Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate. Currently, urologists are inclined to believe that prostatitis is not a single disease, but combines several diseases of the male genital area. It 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 immediate cause of prostatitis are two equally important factors. The first is the appearance of congestion in the small pelvis and, as a result, in the prostate, and the second is the addition of infection. However, in some cases it is not possible to detect an infectious agent in the tissues of the prostate, presumably in such cases, autoimmune processes become the cause of prostatitis, which means that the prostate is attacked. by cells of its own immune system. system, following a malfunction of the system.
The predisposing factors for the appearance of inflammation of the prostate are: weakening of the immune system following infection, hypothermia, stress; hormonal disorders, incomplete ejaculation, sedentary lifestyle, food preferences (addiction to 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, the 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 non-bacterial prostatitis / Chronic pelvic pain syndrome - a condition in which no infection is detected and lasts for more than 3 months;
- Sub-category III A. Chronic inflammatory pelvic pain syndrome (leukocytes are determined in the secret of the prostate);
- Sub-category III B. Chronic non-inflammatory pelvic pain syndrome (there are no leukocytes in the secret of the prostate);
- Category IV. Asymptomatic chronic prostatitis (leukocytes are present in the secret of the prostate, 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 area;
- urinary disorders, which include slow flow, intermittent flow, incomplete emptying of the bladder, frequent urination, etc. ;
- disorders of the genital area.
It should be noted that the three symptoms of prostatitis are not mandatory. In addition, acute and chronic prostatitis proceed in different ways.
Symptoms of acute prostatitis: severe, sharp pain in the prostate area, which is administered to the rectum, perineum, testes, lower back; deterioration of general condition, fever, headache and muscle pain, general weakness; violation of urination up to acute urinary retention as a result of edema of the prostate and compression of the urethra.
Symptoms of chronic prostatitis: pain in the prostate, but less intense than in acute prostatitis; urinary disorders, sexual disorders: incomplete erection, short erection, accelerated ejaculation, etc. Chronic prostatitis may have a wavy course, when periods of exacerbation are replaced by periods of easing, or it may have persistent mild symptoms.
Unlike other inflammatory diseases, when a chronic process is a consequence of acute untreated inflammation, chronic prostatitis is often primary chronic, when the patient himself has difficulty in determining the onset of the disease.
Diagnosis of prostatitis
To diagnose prostatitis, the following studies are performed:
- analysis of the secretion of the prostate;
- digital rectal examination;
- transrectal ultrasound of the prostate;
- Kidney and bladder ultrasound;
- a blood test for PSA (prostate antigen);
- general blood test;
- general urinalysis;
- urinalysis for urogenital infections before and after prostate massage;
- flow measurement (urination test).
The main thing in the diagnosis is to identify the cause of prostatitis, since therapeutic measures depend on it. Another diagnostic challenge is to rule out prostate cancer.
Treatment of prostatitis
Acute and chronic prostatitis of bacterial origin is treated with antibacterial drugs. Large doses of antibiotics are prescribed, for acute prostatitis, even before the results of bacterial culture are obtained, since the acute process requires immediate action. In the complex, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are prescribed, which also have an analgesic effect.
Chronic prostatitis is treated based on the underlying cause. For non-bacterial prostatitis, a general strengthening, immunomodulatory drugs are taken. Treatment of prostatitis is carried out with the mandatory participation of physiotherapeutic procedures: laser therapy, magnetotherapy, electrophoresis of medicinal substances, ultrasound, etc.
Urologists say that the treatment of prostatitis with medical means alone will bring only temporary relief, because without changing the usual way of life, the treatment of prostatitis is ineffective. It is necessary to give up bad habits, lead an active life, eliminate hypodynamia, avoid stagnation of the small pelvis with the help of special gymnastics, try to spend less time indrive, walk more and get enough rest.
It is also important to improve your sex life, make it regular and eat well. Chronic prostatitis is prone to relapse, therefore lifestyle changes should be permanent, only in this case, the treatment of prostatitis will lead to a complete cure.
Treatment of prostatitis with folk remedies
For the treatment of prostatitis, traditional methods are widely and successfully used, especially for the treatment of chronic prostatitis. They work more gently than drugs, but they are still quite effective and produce fewer side effects, so the treatment of prostatitis with folk remedies can be carried out for a long time, until the symptoms of the disease are over. eliminated.
Among the folk remedies for the treatment of prostatitis, herbal teas with anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects are widely used: tea from chamomile, sage leaves, calendula flowers, etc. Medicinal herbs are also used in the form of tinctures and balms. Honey and bee products are used as fortifying agents. Beeswax is perfect for wraps in the treatment of chronic prostatitis, replacing paraffin wax. Echinacea tincture is used as a mild immunostimulating agent; for the same purpose, some varieties of honey are used successfully.