Prostatitis is an inflammatory process localized to the prostate gland. This pathology is quite common and is often diagnosed in the reproductive age of males. The prostate (second name for the prostate gland) is located under the bladder and partially surrounds the urethra (urethra). Therefore, even a slight dysfunction of this organ leads to disturbances in the functioning of the genitourinary system.
Causes of developing prostatitis
Prostatitis is classified as an inflammatory process, but this does not mean that it is caused exclusively by pathogenic microorganisms. Doctors (andrologists are engaged in diseases of the male reproductive system) identify several reasons for the development of the pathology in question:
- Blood stagnation in the small pelvis. This refers to the violation of blood microcirculation in the prostate gland and nearby organs, which provokes an enlargement of the organ. A violation can occur against the background of a sedentary lifestyle, obesity (should not be critical), in the postoperative period.
- Infection of the genitourinary system. Most often, when examining a patient with prostate, doctors isolate gonococci, staphylococci, chlamydia and trichomonas. Very rarely, an infection can penetrate the prostate gland on the background of sore throat or flu - in this case, the inflammatory process in question is differentiated as a complication.
- Regular trauma to the pelvic organs. For this reason, prostatitis develops in drivers - they constantly receive a load on the perineum, the prostate gland experiences tremors and tremors.
- Bacteria enter through the body's biological fluids. In every person's body there are colonies of bacteria living in the intestines and urethra. Under normal conditions, they are absolutely harmless and only under favorable conditions (weakening of the immune system, prolonged use of drugs, chronic diseases, human immunodeficiency virus) become pathogenic and cause inflammatory processes. These bacteria can enter the prostate gland through the blood or lymph.
In addition, when diagnosing an inflammatory process in the prostate gland, factors that serve as provocateurs of pathology may also be considered:
- regular hypothermia - this may be due to the peculiarities of working conditions or ignoring the rules for wearing clothes at certain times of the year;
- disorders of the endocrine system - excessive or insufficient production of male hormones, diabetes mellitus diagnosed;
- very active sex life, as well as prolonged abstinence - the prostate gland is impoverished;
- any chronic disease - there are officially registered cases of developing prostatitis against the background of untreated bronchitis, caries, cystitis, urological infections.
Symptoms of the inflammatory process
Andrologists distinguish between the main and indirect signs of an inflammatory process developing in the prostate gland. The main symptoms are pronounced:
- urination becomes more frequent, regardless of the amount of fluid consumed;
- the moment of urination is painful, the male experiences cramps and burning in the urethra;
- body temperature (hyperemia) rises to critical levels.
These symptoms are joined very quickly by a burning sensation in the area of the entire perineum and pain during bowel movements.
Indirect signs of inflammation in the prostate gland are not as obvious, but men should not ignore them:
- ejaculation becomes very accelerated - intercourse time is reduced;
- erection can be quite long at night;
- decrease in sexual desire - partial or complete;
- White "flakes" or "fibers" appear in the urine.
Please note: these indirect signs indicate the beginning of the development of the inflammatory process in question - it responds well to treatment and proceeds without complications.
Prostatitis is classified into acute and chronic forms of the course, each of which has its own characteristics.
Acute prostatitis
Acute prostatitis always starts suddenly and appears:
- an increase in temperature;
- prolonged pain in the perineum;
- frequent desire to use the toilet;
- releasing a very small amount of urine with the feeling of full bladder.
Please note: urinary retention is considered the most dangerous condition in the acute form of the inflammatory process of the prostate gland. In this case, the male will feel a strong desire to go to the toilet, but the urine will not be released even with strong exertion. Acute urinary retention is accompanied by severe pain in the area of the anatomical location of the bladder, a feeling of pressure - patients describe their condition "now the bladder will burst". The condition requires immediate medical attention, which consists of using a catheter - it is inserted into the urethra and bladder, literally "pushing" the swollen gland. As soon as the catheter reaches the bladder, urine output begins and the patient is immediately relieved, his condition is normalized for a short time.
Chronic prostatitis
This type of pathology under consideration is almost asymptomatic - occasionally a man experiences short-term pain in the perineum (similar to lumbago), notices changes in relationship - may be prolonged or contracted. In addition, the patient becomes irritable, nighttime sleep is disturbed, urine flow may be impaired (this due to narrowing of the urinary tract), in the morning there may be white clots in the urine in the form of flakes or fibers.
Please note: the chronic form of the inflammatory process in the prostate gland may develop invisibly to the patient himself. The fact is that at a young age, acute prostatitis continues with mild symptoms, and if a young man is addicted to alcohol or is very eager for his work, then he does not have time to pay attention to changes in urinationor periodic pain in the perineum. The symptoms of acute prostatitis will go away over time, but that does not mean that the disease has diminished - it has simply become chronic.
Methods for treating prostatitis
Treatment of the inflammatory process in the prostate gland should be done only under the supervision of an andrologist. He not only diagnoses prostatitis itself (often its symptoms are identical to prostate cancer), but also discovers the true cause of its occurrence. In general, several different therapies can be used to treat prostate inflammation.
Drug treatment
With prostate, antibacterial agents (antibiotics) can be prescribed, but only if, during the examination, pathogenic bacteria are isolated and recognized as the cause of the development of the pathology. Simultaneously with antibiotics, the patient is prescribed probiotics or prebiotics - drugs that normalize the intestinal microflora and resist the development of pathological processes in it.
If the inflammatory process started as a result of the negative effects of external factors (hypothermia, trauma), then nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs will be prescribed.
In case of hormonal disorders, a man should undergo a course of hormone therapy.
Please note: drug treatment is highly variable, therefore, must be chosen on an individual basis - self-medication in this case is strictly prohibited.
Physiotherapy
Treatment of prostate gland inflammation should be comprehensive. And against the background of the use of drugs, it will be effective to perform certain physiotherapy procedures:
- Electrical stimulation - accelerates metabolic processes, provokes a more active production of hormones, restores glandular structure.
- Magnetotherapy is a painless procedure that helps reduce the level of inflammation and remove the swelling of the prostate gland.
- Prostate gland massage - performed only after performing medical measures in connection with acute inflammation, the procedure is painful, but very effective.
ethnoscience
Please note: prescriptions from the traditional medicine category should not be the only method of treatment - they can only speed up the therapeutic process and improve the effect of taking medication and performing physiotherapy.
The most effective and safe methods of alternative treatment include:
- Eating pumpkin seeds. They contain zinc, which is an essential element for men's health, so for prostatitis you should eat 30 raw seeds 30 minutes before eating throughout the course of therapy.
- Pumpkin honey balls. Peel 100 grams of raw pumpkin seeds, grind them in a meat grinder (or blender, but not in small crumbs) and mix with 200 grams of honey. Roll into small balls from the resulting mass and store in refrigerator. Before eating (30 minutes), you should eat 1-2 balls - no need to chew it, it is better to disperse slowly. Treatment with this prescription continues until the symptoms of prostatitis disappear.
- A decoction of hazelnut leaves. You can collect the hazelnut leaves yourself, or you can buy dried raw materials at the pharmacy, a glass of boiling water is needed for a tablespoon from the source. The juice is brewed like regular tea for 20 minutes, filtered and taken in 50 ml at least 4 times a day. Please note: Hazelnut peel is also sold in pharmacies - it can also be used to treat prostatitis and according to the same recipe. But keep in mind that for the crust, the cooking time is doubled.
- Parsley juice. Prepare from the green leaves of the plant and take 1 dessert spoon 3 times daily before meals.
- Soup from parsley seeds. You should take 1 tablespoon of parsley seeds, pour 400 ml of boiling water and leave it for 2 hours (you can do this in a thermos). You should take the broth daily in the morning and evening in the amount of 1 tablespoon.
In any case, no matter how safe the medicine may seem, you should first consult your doctor. For example, if a man, in addition to prostatitis, has cholelithiasis, then the use of pumpkin seeds is strictly forbidden for him - each appointment is made on a strictly individual basis.
Diet and lifestyle
To get the best result during therapeutic measures related to prostatitis, you must adhere to a certain diet. It is supposed to exclude from the diet fatty meat, smoked and very salty dishes, pastas and chocolate. The menu can include fish and seafood, milk and its derivatives, steamed vegetables. It is very beneficial for prostatitis to use freshly prepared juices from vegetables and fruits - they will help strengthen and restore the immune system.
During therapy, you should eliminate alcohol and lead an active lifestyle - at least exercise in the morning, walk more and get rid of extra pounds.
Prostatitis is not considered a life-threatening disease for men, but ignoring its symptoms can lead to the development of serious complications. One of the most severe consequences is male infertility and loss of erectile function, which often occurs with chronic prolonged prostatitis.