Prostatitis is a specific disease, characteristic mainly of men of reproductive age.It is characterized by acute or chronic inflammation of the prostate, the second “heart” of man.
The signs of prostatitis in men are not always easy to recognize, especially if the pathology has a chronic course, without a previous acute stage.If the process is acute, then in this case the symptoms of prostatitis in men will be quite typical and pronounced.
If a man shows the first signs of prostatitis, he should immediately consult a doctor.Even minor discomfort, indicating the development of a disease of the genitourinary system, can lead to serious complications.
The ability to recognize the first symptoms of the inflammatory process allows you to diagnose the pathology in a timely manner and begin its treatment.Therefore, every man should familiarize himself with them to avoid the serious problems that prostatitis causes.
The prostate and its role in a man's life
Although the prostate is small, if its function is impaired, a man can have many problems.The prostate is a walnut-sized organ located between the penis and the bladder.The prostate produces a secretion that mixes with sperm to form complete seminal fluid.
Unlike other prostate pathologies, such as prostatic hypertrophy or cancer, which frequently affect older men, prostatitis can develop at any age, but the peak incidence occurs between the ages of 30 and 50.
Types of prostatitis
Based on the severity of the symptoms, the time of their onset and the duration of the disease, two variants of the pathology are distinguished:
- Chronic prostatitis.Symptoms can be subtle and come and go over several months.This is the most common type of prostatitis;The causes of inflammation are usually non-infectious.
- Acute prostatitis.With this form, the symptoms of prostatitis in men are severe and develop suddenly.This variant of the disease is most often caused by a microbial infection;The condition can be serious and requires immediate treatment, including hospitalization.
Chronic prostatitis problems
The causes of prostatitis have been studied for a long time, but the understanding of the essence of the process has been significantly revised in recent years.Chronic prostatitis, sometimes referred to by its alternative name, chronic pelvic pain syndrome, is characterized by a group of symptoms that can cause a significant deterioration in men's daily quality of life.It is not always possible for a doctor to immediately identify chronic prostatitis, and further treatment is no less difficult, as it depends on various causal factors and the existing symptoms of prostatitis in men.
Unlike approaches used in the past, diagnosis and subsequent treatment are based on separating chronic bacterial prostatitis from other forms of the disease, considered a multifactorial disease.According to data published in Research and Reports in Urology in 2019, autoimmunity and systemic inflammation, nervous system dysfunction, and psychological causes all play a role in the development of chronic inflammation.
Chronic pelvic pain syndrome is characterized by several symptoms associated with the urinary organs, genitals, rectum and perineum, and men can often undergo long-term treatment for other pathologies until it is finally discovered that the problem is prostate inflammation.
Signs of prostatitis in men
If acute prostate inflammation occurs, it is relatively simple to recognize;the manifestations are quite bright and pronounced.Early signs of prostatitis in men include:
- severe pain that spreads to the penis, testicles, anus, lower abdomen, or lower back.Emptying your bladder can be painful;
- problems urinating, pain when the bladder fills, need to urinate frequently (especially at night), intermittent urination, urgent need to urinate and sometimes blood in the urine;
- against the background of strong swelling of the prostate gland and severe pain, acute urinary retention is possible;
- malaise, fever, nausea;
- light, thick, odorless discharge from the urethra.
If these or other signs of prostatitis in men are detected, you should immediately consult a doctor or urologist.
Chronic inflammation: symptoms of prostatitis in men
We can talk about a chronic process if the following symptoms of prostatitis in men have been detected for at least the last three months:
- pain around the penis, in the testicles, anus, lower abdomen, or lower back, of a pulling, pressing, or aching nature.
- pain when urinating, frequent or urgent need to urinate, especially at night, or intermittent urination.
- enlarged or tender prostate on rectal examination, although in some cases it may be normal.
- intimate problems such as erectile dysfunction, pain during ejaculation or pelvic pain after sexual intercourse.
These symptoms can have a significant impact on a man's quality of life.Without treatment, the condition may gradually worsen and the symptoms of prostatitis appear more and more frequently.
How is the exam carried out?
At the first signs of prostatitis in men, it is necessary to contact a urologist who will make a comprehensive diagnosis.The doctor will ask in detail about all the symptoms and events, health problems that preceded their appearance.A genital, abdominal and rectal examination will then be performed.The doctor inserts a gloved finger into the rectum to feel the prostate.During the examination, discomfort is possible if the prostate is enlarged or inflamed.Blood and urine tests are also ordered to look for signs of infection.
How is prostatitis treated?
Prostatitis treatment tactics will depend on the form of the disease - acute or chronic prostatitis.
For acute inflammation, when symptoms are sudden and severe, painkillers and a 2- to 4-week course of antibiotics are usually prescribed.If acute urinary retention occurs, hospitalization and emergency measures are required - bladder catheterization with urine separation along with intensive treatment.
Treatment for chronic prostatitis, when symptoms come and go over several months, is generally aimed at eliminating all discomfort.Your doctor may suggest the following procedures:
- analgesics and anti-inflammatories that eliminate pain and discomfort in the pelvis.
- alpha-blocker medications that eliminate urinary problems.They help relax the muscles of the prostate and the base of the bladder.
- Sometimes antibiotics may be prescribed if the microbial nature of the infection is confirmed or if there are indications that there was previously an acute process that was not treated.
The goal of treating chronic prostatitis is to reduce symptoms to the point that they do not interfere with daily activities.