Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland.Currently, urologists are inclined to believe that prostatitis is not a single disease, but combines several diseases of the male reproductive system.This is one of the most common pathologies of the male urogenital tract, and according to experts, the percentage of men suffering from prostatitis in one form or another is constantly increasing.With age, the risk of developing prostatitis increases.
Causes of prostatitis
The direct cause of prostatitis are two factors of equal importance.The first is the appearance of congestion in the pelvis, and as a consequence, in the prostate, and the second is the addition of an infection.However, in some cases it is not possible to detect an infectious pathogen in prostate tissue;apparently in such cases, the cause of prostatitis is autoimmune processes, which means that the prostate gland is attacked by the cells of its own immune system as a result of a malfunction that has occurred in it.
Predisposing factors for the appearance of inflammation in the prostate gland are: weakening of immunity as a result of infection, hypothermia, stress;hormonal disorders, incomplete ejaculation, physical inactivity, food preferences (addiction to fried, fatty, smoked, spicy foods), frequent urinary retention.Irregular sex life is considered one of the common causes of prostatitis.
Types of prostatitis
Currently, an international classification of prostatitis has been approved, which is the most complete and covers all types of inflammation:
- Category I. Acute prostatitis;
- Category II.Chronic bacterial prostatitis;
- Category III.Chronic non-bacterial prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome - disease in which infection is not detected, lasting more than 3 months;
- Subcategory III A. Chronic pelvic inflammatory pain syndrome (leukocytes are detected in prostate secretion);
- Subcategory III B. Chronic non-inflammatory pelvic pain syndrome (no leukocytes in prostate secretion);
- Category IV.Asymptomatic chronic prostatitis (leukocytes are present in the secretion of the prostate, the patient has no complaints, the disease is discovered by chance).
Symptoms of prostatitis
There is the so-called "triad of prostatitis", the three most common symptoms of prostatitis.These include:
- pain in the genital area and pelvis;
- urination disorders, which include slow flow, intermittent flow, incomplete emptying of the bladder, frequent urination, etc.;
- disorders in the genital area.
It should be noted that not all three symptoms of prostatitis are mandatory;In addition, acute and chronic prostatitis occur differently.
Symptoms of acute prostatitis: strong, sharp pain in the prostate gland, which radiates to the rectum, perineum, testicles, lower back;worsening of the general condition, fever, headache and muscle pain, general weakness;difficulty urinating up to acute retention of urine as a result of swelling of the prostate gland and compression of the urethra.
Symptoms of chronic prostatitis: pain in the prostate gland, but less intense than with acute prostatitis;urination disorders, sexual disorders: incomplete erection, short-term erection, accelerated ejaculation, etc.Chronic prostatitis may have an undulating course, when periods of exacerbation are followed by periods of subsidence, or there may be mild symptoms continuously.
Unlike other inflammatory diseases, when a chronic process is a consequence of untreated acute inflammation, chronic prostatitis is often primary chronic, when the patient himself finds it difficult to determine the onset of the disease.
Diagnosis of prostatitis
To diagnose prostatitis, the following studies are performed:
- prostate secretion analysis;
- digital rectal examination;
- transrectal ultrasound of the prostate;
- Ultrasound of kidneys and bladder;
- blood test for PSA (prostate antigen);
- general blood test;
- general analysis of urine;
- urine test for urogenital infections before and after prostate massage;
- uroflowmetry (urination study).
The main thing in the diagnosis is the identification of the cause of prostatitis, since the therapeutic measures depend on this.Another diagnostic task is the exclusion of prostate cancer.
Treatment of prostatitis
Acute and chronic prostatitis of bacterial origin is treated with antibacterial drugs.Strong doses of antibiotics are prescribed for acute prostatitis, even before culture results are obtained, as an acute process requires immediate action.In combination, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed, which also have an analgesic effect.
Chronic prostatitis is treated depending on the cause that caused it.For non-bacterial prostatitis, restorative and immunomodulating drugs are taken.Treatment of prostatitis is carried out with the mandatory participation of physiotherapeutic procedures: laser therapy, magnetic therapy, electrophoresis of medicinal substances, ultrasound, etc.
Urologists claim that the treatment of prostatitis only with medical means will lead to temporary relief, since without changing the usual lifestyle, the treatment of prostatitis is ineffective.It is necessary to give up bad habits, lead an active lifestyle, eliminating physical inactivity, avoid blockages in the pelvis with the help of special gymnastics, try to spend less time in the car, move more on foot and also get enough rest.
It is also important to improve your sex life, making it regular and eating well.Chronic prostatitis is prone to relapse, so lifestyle changes must be permanent, only in this case the treatment of prostatitis will lead to a complete cure.
Treatment of prostatitis with folk remedies
Traditional methods are widely and successfully used for the treatment of prostatitis, especially for the treatment of chronic prostatitis.They act more gently than medications, but are still quite effective and have fewer side effects, so the treatment of prostatitis with folk remedies can be carried out for a long time, until the symptoms of the disease are eliminated.
Among the folk remedies for the treatment of prostatitis, teas prepared from medicinal herbs that have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects are widely used: chamomile tea, sage leaves, calendula flowers, etc.Medicinal plants are also used in the form of tinctures and balms.Honey and bee products are used as a general tonic.Beeswax is perfect for wrapping in the treatment of chronic prostatitis, replacing paraffin.Echinacea tincture is used as a mild immunostimulating agent and several types of honey are used successfully for the same purpose.