Causes, symptoms and treatment of chronic prostatitis

Middle-aged and elderly men often suffer from pathologies of the genitourinary system associated with the prostate. This organ is prone to inflammatory processes that cause severe discomfort. The most frequent pathology is chronic prostatitis. It is difficult to treat and is accompanied by severe clinical manifestations.

Causes of pathology

According to statistics, about 30% of men of reproductive age suffer from one form or another of prostatitis. In almost 70% of cases, the disease is asymptomatic, which makes it dangerous for health.There are many reasons for the development of pathology:

1. Ignoring the symptoms of the acute form of the disease often leads to its transition to the chronic stage with periodic relapses.
2. Regular hypothermia of the body and frequent catarrhal pathologies provoke inflammation of the gland.
3. A sedentary lifestyle causes stagnation of blood in the pelvis and leads to disruption of blood supply to the prostate. If a man's professional activity is associated with constant sitting, the likelihood of developing prostatitis increases several times.
4. Choose tight underwear that hugs the genitals.
5. Bad habits (alcohol abuse, smoking) often provoke the development of pathologies, since they contribute to the disruption of all vital processes in the body.
6. Chronic infectious diseases of the urinary system can also cause inflammation of the gland.
7. Venereal pathologies of acute and chronic forms. If the recommendations of a specialist are violated or the symptoms of the disease are ignored, the infection can spread to the gland.
8. Frequent stress and nervous exhaustion. Such factors can cause pathology, especially with a simultaneous decrease in immunity.
9. The lack of minerals and vitamins in the daily diet can be a predisposing factor. If the deficiency is permanent, other diseases join chronic prostatitis.

Rare sexual intercourse and the absence of a permanent partner increase the risk of developing chronic prostatitis. Treatment in this case is also delayed, since the patient experiences not only physical, but also emotional discomfort.

Classification of diseases

Depending on the cause of the onset and course of the pathological process, there are two types of disease: bacterial and non-bacterial. Separately, experts distinguish asymptomatic or atonic prostatitis. Each species has its own characteristics.

Bacterial prostatitis is easy to detect during a diagnostic examination. The tests usually show the source of the inflammation. There are especially many pathogens in the secret released when massaging the gland. In the blood, the level of leukocytes is almost always high, because the body produces them in large quantities to fight pathogens.

The non-bacterial form of the pathology is characterized by a milder course, but almost always the patient suffers from severe pain in the small pelvis. It is the pelvic pain syndrome that is considered the main diagnostic criterion.

It is very difficult to identify the asymptomatic type of the disease, since there are no obvious signs of inflammation. Pathological changes in the prostate occur, but the man does not feel it. A specialist makes a diagnosis by chance or during an examination for other pathologies.

clinical picture

In the acute form of the pathology, a man immediately feels a deterioration in his condition, but in the case of chronic prostatitis, there may be no symptoms, which greatly complicates the diagnosis.With a prolonged progression of the disease, the following symptoms appear:

• discomfort during urination, extending to the projection area of the bladder;
• frequent urge to void with a simultaneous decrease in the amount of urine excreted;
• discomfort during intercourse, problems with erection and ejaculation;
• a sensation of incomplete emptying of the bladder associated with a narrowing of the duct, causing prolonged but unproductive urination;
• the development of cystitis, pyelonephritis associated with the multiplication of bacteria in the bladder and the spread of infection to the kidneys;
• change in the color of urine, the appearance of impurities of blood or pus;
• decreased libido;
• general weakness, fatigue, decreased performance;
• irritability and psycho-emotional stress;
• slight increase in body temperature;
• pain in the pelvis and scrotum, radiating to the sacrum or rectum.

The severity of symptoms depends on the degree of tissue damage to the prostate. Sometimes the patient has only pain and no other manifestations.

If the patient does not go to the doctor for a long time, he may develop complications. The most common of these is vesiculitis, or inflammation of the seminal vesicles. Often, when symptoms of chronic prostatitis appear at a young age, patients are diagnosed with infertility, which is difficult to treat.

The most dangerous consequence of undertreated or neglected prostatitis is prostate cancer. Often a benign pathology of the organ develops - an adenoma, which can also turn into a malignant tumor.

Diagnostic methods

Before treating chronic prostatitis, it is necessary to undergo a comprehensive diagnostic examination. During the initial treatment, the specialist interviews the patient, asks about habits, lifestyle features, frequency of sexual contacts and professional activities. The information helps to identify the suspected cause of the disease. Then the doctor listens to the patient's complaints and determines the degree of damage to the gland.

The next stage of diagnosis is clinical blood and urine tests. They usually show an increase in the number of leukocytes and an increase in the sedimentation rate of erythrocytes. This indicates the presence of an inflammatory process in a man.

The patient must undergo an X-ray examinationprostate and ultrasound. Thanks to these methods, you can see changes in the structure of the body, deviations in one direction or another. In addition, computed tomography can be performed to identify concomitant pathologies of the genitourinary system.

If a tumor is suspected, a biopsy sample should be taken. In the laboratory, specialists study the structure of the cell and make a final diagnosis. If the tumor is benign, doctors additionally determine the likelihood of its malignancy into a malignant tumor. After receiving the results of the diagnostic examination, the specialist determines the direction of treatment.

medical therapy

Treatment of chronic prostatitis with drugs is considered the most common way. Doctors always choose a conservative method if there is a possibility of cure.The most commonly used drugs are:

1. Antibacterial agents can relieve inflammation in a short time and prevent the spread of the process to nearby organs. Most commonly, tablet forms of penicillins and fluoroquinolones are used. When the form is running, a powder is prescribed to prepare the solution. The drug is administered intravenously or intramuscularly in a hospital setting. With the ineffectiveness of these drugs, macrolides are used, which have a stronger effect. Popular drugs of this group are available in the form of tablets and lyophilisate for the preparation of a solution for injection. The course of therapy lasts from 10 to 20 days, depending on the severity of the condition.
2. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed to relieve pain and prevent the further development of the pathological process. The course usually does not exceed 7 days. Patients with pathologies of the digestive tract should not take such drugs without first consulting a doctor.
3. Muscle relaxants help relax smooth muscles and make urination easier. The duration of treatment and dosage are determined by the doctor.
4. Rectal suppositories relieve swelling, pain and inflammation, improve the general condition of the patient. The duration of the therapeutic effect is 10-14 days.

Also, the treatment regimen includes vitamin complexes to strengthen the immune system and quickly restore the body after treatment. Among such funds there is a complex designed specifically for men. The minimum duration of the course from its receipt is 30 days.

Surgical intervention

If it is impossible to cure the pathology conservatively, the doctor decides to perform an operation to completely or partially remove the organ. The absolute indication for surgery is prostate cancer.

The transurethral resection method involves dissecting the urethra and removing part of the gland to alleviate the condition. If removal is not necessary, a simple dissection of the organ is performed to normalize urination.

The open adenomectomy method is used with a significant growth of the gland and the addition of other pathologies. The operation is performed under general anesthesia. The technique is more often used to treat elderly patients, when other means and interventions have proven ineffective.

Use of physiotherapy

Along with drug treatment, physical therapy is often used to speed up recovery and prevent complications.The most popular and effective method is massage.prostate through the rectum. The technique improves the blood supply and nutrition of the organ, prevents the spread of inflammation to neighboring organs.

To achieve a therapeutic effect, it is necessary to carry out at least 10 sessions. The procedure is performed by a specialist in a hospital or clinic.

Electrophoresis on the projection zone of the prostate allows you to normalize blood flow to it. The essence of the technique is the use of low-frequency electric current, which has a positive effect on the state of the genitourinary system, stimulates tissue regeneration and relieves inflammation. The course is at least 10 sessions, sometimes several procedures are required to achieve a lasting result.

Ultrasound and laser therapy, paraffin therapy and other methods are often prescribed. The choice of treatment method depends on the individual characteristics of the patient's body.

Preventative measures

Observance of simple rules will help to avoid the development of chronic prostatitis. It is recommended to avoid hypothermia, lead an active lifestyle. You should not torture the body with intense exercise, but regular moderate exercise will help to avoid stagnation of blood in the pelvis and the development of prostatitis.

Experts recommend including pumpkin seeds, fresh vegetables, fruits and herbs in the diet. Do not abuse alcoholic beverages. Quitting smoking will reduce the risk of developing an inflammatory process. A balanced diet will help maintain the immune system, prevent colds and viral pathologies.

To prevent prostatitis, it is necessary to visit a urologist every 6 months. This will detect the pathology at an early stage and prevent its transition to a neglected form. When the first signs of the disease appear, you should contact a medical institution in order to start treatment in a timely manner and avoid complications.