Acute or chronic prostatitis occurs in almost half of men of active age. Bacteria, congestion, and stones are diagnosed more often at an older age. Infections cause disease in the young part of the male population. The therapy is long, complex, and does not always result in complete recovery. Therefore, for a quick recovery, it is important to contact a urologist at the earliest stage of identifying symptoms.
Etiology of prostatitis
Inflammation of the prostate is called prostatitis. Men of active age suffer from the disease. It depends on the causes, the presence of aggravating factors, and the patient's lifestyle. There are different types of prostatitis. The disease often contributes to the development of other prostate problems. Among them are tumors.
Benign processes cause the formation of an adenoma. Malignant tumors lead to cancer. Tumors tend to develop in older men.
Ascending infection is the main cause of the disease. From the urinary tract, the harmful substance reaches the prostate gland. There, it has a harmful effect on the tissue of the organ. This type of inflammation is called non-specific.
This scenario of the development of the disease is typical for the spread of foreign and own microflora. Your own bacteria cause inflammation under certain conditions. This can occur if the protective function is reduced due to hypothermia, an accompanying disease. An important role is played by the chronic focus of the infection - tooth decay, tonsillitis. Non-specific prostatitis accounts for the majority of problems occurring in the prostate gland.
The following pathogens cause infectious, non-specific inflammations:
- viruses;
- Gram-negative and Gram-positive bacteria;
- gardnerella - small sticks;
- chlamydia;
- mycoplasmas.
Non-specific infectious prostatitis can occur due to the patient's infection after sexual contact. It is also possible for a foreign substance to penetrate from purulent foci of the skin, mucous membranes and other sources of infection, for example, in the case of tonsillitis.
The causes of inflammatory processes in the prostate can be stagnation (stagnation). In certain situations, venous or secretory stasis may occur in the gland. Provocative factors include reduced or excessive sexual activity, prolonged abstinence, frequently interrupted sexual intercourse, nicotine and alcohol addiction.
Men often ignore the initial manifestations of the inflammatory process. Postponing a doctor's visit is dangerous. It is also important to have a suitable lifestyle, timely treatment of co-morbidities and getting rid of sources of infection. Chronic prostatitis is often caused by several pathogens.
Risk factors
The possibility of prostate problems increases if there is a history of infectious diseases, as well as conditions that are accompanied by stagnation. Hypothermia and reduced immunity also have an effect. Factors contributing to the development of prostatitis:
- not the correct rhythm of sexual activity;
- hypothermia (frequent or single);
- an inert lifestyle, a job that forces you to sit for a long time;
- frequent constipation;
- diseases of the urogenital system;
- perineal injury;
- sexually transmitted diseases;
- chronic pathologies or foci of infection (cholecystitis, caries, tonsillitis);
- nervous stress, depression;
- frequent colds.
In the case of permanent poisoning after using nicotine, alcohol, or 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.
The main role in the development of the disease is played by the phenomena of stagnation. Problems with capillary blood flow cause metabolic disorders. The addition of specific and non-specific flora against the background of the described situations is the most common cause of prostatitis.
Classification of types and forms
Currently, there are many classifications of prostatitis. This includes defining the process according to frequency of occurrence, cause of occurrence, mode of infection. Let's deal with the simplest and most popular varieties from a practical point of view. According to the etiology, prostatitis:
- bacterial;
- infectious;
- predictable;
- stagnant;
- purulent.
Flow form:
- spicy;
- chronic.
Statistical data show that the pathology is more often caused by non-bacterial causes. A significant rejuvenation of the disease can also be observed. It used to be a problem for older men. Nowadays, more and more young patients suffer from prostatitis.
Acute prostatitis
It appears quickly, the symptoms actively and rapidly increase. Usually, the process is provoked by infectious, harmful substances - bacteria, fungi, protozoa. A common cause may be Escherichia coli, enterococci, Proteus and others. Many microorganisms are part of their own flora. In the case of a reduced immune response, they become pathogens and damage the prostate gland.
The presence of sources of infection - tooth decay, tonsillitis, chronic pathological processes increase the probability of the disease. Men determine their illness almost immediately. There are symptoms of general poisoning.
Pronounced pain in the perineum, groin, radiating to the anus, in the lower back. Possible pain during defecation, muscle pain. Urine comes out with difficulty, the urge to empty the bladder is frequent, with a delay. Patients notice deterioration of erection and ejaculation. There is pus in the urine and secretions, usually when the disease is neglected.
Chronic prostatitis
The disease can be caused by various reasons: phenomena of stagnation, penetration of microbes, age-related changes. The prostate is often attacked by its own immune system after an absolute cure. This is possible if the patient is under stress, the prostate gland is damaged, and often hypothermic.
In addition, chronicity is caused by an untreated acute process. It can be asymptomatic. In this case, there is inflammation, but the pathogenic flora does not reveal itself.
The disease is less pronounced than in the acute course. Patients notice certain problems with urination against the background of discomfort. Sexual activity may decrease, weakness may appear, sometimes there is pain in the groin, a burning sensation.
Periods of exacerbation are characterized by symptoms of the acute process.
Bacterial prostatitis
This type of inflammation is acute and chronic. It is caused by various pathogenic organisms. Symptoms as in the acute course. After the examination, changes in the liquid medium are detected, and a diagnosis is made based on this.
This disease is more common among young people. A decrease in the immune response, the influence of external factors - stress, frequent alcohol consumption, cooling, weak motor mode contribute to its development. Infectious foci and chronic pathologies of the body, as well as surgeries, are important.
In case of an acute course, patients notice symptoms of poisoning - chills, weakness, hyperthermia, myalgia. Painful sensations in the perineum, anus and genitals are manifested locally. Problems with urination and deterioration of erection are also expressed. Characteristic changes in the selected fluids in the blood.
During its chronic course, the symptoms are not so obvious. Exacerbation is manifested by signs of an acute course.
Infectious prostatitis
Inflammatory process of a gland caused by foreign microbes. There are acute and chronic. The symptoms and course resemble a bacterial type of pathology. This disease is distinguished by the fact that it is caused by protozoa, fungal pathogens. Among other types of the disease, it is rare, especially in young patients. The causes are common factors and the penetration of pathogens into the gland from the foci of infection.
Calculous prostatitis
The inflammatory process develops due to the presence of stones. A very rare form, it almost always occurs in elderly patients. It appears after untreated chronic inflammation. Stones can be of endogenous or exogenous origin.
The first appears due to stagnation of the body. They are small and may not appear. They are rarely detected, as there are no painful sensations.
The latter are similar in composition to those found in the bladder and kidney. It developed due to chronic inflammation of the gland or adenoma. They usually give a pronounced pain syndrome. Localization of sensations - sacrum, lower back, pelvis. After sex, during movement, walking, the pain intensifies. The ejaculate may contain a few drops of blood. Other symptoms of the disease are also expressed - irritability, deterioration of erection, problems with emptying the bladder.
congestive prostatitis
Refers to the chronic form. Its appearance is caused by the stagnation of the secretion of the organ or blood in the pelvis. Progress goes unnoticed. Symptoms are mild:
- urinary disorders;
- general poisoning;
- discomfort, pain in the perineum, groin, scrotum;
- decrease in sperm quality, orgasm;
There are no specific changes in the discharged fluids. There are infectious and non-infectious. Symptoms such as weakness and depression may appear.
Purulent prostatitis
A severe form of the acute course of the infectious process. The basis of the diagnosis is the main symptom - the appearance of pus from the canal. It works at high temperatures. Its types:
- catarrhal;
- follicular;
- parenchymal;
- abscess.
It occurs against the background of influenza, tonsillitis, SARS, weakened immunity. These types differ in the severity of the flow. A different amount of pus is released.
Differential diagnosis
All types and forms of prostatitis require medical examination and laboratory diagnostics. The clinic depends on the characteristics of the course. Be sure to analyze the selected fluid for the presence of PSA antigen (a specific protein of the disease). An ultrasound of the pelvic organs is performed.
Examination of sexually transmitted pathogens allows the differentiation of bacterial or infectious processes. Stagnation is diagnosed based on the results of an examination of the veins of the small pelvis. The calculation is determined by the assessment of the patient's general condition, palpation data of the organ, urine and blood tests.
Features of treatment depending on the type and stage of the disease
Acute prostatitis is treated in a hospital. Antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, substances that reduce swelling and improve urine output, immunomodulators, therapeutic microclysters and physiotherapy are prescribed. The use of medicated suppositories is recommended. In chronic processes, prostate massage is added. In case of calculus disease, massage is prohibited, surgical treatment is possible.
Consequences and prevention
Any type and form of prostatitis requires urgent diagnosis and appropriate treatment. It is difficult to cure a chronic process, so it is important not to start acutely. Iron changes irreversibly as a result of inflammation. This leads to infertility, impotence, abscess, formation of stones and tumors in the organ.
Prevention includes the right lifestyle, sports, regular sex, and the exclusion of promiscuity.