Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate. Currently, urologists tend to believe that prostatitis is not a single disease, but combines several diseases of the male genital area. This is one of the most common pathologies of the male urogenital tract and, according to experts, the percentage of men who suffer from prostatitis in one form or another is constantly growing. With age, the risk of developing prostatitis increases.
Causes of prostatitis
The immediate cause of prostatitis are two equally important factors. The first is the occurrence of congestion in the small pelvis and, as a result, in the prostate, and the second is the addition of an infection. However, in some cases, it is not possible to detect an infectious agent in the tissues of the prostate, presumably in these cases, autoimmune processes become the cause of prostatitis, which means that the prostate is attacked by the cells of your own immune system. system as a result of a malfunction in the system.
The predisposing factors for the appearance of inflammation in the prostate are: weakening of the immune system as a result of an infection, hypothermia, stress; hormonal disorders, incomplete ejaculation, physical inactivity, food preferences (dependence on fried, fatty, smoked, spicy foods), frequent urinary retention. Irregular sex life is considered one of the most common causes of prostatitis.
types of prostatitis
Currently, the international classification of prostatitis has been adopted, which is the most complete and covers all types of inflammation:
- Category I. Acute prostatitis;
- Category II. Chronic bacterial prostatitis;
- Category III. Chronic Non-Bacterial Prostatitis / Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome - a disease in which no infection is detected that lasts longer than 3 months;
- Subcategory III A. Chronic inflammatory pelvic pain syndrome (leukocytes are determined in the secret of the prostate);
- Subcategory III B. Chronic non-inflammatory pelvic pain syndrome (no leukocytes in the prostate gland);
- Category IV. Asymptomatic chronic prostatitis (leukocytes are present in the secret of the prostate, the patient has no complaints, the disease is detected by chance).
- pain in the pelvic and genital region;
- urinary disorders, which include slow flow, intermittent flow, incomplete emptying of the bladder, frequent urination, etc. ;
- disorders in the genital area.
- analysis of prostate secretion;
- digital rectal exam;
- transrectal ultrasound of the prostate;
- Ultrasound of the kidneys and bladder;
- a blood test for PSA (prostate antigen);
- general blood analysis;
- general analysis of urine;
- urine analysis for urogenital infections before and after prostate massage;
- uroflowmetry (micturition test).
symptoms of prostatitis
There is the so-called "prostatitis triad", the three most common symptoms of prostatitis. These include:
It should be noted that not all three symptoms of prostatitis are mandatory, in addition, acute and chronic prostatitis occur in different ways.
Symptoms of acute prostatitis: severe, sharp pain in the prostate area, which is given to the rectum, perineum, testicles, lower back; deterioration of general condition, fever, headache and muscle pain, general weakness; violation of urination to acute urinary retention as a result of edema of the prostate and compression of the urethra.
Symptoms of chronic prostatitis: pain in the prostate area, but less intense than in acute prostatitis; urinary disorders, sexual disorders: incomplete erection, short-term erection, accelerated ejaculation, etc. Chronic prostatitis may have a wavy course, when periods of exacerbation are replaced by periods of reduction, or it may have persistently mild symptoms.
Unlike other inflammatory diseases, when a chronic process is a consequence of untreated acute inflammation, chronic prostatitis is often primary chronic, when the patient himself has difficulty determining the onset of the disease.
Diagnosis of prostatitis
To diagnose prostatitis, the following studies are performed:
The main thing in diagnosis is to identify the cause of prostatitis, as therapeutic measures depend on it. Another diagnostic challenge is ruling out prostate cancer.
treatment of prostatitis
Acute and chronic prostatitis of bacterial origin is treated with antibacterial drugs. Strong doses of antibiotics are prescribed for acute prostatitis even before bacterial culture results are obtained, as the acute process requires immediate action. In the complex, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed, which also have an analgesic effect.
Chronic prostatitis is treated depending on the underlying cause. For non-bacterial prostatitis, general strengthening, immunomodulatory drugs are taken. The treatment of prostatitis is carried out with the mandatory participation of physiotherapeutic procedures: laser therapy, magnetotherapy, electrophoresis of medicinal substances, ultrasound, etc.
Urologists say that treating prostatitis only with medical means will only lead to temporary relief, as without changing the usual way of life, the treatment of prostatitis is ineffective. It is necessary to give up bad habits, lead an active lifestyle, eliminate hypodynamia, avoid stagnation in the small pelvis with the help of special gymnastics, try to spend less time in the car, walk more, and also get enough rest.
It is also important to improve your sex life by making it regular and eating well. Chronic prostatitis is prone to relapses, therefore, lifestyle changes must be permanent, only in this case, treatment of prostatitis will lead to complete healing.
Treatment of prostatitis with folk remedies
For the treatment of prostatitis, popular methods are widely and successfully used, especially for the treatment of chronic prostatitis. They act more gently than drugs, but they are still quite effective and cause 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.
Of the folk remedies for the treatment of prostatitis, teas made from medicinal herbs with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects are widely used: chamomile tea, sage leaves, marigold flowers, etc. Medicinal herbs are also used in the form of tinctures and balms. Honey and bee products are used as fortifying agents. Beeswax is perfect for wraps in the treatment of chronic prostatitis, replacing paraffin wax. Echinacea tincture is used as a mild immunostimulating agent; for the same purpose, some varieties of honey are successfully used.