Prostatitis can affect potency or cause infertility.The success of the treatment largely depends on how quickly the treatment was started, so the man should pay attention to the first signs.Let's consider how prostatitis manifests itself in acute and chronic forms, and also provide information on clinical manifestations and symptoms.
Signs of acute and chronic prostatitis
Acute prostatitis most often occurs in men of childbearing age who are sexually active.In this case, the first signs of the disease appear unexpectedly, develop quickly and cannot go unnoticed.
In case of acute prostatitis, a man will feel:
- sharp, often stabbing pain in the perineum;
- the temperature rises to 39°C;
- pain when urinating.
When the disease occurs, the inflammatory process in the prostate is extensive, so neighboring organs may be involved in the pathological process.For example, prostatitis can affect the condition of the rectum, leading to painful bowel movements.
Chronic prostatitis is more often detected in men of retirement age.The disease can occur without any particular symptoms.Sometimes patients complain to the doctor about burning or itching when urinating, or notice mucous or purulent discharge from the head of the penis.Pain in chronic prostatitis is either absent or insignificant, and the temperature reaches 37 degrees.
First symptoms
Doctors identify a number of manifestations that are considered harbingers of the disease.They are the signal for a man to consult a doctor in the near future.The six symptoms listed below indicate a problem in the genitourinary system and therefore are combined into one group - dysuric syndrome:
- Urine is released in drops, the man makes an effort to do this.
- The jet is slow, the range does not exceed 20 cm.
- Urine splashing, splitting or involuntary intermittent flow.
- Frequent urge to go to the toilet at night.
- Pain during urination.
- Sensation of bladder not emptying.
If there is only one symptom - prostatitis, we probably don't talk about it.However, if a man can notice two or three signs, this is a reason to consult a doctor.Most likely, an inflammatory process has begun in the prostate.
The doctor will make a more accurate diagnosis after a digital rectal examination, TRUS and laboratory methods, which together constitute a comprehensive examination.Based on the results of these measurements, treatment is selected, therefore self-medication is strictly prohibited.
Problems with urination can also indicate prostate cancer, in which case the treatment tactics will be fundamentally different.
Certain manifestations do not always indicate prostatitis;they may indicate any other inflammatory processes in the genitourinary system.However, when they appear, there is reason to be wary.Let's consider how a man will feel if he suffers from prostate inflammation.
Urination problems
A patient with acute prostatitis has difficulty urinating.Normally, a man can experience up to 15 urges to defecate per day, this is due to the drinking regime.Average indicators are 4-5 times.However, with prostatitis the picture changes.A man may feel this urge twice as often, but the volume of his urine will not increase.This means that the kidneys are functioning without failure, but the walls of the bladder are compressed by the prostate.
Constriction of the prostatic urethra causes stranguria.This is a pathological condition in which a man feels severe pain while urinating.It is also possible to develop ischuria (inability to go to the toilet).
Increase in temperature
The first sign of acute prostatitis will be an increase in temperature to feverish levels (38-39 degrees).This symptom is particularly characteristic of purulent prostatitis and announces septic shock.As the severe infectious process progresses, body temperature may drop to 35-36°C.
In some cases, this condition can be life-threatening.It is especially dangerous for men with DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation) syndrome.
The appearance of blood in the urine
This sign is more often detected during a laboratory urine examination, less often - visually by the man himself.This is a dangerous manifestation of prostatitis, which is very difficult to combat.The cause of hematuria (the scientific name of the symptom) may be:
- localization of the blood vessel in the area of the purulent-inflammatory process;
- development of prostate cancer or adenoma;
- trauma to the urethra or prostate during examination.
This manifestation is also possible with calculous prostatitis, when stones and sand damage the glandular tissue.Fortunately for men, hematuria accompanied by prostatitis is very rare.
Groin pain syndrome
Acute prostatitis, as well as cases of complications in chronic form, can be accompanied by pain of different nature, ranging from moderate to severe.This is not the first sign of prostatitis, but it cannot be ignored.The following types of unpleasant sensations are distinguished:
- shooting, sharp pains;
- painful or pressing sensations;
- itching and burning (more often with Chlamydial prostatitis).
In some cases, men may also experience pain in the anus.It intensifies during defecation, in a sitting position and disappears if the man is at rest.
Laboratory signs of disease
It is possible to say that a man has developed prostatitis only after a laboratory blood and urine test, as well as based on the results of ultrasound, CT, MRI and palpation.There are several known signs that indicate inflammation of an organ:
- the appearance of leukocytes in the blood and urine;
- detection of pathogenic microflora in urinary and prostate secretions;
- an increase in the number of leukocytes against the background of a decrease in the number of lecithin grains in prostatic juice;
- tenderness in the prostate area during digital rectal examination;
- an increase in the size of the gland on TRUS images, the presence of areas with increased echogenicity.
Also, the presence of inflammation in the body can be judged by other parameters - an increase in ESR in blood tests, a change in the leukogram, the presence of immobile spermatozoa in the ejaculate.
Various bacteria can be found in urine - Trichomonas, chlamydia, E. coli, etc.
Among the instrumental methods, in addition to TRUS, radiographic examination with contrast can be used.On the images of the prostate in different projections, signs of inflammation will be clearly visible - areas with disorders in the tissue structure.
Conclusion
From a practical point of view, the following early signs of prostatitis are important for a man: problems with urination and pain in the perineum.If the temperature increases at the same time, we can speak of acute bacterial prostatitis.
In any case, you need to make an appointment with a doctor, undergo an examination and only then start treatment.It is forbidden to choose your own therapy based only on unpleasant symptoms.