disease.
Why does prostatitis occur?
To determine the causes of prostatitis, you must first understand its forms.
Prostate inflammation can be nonbacterial and bacterial.Let's look at these forms.
Bacterial prostatitis
This disease occurs when the body is exposed to pathogens that affect the male genitourinary tract.Typically, these organisms include Proteus, Escherichia coli and Klebsiella.Prostatitis can also be caused by sexually transmitted infections.
Bacterial prostatitis can be:
- Spicy.In this case, the disease appears suddenly with severe symptoms.Patients complain of severe pain and high body temperature.
- Chronic.This disease is characterized by periods of exacerbations and remissions.During exacerbations, the symptoms of prostatitis are pronounced.The rest of the time the patient can completely forget about the signs of the existing pathology.
Abacterial prostatitis
Today, this pathology is considered one of the variants of chronic pelvic pain syndrome.Several reasons explain its development.
Among them:
- Incomplete relaxation of the urinary sphincter.In this case, the pressure in the bladder increases.Some of the urine ends up in the prostate, where it causes an inflammatory reaction.
- Stimulation of the pelvic nerves due to pathologies of the lumbosacral spine.In this case, prostatitis occurs without inflammation.
The risk of developing the disease increases under stress.
It is not surprising that prostatitis can be detected in any man, regardless of age.
The following factors can also increase the risk of developing the disease:
- Presence of prostatitis in the history
- Urinary tract infections
- Weakened immunity (including from HIV)
- Pelvic injuries
- Recent surgical procedures (including prostate biopsy)
- Interventions carried out on the urinary system (including placement of a urinary catheter)
How to recognize prostatitis?
The main signs of an acute illness include:
- Pain in the perineum, scrotum, anus and lower abdomen.Discomfort may increase during ejaculation.
- Frequent urge to urinate.As a rule, a man is forced to go to the toilet even at night.
- Painful urination, difficulty urinating.
- Restricted urine flow.In some cases, men feel the need to urinate, but urination itself does not occur.
- Chills, fever and general malaise.The symptoms are generally comparable to those of the flu.
Clinical manifestations of prostatitis recorded during studies include the appearance of blood and mucus in the urine.
Chronic bacterial pathology is characterized by similar symptoms.In this case, the disease presents itself in a milder form.Patients complain of symptoms for only a few weeks.
The main symptom of nonbacterial prostatitis is pelvic pain (including during ejaculation).In some cases, it is difficult for the patient to go to the toilet.In this case, the pain is generally less intense than in cases of bacterial disease, but nevertheless significantly impairs the quality of life.
Important!
It is almost impossible to independently determine the type of disease.This is why, if you have symptoms, you should consult a doctor as soon as possible.It will determine the cause of prostatitis in a man and how to treat it.The doctor will make an accurate diagnosis and prescribe all the necessary procedures and medications.
Self-medication is not only undesirable, but dangerous.This is because prostatitis can cause a number of complications.
The main ones include:
- Prostate abscess
- Bladder obstruction with acute urinary retention
- Infertility
- Impotence
- Prostate adenoma
How is prostatitis treated?
Treatment tactics are determined depending on the cause of the disease.Therefore, a complete diagnosis must be carried out beforehand.
Typically, it includes:
- General blood and urine tests
- Culture of prostate secretions or urine
- Blood test for PSA (prostate specific antibodies)
Urologists also order tests for sexually transmitted infections.In some cases, additional diagnostics are necessary.It allows you to identify prostatitis, determine its form and distinguish the disease from pathological conditions with similar symptoms.
These diagnoses may include:
- Ultrasound of the pelvic organs
- CT scan of the urinary tract
- Cystoscopy
To treat bacterial prostatitis, mainly antibacterial drugs and drugs that improve urination are used.The duration of treatment is usually several weeks (up to a month).
Important!Prostate massage is currently considered ineffective.They have no evidence base or physical procedures.It therefore makes no sense to carry them out.
If prostatitis is not caused by a bacterial infection, symptomatic treatment is usually carried out.It allows you to eliminate the inflammatory process (if any), reduce discomfort and relieve the patient of pain.
Important!In each particular case, treatment is chosen exclusively by the doctor and is individual.When selecting, the specialist takes into account the characteristics of the patient, his age and concomitant diseases.
How to avoid developing prostatitis?
To prevent the development of the disease, it is necessary:
- Have a regular sex life
- Use condoms during sex
- Avoid severe hypothermia
It is very important to promptly protect yourself from the factors that contribute to the appearance of prostatitis.Men should also see a urologist regularly.Even if the symptoms of the disease are absent or mild, it is recommended to have an annual examination and consult a doctor.Experienced specialists will tell you why prostatitis appears and at what age, why it can threaten you.
What is the result?
Prostatitis is a common disease.No man can be safe from it.Prostatitis can cause not only severe discomfort, but also a decrease in performance and overall quality of life.
You should consult a doctor both in the event of pelvic and genital pain and for any discomfort during urination and/or ejaculation.
Prostatitis should be distinguished from pathologies with similar symptoms.This is because they may require completely different treatment (including surgery).
Antibiotics are recommended exclusively in cases of bacterial prostatitis.In other forms of the disease, they may be ineffective or even dangerous for the body.
Treatment for prostatitis is usually long-term, but has a positive prognosis.So, once diagnosed, a man need not despair or worry about infertility, impotence and other complications.
So we hope you have understood the causes of prostatitis in men.
If you have any questions, please contact a specialist.
Doctors of a modern clinic are ready not only to diagnose the disease, but also to treat it effectively and safely.At the clinic, you will be able to undergo the necessary examination as soon as possible.The doctor will explain the causes of prostatitis and how to prevent or treat it.
All procedures and consultations take place without queues, in a comfortable environment and in one place.