Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland. Currently, urologists tend to believe that prostatitis is not a single disease, but a combination of several diseases of the male genital organs. It is one of the most common pathologies of the male genitourinary system, and according to experts, the percentage of men suffering from some form of prostatitis is constantly increasing. The risk of developing prostatitis increases with age.
Causes of prostatitis
The immediate cause of prostatitis is two factors of equal importance. The first is obstruction in the small pelvis and eventually the prostate, and the second is the addition of infection. However, in some cases, it is not possible to detect an infectious agent in the tissues of the prostate, in which case the cause of prostatitis is autoimmune processes, ie the prostate gland is attacked by its own immune cells. as a result of a malfunction in the system.
Predisposing factors for the onset of inflammation in the prostate gland are: infection, hypothermia, weakening of the immune system as a result of stress; hormonal disorders, incomplete ejaculation, physical inactivity, dietary preferences (addiction to fried, fatty, smoked, spicy foods), frequent urination. Irregular sex is one of the common causes of prostatitis.
Types of prostatitis
Currently, the international classification of prostatitis is accepted, 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 - a disease in which no infection has been detected for more than 3 months;
- Subcategory III A. Chronic inflammatory pelvic pain syndrome (leukocytes are detected in the secretion of the prostate);
- Subcategory III B. Chronic non-inflammatory pelvic pain syndrome (no leukocytes in the secretion of the prostate);
- Category IV. Symptomatic chronic prostatitis (leukocytes are secreted by the prostate, the patient does not complain, the disease is detected by chance).
- pain in the pelvic and genital area;
- slow flow, intermittent flow, incomplete emptying of the bladder, frequent urination, etc.
- disorders of the genital area.
- analysis of prostate secretion;
- digital rectal examination;
- transrectal ultrasound of the prostate;
- Ultrasound of the kidneys and bladder;
- Blood test for PSA (prostatic antigen);
- general blood test;
- general urinalysis;
- urinalysis for urogenital infections before and after prostate massage;
- uroflowmetry (urine secretion test).
Symptoms of prostatitis
There is a so-called "prostatitis triad", which is the three most common symptoms of prostatitis. These include:
It should be noted that all three symptoms of prostatitis are not mandatory, in addition, acute and chronic prostatitis persist in different ways.
Symptoms of acute prostatitis: severe, sharp pain in the prostate gland in the rectum, perineum, testicles, lumbar region; worsening of general condition, fever, headache and muscle aches, general weakness; urinary incontinence to acute urinary retention due to prostate edema and urethral compression.
Symptoms of chronic prostatitis: pain in the prostate gland, but less intense than in acute prostatitis; urinary disorders, sexual disorders: incomplete erection, short-term erection, accelerated ejaculation, etc. Chronic prostatitis may have a wavy course when periods of exacerbation are replaced by periods of decline, or it may have persistent mild symptoms.
Unlike other inflammatory diseases, when the chronic process is the result of untreated acute inflammation, chronic prostatitis often becomes initially chronic, making it difficult for the patient to determine the onset of the disease.
Diagnosis of prostatitis
The following tests are performed to diagnose prostatitis:
The main thing in the diagnosis is to determine the cause of prostatitis, because therapeutic measures depend on it. Another diagnostic problem is to rule out prostate cancer.
Treatment of prostatitis
Acute and chronic prostatitis of bacterial origin are treated with antibacterial drugs. Strong doses of antibiotics for acute prostatitis are prescribed before the results of bacterial culture are obtained, because the acute process requires urgent action. The complex prescribes anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs, which have an analgesic effect.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis depends on the underlying cause. For non-bacterial prostatitis, general enhancers, immunomodulators are taken. Treatment of prostatitis is carried out with the mandatory participation of physiotherapeutic procedures: laser therapy, magnetotherapy, electrophoresis of drugs, ultrasound, etc.
Urologists say that treating prostatitis with only medical means will only provide temporary relief, as treating prostatitis without changing your usual lifestyle is ineffective. It is necessary to give up bad habits, lead an active lifestyle, eliminate hypodynamics, avoid stagnation in a small pelvis with the help of special gymnastics, try to spend less time in the car, walk more, as well as get enough rest.
It is also important to improve your sex life, make it regular and eat well. Chronic prostatitis is prone to recurrence, so lifestyle changes should be permanent, only then treatment of prostatitis will lead to complete recovery.
Treatment of prostatitis with folk remedies
Folk remedies for the treatment of prostatitis are widely and successfully used, especially for the treatment of chronic prostatitis. They act more gently than medications, but they are still quite effective and have fewer side effects that can be treated with folk remedies for prostatitis for a long time, until the symptoms of the disease disappear.
For the treatment of prostatitis, folk remedies made from herbs with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects are widely used: chamomile, sage leaves, calendula flowers, etc. Medicinal plants are also used in the form of tinctures and balms. Honey and bee products are used as tonics. Beeswax is perfect for dressings in the treatment of chronic prostatitis, which replaces paraffin wax. Echinacea tincture is used as a mild immunostimulant, some types of honey are used successfully for the same purpose.