Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland.Currently, urologists tend to believe that prostatitis is not a single disease, but combines several diseases of the male reproductive system.It is one of the most common pathologies of the male urogenital tract, and according to experts, the percentage of men suffering from prostatitis in one form or another is constantly growing.With age, the risk of developing prostatitis increases.
Causes of prostatitis
The direct cause of prostatitis is two factors of equal importance.The first is the appearance of congestion in the pelvis and, as a result, in the prostate, and the second is the addition of infection.However, in some cases it is not possible to detect an infectious pathogen in prostate tissues;probably in such cases the cause of prostatitis is autoimmune processes, which means that the prostate gland is attacked by the cells of its own immune system as a result of a malfunction that occurred in it.
Predisposing factors for the occurrence of inflammation in the prostate gland are: weakened immunity as a result of infection, overcooling, stress;hormonal disorders, incomplete ejaculation, lack of physical activity, food preferences (addiction to fried, fatty, smoked, spicy foods), frequent urinary retention.Irregular sex life is considered one of the common causes of prostatitis.
Types of prostatitis
Currently, an international classification of prostatitis is accepted, which is the most complete and covers all types of inflammation:
- Category I. Acute prostatitis;
- II category.Chronic bacterial prostatitis;
- III category.Non-bacterial chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome - a disease in which no infection is detected, lasting more than 3 months;
- Subcategory III A. Chronic inflammatory pelvic pain syndrome (leukocytes are found in the prostatic secretion);
- Subcategory III B. Chronic non-inflammatory pelvic pain syndrome (lack of leukocytes in prostatic secretion);
- IV category.Asymptomatic chronic prostatitis (there are leukocytes in the prostate secretion, the patient has no complaints, the disease is discovered by chance).
Symptoms of prostatitis
There is a so-called "prostatitis triad", the three most common symptoms of prostatitis.These include:
- pain in the pelvis and genitals;
- urination disorders, which include a slow stream, intermittent stream, incomplete emptying of the bladder, frequent urination, etc.;
- disorders in the genital area.
It should be noted that not all three symptoms of prostatitis are mandatory;In addition, acute and chronic prostatitis progress differently.
Symptoms of acute prostatitis: strong, sharp pain in the prostate gland that radiates to the rectum, perineum, testicles, lower back;worsening of the general condition, fever, headache and muscle pain, general weakness;violation of urination to acute retention of urine as a result of swelling of the prostate gland and compression of the urethra.
Symptoms of chronic prostatitis: pain in the prostate gland, but less intense than in acute prostatitis;urination disorders, sexual disorders: incomplete erection, short-lasting erection, accelerated ejaculation, etc.Chronic prostatitis may have a fluctuating course where periods of exacerbation are followed by periods of remission, or there may be persistent mild symptoms.
Unlike other inflammatory diseases, when the chronic process is a consequence of untreated acute inflammation, chronic prostatitis is often primary chronic, when the patient himself can hardly determine the beginning of the disease.
Diagnosis of prostatitis
To diagnose prostatitis, the following tests are performed:
- analysis of prostate secretion;
- digital rectal examination;
- transrectal ultrasound of the prostate;
- Ultrasound of kidneys and bladder;
- blood test for PSA (prostate antigen);
- general blood test;
- general analysis of urine;
- urine test for urogenital infections before and after prostate massage;
- uroflowmetry (examination of urine).
The main thing in diagnostics is to identify the cause of prostatitis, since therapeutic measures depend on this.Another diagnostic task is to rule out prostate cancer.
Treatment of prostatitis
Acute and chronic prostatitis of bacterial origin is treated with antibacterial drugs.In acute prostatitis, powerful doses of antibiotics are prescribed even before the results of the culture are obtained, because the acute process requires immediate action.In combination, anti-inflammatory nonsteroidal drugs are prescribed, which also have an analgesic effect.
Chronic prostatitis is treated depending on the cause that caused it.In case of non-bacterial prostatitis, restorative and immunomodulating drugs are taken.The treatment of prostatitis is carried out with the mandatory participation of physiotherapeutic procedures: laser therapy, magnetic therapy, electrophoresis of medicinal substances, ultrasound, etc.
Urologists claim that the treatment of prostatitis with medical means only will bring only temporary relief, because without changing the usual lifestyle, the treatment of prostatitis is ineffective.It is necessary to give up bad habits, lead an active lifestyle, eliminating the lack of physical activity, avoid congestion in the pelvis with the help of special gymnastics, try to spend less time in the car, move more on foot and get enough rest.
It is also important to improve your sex life, make it regular and eat well.Chronic prostatitis is prone to relapses, so lifestyle changes must be permanent, only in this case the treatment of prostatitis will lead to a complete cure.
Treatment of prostatitis with folk remedies
Traditional methods are widely and successfully used for the treatment of prostatitis, especially for the treatment of chronic prostatitis.They act more mildly than drugs, but are still quite effective and have fewer side effects, so the treatment of prostatitis with folk remedies can be carried out for a long time until the symptoms of the disease are eliminated.
Among the folk remedies for the treatment of prostatitis, herbal teas that have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects are widely used: chamomile tea, sage leaves, calendula flowers, etc.Medicinal herbs are also used in the form of tinctures and balms.Honey and bee products are used as general tonics.Beeswax is ideal for wraps in the treatment of chronic prostatitis, replacing paraffin.Echinacea tincture is used as a mild immunostimulant, and some types of honey have been used successfully for the same purpose.