What is prostatitis? The first signs and symptoms, as well as the treatment of the acute and chronic stages.

Prostatitis isa purely male disease. It is one of the most common injuries of the genitourinary system and occurs in approximately 80% of men, 4 of them presenting before the age of 40.

The disease is not an isolated process:exposes nearby organs to trauma and also poisons the entire body.

How does prostatitis develop?

The essence of the process is inflammation of the prostate or prostate gland.

The prostate is located in the pelvis, adjacent to the bottom of the bladder. This is an unpaired organ that looks like a chestnut. The urethra passes through it. Behind the gland is the rectum and in front is the pubis.

The prostate is a fairly elastic organ, because its base is made up of muscle fibers and glandular cells. It consists of 2 lobes, which are connected by an isthmus. It is the main source of problems associated with urination. As it compacts and increases in size with age, the isthmus puts pressure on the urethra, interrupting the process of urine excretion.

Prostateperforms such functions for the body:

Function	The essence
Secretory	It produces a secretion that is part of the sperm. It dilutes it, sets the required pH level and increases sperm motility.
Engine	The muscle fibers of the gland form the urinary sphincter, which helps retain urine.
Barrier	It contains a zinc-peptide complex, lysozyme, cellular immunity factors, spermine, which prevent the development of infections in an ascending manner.

Prostatitis develops when an inflammatory process begins in the gland. At the same time, it increases in size, squeezing the urinary canal. This causes difficulty urinating.

Additionally, the enlarged prostate "intrudes" into the bladder, squeezing it. Due to this, the evacuation of urine is interrupted, stagnates and causes inflammation in the bladder. Prolonged stagnation of urinary fluid in its "reservoir" leads to intoxication of the entire body with metabolic products in its composition.

Contributing factors

The main reason for the development of prostatitis isinfection. They can be staphylococci, enterococci, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Escherichia coli, Proteus. Most often, prostatitis isa consequence of sexually transmitted diseases: syphilis or gonorrhea, chlamydia, trichomoniasis.

Less commonly, the cause of the disease isInfectious processes of other systems.: flu, tuberculosis, tonsillitis and others. Bacteria and viruses enter the prostate through lymph and blood flow, as well as through sexual contact. Most often, pathogenic flora enters the gland ascending from the urethra or descending from the bladder with infected urine.

Other factorsthat cause inflammation of the gland include:

• circulatory disorders in the pelvis. This may be due to a sedentary lifestyle, excess weight, and pelvic injuries. A special risk group is represented by drivers who are constantly sitting and experience vibrations and pressure in the perineal area. Reduced blood circulation in the pelvis causes congestion and lack of oxygen in the prostate gland, which also causes the development of infections.
• hypothermia,
• hormonal imbalance,
• problems urinating,
• irregular sexual activity: too "violent" sexual life, abstinence, interruption of sexual relations,
• chronic constipation,
• inflammation of the rectum,
• decreased immunity, as a result of which the body becomes susceptible to infectious agents.

There is an opinion that the risk of developing the disease increases with regular use of alcohol and drugs.

Typification and symptoms of the disease.

In the modern world, the division of prostatitis into types is carried out according to the 1995 classification of the US National Institutes of Health.Based on clinical data, as well as the presence of leukocytes and pathogenic flora in the seminal fluid, prostate secretion and urine.:

1. Acute bacterial prostatitis.
2. Chronic bacterial prostatitis.
3. CPPS: chronic pelvic pain syndrome or chronic nonbacterial prostatitis.
4. Asymptomatic prostatitis.

acute prostatitisIt is infectious in nature. There are several stages:

• catarrhalAccompanied by frequent and painful urination. The pain radiates to the sacrum and perineum,
• follicular.The intensity of the pain increases. It also appears during defecation. Urinating becomes difficult: urine comes out in a thin stream or in drops. Hyperthermia up to 38°,
• parenchymatous.It is characterized by acute urinary retention and problems with bowel movements. Intense pain in the perineum, lower back and above the pubis. Body temperature rises to 38-40°. Intoxication of the body develops, the symptoms of which are general weakness, nausea and increased heart rate.

During a digital examination by a urologist, a dense, enlarged prostate is palpated, hot and painful to the touch. A large number of leukocytes and bacteria are detected in the urine.

chronic prostatitisIt can develop as a consequence of an acute illness or as a separate illness. The diagnosis is made if the process lasts 3 months or more.

Chronic prostatitis manifests itself in 3 main syndromes:

• painful.Interestingly, the prostate itself does not contain pain receptors. The pain appears when the inflammatory process takes over the nerve fibers of the small pelvis, in which there are quite a few of them. It is of another nature. It can be insignificant or sharp and strong, disturbing even at night, subsiding and reappearing again. It is located in the sacrum, scrotum, lumbar area and perineum.
• dysuric.The need to urinate becomes more frequent. It becomes sluggish and there is a feeling of a heavy bladder, not completely empty. The process may then improve due to the compensatory increase in the bladder muscles, but soon resumes again. Discharge from the urethra appears during bowel movements.
• sexual disorders– increased or decreased nocturnal erections, blurred orgasm, pain during ejaculation and its acceleration. Worsening of sexual disorders, ultimately leading to impotence. There is the concept of psychogenic dyspotence, when a man convinces himself that in his condition violations in the intimate sphere are inevitable. And they are actually developing. With the development of sexual dysfunction, the man's mood also changes: he becomes irritable and depressed.

Often, the chronic form of prostatitis becomes a manifestation of latent sexually transmitted infections.

Diagnosis of CPPSIt is placed if there are clinical manifestations of prostatitis, but pathogens of the disease are not detected in the biological fluids (urine, ejaculate and prostate secretions). At the same time, leukocytes are determined.

The main criterion for diagnosis is pain that does not subside within 3 months.

Chronic pelvic pain syndrome is divided into 2 categories: inflammatory and non-inflammatory.

inflammatory CPPSIt is determined when a large number of leukocytes are found in biological fluids. No bacteria detected.

non-inflammatory CPPScharacterized by the absence of leukocytes and pathogenic flora in biological fluids.

In both cases the symptoms of prostatitis persist.

asymptomatic formThe disease is characterized by the absence of signs of inflammation of the prostate. It is discovered accidentally during histology of prostate tissue if the patient has been prescribed a prostate biopsy. A similar procedure is prescribed, for example, when PSA levels increase.

The disease, regardless of its type (except for the asymptomatic form), manifests itself, first of all, urinary disorders:

• pain when urinating,
• weak stream or drip of urine,
• Feeling that the bladder is not completely empty.

If such symptoms appear, do not delay visiting a urologist. This will help stop the process at its first stage.

How to recognize the disease.

The main criterion for making a diagnosis is the clinical picture and the patient's complaints.

But to finally confirm it,it is necessary to undergo a series of tests and examinations:

1. Examination by a urologist.The doctor must perform a digital rectal examination of the prostate. It is passed with a finger through the rectum. It is advisable to defecate before the exam. Through manipulation, the shape and size of the gland, as well as its consistency, are determined. The procedure helps determine the presence of tumors and inflammation in the prostate. Digital examination allows you to collect prostate secretions.
2. Urine analysis.Two portions are examined: urine collected at the beginning of urination and urine collected at the end of the process. 1 portion indicates the state of the urethra, 2 – the kidneys and bladder. The presence of leukocytes in the urine above normal (15 per field of view) indicates inflammation.
3. After collecting urine, a prostate massage is performed, as a result of which its secretion is obtained.If there is very little of it and it does not leave the urethra, but remains on its walls, the urine is collected after the massage. It is as informative as the prostate discharge itself. Leukocytes are also determined here (there should be no more than 10) and, in addition, lecithin grains and amyloid bodies. If the first analysis of the gland secretion did not show any abnormalities, this does not mean that there is no process. Prostate juice may be too viscous and block the lumen of the ducts of the affected glands. Then the secretory secretion will be produced by healthy glandular cells. Therefore, it is necessary to perform such an analysis several times. Cultures of urine and prostate secretions are also performed to identify the causative agent of the disease and determine sensitivity to antibiotics.
4. General blood tests.
5. Analysis of the presence of sexually transmitted diseases.
6. Ultrasound of kidneys, bladder, TRUS,which allows you to thoroughly evaluate the state of the prostate,
7. Uroflowmetry.It is used to evaluate the rate and time of urine excretion. It is carried out with a special apparatus consisting of sensors and a container. All the patient has to do is urinate into it in the usual way.
8. PSA in blood- prostate specific antigen. It is an indicator of the presence of tumor formations in the prostate gland: adenoma or cancer.
9. Prostate biopsy.It is carried out if the presence of cancer is suspected.

It is necessary to perform a spermogram, which will help confirm or refute infertility.

Acute and chronic prostatitis therapy.

Uncomplicated acute prostatitis is usually treated on an outpatient basis. Hospitalization is indicated in case of severe poisoning or development of complications.

Treatment of acute prostatitisstart antibiotics. If the condition is seriously disturbed, they are administered without waiting for the results of the analysis. They use groups of antibacterial medications that can penetrate deep into the tissues of the prostate. They act on the type of bacteria that most frequently cause inflammation. These antibiotics include fluoroquinolones.

Upon receiving the evidenceAntibiotic therapy can be adjusted differently. It all depends on the causative agent of the disease and its sensitivity to the drug. The therapy is also changed if no effect is seen after 2 days.

In case of acute inflammation of the prostate, the administration of analgesics, as well as non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, is indicated. In addition to oral medications, suppositories are also used, which also have an analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect: based on prostate extract, suppositories with propolis.

In case of severe poisoning.Perform detoxification therapy. To do this, use a glucose solution.

Prescription medications that improve blood circulation in the prostate. They ensure the drainage of lymph from the gland, relieve swelling and promote the elimination of toxins.

In case of acute prostatitis, massaging the gland is prohibited, as this can provoke the development of sepsis.

Treatment of chronic prostatitis depends on the stage of the disease.

In the acute form, antibiotics are used. In the remission stage, therapy is aimed at maintaining the normal functioning of the gland:

1. Medicines that normalize the microcirculation of organs.
2. Anti-inflammatory medications.
3. It is important to maintain the body's immune function, which decreases under the influence of antibiotic treatments. For this, patients are prescribed immunostimulants.
4. For sexual dysfunction, it is possible to prescribe antidepressants and sedatives.
5. Prostate massage.
6. Physiotherapy:
   • laser,
   • ultrasound,
   • rectal electrophoresis,
   • Transrectal microwave hyperthermia.
7. Physiotherapy.

Physical therapy for prostatitis helps increase pelvic floor muscle tone and reduce pain.

Prostate massage: purpose and technique.

Prostate massage with fingers has several purposes.

It is used as a diagnosis, to obtain glandular secretions and also as a method to treat chronic prostatitis.

MostA common method for this procedure is transrectal.. In this case, the patient is placed on his right side with his knees bent. The doctor inserts the index finger into the anus and moves it along the rectum. Then a massage is performed: gently stroking each lobe of the gland around it and along the ducts. At the end of the procedure, the groove between the lobes is kneaded to release secretory fluid.

It is necessary to focus on the patient's sensations: there should be no pain during the manipulation. The procedure lasts 1 minute, the full course is 15 sessions.

An indicator of a high-quality massage is the release of a few drops of glandular secretion.

This manipulation, first of all,increases blood circulation in the prostate. This speeds up tissue repair and improves the passage of medications, clears congestion, and relieves inflammation.

Massage helps strengthen the muscles of the gland and perineum. The procedure allows you to remove stagnant seminal fluid from the organ, thereby cleansing the prostate of bacteria and toxins. Compression of the urethra is eliminated and urination improves. Massage increases potency by increasing the circulation of seminal fluid.

In addition to the transrectal method, there is a candle instillation and massage method.

Instillation methodIt begins with the introduction of a medicinal solution through the urethra. The prostate is then clamped and massaged using the finger method. In this case, the healing solution penetrates into the gland, enhancing the effect of the procedure. In the end the urethra loosens, it is recommended to wait a while to urinate. The drug is reintroduced into the urethra.

spark plug massageperformed through the urethra using bougies, special instruments for dilating and examining tubular organs. The patient is in a right lateral position. The bougie is inserted into the urethra and held with one hand. With your second hand, stroke and press the penis from top to bottom. The duration of the procedure is 1 minute, after which the drugs are administered intraurethrally. This massage is supported by antibiotic therapy.

Finger massage of the prostate.– medical manipulation, which is carried out by a specialist according to clear indications.

A self-massage option is possible: to do this, rhythmically tense and relax the muscles around the anus. This procedure will be invisible to others and will help strengthen the gland.

Like any manipulation,Prostate massage has its contraindications.:

• acute inflammation of the prostate,
• cancer or adenoma of the gland,
• hemorrhoids,
• stones, cystic formations in the prostate organ.

A procedure performed by a professional will help restore the structure of the prostate and its function, and the stimulation of sensitive points will eliminate sexual dysfunction.

Prostatitis and traditional medicine.

Along with medications, traditional methods will also help to cope with inflammation of the prostate. Combining these 2 types of treatment, you will accelerate the healing process and eliminate unpleasant sensations.

There are many home recipes that help in the fight against prostatitis. Here are some of them:

• Grind 500 grams of raw peeled pumpkin seeds in a meat grinder and mix with 200 grams of honey. Make balls with the resulting dough. Consume before meals 2 times a day, slowly, chewing and dissolving well. Pumpkin seeds contain a large amount of zinc, essential for men's health.
• Blueberries have an anti-inflammatory effect. By eating 200 grams of this berry per day, you will support your men's health.
• Parsley first became famous as a culinary spice. But in addition to this, it also contains many useful substances, including those that the male body needs. Take parsley juice 1 tbsp. l. 3 times a day 30 minutes before meals. This will help relieve inflammation and improve sex life.
• Take the green skin of the chestnuts along with the thorns, chop them and pour boiling water over them. Use as tea
• Grind 300 grams of onion to a paste consistency, add 100 grams of honey, 600 ml of dry wine. Keep for 1 week in a cool, dark place, stirring occasionally. Strain. Use 2 tbsp. l. 3 times a day before meals. Effective in the treatment of chronic prostatitis.

Some will help speed recovery.physical exercise. They stimulate blood circulation in the pelvic area and, consequently, in the prostate.

1. Deep squats below knee level. The optimal number of times is 100. Perform 3 times a week. If you can't do that number at a time, perform squats in several sets with breaks.
2. Scissors. Sit on the floor with your hands on the floor behind you. Stretch your legs in front of you, lift them off the floor. Cross them over each other. The movements resemble the work of scissors.
3. Lying on your back, bend your knees and bring them toward your chest. Wrap your arms around them. Hold the pose for up to 20 minutes.
4. Walking regularly is also a great way to relieve congestion.

Cancomplement this complex with other exercises, which activate and warm up the muscles.

adolescent prostatitis

It's hard to believe, but prostatitis, which was considered typical of middle and old age, is now much younger and occurs even among adolescents. It negatively affects the state of the entire body, as well as the reproductive ability of young people.

That's whyIt is important to understand the reasonsthat lead to adolescent prostatitis:

• early sexual activity and sexual illiteracy.Unprotected sexual relations contribute to the development of sexually transmitted infections, which can cause bacterial inflammation of the prostate.
• hypothermia– a factor that contributes to the development of prostatitis. Temperature imbalance reduces immunity and exposes the body to infectious attacks.
• fashion trends– wearing clothes and underwear that are too tight alters blood circulation in the pelvis and causes stagnation in this area,
• sedentary lifestyle– computer work of modern youth replaces sports, walks and other active pastimes,
• excessive sexual activityit literally exhausts the gland. Its functions are reduced, and the small amount of secretion released and the deterioration in its quality make it more susceptible to infections.

Prostatitis manifests itself in young people in different ways. Some are worried about the obvious symptoms: hyperthermia, severe pain in the groin when it radiates to neighboring organs, and when urinating. For others, symptoms present mildly. General weakness, decreased activity, low-grade fever, and urethral discharge appear.

VeryIt is important not to ignore the signs of the disease, but to start treatment on time.. The neglected pathological process will leave its mark on the state of the organ and the life of young people.

Preventive actions

It is better to prevent any disease than to treat it. The measures to prevent prostatitis are quite simple and not difficult to follow.

1. First of all,reconsider your daily routine. If you have a sedentary job, be sure to introduce five-minute sports exercises into your routine. Stretch your body, move more. This is necessary so that the blood "runs" faster through the vessels. At the same time, avoid excessive physical activity, which exhausts the body.
2. Stop smoking. Tobacco smoke causes spasms in the blood vessels and impairs blood circulation, reducing the supply of oxygen to the prostate gland. Limit your consumption of alcoholic beverages.
3. Avoid hypothermia and nervous tension.
4. It is worth eating marinated dishes, as well as spices, pickles and hot sauces in doses.
5. The regularity of sexual activity and the adequacy of sexual relations must be observed.

Untreated prostatitis threatens a number of complications: transition to a chronic form, development of infertility and spread of the process to the kidneys and bladder. More serious consequences include adenoma and prostate cancer. It is possible that purulent foci (abscesses) appear in the gland and become septic.

As you can see, the disease is quite insidious. And, despite the delicate nature of the matter, it is not advisable to delay its treatment. Block the process in the early stages of its development: only in this case will you preserve your health and virility.