Prostatitis is one of the most unpleasant diseases of the male genital area. Due to improper diet, physical inactivity, bad habits and other negative factors present in the lives of modern representatives of the stronger sex, the prevalence of this pathology is constantly increasing.
It is quite easy to eliminate the symptoms of prostate disease, the main thing is to start treatment on time. This is why every man should know the first signs of prostatitis as well as all the reasons why this disease can appear.
General information
Prostatitis is a common infectious and inflammatory lesion of the prostate gland. But not all patients know that this pathology poses a major, latent threat to the health of the male reproductive system. The prostate is a pelvic organ that attaches and connects to the vas deferens and the urethral canal. Therefore, the presence of an infection in this gland can negatively affect the condition of the organs and systems adjacent to it.
Until recently, experts argued that prostate diseases in men are found only between the ages of 40 and 60, but nowadays this disease has become much younger. Now doctors are increasingly announcing such a diagnosis for very young representatives of the stronger sex, whose age is 18-30 years.
Why did prostate symptoms first start appearing at such an early age? The answer to this question lies in the very careless, inattentive attitude of men towards their health. Research by scientists of this branch of medicine has shown that about 80% of male patients completely ignore the first signs of pathology. Most patients seek qualified help from a physician only in the advanced stages of the inflammatory process. And in such situations it is already very difficult to completely avoid the serious complications of the disease.
What is the reason for this problem?
A number of factors can provoke the appearance of signs of prostatitis in men. Some of them create favorable conditions for harmful microorganisms of bacterial, viral or even fungal origin to enter the body - others cause a malfunction of the gland and lead to blood stasis in it. The result of such a negative effect is increased reproduction and growth of pathogenic microflora, as well as disease progression.
Inflammation of the prostate in men develops under the influence of the following reasons:
- Premature and inadequate nutrition, lack of trace elements and essential vitamins.
- Sexually transmitted infections (syphilis, gonorrhea, HIV, trichomoniasis, chlamydia).
- Severe hypothermia of the whole body or genitourinary system.
- Physical inactivity and overload in the pelvic area.
- Pathologies recently suffered by the patient: colds, flu, ARVI.
- Wrong way of life, bad habits.
- Hormonal system disorder (leads to insufficient testosterone release).
- Chronic reproductive diseases in a sexual partner.
- Prolonged lack of sex or overactive sex life (in both the first and second cases, the factor may contribute to the development of prostate symptoms).
- Frequent stress and constant psycho-emotional stress.
- Heavy physical work, prolonged excessive work.
- Infectious and inflammatory diseases of other organs.
Interesting! Urethral reflux can also cause prostatitis symptoms in men. This phenomenon is caused by a prostate dysfunction, due to which the organ loses its ability to prevent the flow of urine in the opposite direction. As a result, urine is thrown into the prostate gland, along with an infection from the urethra. Urethral reflux occurs due to improper placement of the urinary catheter or inflammation of the urethral canal.
How to determine the onset of this disease?
The signs and symptoms of prostatitis can be subtle or obvious. This feature of the disease is explained by the individuality of the organism of each patient: age, the presence of bad habits or chronic pathologies, the state of immune defense and other specific factors. The first signs of the disease most often appear 3-4 days or 1-2 weeks after the onset of the inflammatory process. Clinical manifestations of this disease include the following symptoms:
- weakness, malaise;
- painful sensations in the lower abdomen;
- very frequent urination with false desires;
- problem with urination;
- presence of discomfort in the lumbar region, scrotum;
- the appearance of pain along the urethral canal, which is associated with the process of urination;
- slight swelling of the genitals;
- an increase in temperature indicators (can be observed for a short time);
- incomplete emptying of urine.
In the initial stage, the manifestations of prostatitis are often confused with the symptomatic signs of urinary tract pathologies or other infections. This is why representatives of the stronger sex in most cases postpone a visit to a specialist indefinitely. During this period, men treat the disease themselves, based on the prevailing symptoms - for this purpose, they take analgesic and antipyretic drugs.
To learn how to accurately determine the impending inflammation of the prostate gland, you need to know some important manifestations of this disease. The first symptom that appears in patients in connection with this pathology is frequent urination. In such a situation, a man almost constantly runs to the toilet, especially at night. The color of urine changes - it becomes either too dark and saturated, or too light, translucent. The amount of urine that comes out is significantly reduced. As a result of the progression of the disease, after a while, the act of urination becomes painful, a burning sensation is felt throughout the urethral canal, persistent hyperemia and irritation of the genitals appear.
The second specific symptom of prostatitis in men is the feeling of full bladder. This symptom appears due to the enlargement of the prostate gland, which compresses the ureter. This is why it is very difficult to fully retain urine during this time and it can flow spontaneously from time to time. Incontinence is often observed at night, while not only urine but also mucous, purulent or bloody discharge can come out of the urinary tract.
Sexual interruption is also associated with prostatitis, which occurs simultaneously with urinary disorder. The inflamed prostate increases in volume, blocking the free flow of male hormones to the reproductive organs. As a result, patients notice a sharp decrease in sexual desire, erectile dysfunction, and premature ejaculation. Failures on the sexual front negatively affect the patient's psyche - more and more often appear nervousness, aggression, nervousness or depression.
Prostate disease is also expressed in rapid fatigue and poor health. A once active man now looks tired or even drowsy. Adequate sleep in this case does not increase strength, performance decreases and the body's natural defense decreases. In a similar condition, hypothermia or the common cold can result in serious complications.
What is the peculiarity of acute and chronic inflammation?
The symptoms of this pathology can be very different. But every patient is obliged to know how prostatitis appears in men. It is also extremely important to distinguish between specific signs of acute and chronic forms of such a disease.
Acute inflammation of the prostate gland rarely occurs in the stronger sex. The onset of this form of prostatitis is evidenced by the following violations:
- fever up to 39 ° C;
- aggravation and discomfort in the groin area;
- frequent desire to urinate;
- the appearance of mucous flow, extending from the urethra;
- decrease in erectile function.
The symptomatology of this pathology is also complemented by general manifestations in the form of increased weakness, decreased appetite and apathy. The chronic course of the disease most often develops due to blood stagnation in the small pelvis. In this case, patients develop the following clinical manifestations:
- the duration of sexual intercourse is reduced;
- appears painful pain, which radiates to the perineum, lower abdomen, appendix or rectum;
- frequent desire to empty the bladder (accompanied by discomfort and pain);
- ejaculation is difficult during sexual intercourse;
- decreased sexual desire for the opposite sex;
- specific discharge from the penis appears.
The release of secretion in prostate inflammation accompanies both the process of urination and the act of defecation. With the bacterial form of prostatitis, the patient may experience a yellow discharge of a viscous consistency. The appearance of the first symptoms of prostatitis requires immediate treatment, especially in the case of the development and progression of a chronic congestive form of the disease.
Pain syndrome
One of the main symptoms of prostatitis in men is pain, so we will talk about it in more detail. In this situation, the patient should try to describe his painful sensations - they can have an attractive, explosive, cutting and oppressive character. This is so important because based on the description of this symptom, the doctor can judge the most likely cause of the onset of prostatitis. No less information can be gathered from the site of pain localization. In inflammatory diseases of the prostate gland, the pain syndrome is usually localized in the following areas:
- along the urethral tract;
- in the perineum (the area between the base of the penis and the anus);
- in the lumbar or sacral area (often confused with sciatica);
- in the lower abdomen, projection of the small pelvis;
- in the scrotum.
Every patient in case of such a pathology always experiences almost the same painful sensations. In some men, the pain is localized to only one place, while others find all of the above symptoms at the same time. Pain syndrome often radiates to different parts of the body - legs, buttocks, abdomen.
Careful! What symptoms a patient experiences with a prostate inflammation is very important to a specialist. After all, if a man accurately describes his feelings, a qualified physician, even by the nature of the painful manifestations, can determine the form of the disease. So the pains of running over nature most often indicate a kind of non-infectious disease, and the feeling of bloating and burning - for prostatitis of infectious origin.
Specific discharge
Pain syndrome is often associated with the appearance of pathological secretions. One of the characteristic signs of prostatitis is the appearance of various secretions - translucent, milky white, yellow. They can be thick or elastic in consistency. This symptom appears mainly after passing urine or feces.
Chronic inflammation of the gland can cause sperm to develop - in this case, a small amount of sperm is released from the penis during bowel movements or in a state of tension in the muscles of the perineal region.
The presence of a green secretion with a mixture of pus indicates a slow and slow course of the disease. Such secretions consist of dead leukocytes, damaged epithelial tissue cells, mucus. Sometimes a similar phenomenon is observed with an exacerbation of a chronic form of pathology. In this case, the patient's temperature rises, painful sensations and chills appear. In such a situation, you should visit a urologist as soon as possible, as the progression of signs of prostatitis in men can lead to organ sclerosis and the development of infertility.
Treatment activities
Treatment of the disease is chosen by the doctor depending on the diagnosis. Different forms of prostate inflammation require an individual approach to therapy. To eliminate the symptoms of acute prostatitis in men, it is necessary to take antibacterial medications. It is good to use medications that penetrate well into this organ of the reproductive system.
When choosing an effective therapy regimen, a qualified physician should pay attention to the patient's immunity, take into account the nature of the disease, the individual characteristics of the human body. Uncomplicated forms of inflammation of the prostate gland, with an acute course of the disease, can be treated at home. Patients with prostatitis are hospitalized only in severe cases, when they show symptoms of severe intoxication.
You can also treat this disease with the help of physiotherapeutic techniques - ultrasound, laser magnetic therapy. Hirudotherapy and manual manipulation (biopuncture, acupuncture) are considered popular methods. The use of medicinal herbs, the use of immunomodulatory and enzymatic preparations, cytomediators perfectly helps to get rid of any type of prostatitis.
In some situations, surgical treatment of prostatitis is performed in men. Surgical intervention is performed if the patient is diagnosed with an abscess of this organ. For this purpose, drainage of the prostate gland is performed trans-rectally (through the rectum) or trans-urethral. In the case of acute urinary retention, an epistaxis is performed - a hole is made in the bladder wall to remove a special suprapubic catheter.
Chronic inflammation of the prostate, which is uncomplicated, can also be treated on an outpatient basis. But the therapy of the disease in such a situation lasts much longer. Suppositories, antibacterial agents, thermal methods, reflexology and gland massage are used for treatment. Patients who have suffered from prostatitis symptoms are advised to reconsider their lifestyle, give up bad habits, eat properly and avoid hypothermia.
Important! In no case do not self-medicate this pathology! Most often, inflammation begins to progress precisely as a result of symptomatic therapy and self-administration of drugs. Antibacterial drugs should be taken only under the supervision of a specialist, otherwise you can significantly weaken the body's immune defenses, which will become another problem for you and will only worsen the current situation.
The first signs of prostatitis in men - treatment of these manifestations should be timely. Such implicit symptoms pose a great risk because they can arise not only as a result of inflammation of the prostate gland, but also in benign, malignant tumors of the organ. Therefore, it is so important to diagnose in time and start treating the pathology as soon as possible. After all, the sooner the patient visits a doctor, the sooner the uncomfortable and painful sensations disappear, the sex life normalizes.