Acute or chronic prostatitis is found in almost half of men of active age. Bacteria, congestion, stones are diagnosed more often in older age. The infection causes disease in the younger part of the male population. The therapy is long, complex, does not always provide complete recovery. Therefore, contacting a urologist at an early stage to identify symptoms is important for a speedy healing.
Etiology of prostatitis
Inflammation of the prostate gland is called prostatitis. Men of active age suffer from this disease. It depends on the cause, the presence of aggravating factors, the lifestyle of the patient. There are many different types of prostatitis. Often this disease contributes to the development of other prostate problems. Among them are tumors.
The benign process leads to the development of adenomas. Malignant ones lead to cancer. Tumors tend to develop in older men.
Ascending infection refers to the main cause of disease onset. Harmful agents from the urinary tract reach the prostate gland. There it has a damaging effect on organ tissues. This type of inflammation is called nonspecific.
The developmental scenario of this disease is typical for the spread of the alien and its own microflora. Bacteria themselves cause inflammation under certain conditions. This can occur with diminished protective function due to hypothermia, a concomitant disease. An important role is played by the focus of chronic infections - caries, tonsillitis. Nonspecific prostatitis forms the bulk of the problems that occur in the prostate gland.
The following pathogens cause non -specific infectious inflammation:
- virus;
- gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria;
- gardnerella - small stems;
- chlamydia;
- mycoplasmas.
Nonspecific infectious prostatitis may appear due to infection of the patient after sexual intercourse. There are also ways for foreign agents to penetrate from purulent foci of the skin, mucous membranes, and other sources of infection, for example, with tonsillitis.
The cause of the inflammatory process in the prostate can be a congestive (stagnant) phenomenon. Venous stasis or secretions in the glands are possible in certain situations. Provoking factors include reduced or excessive sexual activity, prolonged abstinence, frequent interrupted sexual intercourse, nicotine and alcohol dependence.
Men often ignore the early manifestations of the inflammatory process. Postponing a visit to the doctor is dangerous. It is also important to lead a proper lifestyle, treat comorbidities in a timely manner, and get rid of the source of the infection. Chronic prostatitis is often caused by several pathogens.
Risk factors
The likelihood of problems with the prostate increases if there is a history of infectious disease, as well as conditions accompanied by stagnation. Hypothermia and reduced immunity also affect. Factors that contribute to the development of prostatitis:
- not the proper rhythm of sexual activity;
- hypothermia (frequent or once);
- a sluggish lifestyle, work that forces you to sit for long periods;
- frequent constipation;
- diseases of the genitourinary system;
- perineum injury;
- sexually transmitted diseases;
- chronic pathology or focus of infection (cholecystitis, caries, tonsillitis);
- nervous stress, depression;
- frequent colds.
With persistent intoxication after the use of nicotine, alcohol, drugs, the risk of developing the disease increases. All of the above causes contribute to the appearance of pathology, increasing the latent inflammatory process in the prostate.
A major role in the development of this disease is played by the phenomenon of stagnation. Problems of blood flow in the capillaries trigger metabolic disorders. The addition of specific and nonspecific flora to the background of the situation described is the most common cause of prostatitis.
Classification of types and shapes
Currently, there are many classifications of prostatitis. This includes the definition of the process according to frequency of occurrence, cause of occurrence, route of infection. Let us think of the simplest and most popular types from a practical point of view. According to the etiology, prostatitis is:
- bacteria;
- contagious;
- count;
- stagnant;
- purulent.
Flow form:
- spicy;
- chronic.
Statistical data indicate that more often pathology is provoked by non -bacterial causes. There is also significant disease rejuvenation. Previously, it was considered a problem to older men. More and more young patients are now suffering from prostatitis.
Acute prostatitis
It happens quickly, the symptoms develop actively, quickly. Usually the process is contagious, provoked by harmful agents - bacteria, fungi, protozoa. Common causes may be Escherichia coli, enterococci, Proteus and others. Many microorganisms are part of their own flora. In a state of diminished immune response, they become pathogenic and cause damage to the prostate gland.
The presence of sources of infection - caries, tonsillitis, chronic pathological processes increases the likelihood of disease. Men determine their illness immediately. There are symptoms of general intoxication.
Pain expressed in the perineum, groin, radiating to the anus, lower back. Possible pain during defecation, myalgia. Urine comes out with difficulty, the urge to empty the bladder is frequent, with a delay. Patients noted erectile dysfunction, ejaculation. There is pus in the urine and secretions, usually when the disease is ignored.
Chronic prostatitis
The disease can be caused by various reasons: the phenomenon of stagnation, microbial entry, age -related changes. Often the prostate is attacked by its own immune system after an absolute cure. This can be done if the patient is under stress, has injured the prostate gland, and often suffers from hypothermia.
Also, chronicity is caused by an untreated acute process. Probably asymptomatic. In this case, there is inflammation, but the pathogenic flora does not reveal itself.
The disease manifests itself less clearly than in the acute course. Patients noted several problems with urination against the background of discomfort. There may be a decrease in sexual activity, weakness appears, sometimes there is pain in the groin, a burning sensation.
The period of exacerbation is characterized by symptoms of acute processes.
Bacterial prostatitis
This type of inflammation is acute and chronic. It is caused by various pathogenic organisms. Symptoms as in the acute course. After examination, changes in the liquid media are detected, on this basis a diagnosis is made.
The disease is more common in young people. Contributing to its development is a decrease in the immune response, the influence of external factors - stress, frequent alcohol consumption, cooling, poor motor mode. Infectious focus and chronic pathology of the body, surgery is also important.
In the acute course, patients note symptoms of intoxication - chills, weakness, hyperthermia, myalgia. Painful sensations in the perineum, anus, and genital organs are indicated locally. Problems with urination, the worse the erection is also expressed. In the blood, the characteristics of the secreted fluid change.
In its chronic course, the symptoms are not so obvious. The severity is indicated by signs of an acute course.
Infectious prostatitis
The inflammatory process of the glands caused by foreign microbes. There are acute and chronic. The symptoms and course resemble a type of bacterial pathology. The disease is distinguished by the fact that it is caused by protozoa, fungal pathogens. Among other types of disease, it is rare, especially in young patients. The reason is a common factor and the penetration of pathogens into the glands from the focus of infection.
Prostatitis calculus
The inflammatory process develops due to the presence of stones. A very rare form, it occurs almost always in elderly patients. Appears after untreated chronic inflammation. Stones can be of endogenous and exogenous origin.
The first appears due to stagnation in the body. They are small and may not appear. They are rarely detected, as there is no painful sensation.
The latter is similar in composition to that found in the bladder and kidneys. Formed as a result of chronic inflammation of the glands or adenomas. Usually they give a significant pain syndrome. Localization of sensations - sacrum, lower back, small pelvis. After sex, in motion, walking, the pain increases. The fountain may contain a few drops of blood. Other symptoms of the disease are also expressed - irritation, erectile dysfunction, problems with emptying the bladder.
congestive prostatitis
Refers to the chronic form. Its appearance is provoked by stagnation of organ secretions or blood in the small pelvis. The development went unnoticed. Symptoms are mild:
- urinary disorders;
- general intoxication;
- discomfort, pain in the perineum, groin, scrotum;
- decreased sperm quality, orgasm;
There are no specific changes in the excreted fluid. Some are contagious and some are not. Symptoms such as weakness, depression are possible.
Purulent prostatitis
Severe forms of acute course of infectious processes. Diagnosis is based on the main symptom - the appearance of pus from the ducts. Running at high temperatures. Varieties:
- cataract;
- follicle;
- parenchyma;
- purulent.
Occurs against the background of influenza, tonsillitis, SARS, weakened immunity. These types differ in the severity of the flow. Different amounts of pus are removed.
Differential diagnosis
All types and forms of prostatitis require medical examination, laboratory diagnostics. The clinic depends on the characteristics of the course. Be sure to perform an analysis of the excreted fluid for the presence of PSA (a specific protein in this disease) antigen. Ultrasound of the pelvic organs was performed.
Testing for pathogens, sexually transmitted, allows you to differentiate bacterial or infectious processes. Congestive is diagnosed according to the results of a small pelvic vein study. Calculous is determined by assessing the patient’s general condition, organ palpation data, urine and blood tests.
The characteristics of treatment depend on the type and stage of the disease
Acute prostatitis is treated in hospital. Antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, substances that reduce swelling and improve urine outflow, immunomodulators, therapeutic microclisters, and physiotherapy are prescribed. It is recommended to use medical suppositories. In the chronic process, prostate massage is added. With calculus disease, massage is prohibited, surgical treatment is possible.
Consequences and prevention
Any type and form of prostatitis requires immediate diagnosis and appropriate treatment. It is difficult to cure a chronic process, so it is important not to start an acute process. Under the influence of inflammation, iron changes irreversibly. This leads to infertility, impotence, abscesses, stone formation and tumors in organs.
Prevention implies a proper lifestyle, sports, normal sex, exclusion of free association.