Prostate gland disease is one of the most common and insidious in men over 40 years of age. At first, patients may not even be aware of a problem, but over time, symptoms make themselves felt. If you do not consult a doctor in time, prostatitis becomes chronic and complications can arise. Depending on the severity, causes and the nature of the course, different types of prostatitis are distinguished.
Types of prostatitis according to the form of its course:
- acute;
- chronic;
- latent.
What is prostatitis due to the appearance of:
- herpetic
- bacterial;
- calculating
- stagnant;
- infectious;
- purulent;
- chlamydia;
- mushrooms
- gonorrhea;
- fibrous.
Classification
Faced with such an unpleasant disease of the genitourinary system as inflammation of the prostate, many men wonder why they have prostatitis.
Understanding the etiology of the disease helps an accurate diagnosis and effective prevention.
By the way of flow
Depending on the form of the course, prostatitis is divided into acute, chronic and latent, among which are distinguished catarrhal, follicular, parenchymal (purulent).
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 region. This 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 disorders (dysuria). In a more advanced form, when the patient postpones the visit to the doctor, sharp pains occur when urinating and urinary retention occurs.
- Parenchymal prostatitis - an abscess with purulent contents is formed in the body of the prostate gland. In this case, fever occurs, 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 in which there is an inflammation of the prostate gland, which occurs in a short time and is characterized by various symptoms. Swelling of the gland occurs, provoked by the negative effects of pathogenic microflora. Disease-causing bacteria alter the integrity of the tissues, causing permanent discomfort in the pelvic region, even at rest.
There are several predominant routes for the infection to enter the prostate gland:
- with inflammation of the rectum - the lymphatic pathway;
- after infectious diseases - hematogenous;
- directly through the urethra - canalicular.
The excessive accumulation of content in the prostate gland creates excellent conditions for the growth of bacteria, which causes various complications:
- abscess;
- HPB;
- Prostate cancer;
- power loss;
- sterility.
The symptoms of prostatitis are so painful that the patient is forced to urgently consult a doctor for help. If you do not do it in time, 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 in the prostate gland, as a result of an acutely untreated disease. It usually occurs in men over 50 who have not sought help and have self-medicated. Many of them developed complications due to comorbidities. Also, at this age, not everyone is sexually active enough, as a result of which the secret thickens and stagnates in the prostate, which leads to dysfunction. Interrupted sex also causes fluid stagnation. According to modern research, about 40% of people who experience symptoms of chronic prostatitis experience erection problems.
Chronic prostatitis, as a rule, 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. Pain often radiates to the lower back, scrotum, and perineum. Frequent urination is noted, especially at night, the stream is intermittent, it comes out crooked.
Sexual intercourse is shortened, an incomplete erection is noted, sometimes there is pain in the glans penis. Infertility is generally found in people with chronic prostatitis; impotence at this stage of the disease is practically non-existent. Sometimes there is a change in the color of the genitals, due to improper blood circulation, they turn purple.
Each of the symptoms of prostatitis gets worse if it is not treated. The condition is similar to the manifestations in the acute course of the disease. Weakening of the immune system, stress, neglect of diet, bad habits - all this leads to an 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. It increases the risk of urolithiasis and the formation of a malignant tumor. Often the disease process is almost asymptomatic and is discovered by accident during laboratory tests associated with another disease.
Due to the occurrence
There are many reasons provoking the development of prostatitis of infectious and non-infectious etiology, as well as predisposing factors. Due to the appearance, the following types of prostatitis are distinguished:
- bacterial;
- calculating
- stagnant;
- infectious;
- purulent.
A sedentary lifestyle, frequent hypothermia, rare sexual activity, interrupted sexual intercourse, smoking, alcohol abuse, stressful situations - all these circumstances affect the stagnation of secretions in the vessels of the prostate gland and in the vessels located next to it. Prostatitis is classified in several ways, depending on the reasons for its occurrence.
Bacterial prostatitis
Bacterial prostatitis is caused by bacteria that enter the prostate gland 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 gland caused by sexually transmitted diseases. Promiscuous sex with frequent partner changes and without the use of means of protection leads to diseases such as gonorrhea, chlamydia, fungal infections. Also, the development of pathology is facilitated by a decrease in immunity due to a violation of the work-rest regime. Bad habits, such as smoking, drinking alcohol, a sedentary lifestyle, etc. , they also reduce immunity.
The most obvious symptoms that accompany bacterial-type prostatitis include burning, pain, and cloudy discharge when urinating. The smell of urine is unpleasant. General symptoms accompanying intoxication are observed: dizziness, weakness, nausea, fever. There is pain during ejaculation and sometimes there is blood. With chronic bacterial prostatitis, urination becomes more frequent, a yellowish or greenish discharge appears from the penis.
Calculous prostatitis
With calculous prostatitis, stones form in the ducts of the prostate gland. This form of the disease is very complex and is accompanied by severe pain. The conglomerates are of diverse origin: phosphates, oxalates, with a predominance of calcium and proteins.
There are two reasons for the appearance of stones in the ducts: the stagnation of the contents of the gland and the discharge of urine into the prostate.
Stagnation is associated with several factors that interfere with the normal outflow of secreted fluid. Prolonged sexual abstinence, hyperplasia, the presence of a tumor that closes the ducts, and a sedentary lifestyle lead to stagnant secretions and alteration of the vascular and lymphatic systems.
The release of urine is triggered by a malfunction of the sphincter, which relaxes, and urine flows both out and in. The presence of stones and sand in the bladder contributes to the development of stones in the ducts of the prostate. They enter there with the urine, settle and continue their growth, eventually reducing the output. Injuries to the genital organs and surgical interventions can lead to sphincter dysfunction.
At first, the calculous form of prostatitis is asymptomatic, as the stones grow, the symptoms appear and increase. There is pain in the lower abdomen or 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 damage the canal, which leads not only to pain, but also to the release of blood in the urine and ejaculation. Stone wounds can easily become infected and then calculous prostatitis will become infectious.
After about a month, with calculous prostatitis, the work of the whole body is interrupted, a person feels unwell, experiences insomnia, increased fatigue and irritability.
In the advanced stages of calculous prostatitis, after a full diagnostic examination, a drug is prescribed and surgical treatment is performed to remove the conglomerates.
Congestive prostatitis
The appearance of stagnation of prostatitis occurs due to a delay in secretion in the prostate gland. Most often, these problems are observed in men with sedentary work, who do not play sports. As a result of hypodynamics, 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 nothing is done, the disease becomes chronic and causes great discomfort.
Congestive prostatitis causes an irregular sex life or its complete absence. In this case, men should independently release the gland from secretion, but not overdo it, since regular masturbation can harm due to incomplete ejaculation. Many spouses have found for themselves a way to prevent pregnancy such as interrupting intercourse. It also leads to incomplete ejaculation and inflammation.
Sometimes hypothermia or varicose vein disease becomes a triggering factor. Abnormalities in the structure of the prostate gland can also cause stagnation. Regular overheating of the pelvic region and constant constipation negatively affect secretion production. Depending on the factors provoking the disease, several types of congestive prostatitis are distinguished.
- Venous prostatitis. It occurs in people with varicose veins of the lower extremities. In this disease, all the organs of the small pelvis are affected due to inadequate circulation.
- CongestiveIt develops with a partial emptying of the prostate gland. Gradual 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 it occurs in single men suffering from obesity, already in adulthood, when the anamnesis is fraught with concomitant diseases. At this stage, the prostate is often enlarged, which is easy to determine on examination.
- Infectious. It joins 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, tension during bowel movements, and weakening of sexual activity. As a result of these symptoms, with stagnant types of prostatitis, poor health develops, irritability develops, work capacity decreases, and sleep is disturbed.
Infectious prostatitis
The 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 a latent state they do not lead to inflammatory processes. Penetrating through the urethra into the mucous membrane of the prostate gland, 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 burning sensation in the small pelvis. Difficulty urinating, acute urinary retention occurs. In addition to the listed symptoms that accompany an infectious type of prostatitis, constipation, discharge from the urethra, hemospermia, and pain during ejaculation can occur.
This is a dangerous disease that, even in the early stages, can lead to infection in the sexual partner, lead to general blood poisoning, 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, flu. The purulent contents are 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 superficial tissues of the prostate.
- Focal. The process extends to the glandular tissue. The ducts swell, the outflow is disturbed. The gland increases in size due to the accumulation of pus in it, which is excreted in the urine. Body temperature rises.
- Parenchymal. Connective tissue is involved in the process, the edema becomes even greater, the temperature can reach 40 ° C. A stabbing pain in the anus lurks, a false urge to defecate is felt.
- AbscessiveThe most insidious form of prostatitis. The temperature is very confusing, there is 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, abscesses, sepsis. These conditions are generally treated surgically and involve the removal of purulent sacs.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of types of prostatitis is not particularly difficult and begins with collecting anamnesis, which helps to more accurately 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.
To make a correct diagnosis, laboratory tests are prescribed:
- Urine analysis;
- urine culture with AB sensitivity test;
- general blood test;
- analysis of the secretion of the prostate;
- blood chemistry;
- Rectal exam.
Additional diagnostics include instrumental research methods. First of all, an ultrasound is performed, if necessary, additional MRI and TRUS are prescribed. Relatively recently, a new method of PET examination appeared, it is considered the most informative.
Treat inflammation
Urologists treat all types of prostatitis. Traditional methods are good, but only in conjunction 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 block 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.
Based on local procedures, sitz baths with water are shown, 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 content is slowly injected into the intestines and left there 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 it is recommended in the chronic form. To restore metabolism, normal blood circulation and relieve edema, UHF and microwave are prescribed.
With prolonged urinary retention, a catheter is inserted. In some stages of the development of the disease, surgical treatment is indicated to open the purulent sacs with the installation of drainage.
Treatment of acute prostatitis lasts from several weeks to a month. A favorable result is usually observed. If the disease has become more complicated or has become chronic, the process will be difficult, long, and may take several months.
During treatment, the restriction of sexual activity and the use of personal protective equipment is indicated.
A medical physiotherapy device helps cure prostatitis. Effectively remove the symptoms of prostatitis, it is able to restore reduced sexual activity, relieve pain, relieve swelling and inflammation. The device can be used at home both 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, is 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 any condition.
How to prevent the development of the disease?
The prevention of various types of prostatitis, like any other disease, is a healthy lifestyle, without bad habits and a balanced diet. If you have been diagnosed with prostatitis, you should not neglect exercise. For any nest of inflammation that has arisen, you should immediately consult a doctor to eliminate the cause and prevent the infection from entering other organs.
You need to lead a decent lifestyle, 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 carried out by a urologist. If a man knows what prostatitis can be, and at the same time leads a passive lifestyle, then exercises should be performed to prevent the occurrence of congestion in the small pelvis.
Let's summarize
Depending on the causes and characteristics 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 image - a violation of urination, pain in the pelvic area, which, as complications develop, can lead to impotence and loss of fertility.
Acute prostatitis develops suddenly and is easily diagnosed. In contrast, chronic prostatitis progresses in waves, alternating periods of remission and exacerbation. In a chronic course, the identification of pathogenic microbes can cause certain difficulties. The foci of infection that arise in the genitourinary system provoke complications in the form of diseases of the organs that are anatomically adjacent to the prostate gland. Based on the diagnosed prostatitis, the urologist prescribes a differentiated treatment regimen.