Prostatitis: causes, symptoms, treatment with drugs and folk remedies

pain in a man with prostatitis

Prostatitis is an inflammatory process located in the prostate. This pathology is quite common and is often diagnosed in men of childbearing age. The prostate (the second name for prostate) is located below the bladder and partially surrounds the urinary tube (urethra). Therefore, even a slight dysfunction of this organ leads to disturbances in the functioning of the genitourinary system.

The reasons for the development of prostatitis

Prostatitis is classified as an inflammatory process, but this does not mean that it is caused exclusively by pathogenic microorganisms. Doctors (andrologists are involved in diseases of the male reproductive system) identify several reasons for the development of the pathology in question:

  1. Stagnation of blood in the small pelvis. This refers to the violation of blood microcirculation in the prostate and nearby organs, which causes an increase in the organ. A violation can occur against the background of a sedentary lifestyle, obesity (it does not have to be critical) in the postoperative period.
  2. Infection of the genitourinary system. Most often, when examining a patient with prostatitis, doctors isolate gonococci, staphylococci, chlamydia and trichomonas. Very rarely, an infection can enter the prostate against the background of a sore throat or the flu - in this case, the inflammatory process in question is differentiated as a complication.
  3. Regular trauma to the pelvic organs. Due to this, prostatitis develops in drivers - they constantly receive a load on the perineum, the prostate experiences tremors and vibrations.
  4. The entry of bacteria by biological fluids in the body. In every person's body, there are colonies of bacteria living in the intestines and urethra. In the normal state, they are absolutely harmless, and only under favorable conditions (weakening of the immune system, prolonged use of drugs, chronic diseases, human immunodeficiency virus) do they become pathogenic and cause processesinflammatory. These bacteria can enter the prostate through blood or lymph.

In addition, when diagnosing an inflammatory process of the prostate, pathological provoking factors can also be taken into account:

  • regular hypothermia - this may be due to the peculiarities of working conditions or non-compliance with the rules for wearing clothes at specific times of the year;
  • disorders of the endocrine system - excessive or insufficient production of male hormones, diagnosed diabetes mellitus;
  • too active sex life, as well as prolonged abstinence - the prostate is exhausted;
  • any chronic disease - there are officially registered cases of the development of prostatitis against the background of untreated bronchitis, caries, cystitis, urological infections.

Symptoms of the inflammatory process

palpation of the prostate to diagnose prostatitis

Andrologists distinguish the main and indirect signs of a developing inflammatory process in the prostate. The main symptoms are pronounced:

  • urination becomes more frequent, regardless of the amount of fluid consumed;
  • the moment of the outflow of urine is painful, the man experiences cramps and burning in the urethra;
  • body temperature (hyperemia) reaches critical levels.

To these symptoms are added very quickly a burning sensation in the entire perineum and pain during bowel movements.

Indirect signs of prostate inflammation aren't that noticeable, but men shouldn't ignore them:

  • ejaculation becomes too accelerated - the time of sexual intercourse is reduced;
  • an erection can be quite long at night;
  • decreased libido - partial or complete;
  • White "flakes" or "threads" appear in the urine.

Note: these indirect signs indicate the very beginning of the development of the inflammatory process in question - it responds well to treatment and proceeds without complications.

Prostatitis is classified into acute and chronic forms of evolution, each of which has its own characteristics.

Acute prostatitis

Acute prostatitis always starts suddenly and manifests itself:

  • an increase in temperature;
  • prolonged pain in the perineum;
  • frequent urge to go to the toilet;
  • the release of a very small amount of urine with a feeling of full bladder.

Note: Urinary retention is considered the most dangerous condition in the acute form of the inflammatory process of the prostate. In this case, the man will feel a strong urge to go to the toilet, but the urine will not be released even with strong tension. Acute urinary retention is accompanied by severe pain in the anatomical location of the bladder, a feeling of pressure - patients describe their condition "now the bladder will burst". The condition requires immediate medical attention, which involves the use of a catheter - it is inserted into the urethra and bladder, literally "pushing out" the swollen gland. As soon as the catheter reaches the bladder, the flow of urine begins, and the patient is immediately relieved, his condition is normalized for a short time.

Chronic prostatitis

This type of pathology under study is almost asymptomatic - sometimes a man experiences short-term pain in the perineum (similar to lumbago), notes changes in sexual intercourse - it can lengthen or contract. In addition, the patient becomes irritable, nighttime sleep is restless, the urine stream may become weak (this is due to the narrowing of the urinary tract), in the morning there may be white clots in the urine in the form offlakes or threads.

Note: the chronic form of the inflammatory process in the prostate can develop imperceptibly to the patient himself. The fact is that at a young age, acute prostatitis manifests itself with mild symptoms, and if a young man likes to drink alcohol or is too passionate about his work, then he does not have time to pay attention tochanges in urination or periodic pain in the perineum. Symptoms of acute prostatitis will go away over time, but that doesn't mean the disease has receded - it has simply become chronic.

Methods of treatment of prostatitis

Treatment of the inflammatory process of the prostate should take place only under the supervision of an andrologist. It not only diagnoses prostatitis itself (often its symptoms are identical to prostate cancer), but also reveals the real cause of its occurrence. In general, several different therapies can be used to treat inflammation of the prostate.

Medical treatment

With prostatitis, antibacterial agents (antibiotics) can be prescribed, but only if, during the examination, pathogenic bacteria were isolated and recognized as the cause of the development of the pathology. Simultaneously with antibiotics, the patient is prescribed probiotics or prebiotics - drugs that normalize the intestinal microflora and resist the development of pathological processes.

If the inflammatory process began as a result of the negative effects of external factors (hypothermia, trauma), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs will be prescribed.

In the event of hormonal disorders, a man must follow a course of hormone therapy.

Please note that treatment with drugs is very variable, so it should be selected on an individual basis - self-medication in this case is strictly prohibited.

Physiotherapy

Treatment for inflammation of the prostate should be comprehensive. And against the background of the use of drugs, it will be effective to perform certain physiotherapy procedures:

  1. Electrical stimulation - accelerates metabolic processes, causes more active production of hormones, restores the structure of the gland.
  2. Magnetotherapy is a painless procedure that helps reduce the level of inflammation and get rid of swelling in the prostate.
  3. Prostate massage - is carried out only after taking medical measures in case of acute inflammation, the procedure is painful, but very effective.

ethnoscience

Note: recipes from the category of traditional medicine should not be the only method of treatment - they can only speed up the therapeutic process and improve the effect of taking medication and physiotherapy.

The most effective and safe alternative treatment methods include:

  1. Eat pumpkin seeds. They contain zinc which is essential for men's health, so for prostatitis you should eat 30 seeds raw 30 minutes before meals throughout the treatment.
  2. Honey pumpkin balls. Peel 100 grams of raw pumpkin seeds, grind them in a meat grinder (or in a blender, but not into small crumbs) and mix with 200 grams of honey. Roll into small balls from the resulting mass and store in the refrigerator. Before eating (30 minutes) you need to eat 1-2 scoops - no need to chew them, it is better to slowly dissolve them. Treatment with this prescription is continued until the symptoms of prostatitis subside.
  3. A decoction of hazelnut leaves. You can pick up the hazel leaves yourself or buy dry raw materials at the pharmacy, a glass of boiling water is needed for a tablespoon of the source. The broth is brewed like regular tea for 20 minutes, filtered and taken in 50 ml at least 4 times a day. Warning: Hazel bark is also sold in pharmacies - it can also be used in the treatment of prostatitis and under the same prescription. But keep in mind that for the crust, the brewing time is doubled.
  4. Parsley juice. Prepare it from the green leaves of the plant and take 1 dessert spoon 3 times a day before meals.
  5. Parsley seed broth. You need to take 1 tablespoon of parsley seeds, pour 400 ml of boiling water and leave for 2 hours (you can do this in a thermos). You need to take the broth every day in the morning and evening at the rate of 1 tbsp.

In any case, no matter how safe the remedy may seem, you should see your doctor first. For example, if a man, in addition to prostatitis, suffers from gallstones, the use of pumpkin seeds is strictly prohibited for him - any appointment is made on a strictly individual basis.

Diet and lifestyle

a man eats vegetables with prostatitis

To get the best result from therapeutic measures related to prostatitis, you need to adhere to a certain diet. It is supposed to exclude from the diet fatty meats, smoked and too salty dishes, pastries and chocolate. The menu can include fish and seafood, milk and its derivatives, steamed vegetables. It is very useful for prostatitis to use freshly prepared vegetable and fruit juices - they will help strengthen and restore the immune system.

During therapy, you need to exclude alcohol and lead an active lifestyle - at least, exercise in the morning, walk more and get rid of extra pounds.

Prostatitis is not considered a fatal disease for men, but ignoring its symptoms can lead to the development of serious complications. One of the most difficult consequences is male infertility and loss of erectile function, which often occurs with prolonged chronic prostatitis.