Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate.Currently, urologists are inclined to believe that prostatitis is not a single disease, but combines several diseases of the male reproductive system.This is one of the most common pathologies of the male urogenital tract and, according to experts, the percentage of men suffering from prostatitis in one form or another is constantly increasing.With age, the risk of developing prostatitis increases.
Causes of prostatitis
The direct cause of prostatitis consists of two equally important factors.The first is the appearance of congestion in the pelvis and, consequently, in the prostate, and the second is the addition of an infection.However, in some cases it is not possible to detect an infectious pathogen in prostate tissue;It is likely that in such cases the cause of prostatitis is an autoimmune process, meaning that the prostate is attacked by the cells of its own immune system as a result of a dysfunction occurring there.
Factors predisposing to the appearance of inflammation of the prostate are: weakening of immunity due to infection, hypothermia, stress;hormonal disorders, incomplete ejaculation, sedentary lifestyle, food preferences (dependence on fried, fatty, smoked, spicy foods), frequent urinary retention.Irregular sex life is considered to be one of the common causes of prostatitis.
Types of prostatitis
Currently, an international classification of prostatitis has been adopted, which is the most comprehensive and covers all types of inflammation:
- Category I. Acute prostatitis;
- Category II.Chronic bacterial prostatitis;
- Category III.Chronic nonbacterial prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome – a condition in which infection is undetected and lasts more than 3 months;
- Subcategory III A. Chronic inflammatory pelvic pain syndrome (leukocytes are detected in prostate secretion);
- Subcategory III B. Chronic non-inflammatory pelvic pain syndrome (there are no leukocytes in the prostate secretion);
- Category IV.Chronic asymptomatic prostatitis (leukocytes are present in prostatic secretion, the patient does not complain, the disease is detected by chance).
Symptoms of prostatitis
There is what is called the “prostatitis triad,” the three most common symptoms of prostatitis.These include:
- pain in the pelvic and genital areas;
- urination disorders, which include slow stream, intermittent stream, incomplete bladder emptying, frequent urination, etc. ;
- disorders of the genital area.
It should be noted that all three symptoms of prostatitis are not mandatory;Additionally, acute and chronic prostatitis occur differently.
Symptoms of acute prostatitis: intense, sharp pain in the prostate, which radiates to the rectum, perineum, testicles and lower back;deterioration of general condition, fever, headache and muscle pain, general weakness;disruption of urination up to acute urinary retention due to swelling of the prostate and compression of the urethra.
Symptoms of chronic prostatitis: pain in the prostate, but less intense than in cases of acute prostatitis;urination disorders, sexual disorders: incomplete erection, short-term erection, accelerated ejaculation, etc.Chronic prostatitis can have a wave course, when periods of exacerbation are followed by periods of subsidence, or it can have constantly mild symptoms.
Unlike other inflammatory diseases, when a chronic process is a consequence of untreated acute inflammation, chronic prostatitis is often primarily chronic, when the patient himself finds it difficult to determine the onset of the disease.
Diagnosis of prostatitis
To diagnose prostatitis, the following studies are carried out:
- analysis of prostate secretion;
- digital rectal exam;
- transrectal ultrasound of the prostate;
- Ultrasound of kidneys and bladder;
- blood test for PSA (prostate antigen);
- general blood test;
- general urine analysis;
- urine test for urogenital infections before and after prostate massage;
- uroflowmetry (study of urination).
The main thing in the diagnosis is to identify the cause of prostatitis, because therapeutic measures depend on it.Another diagnostic task is to rule out prostate cancer.
Treatment of prostatitis
Acute and chronic prostatitis of bacterial origin is treated with antibacterial drugs.Potent doses of antibiotics are prescribed for acute prostatitis, even before obtaining the culture results, since an acute process requires immediate action.In combination, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed, which also have an analgesic effect.
Chronic prostatitis is treated depending on the cause that caused it.For non-bacterial prostatitis, restorative and immunomodulatory drugs are taken.Treatment of prostatitis is carried out with the obligatory participation of physiotherapeutic interventions: laser therapy, magnetotherapy, electrophoresis of medicinal substances, ultrasound, etc.
Urologists claim that treatment of prostatitis with medical means alone will bring only temporary relief, because without changing the usual lifestyle, treatment of prostatitis is ineffective.It is necessary to abandon bad habits, lead an active lifestyle, eliminate physical inactivity, avoid congestion in the pelvis with the help of special gymnastics, try to spend less time in the car, move more on foot and get enough rest.
It is also important to improve your sex life, make it regular and eat well.Chronic prostatitis is prone to relapses, so lifestyle changes must be permanent, only in this case treatment of prostatitis will lead to complete cure.
Treatment of prostatitis with folk remedies
Traditional methods are widely and successfully used to treat prostatitis, especially for the treatment of chronic prostatitis.They act more gently than medications, but are still quite effective and have fewer side effects.Treatment of prostatitis with folk remedies can therefore be carried out for a long time, until the symptoms of the disease are eliminated.
Among folk remedies for the treatment of prostatitis, teas from medicinal herbs with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects are widely used: chamomile tea, sage leaves, calendula flowers, etc.Medicinal herbs are also used in the form of tinctures and balms.Honey and bee products are used as general tonics.Beeswax is perfect for wraps in the treatment of chronic prostatitis, replacing paraffin.Echinacea tincture is used as a mild immunostimulating agent, and some types of honey are successfully used for the same purpose.