Prostatitis is an inflammatory process localized in the prostate gland. This pathology is quite common and is often diagnosed in the reproductive age of men. The prostate (the second name of the prostate gland) is located below the bladder and partially surrounds the urethra. Therefore, even mild dysfunction of this organ leads to disorders of the genitourinary system.
The reasons for the development of prostatitis
Prostatitis is classified as an inflammatory process, but this does not mean that it is caused exclusively by pathogenic microorganisms. Doctors (andrologists deal with diseases of the male reproductive system) identify several causes for the development of this pathology:
- Blood stasis in the small pelvis. This refers to a violation of the microcirculation of blood in the prostate gland and nearby organs, which provokes an increase in the organ. The disorder can occur against the background of a sedentary lifestyle, obesity (not necessarily critical), in the postoperative period.
- Genitourinary tract infection. Most often, when examining a patient with prostatitis, doctors isolate gonococci, staphylococci, chlamydia and Trichomonas. Very rarely, an infection can enter the prostate gland against the background of a sore throat or flu - in this case, the inflammatory process in question is differentiated as a complication.
- Regular injuries of the pelvic organs. For this reason, drivers develop prostatitis - they constantly receive a load on the perineum, the prostate gland experiences tremors and vibrations.
- The entry of bacteria through biological body fluids. In every person's body there are colonies of bacteria living in the intestines and urethra. Under normal conditions, they are absolutely harmless and only under favorable conditions (weakening of the immune system, prolonged use of drugs, chronic diseases, human immunodeficiency virus) become pathogenic and cause inflammatory processes. These bacteria can enter the prostate gland through the blood or lymph.
In addition, when diagnosing an inflammatory process in the prostate gland, factors that serve as provokers of pathology can be taken into account:
- regular hypothermia - this may be due to the peculiarities of working conditions or disregard for the rules of wearing clothes at certain times of the year;
- disorders of the endocrine system - excessive or insufficient production of male hormones, diagnosed with diabetes mellitus;
- too active sexual life, as well as prolonged abstinence - the prostate gland is depleted;
- all kinds of chronic diseases - there are officially registered cases of prostatitis on the background of untreated bronchitis, caries, cystitis, urological infections.
Symptoms of the inflammatory process
Andrologists distinguish between the main and indirect signs of a developing inflammatory process in the prostate gland. The main symptoms are pronounced:
- urination is more frequent, regardless of the amount of fluid consumed;
- the moment of urine leakage is painful, the man experiences cramps and burning in the urethra;
- body temperature (hyperemia) rises to critical levels.
These symptoms are very quickly joined by a burning sensation in the entire perineum and pain during defecation.
Indirect signs of inflammation in the prostate gland are not so noticeable, but men should not ignore them:
- ejaculation becomes too fast - the time of sexual intercourse decreases;
- an erection can be quite long at night;
- reduced sexual desire - partial or complete;
- "scales" or white "threads" appear in the urine.
Please note: these indirect signs indicate the very beginning of the development of the inflammatory process in question - it responds well to treatment and proceeds without complications.
Prostatitis is divided into acute and chronic forms, each of which has its own characteristics.
Acute prostatitis
Acute prostatitis always starts suddenly and manifests itself:
- increase in temperature;
- prolonged pain in the perineum;
- frequent desire to use the toilet;
- excretion of a very small amount of urine with a feeling of a full bladder.
Please note: urinary retention is considered the most dangerous condition in the acute form of the inflammatory process of the prostate gland. In this case, the man will feel a strong desire to go to the toilet, but the urine will not be excreted even under strong pressure. Acute urinary retention is accompanied by severe pain in the anatomical location of the bladder, a feeling of pressure - patients describe their condition "now the bladder will burst. " The condition requires immediate medical attention, which consists in the use of a catheter - heis inserted into the urethra and bladder, literally "pushing" the swollen gland. As soon as the catheter reaches the bladder, urine begins to flow and the patient is immediately relieved, his condition normalizes in a short time.
Chronic prostatitis
This type of pathology is almost asymptomatic - sometimes a man experiences short-term pain in the perineum (similar to lumbago), notes changes in sexual intercourse - it can either lengthen or shrink. In addition, the patient becomes irritable, sleep at night is restless, urine flow may become weak (this is due to narrowing of the urinary tract), in the morning there may be white clots in the urine in the form of scales or fibers.
Please note: the chronic form of the inflammatory process in the prostate gland can develop imperceptibly for the patient himself. The fact is that at a young age acute prostatitis occurs with mild symptoms and if a young man likes to drink alcohol or is too passionate about his work, then he does not have time to pay attention to changes in urination or intermittent pain in the perineum. The symptoms of acute prostatitis will disappear over time, but this does not mean that the disease has receded - it has simply become chronic.
Methods of treatment of prostatitis
The treatment of the inflammatory process in the prostate gland should be carried out only under the supervision of an andrologist. It not only diagnoses prostatitis itself (often its symptoms are identical to prostate cancer), but also reveals the true cause of it. In general, several different therapies can be used to treat inflammation of the prostate.
Medication treatment
In prostatitis, antibacterial agents (antibiotics) may be prescribed, but only if pathogenic bacteria have been isolated during the examination and identified as the cause of the pathology. Simultaneously with the patient's antibiotics, probiotics or prebiotics are prescribed - drugs that normalize the intestinal microflora and counteract the development of pathological processes in it.
If the inflammatory process has started as a result of the negative impact of external factors (hypothermia, trauma), then anti-inflammatory nonsteroidal drugs will be prescribed.
In case of hormonal disorders, the man must undergo a course of hormone therapy.
Please note: drug treatment is very variable, so it must be chosen individually - self-medication in this case is strictly prohibited.
Physiotherapy
Treatment of prostatitis should be comprehensive. And against the background of the use of drugs will be effective conduct of certain physiotherapy procedures:
- Electrical stimulation - accelerates metabolic processes, provokes more active production of hormones, restores the structure of the gland.
- Magnetic therapy is a painless procedure that helps reduce the level of inflammation and get rid of the swelling of the prostate gland.
- Prostate massage - is performed only after medical measures in connection with acute inflammation, the procedure is painful but very effective.
ethnoscience
Please note: prescriptions from the category of traditional medicine should not be the only method of treatment - they can only speed up the therapeutic process and improve the effect of medication and physiotherapy.
The most effective and safe methods of alternative treatment include:
- Eating pumpkin seeds. They contain zinc, which is an essential element for men's health, so in prostatitis you should eat 30 raw seeds 30 minutes before meals throughout the course of therapy.
- Pumpkin honey balls. Peel 100 grams of raw pumpkin seeds, grind them in a meat grinder (or in a blender, but not in small crumbs) and mix with 200 grams of honey. Roll out small balls from the resulting mass and store them in the refrigerator. Before eating (30 minutes) you should eat 1-2 balls - no need to chew them, it is better to dissolve slowly. Treatment with this prescription continues until the symptoms of prostatitis disappear.
- Decoction of hazelnut leaves. You can collect hazelnut leaves yourself or you can buy dry raw materials at the pharmacy, for a tablespoon of the source you need a glass of boiling water. The broth is brewed as ordinary tea for 20 minutes, filtered and taken in 50 ml at least 4 times a day. Please note: Hazelnut peel is also sold in pharmacies - it can also be used to treat prostatitis with the same recipe. But keep in mind that the cooking time for the crust is doubled.
- Parsley juice. It is prepared from the green leaves of the plant and taken 1 dessert spoon 3 times daily before meals.
- Parsley seed broth. You need to take 1 tablespoon of parsley seeds, pour 400 ml of boiling water and leave for 2 hours (you can do this in a thermos). You should take the broth every morning and evening in an amount of 1 tbsp.
In any case, as safe as the medicine may seem, you should consult your doctor first. For example, if a person, in addition to prostatitis, has cholelithiasis, then the use of pumpkin seeds is strictly prohibited for him - each appointment is made strictly individually.
Diet and lifestyle
To get the best results during the treatment of prostatitis, you need to adhere to a certain diet. It is assumed that the diet excludes fatty meats, smoked and too salty foods, pastries and chocolate. The menu may include fish and seafood, milk and its derivatives, steamed vegetables. It is very useful in prostatitis to use freshly prepared juices from vegetables and fruits - they will help strengthen and restore the immune system.
During therapy you should exclude alcohol and lead an active lifestyle - at least do morning exercises, walk more and get rid of extra pounds.
Prostatitis is not considered a life-threatening disease for men, but ignoring its symptoms can lead to severe complications. One of the most difficult consequences is male infertility and loss of erectile function, which often occurs in chronic chronic prostatitis.