Under prostatitis, urologists understand inflammatory processes occurring in the prostate gland for various reasons. The prostate gland belongs to the genitourinary system, which is surrounded by other organs and tissues, so the symptoms do not allow to identify the disease, especially in the initial stage. Let's try to understand what the first symptoms of prostatitis can indicate the onset of the disease and tell where to turn for help.
Symptoms of chronic abacterial prostatitis
The disease occurs as a result of damage to the tissues of the prostate gland or the effect of a number of other factors:
- sedentary lifestyle and accompanying disorders of blood microcirculation;
- urine flow to the prostate gland;
- narrowing of the lumen of the urethra due to a tumor, stone or inflammation;
- sharp contraction of pelvic muscles;
- hypothermia, smoking, alcohol abuse.
Symptoms of this form appear gradually, their severity increases with time. At first, men may complain of a frequent urge to urinate, accompanied by a burning sensation in the urethra.
At this stage, prostatitis can be confused with urethritis, so laboratory diagnosis is important.
As the inflammatory process progresses, other symptoms of the disease appear in the tissues of the prostate gland:
- urge to urinate at night;
- pain in the perineum (can spread to the head of the penis, anus, thighs and lower abdomen);
- no or weak erection;
- pain during ejaculation;
- increase in body temperature up to 37, 5-37, 8 ° C.
Blood in the urine or semen may be observed in case of violation of the integrity of the tissues of the prostate gland or adjacent areas of the urethra. The male pays attention to small flakes of red or brown color.
Symptoms of acute bacterial prostatitis
Bacterial prostatitis is caused by pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microflora. Microorganisms can live in a man's intestines or skin, if hygiene rules are not followed, they enter the prostate through the urethra and develop rapidly in the tissues of the gland. Another option is that the pathogen penetrates the urethra and then the prostate during unprotected intercourse. Infection is also possible with the wrong prostate biopsy.
Once in the mucous membrane of the prostate, bacteria develop rapidly, the colony grows in just 2-3 days. In this case, the first signs of prostatitis:
- chills, fever, fever;
- pain in the perineum, lower back or lower abdomen;
- urinary disorders (pain, intermittent urination, frequent urge).
In the absence of treatment or incorrect therapy tactics, the disease will progress. After a few days, constipation, acute urinary retention, pain in muscles, joints and lymph nodes may appear. Symptoms of intoxication are also possible - nausea, vomiting, weakness.
The interval between the first symptoms and the most striking clinical picture can be 3-4 days.
Symptoms of chronic bacterial prostatitis
The chronic form of bacterial prostatitis occurs as a result of improper treatment of the acute course, as well as damage to the bladder and illiterate catheterization. The situation where the inflammatory process in the adjacent organs passes to the prostate gland is not excluded.
A man may overlook the first signs of chronic prostatitis - the symptoms of this form are characterized by mild severity, periods of remission are possible. You can suspect the disease with the following manifestations:
- urinary problems;
- dull, aching pain in the perineum;
- erection problems.
Periods of exacerbation are replaced by calmness. A man may mistakenly think about recovery and not consult a doctor. Such an attitude is dangerous - the inflammatory process progresses, prostate tissues are reborn and the organ loses its functions. As a result, prostatitis can lead to infertility and lead to sepsis - blood poisoning.
Clinical manifestations of pathology
Prostatitis has no characteristic symptoms, it can be confused with other diseases with similar symptoms - cystitis, urethritis, chlamydia.
Knowing the first symptoms of the disease will not help to make an accurate diagnosis. It is more effective to focus on clinical manifestations.
Acute bacterial prostatitis is characterized by the following symptoms detected during urine and blood tests and laboratory tests:
- the body temperature in the anus is 0. 5 ° C higher than the temperature in the armpits;
- increase in the number of leukocytes in the urine;
- decrease in the number of eosinophils;
- C-reactive protein increase;
- an increase in the level of PSA in the blood.
A blood test for PSA content is not mandatory, it helps to describe the pathological process more clearly.
How to provide first aid and whom to contact for treatment
Prostatitis refers to diseases that do not threaten the patient's life in the initial stage. With severe pain, you can take painkillers, but this is an exception to the rule. It is better not to drink such pills in order not to confuse the clinical picture and not give the correct diagnosis to the doctor. Antipyretics can be taken to fight high fever.
First aid is provided in a medical institution with a competent approach. For this, a man should contact a urologist at his place of residence or stay. If for some reason it is impossible to see a doctor on your own, you should call an ambulance.
It is strictly forbidden to take antibiotics independently.
These drugs are prescribed taking into account the type of pathogen, uncontrolled intake can increase the resistance of bacteria and aggravate the manifestation of intoxication.
The consequences of ignoring the first signs
Most men prefer not to consult a doctor, especially when it comes to problems with the genitourinary system. This relationship can be dangerous. Prostatitis is a serious disease and can cause negative consequences:
- the transition to a chronic form that is practically not treated;
- the development of infertility;
- spread of infection to nearby organs;
- decrease in capacity;
- occurrence of sepsis.
The last situation directly threatens the patient's life. The probability of a fatal outcome is 30-50%, and each hour of delay in medical care increases this value by 8%.
Summary
Knowing the first signs of prostatitis in men helps to suspect problems in the body. A more accurate diagnosis is made based on instrumental examination and the results of blood and urine laboratory research. Prostatitis can threaten a person's life, so self-treatment is unacceptable. If you delay visiting a doctor, the disease can become chronic, which is very difficult to cope with.