Chronic prostatitis is the most common disease in the practice of urologist-andrologist.It is mostly diagnosed in men who are at the peak of reproductive, sexual activity and ability to work.Therefore, timely treatment of prostatitis is important to restore men's health, as well as social function.
Causes of the 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 identified in time and comprehensive treatment is not carried out, prostatitis turns into a latent form with periodic relapses.
Infection can occur in 3 ways: ascending - through the urinary tract, descending - when urine with pathogenic bacteria enters the bladder, hematogenous - through the circulatory system (infection is transferred from another inflammatory focus in the body).
Agents that cause chronic prostatitis:
- pathogenic fungi
- bra
- corynebacteria
- gardnerella
- staphylococcus
- Trichomonas
- klebsiella
- mycoplasma
- enterococcus
- gonococci
- chlamydia
- parasites
- viruses
- proteus
In the form of chronic prostatitis in men, the inflammatory process can recur even after the pathogenic microflora is eliminated.In such cases, there is a conservation disorder in the organ with an autoimmune attack of the tissue against the background of primary inflammation.Examination did not reveal any infection.Therefore, the patient was diagnosed with "chronic bacterial prostatitis."
Prostate dysfunction is not always caused by infectious lesions.There are several unfavorable factors that trigger the disease.Among the most common:
- immune defense decreases due to hypothermia, bad lifestyle, bad habits, and overwork.
- poor circulation in the pelvis due to chronic constipation, sedentary work, and lack of physical activity
- congestion in the prostate and other pelvic organs
- chronic infectious diseases (sinusitis, sore throat)
- permanent injury to the prostate tissue due to increased load on the perineal muscles and physical tension
- irregular sexual intercourse, sexual abstinence, interrupted sexual intercourse
- inflammation of the genitourinary system
- poor nutrition
- previous STDs
Chronic bacterial prostatitis is often a problem along with cystitis, urethritis, pyelonephritis, epididymitis, orchitis.In some cases, the infectious focus is not in the genitourinary system.This may be tonsillitis, sinusitis, bronchitis, caries, intestinal or pneumonia that does not receive proper treatment.
Urologists associate the occurrence of non-bacterial chronic prostatitis with congestion in the pelvic organs.When local circulation is impaired, prostate ducts 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 the inflammatory process in the tissue.
The main symptoms of chronic prostatitis
Symptoms of bacterial pathology are similar to any infectious process.They develop with an increase in the number of pathogenic flora and lead to a serious deterioration in the general condition without adequate treatment.In the early stages, chronic prostatitis is asymptomatic or has mild symptoms.Therefore, most men ignore the need to contact a urologist for examination.
Postponing a visit to a specialist doctor to identify the cause and start treatment for prostatitis leads to serious consequences not only for the genitourinary system, but also for the psycho-emotional state.Potential disorders against the background of urinary disorders and gradual deterioration of well-being in most men cause stress, apathy, increased irritability, severe fatigue, and lack of appetite.In addition, untimely initiation of treatment results in infertility in 40% of cases.
Symptoms of chronic prostatitis that require contacting a urologist:
- frequent, strong urge to urinate, weak urine flow
- aching pain radiating to the perineum, groin, rectum, scrotum, glans penis and, sometimes, the sacrum
- painful urination (especially at the beginning and end of intercourse)
- chills, excessive sweating (characteristic endocrine symptoms, because the prostate gland is part of this system)
- a change in skin color in the area where the pain is felt
- the release of a small amount of prostatic secretions from the urethra (during physical stress) against the background of weakening of the tone of the organ
- potency disorders (decreased libido, problems with erection, ejaculation due to decreased testosterone produced by the gland)
Any of the signs listed may indicate a disease, so a man should immediately contact a urologist to receive medical treatment.Also, do not forget about regular preventive visits to the doctor, because the disease can be asymptomatic.In such cases, the diagnosis is made by measuring the number of leukocytes in the prostate secretion.
Possible complications with 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
The urologist receives the medical information necessary to make a diagnosis and determine the cause 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 disturbing symptoms, and conducts an examination.The presence of discharge from the urethra, skin irritation and rash in the external genital area is determined visually.Also in this situation, a digital rectal examination is indicated to assess the size, structure, and tenderness of the prostate.
Basic methods for making a diagnosis:
- general urine test
- urine bacterial culture, urethral smear
- microscopic examination of prostate secretions
- endoscopic examination of the urinary tract
- Ultrasound of the prostate gland (transrectal)
- PCR test for STD pathogens
PSA test for prostatitis is done to exclude adenoma and prostate cancer.In some cases, to clarify the diagnosis, a tissue biopsy is indicated, followed by the histology of the sample taken.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 body's resistance.This effect is achieved through the selection of individual therapy, taking into account the age of the man, the degree of prostatitis, the state of the immune system and the severity of the symptoms.In extreme cases, when there is a threat of serious complications, surgical treatment is recommended for the patient.
Basic therapeutic methods for chronic prostatitis:
- take antibiotics
- symptomatic therapy
- use of anti-inflammatory drugs
- physiotherapy to normalize blood circulation, relieve swelling
- diet correction, lifestyle
Completing a comprehensive course of treatment for chronic prostatitis allows you to eliminate the causes of the inflammatory process, relieve pain, and also improve the overall well-being of men.An important part of therapy is the restoration of the body's protective resources.If prostatitis has a non-bacterial etiology, taking immunomodulators can prevent autoimmune invasion.
Modern physiotherapy for prostatitis
Physiotherapy methods quickly relieve many symptoms and provide a stable improvement in the majority of men.At home, it is recommended to take a warm shower regularly, but the water should not be too hot.
Clinical methods of physiotherapy for chronic prostatitis:
- Ultrasound therapy.Exposure to high frequency waves.
- Ultraphonophoresis.A combination of ultrasound treatment with an effective drug for prostatitis, given during the procedure.
- Magnetotherapy.Low frequency magnetic field therapy.
- UVT.Impact of shock waves on the immediate causes of prostatitis: congestion and inflammatory processes.
- Darsonvalization.Use of high frequency pulse current.
- Galvanization.Low frequency direct current treatment.
- UHF.The method of relieving the symptoms of chronic prostatitis uses the influence of an electric field through a capacitor plate.
Electrophoresis gives clear results.It accelerates the delivery of the drug to the affected tissue.Thanks to this, it is possible to reduce the load on other organs, which is important for overall health, because chronic prostatitis requires a serious course of medication.The shock wave therapy procedure has a positive effect.After them, most men note a decrease in prostate discomfort, pain relief, and an increase in erection after the first session.
Physiotherapy is an additional method in the treatment of prostatitis.The reduction of the severity of symptoms, as well as the speed of recovery in general, depends on the individual reaction of the body to the chosen method of exposure.Some courses take several weeks or months, but help bring chronic prostatitis in men into a stable state of remission.
A qualified urologist in a modern clinic can develop an optimal treatment plan for this pathology.