Frequent, painful urination, perineal discomfort, hyperthermia, reduced potency and libido are problems faced by 80% of men aged 45-50, but most of them postpone a visit to the doctor until the pain becomes unbearable.Unpleasant symptoms indicate inflammation of the prostate gland, which requires immediate treatment: prostatitis in men quickly becomes chronic and can lead to infertility, sexual dysfunction and oncology.
What is Prostatitis?
The prostate is an organ similar in size and shape to a chestnut fruit and is located beneath the bladder.Its lower part borders the perineum.The prostate in men performs the following functions: secretory – the production of sex 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 popularly used for a common disease that affects about half of the male population: the older the man, the higher the risk of the disease - prostatitis is diagnosed extremely rarely in men aged 20-25.The disease is dangerous with serious complications, so it is important to detect it early.
The course of therapy lasts up to 14 days, and the patient must strictly adhere to preventive measures for several more months.If the disease has become chronic, the risk of relapse is 50%.
Classification
Treatment of the prostate gland in men sometimes takes years.The disease is temporarily asymptomatic, only to be remembered a few months later with a sharp decline in immunity, disruption of intestinal microflora and other stressful situations for the body.Male prostate disease has different forms:
- Spicy.Characterized by a bacterial infection of the prostate tissue.Typical signs are severe pain and a critical increase in temperature.The illness must be treated in hospital;
- Chronic bacteria.A periodic weakening of symptoms is often perceived as a signal of recovery, but this is an illusion - each subsequent exacerbation is more severe than the previous ones due to the development of purulent foci and the appearance of neoplasms;
- Asymptomatic.Absence of symptoms with active development of the disease.In men, such a prostate is often discovered accidentally based on the results of a urine test;
- Granulomatous.Cessation of function of the gland due to overgrowth of connective tissue;
- Pelvic pain syndrome.A difficult to diagnose form, accompanied by constant pain in the pelvic area, neurological and psycho-emotional disorders.
What does prostate mean in men?Firstly, the diagnosis means that you need to reconsider your lifestyle, be patient and follow the doctor's recommendations - you may have to undergo treatment for a long period of time.
What causes prostate cancer in men?
Reasons
The exact algorithm for the occurrence of the inflammatory process in the prostate is not clear, but a pattern has been identified: the likelihood 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 “resting state” and only spread when the body's protective functions are weakened.This is how the male prostate begins to develop.
Factors that increase risk:
- hypothermia;
- injuries and bruises to the perineum;
- HOURS;
- Inactive lifestyle, sedentary work;
- Inferior sex life;
- Contraception by interrupting sexual intercourse (incomplete ejaculation occurs);
- stress, neuroses, depression;
- Bad habits – alcohol abuse, smoking;
- drug poisoning.
Doctors also point to a connection between the fashion for tight pants that compress the genitals and the increase in morbidity.Men who prefer tight-fitting jeans and those who prefer loose-fitting jeans are significantly more likely to experience prostate problems.
Etiology of the chronic form
Permanent prostatitis in men is a consequence of improper treatment (or complete absence) of acute inflammation of the prostate.Causes of exacerbations: sexually transmitted diseases, stressful situations at work and in the family, forced restriction of rectal or bladder emptying, wearing tight underwear made of synthetic fabrics.
Another factor is congestion in the pelvis, which is caused by a lack of mobility.A patient who has experienced prostate cancer in men in an acute form must take all measures to prevent a relapse: First of all, walk more to activate blood circulation.
Symptoms of an inflamed prostate in men
Acute prostatitis
There are three types of the course of the disease: catarrhal, follicular, parenchymal (the most dangerous).In the first case, the malaise begins with excruciating pain in the pubic area and a slight increase in temperature.Soon the man notices discomfort when urinating or during sexual intercourse and a persistent feeling of tiredness.
The follicular type is characterized by severe pain in the penis and lower back: it allows complete emptying of the intestines and bladder.If left untreated, the third type of disease develops.
What is parenchymal prostate in men?Difficulty urinating leads to complete urinary retention, body temperature reaches 39-40 degrees, mucous discharge from the rectum occurs.The condition is serious and requires immediate hospitalization.
Chronic prostatitis
Symptoms of this form are often vague and unspoken, making diagnosis difficult.The pain syndrome takes on a permanent character, is localized in the lower abdomen and is tolerated quite well.Discomfort increases after intimacy.
Urination is somewhat difficult - the urine stream is irregular.The urge becomes more frequent.After physical exertion, uncharacteristic discharge appears on the head of the genital organ.Erectile dysfunction is possible.The temperature remains at 37 – 37.3 °C.
If symptoms of chronic prostatitis are observed in men, treatment should not be delayed: mild inflammation can lead to infertility.
diagnosis
If inflammation of the prostate is suspected, a timely visit to the urologist is the best solution.During the appointment, the doctor will ask several questions about your health and review the patient's medical records to obtain a medical history.An external examination and palpation of the organ through the rectum are then carried out.
To clarify the diagnosis, a number of studies are prescribed:
- Secret analysis;
- ultrasound of the prostate;
- collection of material for PCR;
- MRI of the pelvic organs.
If necessary, the urine flow rate during urination is measured using a special device called a uroflowmeter.The measurements are carried out in the clinic: the patient empties the bladder into a special vessel with a sensor that produces a graphic image at the end of the procedure.
Treatment of the prostate in men
Before prescribing treatment, it is important to identify all factors that triggered the inflammatory process.If the exact cause of prostatitis in men is clarified, treatment will be more effective.The urologist develops an individual overall program that includes the following elements:
- Drug therapy.If the etiology is viral, antiviral drugs are prescribed, and if the lesions are infectious, antibacterial drugs are prescribed.In parallel, anti-inflammatory suppositories and creams, immunostimulating agents and, if necessary, analgesics are used;
- Physiotherapy.The method is determined based on the clinical picture.These can be electrophoresis, magnetic therapy, laser sessions, UHF;
- Massage.The procedure is carried out by a doctor or (after training) the patient's spouse - emotional comfort and family support are of great importance for the sick person.The massage improves the drainage of purulent-inflammatory secretions from the prostate ducts.
The effectiveness of the prescribed therapy is assessed after 10-14 days: if the dynamics are positive, the course is continued after a short break.If there is no improvement, a decision is made to stop certain medications and procedures and replace them with others.
Prevention
The prostate in men, its symptoms and treatment is an issue that every representative of the stronger sex who has reached childbearing age should study in detail.Awareness of preventative measures helps prevent inflammation.
How to protect yourself from prostatitis?It is recommended to avoid hypothermia and unprotected sex and to be regularly tested for sexually transmitted diseases.You should empty your bladder on time and choose loose-fitting pants.