Acute or chronic prostatitis is found in nearly half of active-age men. Bacteria, blockages, and stones are diagnosed more often at an older age. Infection causes disease in the young male part. This therapy is long, complex, not always complete recovery. So, contacting a urologist at the earliest stage to identify the symptoms is important for a quick cure.
The cause of prostatitis
Inflammation of the prostate gland is called prostatitis. Men of active age suffer from this disease. It depends on the cause, the presence of aggravating factors, the lifestyle of the patient. There are different types of prostatitis. Often the disease contributes to the development of other prostate problems. Among them are tumors.
Benign processes cause the development of adenomas. Malignant people lead to cancer. Tumors tend to develop in older men.
Ascending infection refers to the primary cause of the onset of the disease. The causative agent from the urinary tract to the prostate gland. There, it has a damaging effect on the organ's tissue. This type of inflammation is called nonspecific.
The scenario of the development of this disease is typical for the spread of the foreign and its own microflora. Specific bacteria cause inflammation under certain conditions. This may occur with decreased protective function due to hypothermia, a concomitant disease. An important role is played by a chronic focus of infections - tooth decay, tonsillitis. Prostatitis of a nonspecific nature accounts for the majority of prostate problems.
The following pathogens cause nonspecific inflammation:
- virus;
- gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria;
- Gardnerella - small sticks;
- chlamydia;
- mycoplasmas.
Non-specific infectious prostatitis can be caused by infection after sexual intercourse. There is also a way for a foreign agent to enter from purulent foci of the skin, mucous membranes and other sources of infection, such as tonsillitis.
The cause of the inflammatory process in the prostate gland can be congestion (stagnation). Venous stasis or secretion in the gland may occur under certain circumstances. Trigger factors include decreased or excessive sexual activity, prolonged abstinence, frequent interrupted intercourse practices, and addiction to nicotine and alcohol.
Men often ignore the initial manifestations of the inflammatory process. Delaying a visit to the doctor is very dangerous. It is also important to lead a suitable lifestyle, treat comorbidities in time and eliminate the sources of infection. Chronic prostatitis is usually caused by several pathogens.
Risk factors
The likelihood of a problem with the prostate increases if there is a history of infectious diseases, as well as conditions that accompany stagnation. Hypothermia and decreased immunity also affect. Factors that contribute to the development of prostatitis:
- improper rhythm of sexual activity;
- hypothermia (regular or one-time);
- inert lifestyle, work that forces you to sit for long periods of time;
- frequent constipation;
- diseases of the genitourinary system;
- perineal trauma;
- sexually transmitted diseases;
- chronic pathology or foci of infection (cholecystitis, tooth decay, tonsillitis);
- nervous tension, depression;
- frequent colds.
With continued intoxication after using nicotine, alcohol, drugs, the risk of developing the disease increases. All of the above causes contribute to the appearance of pathology, enhancing the underlying inflammatory process in the prostate gland.
The main role in the development of the disease is played by stagnation phenomena. Problems with blood flow in the capillaries cause metabolic disturbances. The addition of specific and nonspecific flora against the background of the described situations is the most common cause of prostatitis.
Classification of types and forms
Currently, there are many ways to classify prostatitis. This includes process definitions by frequency of occurrence, cause of occurrence, and route of infection. Let us consider the simplest and most popular varieties from a practical point of view. By etiology, prostatitis is:
- bacteria;
- infection;
- calculate;
- stagnation;
- pus.
Flow shape:
- spicy;
- chronic.
Statistical data indicate that pathology is more often caused by non-bacterial causes. There is also a significant rejuvenation of the disease. In the past, it was considered a problem for older men. Nowadays, more and more young patients are suffering from prostatitis.
Acute prostatitis
It happens quickly, the symptoms are developing actively, rapidly. Most often, this process is infectious, caused by harmful agents - bacteria, fungi, protozoa. Common causes can be Escherichia coli, enterococci, Proteus and others. Many microorganisms are part of their flora. Under conditions of reduced immune response, they become pathogens and cause damage to the prostate gland.
The presence of sources of infection - caries, tonsillitis, chronic pathological processes increases the likelihood of disease. Men identify their disease almost immediately. There are general symptoms of intoxication.
Manifestations of pain in the perineum, groin, spreading to the anus, lower back. There may be pain during defecation, muscle pain. Difficulty passing urine, feeling of wanting to empty the bladder often, delay. The patient noted that the erection and ejaculation worsened. There is pus in the urine and secretions, usually when the disease is ignored.
Chronic prostatitis
The disease can be caused by many different causes: stagnation, microbial colonization, age-related changes. Often the prostate is attacked by its own immune system after it has completely healed. This can happen if the patient is stressed, has prostate damage, and frequently experiences hypothermia.
Also, chronic is due to an untreated acute process. There may be no symptoms. In this case, there is inflammation, but the pathogenic flora does not reveal itself.
Manifestations of the disease are less pronounced than in the acute phase. The patient noted some problems with urination against the background of discomfort. There may be decreased sexual activity, weakness, sometimes pain in the groin, burning sensation.
Episodes of exacerbations are characterized by symptoms of an acute course.
Bacterial prostatitis
This type of inflammation is acute and chronic. It is caused by various pathogenic organisms. Symptoms as in acute exacerbation. After examination, changes in the fluid medium are detected, on the basis of which a diagnosis is made.
This disease is more common in young people. Contributing to its development is a decrease in the immune response, the influence of external factors - stress, frequent alcohol consumption, cooling, a weak exercise regime. The foci of infection and chronic diseases of the body, the surgery is also very important.
During an acute episode, the patient noted symptoms of intoxication - chills, weakness, hyperthermia, myalgia. Painful sensations in the perineum, anus, and genitals manifest locally. Problems with urination, impaired erection are also manifested. In the blood, the secreted fluid changes characteristically.
In its chronic course, the symptoms are not so obvious. An exacerbation is manifested by signs of an acute episode.
Infectious prostatitis
Inflammatory process caused by foreign bacteria. There are acute and chronic. The symptoms and course resemble a kind of bacterial pathology. This disease is distinguished by the fact that it is caused by protozoa, pathogenic fungi. Among other types of diseases, rare, mainly in young patients. It is caused by common factors and the entry of pathogens into the gland from the foci of infection.
Prostatitis
The inflammatory process develops due to the presence of stones. A very rare form that almost always occurs in elderly patients. Occurs after untreated chronic inflammation. Rocks can be of endogenous and exogenous origin.
The first appears due to stagnation in the body. They are small and may not be visible. They are rarely detected, since there is no pain sensation.
The latter has a similar composition to that found in the bladder and kidneys. Formed by chronic inflammation of the gland or adenoma. Usually they give a pronounced pain syndrome. Localization of sensations - sacrum, lower back, small pelvis. After sex, movement, walking, the pain increases. Ejaculation may contain a few drops of blood. Other symptoms of the disease are also manifested - irritability, worsening of erections, problems with bladder emptying.
congestive prostatitis
Refers to the chronic form. Its appearance is due to stagnation of the secretion of an organ or blood in the small pelvis. The development goes unnoticed. Mild symptoms:
- urinary disorders;
- general intoxication;
- discomfort, pain in the perineum, groin, scrotum;
- decreased sperm quality, decreased orgasm;
There were no specific changes in the excretory fluid. There are infectious and non-infectious. Symptoms such as weakness, depression are possible.
Purulent prostatitis
Severe form of the acute course of the infectious process. Diagnosis is based on the main symptom - the appearance of pus from the root canal. Run at high temperature. Its varieties:
- catarrhal;
- ovarian follicles;
- parenchyma;
- abscess.
Occurs against the background of influenza, tonsillitis, SARS, weakened immunity. These types differ in the severity of the flow. Another amount of pus is secreted.
Differential diagnosis
All forms and forms of prostatitis require a physical examination and laboratory diagnosis. Clinic depends on the characteristics of the course. Be sure to perform an analysis of the secretion fluid for the presence of PSA antigen (a specific protein in the disease). Ultrasound of the pelvic organs is performed.
Testing for pathogens, sexually transmitted, allows you to distinguish bacterial or infectious processes. Congestion is diagnosed based on the results of a study of the veins of the small pelvis. Calculations were determined by assessment of the patient's general condition, organ palpation data, urine and blood tests.
Characteristics of treatment depending on the type and stage of the disease
Acute prostatitis is treated in a hospital. Antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, agents that reduce swelling and improve urine flow, immunomodulatory drugs, microtherapy drugs, and physical therapy are prescribed. It is recommended to use suppositories. In chronic processes, prostate massage is added. With an injury, massage is prohibited, it is possible to treat with surgery.
Consequences and how to avoid them
Any type and form of prostatitis requires urgent diagnosis and appropriate treatment. It is difficult to cure a chronic process, so it is important not to initiate an acute process. Under the influence of inflammation, iron changes are irreversible. This leads to infertility, impotence, abscesses, stone formation and tumors in the organ.
Prevention includes proper lifestyle, exercise, regular sex, and elimination of promiscuity.