Chronic prostatitis is the most common disease in the practice of urologists and andrologists.It is primarily diagnosed in men at the peak of reproductive, sexual activity and work capacity.Therefore, timely treatment of prostatitis is crucial to restore men's health and social function.
Causes of chronic prostatitis
The chronic inflammatory process is followed by an acute stage, which is caused by the activity of the pathogenic microflora.If the cause is not identified in time and comprehensive treatment is not carried out, prostatitis turns into a latent form with periodic relapses.
The infection can occur in 3 ways: ascending - through the urinary tract, descending - when the urine enters the bladder with pathogenic bacteria, hematogenous - through the circulatory system (the infection is transferred from other inflammatory foci in the body).
Causes of chronic prostatitis:
- pathogenic fungi
- coli
- corynebacteria
- gardnerella
- staphylococcus
- Trichomonas
- klebsiella
- mycoplasma
- enterococcus
- gonococci
- chlamydia
- parasites
- viruses
- proteus
In the chronic form of prostatitis in men, the inflammatory process repeats even after the elimination of the pathogenic microflora.In such cases, against the background of primary inflammation, the innervation of the organ is interrupted by an autoimmune attack of the tissue.The test shows no infection.Therefore, patients are diagnosed with "abacterial chronic prostatitis".
Prostate dysfunction is not always caused by an infectious lesion.Many unfavorable factors provoke diseases.Among the most common:
- reduced immune protection due to hypothermia, bad lifestyle, bad habits and overwork.
- poor circulation in the pelvis due to chronic constipation, sedentary work and lack of physical activity
- congestion in the prostate ducts and other pelvic organs
- chronic infectious diseases (sinusitis, sore throat)
- permanent damage to the prostate tissue due to increased stress on the perineal muscles and physical exertion
- irregular sexual relations, sexual abstinence, interrupted sexual relations
- inflammation of the urogenital system
- bad diet
- previous STDs
Chronic bacterial prostatitis is often a simultaneous problem of cystitis, urethritis, pyelonephritis, epididymitis, orchitis.In some cases, the infectious focus is not even in the urogenital system.This can be tonsillitis, sinusitis, bronchitis, tooth decay, bowels or pneumonia that have not been properly treated.
Urologists associate the occurrence of the non-bacterial form of chronic prostatitis with congestion of the pelvic organs.If the local circulation is impaired, the vessels of the prostate overflow with blood, which causes edema and stagnation of secretions.Because of this, the prostate cannot produce the required amount of secretions and hormones.This leads to the development of an inflammatory process in the tissues.
The main symptoms of chronic prostatitis
The symptoms of the bacterial form of the pathology are similar to any infectious process.They progress with an increase in the amount of pathogenic flora and, in the absence of proper treatment, lead to a serious deterioration of the general condition.In the initial stage, chronic prostatitis is asymptomatic or has mild symptoms.Therefore, most men ignore the need to see a urologist.
Postponing a visit to a specialist in order to identify the cause of prostatitis and start treatment has serious consequences not only for the urogenital system, but also for the psycho-emotional state.Impotence disorders associated with urination disorders and the gradual deterioration of well-being cause stress, apathy, increased irritability, severe fatigue and loss of appetite in many men.In addition, premature initiation of treatment leads to infertility in 40% of cases.
Symptoms of chronic prostatitis for which you should consult a urologist:
- frequent, strong urge to urinate, weakened urine flow
- aching pain that radiates to the perineum, groin, rectum, scrotum, glans penis and sometimes the sacrum
- painful urination (especially at the beginning and end of intercourse)
- chills, excessive sweating (typical endocrine symptoms, since the prostate is part of this system)
- change in skin color in the area where you feel pain
- release of a small amount of prostatic secretions from the urethra (during physical stress) due to weakening of the tone of the organ
- potency disorder (reduced libido, erection problems, ejaculation due to the decrease in testosterone produced by the gland)
Any of the listed signs may indicate a disease, so the man should immediately contact a urologist to receive medical care.Don't forget about regular preventive visits either, because the disease can be asymptomatic.In such cases, the diagnosis is made by measuring the number of leukocytes in the prostate secretion.
Possible complications of chronic prostatitis
Without timely treatment, the inflammatory process spreads.This is fraught with related issues such as:
- epididymitis
- orchitis
- vesiculitis
- urinary incontinence
- formation of stones, cysts in the prostate gland
- reproductive dysfunction
- prostate adenoma
The most serious complication can be prostate cancer.
Methods of diagnosing chronic prostatitis
Urologists receive the necessary medical information to make a diagnosis and determine the causes of pathology after conducting a series of tests and instrumental tests.During the first consultation, the doctor collects an anamnesis, questions the man about disturbing symptoms and performs an examination.The presence of discharge from the urethra, skin irritation and rashes in the area of the external genitalia can be determined visually.Even in this situation, a digital rectal examination is required to assess the size, structure and sensitivity of the prostate.
Basic methods of diagnosis:
- general urinalysis
- bacterial culture of urine, urethral smear
- microscopic examination of prostate secretion
- endoscopic examination of the urinary tract
- Ultrasound of the prostate (transrectal)
- PCR test to detect STD pathogens
The PSA test for prostatitis is performed to rule out adenoma and prostate cancer.In some cases, in order to clarify the diagnosis, a tissue biopsy is prescribed, followed by a histological examination of the samples taken.If there are problems with reproductive function, men are prescribed a spermogram and a MAR test.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis
Neglected states are difficult to correct.However, with an integrated approach to treatment, stable and long-term remission can be achieved.To do this, it is necessary to eliminate the cause of the inflammatory process and increase the body's resistance.This effect can be achieved by choosing an individual therapy, taking into account the age of the man, the stage of prostatitis, the state of the immune system and the severity of the symptoms.In extreme cases, when serious complications threaten, surgical treatment is recommended for the patient.
Basic therapeutic methods of chronic prostatitis:
- take antibiotics
- symptomatic therapy
- use of anti-inflammatory drugs
- physiotherapy to normalize blood circulation and reduce swelling
- correction of diet and lifestyle
Completing the comprehensive treatment of chronic prostatitis makes it possible to eliminate the causes of the inflammatory process, relieve pain and improve the general well-being of men.Restoring the body's defense resources is an essential part of the therapy.If the prostatitis is not of bacterial etiology, the use of immunomodulators can prevent autoimmune aggression.
Modern physiotherapy of prostatitis
Physiotherapy methods relieve many symptoms quickly and ensure a stable improvement in the majority of men.It is recommended to regularly take a warm bath at home, but the water should not be too hot.
Clinical methods of physiotherapy for chronic prostatitis:
- Ultrasound therapy.Exposure to high frequency waves.
- Ultraphonophoresis.A combination of ultrasound treatment with drugs effective for prostatitis that are administered during the procedure.
- Magnetotherapy.Low frequency magnetic field therapy.
- UVT.The effect of shock waves on the direct cause of prostatitis: congestion and inflammatory processes.
- Darsonvalization.Application of high-frequency pulse current.
- Plating.Low frequency direct current treatment.
- UHF.A method for alleviating the symptoms of chronic prostatitis by applying an electric field through capacitor plates.
Electrophoresis gives a clear result.It accelerates the penetration of drugs into the affected tissues.Thanks to this, the load on other organs can be reduced, which is important from the point of view of general health, since chronic prostatitis requires serious drug treatment.Shock wave therapy procedures provide a positive effect.After them, most men notice a reduction in prostate discomfort, a reduction in pain and an improvement in erection after the first session.
Physiotherapy is an additional method in the treatment of prostatitis.The reduction in the severity of symptoms, as well as the speed of recovery in general, depends on the individual reaction of the body to the chosen method of exposure.Some courses may take several weeks or even months, but they help bring men into stable remission of chronic prostatitis.
Urologists trained in a modern clinic can develop an optimal treatment plan for this pathology.