Prostatitis is a specific disease, typical mainly of men of reproductive age.It is characterized by an acute or chronic inflammation of the prostate, the second “heart” of man.
The signs of prostatitis in men are not always easy to recognize, especially if the pathology has a chronic course, without a previous acute stage.If the process is acute, in this case the symptoms of prostatitis in men will be quite typical and pronounced.
If a man has the first signs of prostatitis, he should immediately consult a doctor.Even minor discomforts that indicate the development of a disease of the genitourinary system can lead to serious complications.
The ability to recognize the first symptoms of the inflammatory process allows you to diagnose the pathology in a timely manner and begin its treatment.Therefore, every man should familiarize himself with them to avoid the serious problems that prostatitis entails.
The prostate and its role in a man's life.
Although the prostate is small, if its function is affected, a man can experience many problems.The prostate is a walnut-sized organ, located between the penis and the bladder.The prostate produces a secretion that mixes with sperm to form complete seminal fluid.
Unlike other prostate pathologies, such as prostatic hypertrophy or cancer, which usually affect older men, prostatitis can develop at any age, but the peak incidence occurs between 30 and 50 years of age.
Types of prostatitis
Depending on the severity of the symptoms, the time of their appearance and the duration of the disease, two variants of the pathology are distinguished:
- Chronic prostatitis.Symptoms can be subtle and come and go over several months.This is the most common type of prostatitis;The causes of inflammation are usually not infectious.
- Acute prostatitis.In this form, the symptoms of prostatitis in men are severe and develop suddenly.This variant of the disease is usually caused by a microbial infection;The condition can be serious and requires immediate treatment, including hospitalization.
Problems of chronic prostatitis.
The causes of prostatitis have been studied for a long time, but in recent years the understanding of the essence of the process has been significantly revised.Chronic prostatitis, sometimes called by its alternative name, chronic pelvic pain syndrome, is characterized by a group of symptoms that can cause a significant deterioration in the daily quality of life in men.It is not always possible for a doctor to immediately identify chronic prostatitis, and subsequent treatment is no less difficult, since it depends on various causative factors and the existing symptoms of prostatitis in men.
Unlike approaches used in the past, diagnosis and subsequent treatment are based on separating chronic bacterial prostatitis from other forms of the disease, considered a multifactorial disease.According to data published in Research and Reports in Urology in 2019, autoimmunity and systemic inflammation, nervous system dysfunction, and psychological causes play a role in the development of chronic inflammation.
Chronic pelvic pain syndrome is characterized by various symptoms associated with the urinary organs, genitals, rectum and perineum, and men may often undergo long-term treatments for other pathologies until it finally turns out that the problem is inflammation of the prostate.
Signs of prostatitis in men
If acute inflammation of the prostate occurs, it is relatively easy to recognize it;the manifestations are quite bright and pronounced.Early signs of prostatitis in men include:
- Severe pain spreading around the penis, testicles, anus, lower abdomen, or lower back.Emptying the bladder can be painful;
- problems urinating, pain when the bladder fills, need to urinate frequently (especially at night), intermittent urination, urgent need to urinate, and sometimes blood in the urine;
- against the background of severe inflammation of the prostate and severe pain, acute urinary retention is possible;
- malaise, fever, nausea;
- Light, thick, odorless discharge from the urethra.
If these or other signs of prostatitis in men are detected, a doctor or urologist should be consulted immediately.
Chronic inflammation: symptoms of prostatitis in men.
We can talk about a chronic process if the following symptoms of prostatitis have been detected in men for at least the last three months:
- pain around the penis, in the testicles, anus, lower abdomen, or lower back that pulls, presses, or hurts.
- pain when urinating, frequent or urgent need to urinate, especially at night, or intermittent urination.
- an enlarged or tender prostate, although in some cases it may be normal.
- Intimate problems such as erectile dysfunction, pain during ejaculation or pelvic pain after intercourse.
These symptoms can have a significant impact on a man's quality of life.Without treatment, the condition can gradually worsen and symptoms of prostatitis appear more and more frequently.
How is the exam performed?
At the first signs of prostatitis in men, it is necessary to consult a urologist who will carry out a comprehensive diagnosis.The doctor will ask in detail about all the symptoms and events, health problems that preceded their appearance.A genital, abdominal and rectal examination will then be performed.The doctor inserts a gloved finger into the rectum to feel the prostate.During the exam, discomfort may occur if the prostate is enlarged or inflamed.Blood and urine tests are also ordered to look for signs of infection.
How is prostatitis treated?
Prostatitis treatment tactics will depend on the form of the disease: acute or chronic prostatitis.
For acute inflammation, when symptoms are sudden and severe, pain relievers and a 2- to 4-week course of antibiotics are usually prescribed.If acute urinary retention occurs, hospitalization and emergency measures are required: bladder catheterization with urine diversion along with intensive treatment.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis, when symptoms come and go over several months, is usually aimed at eliminating all discomfort.Your doctor may suggest the following procedures:
- analgesics and anti-inflammatories that eliminate pain and discomfort in the pelvis.
- Alpha-blocking medications that eliminate urinary problems.They help relax the muscles of the prostate and the base of the bladder.
- Antibiotics may sometimes be prescribed if the microbial nature of the infection is confirmed or if there are indications that there was previously an acute process that was not treated.
The goal of treating chronic prostatitis is to reduce symptoms to the point where they do not interfere with daily activities.