By prostatitis, urologists understand inflammatory processes in the prostate gland that arise for various reasons.The prostate belongs to the genitourinary system and is surrounded by other organs and tissues, so symptoms, especially at the initial stage, do not allow identifying the disease.Let's try to figure out what are the first signs of prostatitis that may indicate the onset of the disease and tell you who to turn to for help.
Signs of chronic abacterial prostatitis
The disease occurs due to damage to prostate tissue or due to the influence of a number of other factors:
- sedentary lifestyle and concomitant disorders of blood microcirculation;
- reflux of urine into the prostate;
- narrowing of the lumen of the urethra due to a tumor, stone, or inflammatory process;
- strong contraction of the pelvic muscles;
- hypothermia, smoking, alcohol abuse.
Symptoms of this form appear gradually, their severity increases over time.Initially, men may complain of a frequent urge to urinate, accompanied by a burning sensation at the urethral opening.
At this stage, prostatitis can be confused with urethritis, so laboratory diagnosis is important.
As the inflammatory process progresses in the prostate tissues, other signs of the disease appear:
- urge to urinate at night;
- pain in the perineum (may radiate to the head of the penis, anus, thighs and lower abdomen);
- absent or weak erection;
- pain during ejaculation;
- increase in body temperature up to 37.5-37.8 °C.
If the tissue integrity of the prostate or adjacent areas of the urethra is damaged, blood may be seen in the urine or semen.The man pays attention to the small flakes of scarlet or brown color.
Signs of acute bacterial prostatitis
Bacterial prostatitis is caused by pathogenic and opportunistic microflora.Microorganisms can live in a man's intestines or on his skin;if hygiene rules are not followed, they can enter the prostate through the urethra and quickly develop in the tissues of the gland.Another option is the penetration of the pathogen into the urethra and further into the prostate during unprotected sex.It is also possible to become infected if the prostate biopsy is not done correctly.
Once on the mucous membrane of the prostate, bacteria grow rapidly, the colony grows literally in 2-3 days.The first signs of prostatitis in this case will be:
- chills, fever, increased body temperature;
- pain in the perineum, lower back, or lower abdomen;
- disturbance of urination (pain, intermittent stream of urine, frequent urge).
Without treatment or incorrect treatment tactics, the disease will progress.After a few days, constipation, acute urinary retention, muscle, joint and lymph node pain may appear.Signs of poisoning are also possible - nausea, vomiting, weakness.
The interval between the first symptoms and the most striking clinical picture can be 3 to 4 days.
Signs of chronic bacterial prostatitis
The chronic form of bacterial prostatitis occurs due to improper treatment of the acute course, as well as bladder injury and improper catheterization.It is possible that the inflammatory process from adjacent organs will spread to the prostate.
A man may miss the first signs of chronic prostatitis - the symptoms of this form are characterized by mild severity, periods of remission are possible.The disease can be suspected based on the following symptoms:
- urination problems;
- dull, aching pain in the perineum;
- erection problems.
Periods of exacerbation alternate with a lull.A man may mistakenly think about healing and not consult a doctor.This attitude is dangerous: the inflammatory process progresses, the prostate tissue degenerates and the organ loses its functions.As a result, prostatitis can lead to infertility and cause sepsis - blood poisoning.
Clinical manifestations of pathology
Prostatitis does not present any characteristic signs;it can be confused with other diseases with similar symptoms - cystitis, urethritis, chlamydia.
Knowing the first signs of the disease will not allow you to make an accurate diagnosis.It is more effective to pay attention to clinical manifestations.
Acute bacterial prostatitis is characterized by the following signs, which are revealed during examination and laboratory analyzes of urine and blood:
- the body temperature in the anus is 0.5 °C higher than the temperature in the armpits;
- increased number of leukocytes in urine;
- decreased number of eosinophils;
- increased C-reactive protein;
- increased PSA level in the blood.
A blood test for PSA content is not obligatory, but it allows you to get a clearer picture of the pathological process.
How to provide first aid and who to contact for treatment
Prostatitis refers to diseases that do not threaten the patient's life at the initial stage.If you have severe pain, you can take painkillers, but this is an exception to the rule.It is better not to take such pills, so as not to confuse the clinical picture and prevent the doctor from making a correct diagnosis.To combat a high fever, you can take antipyretics.
With a competent approach, first aid is provided in a medical institution.To do this, a man must contact a urologist at his place of residence or stay.If for some reason it is impossible to consult a doctor on your own, you should call an ambulance.
It is strictly forbidden to take antibiotics yourself.
These drugs are prescribed taking into account the type of pathogen;uncontrolled use can increase bacterial resistance and aggravate the manifestation of poisoning.
Consequences of ignoring the first signs
Most men prefer not to see a doctor, especially when it comes to problems with the genitourinary system.This attitude can be dangerous.Prostatitis is a serious disease and can lead to negative consequences:
- transition to a practically incurable chronic form;
- development of infertility;
- spread of infection to neighboring organs;
- decrease in power;
- the occurrence of sepsis.
The latter condition directly threatens the patient's life.The probability of death is 30-50%, and every hour of delay in medical care increases this value by 8%.
Let's summarize it
Knowing the first signs of prostatitis in men allows you to suspect problems in the body.A more accurate diagnosis is made on the basis of an instrumental examination and the results of laboratory blood and urine tests.Prostatitis can threaten a man's life, so self-treatment is unacceptable.If you delay visiting the doctor, the illness can become chronic, which is very difficult to manage.