Prostatitis comes in two forms - acute and chronic. If acute inflammation is treated quickly with antibiotics, chronic prostatitis can become a serious problem in older men, adversely affecting their quality of life. Chronic prostatitis can be caused by both infection and blockage in the pelvic organs. The disease requires long-term and comprehensive treatment.
Classification of the disease
In men, chronic prostatitis is divided into two types - congestive (abacterial, congestive) and infectious.
Chronic congestive prostatitis is the result of impaired prostate trophism. The disease develops with heart failure or lack of regular sex life.
Chronic abacterial prostatitis is characterized by moderate to severe symptoms and the absence of acute pain syndrome. When analyzed, no infectious substance is found in the prostate secretion, so the disease is called abacterial.
Infectious chronic prostatitis is a result of untreated bacterial inflammation. The disease begins acutely due to infection of the prostate gland. The disease becomes chronic due to lack of adequate and timely therapy. Chronic infectious prostatitis is characterized by periodic exacerbations.
Causes of non-chronic prostatitis
Chronic prostatitis is often referred to as a non-communicable disease caused by a blockage in the pelvic organs. The reason for this is a violation of prostate trophism - blood circulation, lymph flow, excretion of prostate secretions.
This form of the disease is directly related to lifestyle and is considered a disease of office workers. The main reason for the development of congestive prostatitis is physical inactivity.
Among the factors that predispose to the development of congestive prostatitis are:
- sedentary work;
- lack of regular exercise;
- unbalanced diet;
- obesity;
- bad habits;
- varicose veins;
- hemorrhoids;
- irregular sex life.
The disease develops against the background of all sorts of conditions, accompanied by circulatory disorders of the lower extremities. Prostatitis is often manifested in obesity, as a result of increased load on the lumbar region and lower extremities, metabolic processes in this area are disrupted.
Due to the nature of the profession, you have to sit all day, at least in the evening.
Bad habits can lead to the development of prostatitis. Smoking destroys blood vessels and disrupts normal blood flow. According to the physiological characteristics of a person, it primarily affects the blood circulation of the lower extremities and pelvic region.
Sex plays an important role in the functioning of the prostate gland. The optimal number of contacts per week for a man over 40 is 3-4. A smaller amount leads to impaired prostate secretion, and a larger amount leads to organ depletion.
Another cause of congestive prostatitis is heart failure. The disease is characterized by circulatory disorders, including pelvic organs.
Causes of chronic infectious prostatitis
Chronic bacterial prostatitis is the result of untreated acute inflammation of the prostate gland. This form of the disease is characterized by severe symptoms and the presence of pathogens found in prostate secretion.
The most common causes of infectious prostatitis:
- E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa;
- staphylococcus and streptococcus;
- chlamydia;
- ureaplasma;
- Trichomonas;
- fungal flora.
Infection enters the prostate gland in three ways: through the bloodstream, lymph, or urethra. The last route of penetration of pathogenic agents is in cases of infection with chlamydia, ureplasma or Trichomonas.
Causes of the disease:
- decreased immunity;
- severe hypothermia;
- stress;
- long-term antibiotic therapy.
Conditionally pathogenic bacteria are always present in the body, and only strong immunity does not allow them to be activated.
Chronic bacterial prostatitis develops acutely in the following cases:
- presence of a chronic infection focus;
- incorrectly selected antibiotic therapy;
- late cessation of treatment;
- Weakened immunity.
In most cases, the chronic form of the disease develops due to improper treatment. This happens when the antibiotic therapy regimen is not designed properly or is self-medicating. When you feel better, stopping antibiotics results in the disease agent not being completely destroyed. In this case, any decrease in immunity or hypothermia leads to recurrence of the disease.
Fungal prostatitis is the most difficult to treat, caused by yeast-like fungi. This pathogen is rapidly resistant to antifungal drugs, which complicates treatment and increases the risk of developing a chronic disease.
Symptoms of the disease
In chronic prostatitis, the symptoms are mild, but the disease worsens after a decrease in immunity or stress.
The most common symptoms of chronic prostatitis in men are:
- urinary disorders;
- weight in the prostate;
- potential weakening;
- Night desire to use the toilet.
Exacerbation of chronic prostatitis is accompanied by pain in the bladder and perineum. The frequency of calls to the toilet can reach 10 per hour. At the same time, the flow of urine is weak, it is necessary to pull the muscles to excrete urine, but the process itself does not bring relief, and repeated calls appear after a few minutes.
Symptoms and treatment of chronic prostatitis depend mainly on the form of inflammation. Erectile problems are common with congestive prostatitis. The reason for this is a violation of blood circulation. Discharge may occur rapidly or may disappear altogether due to thickening of prostate secretion.
Infectious inflammation of the prostate gland or chronic bacterial prostatitis can cause pain during urination and burning in the urethra after urination. Such symptoms are accompanied by irritation of the urethral mucosa by pathogenic substances in the prostate secretion.
Prostatitis and erectile dysfunction
Prostatitis is not visible, there are no visible signs of chronic prostatitis, but refers to internal diseases. One of the characteristic symptoms of the disease is weakened erection.
Erectile dysfunction in congestive prostatitis develops in several stages. The disease itself can last for a long time without severe symptoms, and the symptoms of prostatitis will appear only with a strong weakening of the immune system.
Bacterial inflammation of the prostate can be suspected with a change in erection. At the beginning of the disease, an increase in potential is noted. The man wakes up quickly, but the ejaculation comes quickly. This is due to changes in the viscosity of prostate secretion. Anxiety may be felt during ejaculation, but the pain is contagious but characteristic of non-congestive prostatitis.
This causes a number of psychological problems that aggravate the course of the disease. Erectile dysfunction due to problems with blood flow is aggravated by the fear of a sexual partner, which can lead to the development of impotence against the background of prostatitis.
Urinary Disorders
Urodynamic problems are observed in all forms of prostatitis.
Chronic abacterial inflammation is characterized by nocturnal urination. It causes swelling of the prostate gland, which worsens at night. There is a need to tighten the muscles of the pelvic floor to reduce urinary pressure and urination. At the same time, the bladder feels heavy and full, and occasional spasms may appear. Sleep problems and insomnia occur due to the desire to use the toilet at night. All this affects the psychological state of the man and aggravates the course of the disease, because against the background of stress there is a decrease in immunity and a slowdown in metabolic processes.
Men often complain of cramps in the abdomen, which is explained by an increase in the tone of the muscles of the bladder. Severe symptoms of prostatitis are usually associated with decreased immunity. Without exacerbation of the disease, the pain syndrome may not be complete.
Congestive prostatitis is characterized by severe swelling of the prostate. The contours of the body become incomprehensible, the prostate itself swells and increases in size. In this condition, there may be a feeling of fullness in the rectum and increased discomfort during bowel movements. Urinary problems are associated with compression of the urethra by a swollen prostate gland.
Why is prostatitis dangerous?
The outcome of chronic prostatitis depends on several factors:
- age of the patient;
- severity of symptoms;
- current period;
- effectiveness of drug treatment.
The longer a man lives with chronic prostatitis, the more severe the consequences of the disease. In most cases, the urinary system is affected. With bacterial prostatitis, a kidney infection is possible when urine flows back. This is due to the entry of pathogenic agents into the urinary tract during ejaculation.
Persistent irritation of the bladder and urethra can cause inflammation. Against the background of prostatitis, cystitis and urethritis of various kinds are often diagnosed.
Outcomes in chronic prostatitis affect a man's psycho-emotional state. Potential impairment, the desire to go to the toilet often, discomfort in the bladder - all this leads to the development of stress. Prostatitis can be an indirect cause of neurosis and depression.
Against the background of constant disturbances in the genitourinary organs, disorders of the nervous system lead to a decrease in immunity and deterioration of all metabolic processes in the body. Thus, prostatitis causes nerve disorders, which aggravates the course of the disease and closes the circle.
Constant anxiety, poor energy, insomnia - all this has a significant impact on quality of life.
Diagnosis of the disease
If you suspect prostatitis, you should consult a urologist or andrologist. The following diagnostic methods are used to make a diagnosis:
- rectal palpation of the prostate;
- Ultrasound and TRUS of an organ;
- kidney ultrasound;
- analysis of prostate secretion;
- PSA blood test.
The need for additional examinations is determined after rectal palpation. This procedure is also known as prostate massage. The doctor inserts two fingers into the rectal opening and feels the prostate. Inflammation is evidenced by changes in organ structure, heterogeneity of tissues and contours of the prostate. During the massage, the body is stimulated and the prostate is secreted from the urethra. Collected for further analysis. Analysis of prostate secretion shows:
- amount of lecithin grains;
- leukocyte and erythrocyte count;
- presence of pathogenic microorganisms;
- presence of fungal microflora.
This allows not only to determine the nature of the inflammatory process, but also to determine the substance that causes infectious prostatitis.
Ultrasound and TRUS are performed to rule out prostate stones rather than diagnose prostatitis, as the method is not very informative, unlike secretion analysis.
A PSA blood test is prescribed to rule out oncopathology in the prostate gland. It also detects inflammation or prostate adenoma. How to treat chronic prostatitis depends on the test results and the type of inflammation.
Treatment features
The treatment regimen for chronic prostatitis is a combination of medication, physiotherapy and folk remedies. Treatment is complemented by lifestyle changes - adjusting the menu, giving up bad habits, regular exercise and sex life.
It is important to understand that treatment for chronic prostatitis will take at least six months. In addition to medications to relieve inflammation, men are prescribed long-term rehabilitation therapy to normalize the function of the prostate gland.
Medication
How to treat chronic prostatitis depends on the form of the disease. Medications for chronic prostatitis include:
- antibiotics or anti-inflammatory drugs;
- rectal suppository to normalize trophism;
- immunostimulants and restoratives.
Antibiotics are used to treat chronic prostatitis in men, but only if there is an infectious inflammation of the prostate. Treatment of infectious prostatitis in men depends on the pathogen and the success of the previous therapeutic course. In acute bacterial inflammation, macrolide antibiotics are often prescribed. They effectively suppress the activity of pathogenic agents and have a wide range of activities. In case of non-compliance with the treatment regimen or improper choice of drugs, the microorganisms that cause inflammation rapidly develop resistance to macrolides, which determine the transition of the disease to a chronic form.
Fluoroquinolones are effective antibacterial agents for microbial prostatitis. They have a pronounced anti-inflammatory action against a wide range of pathogenic microorganisms.
Although fluoroquinolones do not have a natural analogue that causes pathogenic microorganisms to become resistant to the drug, the treatment regimen chosen by the physician should be carefully followed. Otherwise, the drug will be ineffective and antibiotic treatment should be repeated.
Antibacterial drugs and tablets are not used to treat non-chronic prostatitis. Inflammation with congestive prostatitis is caused not by microbes but by a violation of trophism, so it is inappropriate to use antibiotics for treatment. Instead, they use anti-inflammatory drugs. They are used in short courses to reduce inflammation and swelling. Medications are prescribed with suppositories or injections. The treatment lasts an average of a week, the drug is administered rectally at night or intramuscularly once a day. In case of severe inflammation, the drug can be used twice a day.
Anti-inflammatory drugs are not antibiotics. The tablets are used successfully to eliminate the inflammatory process in non-infectious or congestive prostatitis. On average, doctors prescribe two tablets daily for 5 days and then transfer the patient to therapy with phytopreparations that improve prostate trophism.
In severe urinary incontinence, treatment is supplemented with drugs from the alpha-blocker group. These drugs relax the bladder, reduce muscle tone and thus allow normal flow of urine. Drugs in this group are taken one tablet per day in short courses, treatment with alpha-blockers rarely lasts more than a week.
After the inflammation subsides, congestive and infectious prostatitis are treated with drugs that normalize the trophism of the prostate gland. Medications help:
- reduce inflammation;
- reduction of pain syndrome;
- normalization of urine;
- power increase.
For chronic prostatitis, these drugs are used for at least two weeks. They are in the form of rectal suppositories. The recommended dosage is one candle each night.
Propolis suppositories are recommended to restore local immunity. They eliminate inflammation, improve blood circulation and excretion of prostate secretions, and significantly increase immunity, which prevents inflammation of the prostate. The drug is in the form of a small suppository injected into the rectum at night.
In addition, your doctor may recommend ichthyol suppositories. Eliminates inflammation and reduces swelling of the prostate gland.
Preparations based on echinacea extract are recommended as a general tonic for prostatitis. Strengthens the immune system and prevents inflammation of the prostate. With the appearance of neuroses and insomnia on the background of prostatitis, the doctor may prescribe sedatives.
Physiotherapy for chronic prostatitis
Causes of chronic prostatitis are poor blood circulation in the pelvic organs. Physiotherapy methods are widely used to accelerate the recovery and recovery of prostate trophism:
- magnetic therapy;
- electrophoresis;
- shock wave therapy;
- acupuncture.
Acupuncture (acupuncture) and leech therapy (hirudotherapy) differ from non-traditional methods.
There are many methods of physiotherapy at home. The most popular are special devices. By removing the blockage in the pelvic organs, they create alternative magnetic fields that have a positive effect on metabolic processes.
Darsonvalization can also be used at home. This is the effect of microcirculation, which improves metabolic processes. You can buy devices for home treatment at any medical equipment store, but it is advisable to consult your doctor first.
Prostate massage is used to treat congestive prostatitis. It is performed by a specialist in a medical institution. Stimulation of the body allows you to get rid of swelling and discomfort, and also eliminates the stagnation of prostate secretions. The course of treatment consists of 10-15 procedures.
Folk remedies
The treatment of chronic prostatitis depends on the therapeutic measures taken. Traditional medicine will help to complete the drug treatment.
Homemade suppositories are used to relieve inflammation in the prostate. To make a candle, you will need 200 grams of any oil base, 40 ml of propolis itself. The base is dissolved in a water bath, stirring constantly, the propolis is slowly poured into it. When the product acquires a uniform color, it is poured into a food film and packaged in the form of a sausage. The mass must be refrigerated for one hour to cool. When the product cools, it is divided into equal torpedo-shaped pieces about 5 cm long and 2 cm in diameter with a knife. These candles should be stored separately wrapped in the refrigerator. The recommended dose is a suppository in the rectal opening before bedtime. The duration of treatment is 2-3 weeks.
You can also make candles with pumpkin seed oil and honey. These ratios are 200 g base, 50 ml butter and 3 tablespoons honey. Basically, you can take beeswax, lanolin, cocoa butter. Such suppositories eliminate inflammation, improve prostate function and increase immunity.
You can use various infusions and mixtures to treat chronic prostatitis at home. One of the most effective means is parsley juice. Take 3 tablespoons daily.
Traditional medicine recommends consuming 30 kg of pumpkin seeds per day. Contains many nutrients necessary for the normal functioning of the prostate gland.
Another effective treatment is a mixture of pumpkin seeds, walnuts and honey. To prepare the medicine, you need to take 100 peeled seeds and the same amount of walnut kernels, put them in a suitable bowl and pour 500 ml of honey. The product is stored in the refrigerator for 4 days to brew, and then take 4 tablespoons daily.
Surgical Treatment
The permanent treatment of chronic prostatitis depends on the severity of the disease and the age of the patient. You often need to take medication regularly with exacerbations.
In most cases, prostatitis is not treated surgically. Perhaps the application of radical measures - complete removal of the prostate gland. Such an operation is performed only when the prostate does not perform its functions due to chronic inflammation and drug treatment is ineffective. In addition, prostate removal is performed at risk of developing oncology.
Interestingly, the effects of prostatitis are generally seen in older men over 65 years of age. This creates a number of difficulties in treatment:- diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- contraindications to medication;
- Many side effects.
Many men who have been suffering from prostatitis for more than 10 years insist on surgery. This is generally associated with poor drug tolerance and a large number of side effects. Doctors say that surgery is the last resort, and with the right approach, prostatitis can be cured by conservative methods.
Prevention and prognosis
Immediately after determining what chronic prostatitis is in men and how dangerous it is, the question arises as to whether the disease can be completely cured.
Patient statements indicate that chronic prostatitis can be treated, but it will take a long time. The course of treatment takes an average of six months or more. Urologists agree that adequate therapy, lifestyle changes, and a balanced diet will help get rid of inflammation.
Often, exacerbations and recurrent inflammatory episodes after prolonged remission are encountered by men who do not follow the doctor's advice, but are treated on the advice of friends. It is important to understand that success in therapy depends on the right choice of medication. May cause exacerbation or recurrence of chronic prostatitis symptoms:
- unsystematic medication;
- non-compliance with doctor's recommendations;
- Discontinue treatment after initial improvement;
- bad habits;
- lack of physical activity.
Self-medication often leads to poor well-being. This is especially true in cases of infectious inflammation, when the patient chooses an antibiotic without testing independently.
A common mistake men make is to stop treatment when the first developments appear. In this case, the inflammation does not pass, but decreases for a while. With a decrease in immunity or hypothermia, the disease will feel again.
In addition to medication, prostatitis requires lifestyle changes. It is important to give up bad habits, normalize your diet and start playing sports. It is recommended to do yoga, exercise therapy, swimming during prostatitis. Any exercise that includes the pelvis will benefit. Men in this condition, especially sedentary work, should exercise for 10 minutes every day and do a full workout several times a week. In addition, sexual intercourse should be considered during the treatment of chronic prostatitis, because regular ejaculation helps reduce prostate edema.
The success of prostatitis treatment depends on a timely diagnosis, so if you experience problems with urination, you should consult a urologist as soon as possible.