Prostatitis can affect potency or cause infertility.The success of the treatment largely depends on how quickly the treatment was started, so the man should pay attention to the first signs on his own.Let's look at how prostatitis manifests itself in acute and chronic forms, as well as provide information on clinical manifestations and symptoms.
Signs of acute and chronic prostatitis
Acute prostatitis most often occurs in men of reproductive age who are sexually active.The first signs of the disease in this case appear unexpectedly, develop quickly and cannot remain unnoticed.
With acute prostatitis, a man will feel:
- sharp, often throbbing pain in the perineum;
- increase in temperature up to 39 ° C;
- pain when urinating.
When the disease occurs, the focus of the inflammatory process in the prostate gland is extensive, so nearby organs can be involved in the pathological process.For example, prostatitis can affect the state of the rectum, leading to painful bowel movements.
Chronic prostatitis is found more often in men of retirement age.The disease can occur without any particular symptoms.Sometimes patients complain to the doctor about burning or itching when urinating, or they notice mucous or purulent discharge from the head of the penis.Pain in chronic prostatitis is absent or insignificant, the temperature rises to 37 degrees.
Initial symptoms
Doctors identify a number of manifestations that are considered harbingers of the disease.They are a signal for a person to visit a doctor in the near future.The six symptoms listed below indicate a problem in the genitourinary system and are therefore united in one group - dysuric syndrome:
- Urine is released in drops, the man makes an effort for this.
- The stream is slow, the range is no more than 20 cm.
- Splashing of urine, splitting or inadvertent interruption of the stream.
- The frequent urge to go to the toilet at night.
- Pain during urination.
- Sensation of an empty bladder.
If there is only one symptom - prostatitis, most likely we are not talking about it.However, if a man can notice two or three signs, this is a reason to consult a doctor.Most likely, an inflammatory process has started in the prostate.
The doctor will make a more accurate diagnosis after a rectal examination, TRUS and laboratory methods, which together represent a comprehensive examination.Based on the results of these measures, treatment is selected, therefore self-medication is strictly prohibited.
Problems with urination can also indicate prostate cancer, in which case the treatment tactics will be radically different.
Some manifestations do not always indicate prostatitis;they can indicate any other inflammatory process in the genitourinary system.However, when they do appear, there is reason to be cautious.Let's think about what a person will feel if he has inflammation of the prostate.
Urination disorders
A patient with acute prostatitis has difficulty urinating.Usually, a person can feel up to 15 urges to relieve a day, this is due to the drinking regime.Average indicators are 4-5 times.With prostatitis, however, the picture changes.A person may feel the desire twice as often, but the volume of urine will not increase.This means that the kidneys work without fail, but the walls of the bladder are pressed by the prostate.
Constriction of the prostatic urethra causes stranguria.This is a pathological condition in which a person experiences severe pain when urinating.It is also possible to develop ischuria (inability to go to the toilet).
rise in temperature
The first sign of acute prostatitis will be an increase in temperature to febrile levels (38-39 degrees).This symptom is particularly characteristic of purulent prostatitis and is a harbinger of septic shock.As the severe infectious process progresses, the body temperature can drop to 35-36°C.
In some cases, this condition can be life-threatening.It is especially dangerous for men with DIC syndrome (disseminated intravascular coagulation).
The appearance of blood in the urine
This sign is detected more often during a laboratory examination of urine, less often - visually by the person himself.This is a dangerous manifestation of prostatitis, which is very difficult to fight.The cause of hematuria (the scientific name of the symptom) can be:
- location of the blood vessel in the area of the purulent-inflammatory process;
- development of prostate cancer or adenoma;
- trauma to the urethra or prostate during the examination.
This manifestation is also possible with calculous prostatitis, when stones and sand damage the tissue of the gland.Fortunately for men, hematuria with prostatitis is very rare.
Groin pain syndrome
Acute prostatitis, as well as cases of complications in the chronic form, can be accompanied by pain of a different nature, from moderate to severe.This is not the first sign of prostatitis, but it cannot be ignored.The following types of unpleasant sensations are distinguished:
- shooting, sharp pains;
- a feeling of pain or pressure;
- itching and burning (more often in chlamydial prostatitis).
In some cases, men may also experience pain in the anus.It intensifies during defecation, in a sitting position and disappears if the man is at rest.
Laboratory signs of the disease
It can be said that a man has developed prostatitis only after laboratory tests of blood and urine, as well as based on the results of ultrasound, CT, MRI and palpation.There are several known signs that indicate inflammation in an organ:
- the appearance of leukocytes in the blood and urine;
- detection of pathogenic microflora in urine and prostate secretions;
- an increase in the number of leukocytes against the background of a decrease in the number of lecithin grains in the prostate juice;
- prostate tenderness during rectal examination;
- increase in the size of the gland on TRUS images, presence of areas with increased echogenicity.
Also, the presence of inflammation in the body can be assessed by other parameters - an increase in ESR in blood tests, a change in the leukogram, the presence of immobile spermatozoa in the ejaculate.
Various bacteria can be found in the urine - trichomonas, chlamydia, E. coli, etc.
Among the instrumental methods, in addition to TRUS, radiographic examination with contrast can be used.On photos of the prostate in different projections, signs of inflammation will be clearly visible - areas with tissue structure disorders.
Conclusion
From a practical point of view, the following first signs of prostatitis are important for men - problems with urination and pain in the perineum.If the temperature rises at the same time, we can talk about acute bacterial prostatitis.
In any case, you should make an appointment with a doctor, undergo an examination and only then start treatment.It is forbidden to choose your own therapy based only on unpleasant symptoms.