Prostatitis is a specific disease, characteristic mainly of men of reproductive age.It is characterized by acute or chronic inflammation of the prostate gland, the second "heart" of the man.
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 person has the first signs of prostatitis, he should immediately consult a doctor.Even mild discomfort indicating the development of a disease of the genitourinary system can have serious complications.
The ability to recognize the first symptoms of the inflammatory process allows you to promptly diagnose the pathology and start its treatment.Therefore, every man should familiarize himself with them in order to avoid serious problems that prostatitis leads to.
The prostate and its role in a man's life
Although the prostate is small, if its function is impaired, a man can experience many problems.The prostate gland is a walnut-sized organ located between the penis and the bladder.The prostate produces a secretion that mixes with the sperm to form complete seminal fluid.
Unlike other pathologies of the prostate, such as prostatic hypertrophy or cancer, which often affect older men, prostatitis can develop at any age, but the peak incidence occurs between 30 and 50 years of age.
Types of prostatitis
Based on the severity of the symptoms, the time of their onset and the duration of the disease, two variants of the pathology are distinguished:
- Chronic prostatitis.Symptoms may be subtle and come and go over several months.This is the most common type of prostatitis;the causes of inflammation in it 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 most often provoked by a microbial infection;the condition may be serious and require immediate treatment, including hospitalization.
Problems with 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 referred to by its alternative name, chronic pelvic pain syndrome, is characterized by a group of symptoms that can cause a significant deterioration in the quality of men's daily life.It is not always possible for a doctor to immediately identify chronic prostatitis, and subsequent treatment is no less difficult, as it depends on various causal factors and existing symptoms of prostatitis in men.
Unlike the approaches used in the past, diagnosis and subsequent treatment are based on the separation of 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 all play a role in the development of chronic inflammation.
Chronic pelvic pain syndrome is characterized by various symptoms related to the urinary organs, genitals, rectum and perineum, and often men may undergo long-term treatment for other pathologies, until eventually it turns out that the problem is inflammation of the prostate.
Signs of prostatitis in men
If an acute inflammation of the prostate occurs, it is relatively easy to recognize;the manifestations are quite bright and pronounced.The first signs of prostatitis in men include:
- severe pain that spreads around the penis, testicles, anus, lower abdomen or lower back.Emptying the bladder can be painful;
- problems urinating, pain when filling the bladder, the need to urinate frequently (especially at night), frequent urination, an urgent need to urinate, and sometimes blood in the urine;
- against the background of strong swelling of the prostate and severe pain, acute retention of urine is possible;
- malaise, fever, nausea;
- a light, thick odorless discharge from the urethra.
If these or other signs of prostatitis in men are found, you should immediately consult a doctor or urologist.
Chronic inflammation: symptoms of prostatitis in men
We can talk about a chronic process if, at least in the last three months, the following symptoms of prostatitis have been found in men:
- pain around the penis, in the testicles, anus, lower abdomen or lower back that is pulling, pressing or aching in nature.
- pain when urinating, frequent or urgent need to urinate, especially at night, or frequent urination.
- an enlarged or tender prostate on rectal examination, 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 the symptoms of prostatitis appear more and more often.
How is the review conducted?
At the first signs of prostatitis in men, it is necessary to contact a urologist who will conduct a comprehensive diagnosis.The doctor will ask in detail about all 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 examination, discomfort is possible if the prostate gland 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.
In acute inflammation, when the symptoms are sudden and severe, pain relievers and a 2-4 week course of antibiotics are usually prescribed.Acute urinary retention requires hospitalization and emergency measures - bladder catheterization with urine drainage and intensive treatment.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis, when symptoms appear and disappear over several months, is usually aimed at eliminating all unpleasant sensations.Your doctor may suggest the following procedures:
- pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory drugs that eliminate pain and discomfort in the pelvis.
- alpha-blockers, which eliminate problems with urination.They help relax the muscles of the prostate gland and the base of the bladder.
- Sometimes antibiotics can be prescribed if the microbial nature of the infection is confirmed or there are signs that there was previously an acute process that was not treated.
The goal of chronic prostatitis treatment is to reduce symptoms to the point where they do not interfere with daily activities.