Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland. Currently, urologists are inclined to believe that prostatitis is not a single disease, but combines several diseases of the male genital area. This is one of the most common pathologies of the male urogenital tract and, according to experts, the percentage of men who suffer from prostatitis in one form or another is constantly growing. With age, the risk of developing prostatitis increases.
Causes of prostatitis
The immediate cause of prostatitis are two factors of equal importance. The first is the appearance of congestion in the lesser pelvis and, consequently, in the prostate, and the second is the addition of an infection. However, in some cases, it is not possible to detect an infectious agent in the tissues of the prostate, presumably in such cases, autoimmune processes become the cause of prostatitis, which means that the prostate gland is attacked by cells. of your own immune system. system, as a result of a malfunction of the same.
The predisposing factors for the appearance of inflammation in the prostate gland are: weakening of the immune system as a consequence of infection, hypothermia, stress; hormonal disorders, incomplete ejaculation, physical inactivity, food preferences (addiction to fried, fatty, smoked, spicy foods), frequent urinary retention. Irregular sex life is considered one of the common causes of prostatitis.
types of prostatitis
Currently, the international classification of prostatitis has been adopted, which is the most complete and covers all types of inflammation:
- Category I. Acute prostatitis;
- Category II. chronic bacterial prostatitis;
- Category III. Non-Bacterial Chronic Prostatitis / Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome - an undetected disease lasting more than 3 months;
- Subcategory III A. Chronic inflammatory pelvic pain syndrome (leukocytes are determined in the secretion of the prostate);
- Subcategory III B. Chronic non-inflammatory pelvic pain syndrome (there are no leukocytes in the secretion of the prostate);
- Category IV. Asymptomatic chronic prostatitis (leukocytes are present in the prostate secret, the patient has no complaints, the disease is detected by chance).
- pain in the pelvic and genital area;
- urinary disorders, including slow stream, intermittent stream, incomplete bladder emptying, frequent urination, etc. ;
- Disorders in the genital area.
- analysis of the secretion of the prostate;
- digital rectal examination;
- transrectal ultrasound of the prostate;
- Ultrasound of the kidneys and bladder;
- a blood test for PSA (prostate antigen);
- general blood tests;
- general urinalysis;
- urinalysis for urogenital infections before and after prostate massage;
- uroflowmetry (urine test).
Symptoms of prostatitis
There is the so-called "prostatitis triad", the three most common symptoms of prostatitis. These include:
It should be noted that not all three symptoms of prostatitis are mandatory, in addition, acute and chronic prostatitis proceed in different ways.
Symptoms of acute prostatitis - severe, sharp pain in the area of the prostate gland, which is administered to the rectum, perineum, testicles, and lower back; deterioration of the general condition, fever, headache and muscle pain, general weakness; violation of urination up to acute urinary retention as a result of prostate edema and compression of the urethra.
Symptoms of chronic prostatitis: pain in the prostate area, but less severe than in acute prostatitis; urinary disorders, sexual disorders: incomplete erection, short-term erection, accelerated ejaculation, etc. Chronic prostatitis can have an undulating course, when periods of exacerbation are replaced by periods of decline, or it can have persistently mild symptoms.
Unlike other inflammatory diseases, when a chronic process is the consequence of untreated acute inflammation, chronic prostatitis is usually primary chronic, when the patient himself finds it difficult to determine the onset of the disease.
Diagnosis of prostatitis
To diagnose prostatitis, the following studies are carried out:
The main thing in the diagnosis is to identify the cause of prostatitis, since therapeutic measures depend on this. Another diagnostic challenge is to exclude prostate cancer.
Treatment of prostatitis
Acute and chronic prostatitis of bacterial origin are treated with antibacterial drugs. Strong doses of antibiotics are prescribed, for acute prostatitis, even before obtaining the results of the bacterial culture, since the acute process requires immediate measures. In the complex, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed, which also have an analgesic effect.
Chronic prostatitis is treated based on the underlying cause. For non-bacterial prostatitis, general strengthening immunomodulatory drugs are taken. Treatment of prostatitis is carried out with the mandatory participation of physiotherapeutic procedures: laser therapy, magnetotherapy, electrophoresis of medicinal substances, ultrasound, etc.
Urologists say that the treatment of prostatitis with medical means will only lead to temporary relief, since without changing the usual way of life, the treatment of prostatitis is ineffective. It is necessary to abandon bad habits, lead an active lifestyle, eliminate hypodynamia, avoid stagnation in the small pelvis with the help of special gymnastics, try to spend less time in the car, walk more and get enough rest.
It is also important to improve your sex life, making it regular, and eating well. Chronic prostatitis is prone to relapse, so lifestyle changes should be permanent, only in this case, the treatment of prostatitis will lead to a complete cure.
Treatment of prostatitis with folk remedies.
For the treatment of prostatitis, folk methods are widely and successfully used, especially for the treatment of chronic prostatitis. They act more gently than drugs, but they are still quite effective and produce fewer side effects, so the treatment of prostatitis with folk remedies can be carried out for a long time, until the symptoms of the disease are eliminated.
Of the home remedies for the treatment of prostatitis, teas made from medicinal herbs with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects are widely used: tea made from chamomile, sage leaves, calendula flowers, etc. Medicinal herbs are also used in the form of tinctures and balms. Honey and bee products are used as fortifying agents. Beeswax is perfect for wraps in the treatment of chronic prostatitis, replacing paraffin wax. Echinacea tincture is used as a mild immunostimulating agent; For the same purpose, some varieties of honey are used with success.