Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate, the gland that produces the liquid portion of the semen. This is the most common disease of the reproductive system in mature men. Acute bacterial prostatitis is a relatively rare disease, its frequency does not exceed three percent of all inflammatory processes in the prostate.
Causes of Acute Prostatitis
The main cause of acute prostatitis in men is bacteria, some of which are part of the body's normal microbiota, that is, they constantly live on the skin, in the intestines. Once in the tissues and ducts of the prostate, they cause acute inflammation.
Infection can enter the prostate in two ways:
- ascending canalicular - bacteria with urethritis, cystitis, after cystoscopy enter the prostate.
- hematogenous - microbes enter the prostate gland with blood flow from distant foci of acute and chronic infection - boils, carbuncles, sinusitis, sick teeth and tonsils.
In addition to bacteria, stagnation of the secretion of the prostate gland and stagnation of venous blood, which develop during irregular sexual activity with rare sexual intercourse, with prolonged restrictions on mobility, especially in a sitting position and wearing tight underwear, are important.
The gland consists of two sections - the follicles, in which the secretion is produced, and the excretory ducts, through which the liquid part of the semen enters the urethra. Depending on which part of the prostate is inflamed, there are different forms of acute prostatitis in men, which are treated with different methods.
Signs of acute prostatitis
Symptoms of acute prostatitis depend on the form and severity of the inflammatory process. Doctors distinguish between three forms:
- catarrhal.The main symptoms are urination disorder. The excretory ducts become inflamed, the prostate enlarges and blocks the urethra, as a result of which urination becomes prolonged, accompanied by pain and burning sensation in the urethra. There are nocturnal urges, the patient suffers from insomnia.
- follicular.With further progression of the process, the tissues of the follicles begin to fester. Urinary disorders are accompanied by pain in the perineum, radiating to the anus, the temperature rises to 38 degrees.
- parenchymal.The follicles continue to fester, a large number of small abscesses are formed. Difficulty urinating, becomes sharply painful, pain appears during the act of defecation. The temperature rises to forty, in the groin, perineum, sacrum - sharp pains.
Diagnostic tests
The urologist makes a diagnosis based on a comprehensive study, which includes:
- Rectal examination.The urologist inserts a finger into the patient's anus and feels the gland, determines the increase in volume and soreness, and concludes that there is an inflammatory process.
- General urine analysis.In the analysis of urine, leukocytes, blood, bacteria and protein are determined. These are non-specific indicators of urinary tract inflammation; they cannot be used to conclude about a specific site of inflammation.
- Bacteriological analysis of urine.Culture of urine for sterility allows you to isolate the microbes that caused inflammation, determine their type, resistance and sensitivity to antibiotics.
- Ultrasound of the prostate.Ultrasound examination shows a change in size, indicates nodes, formations, abscesses.
- MRI or CT scan of the pelvis.It is carried out in preparation for surgery or for differentiation with prostate tumors.
- Blood test for PSA.Prostate specific antigen is a protein secreted by the prostate. Its content increases in diseases of the prostate gland - prostatitis, adenoma and malignant tumors of the prostate. The analysis is carried out for differential diagnosis with tumors, since the PSA values in cancer are much higher than in prostatitis.
Complications of acute prostatitis
If the correct treatment of acute prostatitis is not started in time, this can lead to the development of the following complications:
- Abscess of the prostate.If prostatitis is not treated, sooner or later, small abscesses merge into one large one, which is called an abscess. This complication is treated only promptly, opening the prostate and carefully cleaning out the pus from there.
- Inflammation of the paraprostatic venous plexus.Inflammation from the prostate can spread to the surrounding veins. The large numbers of bacteria that are released into the bloodstream will lead to a systemic inflammatory response - sepsis - which can be fatal.
- Paraprostatitis.It occurs when an abscess breaks into the surrounding tissue of the prostate. Treat only promptly.
- Transition to a chronic form.Acute prostatitis without treatment becomes chronic, which requires a course of treatment lasting several years. Fifty percent of patients with chronic prostatitis develop mental disorders that require correction with antidepressants and tranquilizers.
What to do with acute prostatitis
A patient with an attack of acute prostatitis needs urgent hospitalization. Treatment of acute prostatitis should take place in a hospital and includes antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and restorative agents.
Antibacterial therapy includes broad-spectrum agents, and is prescribed for long periods - from fifteen to thirty days, until the bacteria are completely destroyed. For acute prostatitis, doctors usually use the following antibiotics and antibacterial drugs:
- fluoroquinolones- levofloxacin, ciprofloxacin;
- trimethoprim;
- doxycycline;
- cephalosporins- cefotaxime, ceftriaxone.
In addition to antibiotics for acute prostatitis, the following medications are used:
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (diclofenac) - helps relieve pain;
- bioregulatory peptides (prostate extract, vitaprost, prostatilen) - used in the form of suppositories. The prostate not only produces the liquid part of the semen, but also performs a regulatory function by releasing hormones. Suppositories help to make up for the lack of hormones and avoid complications associated with it.
Do not self-medicate - it is dangerous! Do not use folk remedies such as prostate massage - secretions and pus, once in the blood, cause blood poisoning, which can be fatal. If you find signs of acute prostatitis, immediately call an ambulance or see a doctor.
Sex with acute prostatitis is contraindicated. Firstly, severe pain in the perineum and sacrum, high temperature, absolutely do not dispose to sexual intercourse. Secondly, the partner has a risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection.
Prevention of acute prostatitis
Acute prostatitis is much easier to prevent than cure. It is enough to observe a few important points:
- conduct thorough personal hygiene, treat cystitis and urethritis on time;
- have sex regularly to avoid stagnation of the secretion of the prostate;
- avoid sexually transmitted diseases;
- treat boils, carbuncles in time, monitor the health of your teeth;
- wear loose cotton underwear;
- Make sure you have enough physical activity to avoid stasis in the veins of the prostate.
Treatment of prostatitis should be carried out under the strict supervision of a physician. The specialist develops an examination program, draws up an individual diagnostic scheme.
It is important to consult a doctor at the first suspicion of a pathology. Lack of attention to symptoms or self-medication can significantly complicate the situation. Timely and professional medical assistance will help to cope with the disease and prevent complications.
Symptoms and causes of prostatitis
As a rule, speaking about the treatment of prostatitis, they mean the chronic stage of the pathology. This is due to the fact that the acute phase lasts only a few days and often does not cause serious concern for a man. As a result, the inflammatory process becomes chronic, and the treatment of prostatitis is significantly delayed.
Acute prostatitis can be recognized by the following signs:
- pain in the perineum and scrotum,
- cramps in the lower abdomen
- weakening of erection,
- lack of voluntary erection in the morning.
Such symptoms can appear all at once, or one at a time. After a few days, they disappear or decrease significantly. This is precisely the danger of the disease. In the absence of qualified help, prostatitis becomes chronic. This stage is characterized by:
- increased urge to urinate,
- reduction in the amount of urine excreted,
- weakening of the stream when urinating,
- erectile dysfunction,
- pain in the small pelvis, perineum.
Any of these symptoms is a reason to see a doctor. In our clinic, a urologist on Leninsky will accurately determine the cause of the disease, prescribe an effective treatment.
Identifying the etiology of prostatitis is one of the most important tasks when choosing a therapeutic course. There are several main causes of the disease:
- sexually transmitted infections - chlamydia, trichomoniasis, ureaplasmosis and others,
- bacteria - enter the prostate gland through the urethra, with the flow of blood or lymph,
- hypothermia - causes inflammation of the prostate, which, as in other cases, quickly becomes chronic.
All necessary examinations to identify the causes and treatment of prostatitis can be done in our clinic. The examination program is compiled by the urologist individually.
Diagnosis of the disease
Among the mandatory methods for diagnosing prostatitis are:
- general urine analysis,
- microscopic examination of the secretion of the prostate,
- Ultrasound of the prostate gland.
In accordance with the individual clinical picture, the urologist may prescribe additional examinations. If you suspect the sexually transmitted nature of prostatitis, it is recommended to be tested on Leninsky Prospekt for STDs. Based on the results of a comprehensive diagnosis, the specialist draws up a treatment regimen for prostatitis.
Complex therapy
Treatment of prostatitis is often carried out by conservative methods. Antibiotic therapy is the basis. With the help of antibiotics, pathogens are eliminated, inflammation of the prostate is removed. Modern drugs penetrate well into the tissue of the prostate gland, eliminating the main cause of the pathology. Additionally, the doctor may prescribe alpha-blockers, hormones, muscle relaxants.
Another effective technique is prostate massage. It restores the patency of the ducts, improves blood circulation in the prostate, and increases its tone. It is used most often in the treatment of bacterial prostatitis, the presence of pelvic pain syndrome.
The duration of the course depends on the individual picture of the disease. It is important that the treatment of prostatitis in the clinic is aimed not at relieving symptoms, but at eliminating the main cause of the pathology. This approach allows you to get rid of a chronic disease and prevent relapses.