Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate, the gland that produces the fluid part of 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 live permanently on the skin, in the intestines. Once in the tissues and ducts of the prostate, they cause acute inflammation.
The 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, diseased teeth and tonsils.
In addition to bacteria, stagnation of prostate secretion and stagnation of venous blood are important, which develop during irregular sexual activity with infrequent sexual intercourse, with prolonged restrictions on mobility, especially in a sitting position and wearing tight underwear.
The gland consists of two sections - the follicles, in which the secretion is produced, and the secretory channels, through which the liquid part of the sperm enters the urethra. Depending on which part of the prostate is inflamed, there are different forms of acute prostatitis in men that are treated with different methods.
Signs of acute prostatitis
The symptoms of acute prostatitis depend on the form and severity of the inflammatory process. Doctors distinguish between three forms:
- catarrhal.The main symptoms are urinary incontinence. The secretory ducts become inflamed, the prostate enlarges and the urethra becomes blocked, as a result of which urination is prolonged, accompanied by pain and a burning sensation in the urethra. There are nocturnal urges, the patient suffers from insomnia.
- follicular.As the process progresses, 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.
- parenchyma.The follicles continue to fester, a large number of small abscesses form. Difficulty urinating, it becomes sharply painful, the 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 examination that includes:
- Rectal examination.The urologist inserts a finger into the patient's anus and touches the gland, determines the increase in volume and pain, and concludes that there is an inflammatory process.
- General urine analysis. Leukocytes, blood, bacteria and proteins are determined by urine analysis. These are non-specific indicators of urinary tract inflammation; they cannot be used to infer a specific site of inflammation.
- Bacteriological analysis of urine.Urine culture for sterility allows you to isolate the microbes that have caused inflammation, to determine their type, resistance and sensitivity to antibiotics.
- Prostate ultrasound.Ultrasound examination shows a change in size, indicates nodules, formations, abscesses.
- MRI or CT of the pelvis.It is performed 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 performed for the differential diagnosis of tumors, as PSA values in cancer are much higher than in prostatitis.
Complications of acute prostatitis
If proper treatment of acute prostatitis is not started in time, it can lead to the development of the following complications:
- Prostate abscess.If prostatitis is not treated, sooner or later the small abscesses merge into one large one, which is called an abscess. This complication is treated only in a timely manner by opening the prostate and carefully clearing the pus from there.
- Inflammation of the paraprostatic venous plexus.Inflammation of the prostate can spread to the surrounding veins. The large number of bacteria that are released into the bloodstream will lead to a systemic inflammatory response - sepsis - which can be fatal.
- Paraprostatitis.This happens when an abscess breaks into the surrounding prostate tissue. Treat only in a timely manner.
- 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 be carried out in a hospital and includes antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and restorative agents.
Antibacterial therapy involves 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 drugs 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 sperm, but also performs a regulatory function by releasing hormones. Suppositories help to compensate for the lack of hormones and avoid complications associated with it.
Do not self-medicate - this is dangerous! Do not use folk remedies such as prostate massage - secretions and pus that get into the blood cause blood poisoning, which can be fatal. If you find signs of acute prostatitis, call an ambulance or see a doctor immediately.
Sex with acute prostatitis is contraindicated. First, the severe pain in the perineum and sacrum, high fever, absolutely do not undergo sexual intercourse. Second, the partner is at risk of contracting a sexually transmitted infection.
Prevention of acute prostatitis
Acute prostatitis is much easier to prevent than to cure. It is enough to observe a few important points:
- carry out thorough personal hygiene, treat cystitis and urethritis in time;
- have sex regularly to avoid stagnation of prostate secretion;
- avoid sexually transmitted diseases;
- treat boils, carbuncles in a timely manner, monitor the health of your teeth;
- wear loose cotton underwear;
- get enough physical activity to avoid stagnation in the veins of the prostate.
Prostatitis should be treated under strict medical supervision. The specialist develops a research program, draws up an individual diagnostic scheme.
It is important to consult a doctor at the first suspicion of pathology. Lack of attention to symptoms or self-medication can significantly complicate the situation. Timely and professional medical care will help you cope with the disease and prevent complications.
Symptoms and causes of prostatitis
As a rule, speaking of the treatment of prostatitis, they mean a 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 to the 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 the erection,
- lack of voluntary erection in the morning.
Such symptoms may occur all at once or one at a time. After a few days, they disappear or decrease significantly. This is exactly the danger of the disease. In the absence of qualified help, prostatitis becomes chronic. This stage is characterized by:
- increased desire to urinate,
- reducing the amount of urine excreted,
- weakening of the stream when urinating,
- erectile dysfunction,
- pain in the small pelvis, perineum.
Each of these symptoms is a reason to see a doctor. In our clinic, Leninski's urologist will accurately determine the cause of the disease, will prescribe 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 - penetrate 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 the necessary tests to determine the causes and treatment of prostatitis can be done in our clinic. The examination program is done individually by the urologist.
Diagnosis of the disease
Among the mandatory methods for diagnosing prostatitis are:
- general urine analysis,
- microscopic examination of prostate secretion,
- Ultrasound of the prostate gland.
According to the individual clinical picture, the urologist may prescribe additional tests. If you suspect the sexually transmitted nature of prostatitis, it is recommended that you be tested on Leninsky Prospekt for sexually transmitted diseases. Based on the results of a comprehensive diagnosis, the specialist prepares a treatment regimen for prostatitis.
Complex therapy
Prostatitis is often treated with conservative methods. The basis is antibiotic therapy. With the help of antibiotics the pathogens are eliminated, the inflammation of the prostate is eliminated. Modern drugs penetrate well into the tissue of the prostate gland, eliminating the root cause of the pathology. In addition, the doctor may prescribe alpha-blockers, hormones, muscle relaxants.
Another effective technique is prostate massage. Restores the patency of the ducts, improves blood circulation in the prostate and increases its tone. It is most often used 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 not aimed at relieving the symptoms, but at eliminating the root cause of the pathology. This approach allows you to get rid of chronic disease and prevent recurrence.