Chronic prostatitis is a disease that occurs most often in the practice of a urologist-andrologist.It is mainly diagnosed in men who are at the peak of reproductive, sexual activity and working capacity.Therefore, timely treatment of prostatitis is crucial to restore men's health as well as social functions.
Causes of development of chronic prostatitis
The chronic inflammatory process is followed by an acute stage caused by the activity of pathogenic microflora.If the cause is not detected in time and comprehensive treatment is not carried out, prostatitis goes into a latent form with periodic relapses.
The infection can occur in 3 ways: ascending - through the urinary canal, descending - when urine with pathogenic bacteria enters the bladder, hematogenous - through the circulatory system (the infection is transferred from other inflammatory foci in the body).
Causes of chronic prostatitis:
- pathogenic fungi
- cars
- corynebacteria
- gardnerella
- staphylococci
- Trichomonas
- klebsiella
- mycoplasma
- enterococci
- gonococci
- chlamydia
- parasites
- viruses
- proteus
In the chronic form of prostatitis in men, the inflammatory process can be repeated even after elimination of the pathogenic microflora.In such cases, there is a violation of innervation in the organ with an autoimmune attack on tissue against the background of primary inflammation.Examination revealed no infection.Therefore, patients are diagnosed with "abacterial chronic prostatitis".
Prostatic dysfunction is not always caused by an infectious lesion.There are a number of unfavorable factors that provoke diseases.Among the most common:
- reduced immune protection due to hypothermia, bad lifestyle, bad habits and overwork.
- poor blood circulation in the pelvis as a result of chronic constipation, sedentary work and lack of physical activity
- congestion in the ducts of the prostate and other pelvic organs
- chronic infectious diseases (sinusitis, sore throat)
- permanent damage to the prostate tissue due to increased load on the perineal muscles and physical exertion
- irregular sexual contacts, sexual abstinence, interruption of intercourse
- inflammation of the genitourinary system
- poor diet
- previous sexually transmitted diseases
Chronic bacterial prostatitis often becomes a concomitant problem with cystitis, urethritis, pyelonephritis, epididymitis, orchitis.In some cases, the infectious focus is not even in the genitourinary system.This can be tonsillitis, sinusitis, bronchitis, caries, intestines or pneumonia that have not received appropriate treatment.
Urologists associate the appearance of a non-bacterial form of chronic prostatitis with congestion in the pelvic organs.When local blood circulation is impaired, the vessels of the prostate overflow with blood, causing edema and stagnation of secretions.As a result, the prostate gland cannot produce the required amount of secretions and hormones.This leads to the development of an inflammatory process in the tissues.
The main signs of chronic prostatitis
The symptoms of the bacterial form of pathology are similar to any infectious process.They occur with an increase in the amount of pathogenic flora and lead to a serious deterioration of the general condition in the absence of adequate treatment.In the initial stages, chronic prostatitis is asymptomatic or has mild symptoms.Therefore, most men ignore the need to contact a urologist for an examination.
Postponing a visit to a specialist doctor to determine the cause and start treatment of prostatitis leads to serious consequences not only for the genitourinary system, but also for the psycho-emotional state.Violations of potency against the background of urination disorders and the gradual deterioration of well-being in many men provoke stress, apathy, increased irritability, severe fatigue and lack of appetite.In addition, untimely initiation of treatment leads to infertility in 40% of cases.
Symptoms of chronic prostatitis that require contact with a urologist:
- frequent, strong urge to urinate, weakened stream of urine
- aching pain radiating to the perineum, groin, rectum, scrotum, glans, and sometimes sacrum
- painful urination (especially at the beginning and end of intercourse)
- chills, excessive sweating (characteristic endocrine symptoms, since the prostate gland is part of this system)
- a change in the color of the skin in the area where the pain is felt
- the release of a small amount of prostatic secretion from the urethra (during physical stress) against the background of a weakening of the tone of the organ
- potency disorder (decreased libido, erection problems, ejaculation due to a decrease in testosterone produced by the gland)
Any of the listed signs can indicate a disease, so a person should immediately contact a urologist to get medical help.Also, do not forget about regular preventive visits to the doctor, since the disease can be asymptomatic.In such cases, the diagnosis is made by measuring the number of leukocytes in the prostate secretion.
Possible complications of chronic prostatitis
Without timely treatment, the inflammatory process spreads.This is fraught with related problems such as:
- epididymitis
- orchitis
- vesiculitis
- urinary incontinence
- formation of stones, cysts in the prostate gland
- reproductive dysfunction
- prostate adenoma
The most serious complication can be prostate cancer.
Methods for diagnosing chronic prostatitis
Urologists receive the necessary medical information to diagnose and determine the causes of the pathology after conducting a set of tests, as well as instrumental studies.At the first consultation, the doctor collects an anamnesis, questions the man about alarming symptoms and conducts an examination.Visually determine the presence of urethral discharge, skin irritation and rashes in the area of the external genitalia.A digital rectal examination is also indicated in this situation to assess the size, structure and sensitivity of the prostate.
Main methods of diagnosis:
- general urine test
- urine bacterial culture, urethral smear
- microscopic examination of prostate secretion
- endoscopic examination of the urinary tract
- Ultrasound of the prostate gland (transrectal)
- PCR test for STD pathogens
A PSA test for prostatitis is performed to rule out prostate adenoma and cancer.In some cases, a tissue biopsy followed by histology of the samples taken is indicated to clarify the diagnosis.If there are problems with reproductive function, men are prescribed a spermogram and a MAR test.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis
Neglected conditions are difficult to correct.However, with an integrated approach to treatment, stable and long-term remission can be achieved.To do this, it is necessary to eliminate the cause of the inflammatory process and increase the resistance of the body.This effect is achieved by selecting individual therapy, taking into account the age of the man, the stage of prostatitis, the state of the immune system and the severity of the symptoms.In extreme cases, when there is a danger of serious complications, surgical treatment is recommended to the patient.
Main methods of treatment of chronic prostatitis:
- taking antibiotics
- symptomatic therapy
- use of anti-inflammatory drugs
- physiotherapy to normalize blood circulation, relieve swelling
- correction of diet, lifestyle
Completing a comprehensive course of treatment for chronic prostatitis allows you to eliminate the causes of the inflammatory process, relieve pain and improve the general well-being of a man.An essential part of the therapy is the restoration of the body's defenses.If the prostatitis has a non-bacterial etiology, taking immunomodulators can prevent autoimmune aggression.
Modern physiotherapy for prostatitis
Physiotherapy methods quickly relieve many symptoms and provide steady improvement in most men.At home, it is recommended to take regular warm baths, but the water should not be too hot.
Clinical methods for physiotherapy in chronic prostatitis:
- Ultrasound therapy.Exposure to high frequency waves.
- Ultraphonophoresis.A combination of ultrasound treatment with drugs effective in prostatitis, which are administered during the procedure.
- Magnetotherapy.Low frequency magnetic field therapy.
- UVT.Impact of shock waves on the immediate cause of prostatitis: congestion and inflammation.
- Darsonvalization.Application of high frequency pulsed current.
- Galvanizing.Low frequency direct current treatment.
- UHF.A method of alleviating the symptoms of chronic prostatitis by the effect of an electric field through capacitor plates.
Electrophoresis gives a clear result.Accelerates drug delivery to affected tissues.Thanks to this, it is possible to reduce the load on other organs, which is important for overall health, since chronic prostatitis requires serious courses of treatment.Procedures with shock wave therapy provide a positive effect.After them, most men note a reduction in prostate discomfort, pain relief and an improvement in erection after the first session.
Physiotherapy is an auxiliary method in the treatment of prostatitis.The reduction in the severity of symptoms, as well as the speed of recovery in general, depend on the individual reaction of the body to the chosen method of exposure.Some courses take several weeks or even months, but help to bring chronic prostatitis in men to a state of stable remission.
Qualified urologists in a modern clinic can develop an optimal treatment plan for this pathology.