Chronic prostatitis is a disease that occurs most frequently in the practice of a urologist-andrologist.It is predominantly diagnosed in men who are at the peak of reproductive and sexual activity and working capacity.Therefore, timely treatment of prostatitis is crucial to restore men's health as well as social functions.
Causes of the development of chronic prostatitis
The chronic inflammatory process is followed by an acute phase caused by the activity of pathogenic microflora.If the cause is not identified in a timely manner and comprehensive treatment is not carried out, prostatitis turns into a latent form with periodic relapses.
Infection can occur in 3 ways: ascending - through the urinary canal, descending - when urine with pathogenic bacteria enters the bladder, hematogenous - through the circulatory system (the infection is transferred from other inflammatory foci in the body).
Causative agents of chronic prostatitis:
- pathogenic fungi
- coli
- corynebacteria
- Gardnerella
- staphylococcus
- Trichomonas
- Klebsiella
- mycoplasma
- enterococci
- gonococci
- chlamydia
- parasites
- virus
- proteus
In the chronic form of prostatitis in men, the inflammatory process can reappear even after the pathogenic microflora has been eliminated.In such cases, a violation of the innervation of the organ occurs with an autoimmune attack on the tissue against the background of primary inflammation.The examination does not reveal any infection.Therefore, patients are diagnosed with “chronic abacterial prostatitis”.
Prostate dysfunction is not always caused by an infectious lesion.There are several unfavorable factors that provoke diseases.Among the most common:
- decreased immune defense due to hypothermia, improper lifestyle, bad habits and overwork.
- poor circulation in the pelvis as a result of chronic constipation, sedentary work, and lack of physical activity
- congestion in the ducts of the prostate and other pelvic organs
- chronic infectious diseases (sinusitis, sore throat)
- permanent damage to prostate tissue due to increased loads on the perineal muscles and physical exertion
- irregular sexual contacts, sexual abstinence, interrupted sexual relations
- inflammation of the genitourinary system
- poor diet
- Previous STDs
Chronic bacterial prostatitis often becomes a concomitant problem with cystitis, urethritis, pyelonephritis, epididymitis, orchitis.In some cases, the infectious focus is not even in the genitourinary system.It could be tonsillitis, sinusitis, bronchitis, cavities, intestinal or pneumonia that have not received adequate treatment.
Urologists associate the occurrence of a non-bacterial form of chronic prostatitis with congestion in the pelvic organs.When local circulation is impaired, prostate vessels overflow with blood, causing edema and stagnation of secretions.As a result, the prostate cannot produce the required amount of secretions and hormones.This leads to the development of an inflammatory process in the tissues.
Main signs of chronic prostatitis
Symptoms of the bacterial form of pathology are similar to those of any infectious process.They progress with an increase in the amount of pathogenic flora and lead to a serious deterioration in the general condition in the absence of adequate treatment.In the early stages, chronic prostatitis is asymptomatic or has mild symptoms.Therefore, most men ignore the need to consult a urologist for examination.
Postponing a visit to a specialized doctor to identify the cause and start treatment for prostatitis has serious consequences not only for the genitourinary system, but also for the psycho-emotional state.Potency disorders against the background of urinary disorders and a gradual deterioration in well-being in many men provoke stress, apathy, increased irritability, severe fatigue and lack of appetite.Furthermore, premature initiation of treatment results in infertility in 40% of cases.
Symptoms of chronic prostatitis that require contacting a urologist:
- frequent and strong urge to urinate, weakened urine stream
- aching pain that radiates to the perineum, groin, rectum, scrotum, glans penis, and sometimes sacrum
- pain when urinating (especially at the beginning and end of sexual intercourse)
- chills, excessive sweating (characteristic endocrine symptoms, as the prostate is part of this system)
- change in skin color in the area where pain is felt
- the release of a small amount of prostate secretion through the urethra (during physical stress) against the background of a weakening of the tone of the organ
- potency disorder (decreased libido, erection problems, ejaculation due to a decrease in testosterone produced by the gland)
Any of the listed signs may indicate a disease, therefore, a man needs to immediately contact a urologist to receive medical care.Also, do not forget about regular preventive visits to the doctor, as the disease can be asymptomatic.In these cases, the diagnosis is made by measuring the number of leukocytes in prostate secretion.
Possible complications with chronic prostatitis
Without timely treatment, the inflammatory process spreads.This is fraught with related issues such as:
- epididymitis
- orchitis
- vesiculitis
- urinary incontinence
- formation of stones, cysts in the prostate
- reproductive dysfunction
- prostate adenoma
The most serious complication may be prostate cancer.
Methods for diagnosing chronic prostatitis
Urologists receive the necessary medical information to make a diagnosis and determine the causes of the pathology after carrying out a set of examinations, as well as instrumental studies.At the first consultation, the doctor takes an anamnesis, questions the man about the disturbing symptoms and conducts an examination.The presence of discharge from the urethra, skin irritation and rashes in the external genital region is determined visually.Also in this situation, a digital rectal examination is indicated to assess the size, structure and sensitivity of the prostate.
Basic methods for making a diagnosis:
- general urine test
- bacterial culture from urine, urethral swab
- microscopic examination of prostate secretion
- endoscopic examination of the urinary tract
- Prostate ultrasound (transrectal)
- PCR Test for STD Pathogens
A PSA test for prostatitis is performed to exclude adenoma and prostate cancer.In some cases, to clarify the diagnosis, tissue biopsy is indicated, followed by histology of the samples collected.If there are problems with reproductive function, men are given a spermogram and a MAR test.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis
Neglected conditions are difficult to correct.However, with an integrated approach to treatment, a stable, long-term remission can be achieved.To do this, it is necessary to eliminate the cause of the inflammatory process and increase the body's resistance.This effect is achieved through the selection of individual therapy, taking into account the man's age, the stage of prostatitis, the state of the immune system and the severity of symptoms.In extreme cases, when there is a threat of serious complications, surgical treatment is recommended to the patient.
Basic therapeutic methods for chronic prostatitis:
- taking antibiotics
- symptomatic therapy
- use of anti-inflammatories
- physiotherapy to normalize blood circulation, relieve swelling
- diet correction, lifestyle
Completing a comprehensive treatment for chronic prostatitis allows you to eliminate the causes of the inflammatory process, relieve pain, and also improve the general well-being of a man.An essential part of therapy is the restoration of the body's protective resources.If prostatitis has a non-bacterial etiology, the use of immunomodulators can prevent autoimmune aggression.
Modern physiotherapy for prostatitis
Physiotherapy methods quickly relieve many symptoms and provide stable improvement in most men.At home, it is recommended to take hot baths regularly, but the water should not be too hot.
Clinical physiotherapy methods for chronic prostatitis:
- Ultrasound therapy.Exposure to high frequency waves.
- Ultraphonophoresis.A combination of ultrasound treatment with effective prostatitis medications administered during the procedure.
- Magnetotherapy.Low frequency magnetic field therapy.
- UVT.Impact of shock waves on the immediate cause of prostatitis: congestion and inflammatory processes.
- Darsonvalization.Application of high frequency pulse current.
- Galvanization.Low frequency direct current treatment.
- UHF.A method of alleviating the symptoms of chronic prostatitis using the influence of an electric field through capacitor plates.
Electrophoresis gives a clear result.Accelerates the delivery of medicines to affected tissues.Thanks to this, it is possible to reduce the load on other organs, which is important for overall health, since chronic prostatitis requires serious courses of medication.Shock wave therapy procedures provide a positive effect.After them, most men notice a decrease in prostate discomfort, pain relief and improved erection after the first session.
Physiotherapy is an auxiliary method in the treatment of prostatitis.Reduction in the severity of symptoms, as well as the speed of recovery in general, depend on the body's individual reaction to the chosen method of exposure.Some courses last several weeks or even months, but they help bring chronic prostatitis in men to a state of stable remission.
Qualified urologists in a modern clinic can develop an optimal treatment plan for this pathology.