Under prostatitis, urologists understand inflammatory processes in the prostate gland that occur for various reasons. The prostate belongs to the genitourinary system, surrounded by other organs and tissues, therefore the symptoms, especially in the initial stage, do not allow determining the disease. Let's try to understand what the first signs of prostatitis can indicate the onset of the disease and tell you where to turn for help.
Signs of chronic bacterial prostatitis
The disease occurs due to trauma to the tissues of the prostate gland or due to the influence of a number of other factors:
- sedentary lifestyle and accompanying blood microcirculation disorders;
- reflux of urine in the prostate gland;
- narrowing of the lumen of the urethra due to a tumor, stone or inflammation;
- sharp contraction of pelvic muscles;
- hypothermia, smoking, alcohol abuse.
Symptoms of this form appear gradually, their severity increases over time. At first, men may complain of a frequent urge to urinate, accompanied by a burning sensation in the urethral opening.
At this stage, prostatitis can be confused with urethritis, so laboratory diagnosis is important.
As the inflammatory process progresses, other signs of the disease appear in the tissues of the prostate gland:
- the urge to urinate at night;
- pain in the perineum (may radiate to the head of the penis, anus, thighs and lower abdomen);
- absent or weak erection;
- pain during ejaculation;
- increase in body temperature to 37, 5-37, 8 ° C.
In case of violation of the integrity of the tissues of the prostate or adjacent areas of the urethra, blood can be observed in the urine or semen. The man pays attention to small flakes of bright red or brown color.
Signs of acute bacterial prostatitis
Bacterial prostatitis is caused by pathogenic and conditionally pathogenic microflora. Microorganisms can live in the intestines or on the skin of a man, if the rules of hygiene are not respected, enter the prostate through the urethra and develop rapidly in the tissue of the gland. Another option is the penetration of the pathogen into the urethra and then into the prostate during unprotected intercourse. Infection is also possible with an incorrect prostate biopsy.
Since in the prostate mucosa, bacteria develop rapidly, the colony grows in just 2-3 days. The first signs of prostatitis in this case will be:
- chills, fever, fever;
- pain in the perineum, lower back or lower abdomen;
- violation of urination (pain, interrupted flow of urine, frequent urge).
In the absence of treatment or incorrect therapy tactics, the disease will progress. After a few days, constipation, acute urinary retention, pain in muscles, joints and lymph nodes may appear. Signs of intoxication are also possible - nausea, vomiting, weakness.
The interval between the first symptoms and the most striking clinical picture can be 3-4 days.
Signs of chronic bacterial prostatitis
The chronic form of bacterial prostatitis occurs with improper treatment of an acute course, as well as due to bladder trauma and illiterate catheterization. The situation is not excluded when the inflammatory process in the adjacent organs passes to the prostate gland.
A man can overlook the first signs of chronic prostatitis - the symptoms of this form are characterized by mild severity, periods of remission are possible. You can suspect the disease from the following manifestations:
- problems with urination;
- dull, aching pain in the perineum;
- erection problems.
Periods of irritation alternate with calmness. A man may mistakenly think about healing and not visit a doctor. Such an attitude is dangerous - the inflammatory process progresses, prostate tissue regenerates and the organ loses its functions. As a result, prostatitis can lead to infertility and cause sepsis - blood poisoning.
Clinical manifestations of pathology
Prostatitis has no characteristic signs, it can be confused with other diseases that have similar symptoms - with cystitis, urethritis, chlamydia.
Knowing the first signs of the disease will not help to make an accurate diagnosis. It is more effective to pay attention to clinical manifestations.
The following signs are characteristic of acute bacterial prostatitis, which are revealed during the examination and laboratory examination of urine and blood:
- body temperature in the anus is higher than the temperature in the armpit by 0. 5 ° C;
- increase in the number of leukocytes in the urine;
- decrease in the number of eosinophils;
- increased C-reactive protein;
- increased levels of PSA in the blood.
A blood test for PSA content is not mandatory, but it helps to get a clearer picture of the pathological process.
How to give first aid and who to contact for treatment
Prostatitis refers to diseases that do not threaten the patient's life in the initial stage. With severe pain, you can take painkillers, but this is an exception to the rule. It is better not to drink such pills, so as not to blur the clinical picture and prevent the doctor from making an accurate diagnosis. Antipyretics can be taken to fight high fever.
With a competent approach, first aid is provided in a medical institution. To do this, a man should contact a urologist in the place of residence or residence. If for some reason it is impossible to visit a doctor yourself, you should call an ambulance.
It is strictly forbidden to take antibiotics yourself.
These drugs are prescribed taking into account the type of pathogen, uncontrolled intake can increase the resistance of bacteria and worsen the manifestation of intoxication.
The consequences of ignoring the first signs
Most men prefer not to go to the doctor, especially when it comes to problems in the genitourinary system. This attitude can be dangerous. Prostatitis is a serious disease and can cause negative consequences:
- the transition to a chronic form, which is practically untreatable;
- the development of infertility;
- spread of infection to nearby organs;
- power reduction;
- occurrence of sepsis.
The last condition directly threatens the life of the patient. The probability of a fatal outcome is 30-50%, and every hour of delay in medical care increases this value by 8%.
Summarizing
Knowing the first signs of prostatitis in men helps to suspect problems in the body. A more accurate diagnosis is made on the basis of instrumental examination and the results of a laboratory study of blood and urine. Prostatitis can threaten a man's life, so self-medication is unacceptable. If you postpone the visit to the doctor, the disease can become chronic, which is very difficult to cope with.