Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate, the gland that produces the liquid part of semen. It is the most common disease of the reproductive system in mature men. Acute bacterial prostatitis is a relatively rare disease, its frequency does not exceed three percent of all inflammatory processes in the prostate.
Causes of acute prostatitis
The main cause of acute prostatitis in humans is bacteria, some of which are part of the body's normal microbiota, that is, they live permanently on the skin, in the intestines. Once in the tissues and ducts of the prostate, they cause acute inflammation.
Infection can enter the prostate in two ways:
- ascending canalicular - bacteria with urethritis, cystitis, after cystoscopy enter the prostate.
- hematogenous - microbes enter the prostate with blood flow from distant foci of acute and chronic infection - boils, carbuncles, sinusitis, diseased teeth and tonsils.
In addition to bacteria, the stagnation of the secretion of the prostate and the stagnation of venous blood, which develops during irregular sexual activity with infrequent sexual intercourse, with prolonged restrictions in mobility, especially when sitting andwhen wearing tight underwear, are important.
The gland consists of two sections - the follicles, in which the secretion is produced, and the excretory ducts, through which the liquid part of the semen enters the urethra. Depending on the part of the inflamed prostate, there are different forms of acute prostatitis in men, which are treated with different methods.
Signs of acute prostatitis
Symptoms of acute prostatitis depend on the form and severity of the inflammatory process. Doctors distinguish three forms:
- catarrhal.The main symptoms are urination disorders. The excretory ducts become inflamed, the prostate enlarges and blocks the urethra, which prolongs urination, accompanied by pain and burning sensation in the urethra. There are nocturnal impulses, the patient suffers from insomnia.
- follicular.As the process progresses, the tissues of the follicles begin to become infected. Urinary disorders are accompanied by pain in the perineum, radiating to the anus, the temperature rises to 38 degrees.
- parenchymal.The follicles continue to get infected, a large number of small abscesses are formed. Difficulty urinating, becomes strongly painful, pain appears during the act of defecation. The temperature rises to forty, in the groin, perineum, sacrum - sharp pains.
Diagnostic tests
The urologist makes a diagnosis on the basis of a comprehensive study, which includes:
- Rectal examination.The urologist inserts a finger into the patient's anus and palpates the gland, determines the increase in volume and pain and concludes that there is an inflammatory process.
- General urine analysis. In the analysis of urine, leukocytes, blood, bacteria and proteins are determined. These are nonspecific indicators of inflammation of the urinary tract; they cannot be used to conclude on a specific site of inflammation.
- Bacteriological analysis of urine.Urine culture for sterility allows you to isolate the microbes that cause inflammation, determine their type, resistance and sensitivity to antibiotics.
- Prostate ultrasound.Ultrasound examination shows a change in size, indicates knots, formations, abscesses.
- MRI or CT scan of the pelvis.It is performed in preparation for surgery or for differentiation with prostate tumors.
- Blood test for PSA.Prostate specific antigen is a protein secreted by the prostate. Its content increases in diseases of the prostate - prostatitis, adenoma and malignant tumors of the prostate. The analysis is carried out for the differential diagnosis with tumors, since the values of PSA in cancer are much higher than in prostatitis.
Complications of acute prostatitis
If the correct treatment of acute prostatitis is not started on time, it can lead to the development of the following complications:
- Prostate abscess.If prostatitis is left untreated, sooner or later small abscesses merge into one large one called an abscess. This complication is only treated quickly, by opening the prostate and thoroughly cleaning the pus from there.
- Inflammation of the paraprostatic venous plexus.Inflammation of the prostate can spread to surrounding veins. The large number of bacteria released into the bloodstream will cause a systemic inflammatory response - sepsis - which can be fatal.
- Paraprostatitis.It occurs when an abscess enters the tissues surrounding the prostate. Treat only quickly.
- Transition to a chronic form.Acute prostatitis without treatment becomes chronic, which requires treatment for several years. Fifty percent of patients with chronic prostatitis develop mental disorders that require correction with antidepressants and tranquilizers.
What to do with acute prostatitis
A patient with an attack of acute prostatitis needs urgent hospitalization. Treatment for acute prostatitis should take place in a hospital and includes antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and restorative agents.
Antibacterial therapy includes broad-spectrum agents and is prescribed for long periods - from fifteen to thirty days, until the bacteria are completely destroyed. For acute prostatitis, doctors usually use the following antibiotics and antibacterial drugs:
- fluoroquinolones- levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin;
- trimethoprim;
- doxycycline;
- cephalosporins- cefotaxime, ceftriaxone.
In addition to antibiotics for acute prostatitis, the following drugs are used:
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (diclofenac) - helps relieve pain;
- bioregulatory peptides (prostate extract, vitaprost, prostatilene) - used in the form of suppositories. The prostate not only produces the liquid part of semen, but also performs a regulatory function by releasing hormones. Suppositories help to compensate for the lack of hormones and to avoid the complications associated with it.
Don't self-medicate - it's dangerous! Do not use folk remedies such as prostate massage - secretions and pus, once in the blood, cause blood poisoning, which can be fatal. If you find any signs of acute prostatitis, immediately call an ambulance or see a doctor.
Sexual intercourse with acute prostatitis is contraindicated. First, severe pain in the perineum and sacrum, high temperature, absolutely do not have intercourse. Second, the partner is at risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection.
Prevention of acute prostatitis
Acute prostatitis is much easier to prevent than to cure. It suffices to observe a few important points:
- carry out thorough personal hygiene, treat cystitis and urethritis in time;
- have regular sex to avoid stagnation of the secretion of the prostate;
- avoid sexually transmitted diseases;
- treat boils, carbuncles in time, monitor the health of your teeth;
- wear loose cotton underwear;
- Indulge in sufficient physical activity to avoid stasis in the veins of the prostate.
Treatment of prostatitis should be carried out under the strict supervision of a doctor. The specialist draws up an examination program, draws up an individual diagnostic scheme.
It is important to consult a doctor at the first suspicion of pathology. Lack of attention to symptoms or self-medication can significantly complicate the situation. Timely and professional medical assistance will help to cope with the disease and prevent complications.
Symptoms and causes of prostatitis
As a rule, talking about the treatment of prostatitis, they denote the chronic stage of the pathology. This is due to the fact that the acute phase lasts only a few days and often does not cause serious concern for a man. As a result, the inflammatory process becomes chronic, and the treatment of prostatitis is significantly delayed.
Acute prostatitis can be recognized by the following signs:
- pain in the perineum and scrotum,
- cramps in the lower abdomen
- weakened erection,
- absence of voluntary erection in the morning.
Such symptoms can appear all at once, or one at a time. After a few days, they disappear or decrease noticeably. This is precisely the danger of the disease. In the absence of qualified assistance, prostatitis becomes chronic. This stage is characterized by:
- increased need to urinate,
- a decrease in the amount of urine excreted,
- weakening of the jet when urinating,
- erectile dysfunction,
- pain in the small pelvis, perineum.
Any of these symptoms is a reason to see a doctor. In our clinic, a Leninsky urologist will accurately determine the cause of the disease and prescribe effective treatment.
Identifying the etiology of prostatitis is one of the most important tasks when choosing a therapeutic course. There are several main causes of the disease:
- sexually transmitted infections - chlamydia, trichomoniasis, ureaplasmosis and others,
- bacteria - enter the prostate through the urethra, with blood or lymph flow,
- hypothermia - causes inflammation of the prostate, which, like in other cases, quickly becomes chronic.
All the examinations necessary to identify the causes and treatment of prostatitis can be performed in our clinic. The examination program is developed individually by the urologist.
Diagnosis of the disease
Among the mandatory methods for diagnosing prostatitis are:
- general urinalysis,
- microscopic examination of the secretion of the prostate,
- Prostate ultrasound.
Depending on the individual clinical picture, the urologist may order additional examinations. If you suspect the sexually transmitted nature of prostatitis, it is recommended to be tested on Leninsky Prospekt for STDs. Based on the results of a comprehensive diagnosis, the specialist draws up a treatment regimen for prostatitis.
Complex therapy
Treatment of prostatitis is often carried out by conservative methods. Antibiotic therapy forms the basis. With the help of antibiotics, pathogens are eliminated, inflammation of the prostate is eliminated. Modern drugs penetrate well into the tissues of the prostate, thereby eliminating the main cause of pathology. In addition, the doctor may prescribe alpha blockers, hormones, muscle relaxants.
Another effective technique is prostate massage. It restores the patency of the ducts, improves blood circulation in the prostate and increases its tone. It is used most often in the treatment of bacterial prostatitis, the presence of pelvic pain syndrome.
The duration of the course depends on the individual picture of the disease. It is important that the treatment of prostatitis in the clinic is not aimed at relieving symptoms, but at eliminating the main cause of the pathology. This approach helps to get rid of a chronic disease and prevent relapses.