Frequent and painful urination, discomfort in the perineum, hyperthermia, decreased potency and libido are problems faced by 80% of men between the ages of 45 and 50, but most of them postpone visiting the doctor until the pain becomes unbearable.Unpleasant symptoms indicate inflammation of the prostate, which requires immediate treatment: prostatitis in men quickly becomes chronic and can lead to infertility, sexual dysfunction and oncology.
What is prostatitis
The prostate gland is an organ similar in size and shape to a chestnut fruit and located under the bladder.Its lower part borders the perineum.The prostate in men performs the following functions: secretory - the production of sexual hormones and secretions that determine the quality of sperm and barrier - the separation of the processes of ejaculation and urination.
The second name of the gland is commonly used to refer to a common disease that affects about half of the male population: the older the man, the greater the risk of getting sick: prostatitis is extremely rarely diagnosed in boys aged 20 to 25 years.The disease is dangerous with serious complications, so it is important to recognize it at an early stage.
The therapeutic course lasts up to 14 days, and the patient is required to strictly comply with preventive measures for several more months.If the disease has become chronic, the risk of recurrence is 50%.
Classification
Treatment of the prostate gland in men sometimes drags on for years.The disease temporarily takes an asymptomatic course, and then reminds itself after a few months with a sharp decrease in immunity, a disruption of the intestinal microflora and other stressful situations for the body.Male prostate disease has several forms:
- Spicy.Characterized by bacterial infection of the prostatic tissue.Typical signs are severe pain and a critical increase in temperature.The disease must be treated in a hospital setting;
- Chronic bacterial.Periodic easing of symptoms is often perceived as a signal of recovery, but this is an illusion: each subsequent exacerbation is more serious than the previous one due to the development of purulent foci and the appearance of neoplasms;
- Asymptomatic.Absence of symptoms with active development of the disease.Such a prostate in men is often detected by chance, based on the results of a urine test;
- Granulomatous.Cessation of the functioning of the gland due to excessive growth of connective tissue;
- Pelvic pain syndrome.A difficult form to diagnose, accompanied by constant painful sensations in the pelvic area, neurological and psycho-emotional disorders.
What does prostate mean in men?First of all, the diagnosis implies the need to reconsider your lifestyle, be patient and follow the doctor's recommendations: you may need to undergo treatment for a long time.
What causes prostate cancer in men?
Reasons
The exact algorithm for the occurrence of the inflammatory process in the prostate gland has not been established, but a pattern has been identified: the probability of getting sick increases with a decrease in general immunity.Why is this happening?Infectious pathogens that enter the mucous membranes of a healthy person are in a "dormant" state and do not spread until the protective functions of the body are weakened.This is how the male prostate begins to develop.
Factors that increase the risk:
- Hypothermia;
- Lesions and bruises of the perineum;
- sexually transmitted diseases;
- Inactive lifestyle, sedentary work;
- Lower sex life;
- Contraception using the method of interruption of sexual intercourse (incomplete ejaculation occurs);
- Stress, neurosis, depression;
- Bad habits – alcohol abuse, smoking;
- Drug intoxication.
Doctors also point to a link between the trend of tight pants that compress the genitals and increased morbidity.Prostate gland symptoms in men who prefer tight jeans are much more common and in those who prefer loose jeans.
Etiology of the chronic form
Permanent prostatitis in men is a consequence of improper treatment (or its complete absence) of acute inflammation of the prostate.Causes of flare-ups: sexually transmitted diseases, stressful situations at work and in the family, forced restriction of emptying the rectum or bladder, use of tight underwear made of synthetic fabrics.
A further factor is pelvic congestion caused by poor mobility.A patient who has experienced what prostate cancer is like in men in acute form must take all measures to prevent a relapse: first of all, walk more to activate blood circulation.
Symptoms of inflamed prostate in men
Acute prostatitis
There are obviously three types of this form of the disease: catarrhal, follicular, parenchymal (the most dangerous).In the first case, the discomfort begins with an annoying pain in the pubic area and a slight increase in temperature.Soon the man feels discomfort during urination or sexual intercourse and a persistent feeling of tiredness.
The follicular type is characterized by severe pain in the penis and lower back: it does not allow complete emptying of the intestine and bladder.If left untreated, the third type of disease develops.
What is parenchymal prostate in men?Difficulty urinating turns into complete urinary retention, body temperature reaches 39-40 degrees, mucous discharge from the rectum appears.The situation is serious and requires immediate hospitalization.
Chronic prostatitis
The symptoms of this form are often vague and unexpressed, which makes diagnosis difficult.The pain syndrome takes on a permanent character, is localized in the lower abdomen and is tolerated quite easily.Discomfort increases after intimacy.
Urination is slightly difficult: urine flow is intermittent.The craving becomes more frequent.After physical exertion, an unusual discharge appears on the head of the genital organ.Erection problems are possible.The temperature remains at 37 – 37.3 C.
If symptoms of chronic prostatitis are observed in men, treatment should not be delayed: low-grade inflammation can lead to infertility.
Diagnostics
A timely visit to a urologist is the best solution if inflammation of the prostate gland is suspected.During the appointment, the doctor will ask several questions about your health and review the patient's medical record to gather a medical history.Next, an external examination and palpation of the organ through the rectum is performed.
To clarify the diagnosis, numerous studies are prescribed:
- Secret analysis;
- Ultrasound of the prostate;
- Collection of material for PCR;
- MRI of the pelvic organs.
If necessary, the speed of urine flow during urination is measured with a special device, a uroflowmeter.The measurements are carried out in the clinic: the patient empties the bladder into a special vessel equipped with a sensor, which at the end of the process produces a graphic image.
Prostate gland in the treatment of men
Before prescribing a course of treatment, it is important to identify all the factors that provoked the inflammatory process.When the exact cause of prostatitis in men is determined, treatment is more productive.The urologist develops an individual comprehensive program that includes the following elements:
- Drug therapy.For viral etiology, antiviral drugs are prescribed, and for infectious lesions, antibacterial drugs are prescribed.At the same time, anti-inflammatory suppositories and creams, immunostimulating agents and, if necessary, analgesics are used;
- Physiotherapy.The method is determined based on the disease picture.This could be electrophoresis, magnetotherapy, laser sessions, UHF;
- Massage.The procedure is performed by a doctor or (after training) the patient's spouse: emotional comfort and family support are of great importance for the sick person.Massage improves the outflow of purulent-inflammatory secretions from the prostatic ducts.
The effectiveness of the prescribed therapy is evaluated after 10-14 days: if positive dynamics are observed, the course continues after a short interruption.If no improvement is seen, a decision is made to stop some medications and procedures and replace them with others.
Prevention
The prostate in men, symptoms and treatment is a topic that every representative of the stronger sex who has reached reproductive age should study in detail.Awareness of preventive measures will help avoid inflammation.
How to protect yourself from prostatitis?It is recommended to avoid hypothermia and unprotected sexual intercourse and to undergo regular testing for sexually transmitted diseases.You should empty your bladder in a timely manner and choose loose trousers.