Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland.Currently, urologists tend to believe that prostatitis is not a single disease, but rather a combination of several diseases of the male reproductive system.This is one of the most common pathologies of the male genitourinary system, and according to experts, the percentage of men suffering from prostatitis in one form or another is constantly increasing.The risk of developing prostatitis increases with age.
Causes of prostatitis
The direct cause of prostatitis is two factors of equal importance.The first is the formation of obstruction in the pelvis and, as a result, the prostate, and the second is the addition of infection.However, in some cases, it is not possible to detect an infectious pathogen in the tissues of the prostate gland;it is likely that the cause of prostatitis in such cases is autoimmune processes, that is, as a result of a malfunction in the prostate gland, it is attacked by the cells of its own immune system.
Predisposing factors for the occurrence of inflammation in the prostate gland are: infection, hypothermia, weakened immunity due to stress;hormonal disorders, incomplete ejaculation, physical inactivity, food preferences (addiction to fried, fatty, smoked, spicy foods), frequent urination.Irregular sex life is considered one of the common causes of prostatitis.
Types of prostatitis
Currently, the international classification of prostatitis is accepted, which is the most complete and includes 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 lasting more than 3 months, in which infection is not detected;
- III subcategory A. Chronic inflammatory pelvic pain syndrome (leukocytes are detected in prostate secretion);
- III subcategory B. Chronic non-inflammatory pelvic pain syndrome (prostate secretion does not contain leukocytes);
- Category IV.Symptomatic chronic prostatitis (prostate secretion contains leukocytes, the patient has no complaints, the disease is discovered accidentally).
Symptoms of prostatitis
There are three most common symptoms of prostatitis, the "prostatitis triad".These include:
- pain in the pelvic and genital areas;
- urinary disorders, including slow flow, intermittent flow, incomplete emptying of the bladder, frequent urination, etc.;
- disorders in the genital area.
It should be noted that all three signs of prostatitis are not mandatory;In addition, acute and chronic prostatitis occur differently.
Symptoms of acute prostatitis: severe, sharp pain in the prostate gland spreading to the rectum, perineum, testicles, lumbar region;deterioration of the general condition, fever, headache and muscle pain, general weakness;Urinary disturbances up to acute urinary retention due to swelling of the prostate gland and compression of the urethra.
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 wavelike course, when periods of exacerbation are followed by periods of subsidence, or it may have constant mild symptoms.
Unlike other inflammatory diseases, when a chronic process is the result of untreated acute inflammation, chronic prostatitis is often primary chronic, and the patient himself has difficulty determining the onset of the disease.
Diagnosis of prostatitis
The following studies are conducted to diagnose prostatitis:
- analysis of prostate secretion;
- digital rectal examination;
- transrectal ultrasound of the prostate;
- Ultrasound of kidneys and bladder;
- blood test for PSA (prostate antigen);
- general blood test;
- general urinalysis;
- urine test for urogenital infections before and after prostate massage;
- uroflowmetry (study of urine output).
The main thing in diagnosis is to determine the cause of prostatitis, because therapeutic measures depend on it.Another diagnostic task is to rule out prostate cancer.
Treatment of prostatitis
Acute and chronic prostatitis of bacterial origin is treated with antibacterial drugs.For acute prostatitis, strong doses of antibiotics are prescribed before culture results are obtained, because the acute process requires immediate action.In combination, anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs are prescribed, which also have an analgesic effect.
Chronic prostatitis is treated depending on the cause.Restorative and immunomodulatory drugs are taken for non-bacterial prostatitis.Treatment of prostatitis is carried out with the mandatory participation of physiotherapeutic procedures: laser therapy, magnetic therapy, electrophoresis of medicinal substances, ultrasound, etc.
Urologists claim that treating prostatitis only with medical means will bring only temporary relief, because treatment of prostatitis without changing the usual lifestyle is ineffective.It is necessary to give up bad habits, lead an active lifestyle, eliminate physical inactivity, prevent congestion in the pelvis with the help of special gymnastics, try to spend less time in the car, move more on foot, and also get enough rest.
It is also important to improve your sex life, make it regular and eat well.Chronic prostatitis is prone to relapses, so lifestyle changes must be permanent, only in this case the treatment of prostatitis will lead to complete recovery.
Treatment of prostatitis with folk remedies
Traditional methods are widely and successfully used in the treatment of prostatitis, especially for the treatment of chronic prostatitis.They act more gently than drugs, but are still quite effective and have fewer side effects, so the treatment of prostatitis with folk remedies can be carried out for a long time until the symptoms of the disease are eliminated.
Among the folk methods for the treatment of prostatitis are teas made from medicinal plants with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects: chamomile, sage leaves, calendula flowers, etc.teas are widely used. Medicinal herbs are also used in the form of tinctures and balms.Honey and bee products are used as a general tonic.Beeswax is perfect for dressings that replace paraffin in the treatment of chronic prostatitis.Echinacea tincture is used as a mild immunostimulating agent, and some types of honey are successfully used for the same purpose.