Acute or chronic prostatitis is found in almost half of working-age men. Bacteria, congestion, stones are diagnosed more often in older age. Infections provoke diseases in the young part of the male population. Therapy is long, complex and does not always lead to a full recovery. Therefore, for a speedy recovery, it is important to contact a urologist at the earliest stages 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. Often the disease contributes to the development of other prostate problems. Among them are tumors.
Benign processes cause the development of adenomas. Malignant ones lead to cancer. Tumors tend to develop in older men.
Ascending infection refers to the predominant causes of disease onset. The pollutant from the urinary tract enters the prostate. There it has a damaging 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 native microflora. Under certain conditions, your own bacteria cause inflammation. This can occur with reduced protective function due to hypothermia, a co-morbid condition. An important role is played by a chronic focus of infection - tooth decay, tonsillitis. Prostatitis of a non-specific nature accounts for the majority of problems occurring in the prostate gland.
The following pathogens cause infectious non-specific inflammation:
- viruses;
- gram negative and gram positive bacteria;
- Gardnerella - small sticks;
- chlamydia;
- mycoplasma.
Nonspecific infectious prostatitis can occur due to infection of the patient after sexual contact. A foreign substance can also penetrate from purulent foci of the skin, mucous membranes and other sources of infection, for example with tonsillitis.
The causes of inflammatory processes in the prostate can be congestive (stagnant) phenomena. In certain situations, venous or secretory congestion in the gland is possible. Provoking factors are reduced or excessive sexual activity, prolonged abstinence, frequent practice of interrupted sexual intercourse, nicotine and alcohol addiction.
Men often ignore the first manifestations of the inflammatory process. Postponing a visit to the doctor is dangerous. It is also important to lead an appropriate lifestyle, timely treat concomitant diseases and eliminate sources of infection. Chronic prostatitis is often caused by multiple pathogens.
risk factors
The likelihood of problems with the prostate increases if there is a history of infectious diseases, as well as conditions associated with stagnation. Hypothermia and reduced immunity also have an effect. Factors contributing to the development of prostatitis:
- not the right rhythm of sexual activity;
- hypothermia (frequent or single);
- sluggish lifestyle, work that forces you to sit for a long time;
- frequent constipation;
- diseases of the genitourinary system;
- perineal injury;
- sexually transmitted diseases;
- chronic pathologies or foci of infection (cholecystitis, caries, tonsillitis);
- nervous stress, depression;
- frequent colds.
With constant intoxication after the use of nicotine, alcohol and drugs, the risk of contracting the disease increases. All of the above causes contribute to the occurrence of pathology and increase the latent inflammatory process in the prostate.
The main role in the development of the disease is played by the phenomena of stagnation. Circulatory disorders in the capillaries lead to metabolic disorders. The addition of specific and nonspecific flora against the background of the described situations is the most common cause of prostatitis.
Classification of types and shapes
Currently there are many classifications of prostatitis. These include definitions of the process by frequency of occurrence, cause of occurrence, route of infection. Let's dwell on the simplest and most popular varieties from a practical point of view. According to the etiology, prostatitis is:
- bacterial;
- contagious;
- calculating
- stagnant;
- purulent.
flow pattern:
- spicy;
- chronic.
Statistical data show that the pathology is more often provoked by causes of a non-bacterial nature. There is also a significant rejuvenation of the disease. It used to be considered a problem for older men. Now more and more young patients suffer from prostatitis.
Acute prostatitis
It occurs quickly, the symptoms are growing actively and rapidly. Usually the process is contagious and provoked by harmful substances - bacteria, fungi, protozoa. A common cause can be Escherichia coli, enterococci, proteus and others. Many microorganisms are part of their own flora. If the immune response is reduced, they become pathogens and damage the prostate.
The presence of sources of infection - tooth decay, tonsillitis, chronic pathological processes - increases the likelihood of the disease. Men determine their illness almost immediately. There are symptoms of general intoxication.
Expressed pain in perineum, groin radiating to anus, lower back. Possible pain during defecation, myalgia. The outflow of urine is made more difficult, and the urge to empty the bladder is often delayed. Patients note a deterioration in erection, ejaculation. There is pus in the urine and secretions, usually when the disease is neglected.
Chronic prostate inflammation
The disease can have various causes: stagnation phenomena, penetration of microbes, age-related changes. The prostate is often attacked by its own immune system after it has completely healed. This is possible if the patient is exposed to stress, has injured the prostate, and often has hypothermia.
The chronification is also due to an untreated acute process. Can be asymptomatic. In this case, there is inflammation, but the pathogenic flora does not show itself.
The disease manifests itself less pronounced than in the acute course. Patients note some 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.
Periods of exacerbation are characterized by symptoms of an acute process.
Bacterial prostatitis
This type of inflammation is acute and chronic. It is caused by various pathogens. Symptoms as in the acute course. After the examination, changes in liquid media are detected, on the basis of which a diagnosis is made.
This disease is more common in young people. A decrease in the immune response, the influence of external factors contribute to its development - stress, frequent alcohol consumption, cooling down, weak motor mode. Foci of infection and chronic pathologies of the body, operations are also important.
In the acute course, patients note symptoms of intoxication - chills, weakness, hyperthermia, myalgia. Locally, painful sensations of the perineum, anus and genital organs are manifested. Problems with urination, deterioration of erection are also voiced. Fluids excreted in the blood characteristic changes.
In its chronic course, the symptoms are not so clear. The exacerbation is manifested by signs of an acute course.
Infectious prostatitis
Inflammatory process of the gland caused by foreign microbes. There are acute and chronic. Symptoms and course are similar to bacterial pathology. This disease is characterized in that it is caused by protozoa, fungal pathogens. Among other types of the disease, it is rare, mainly in young patients. The reasons are common factors and the penetration of pathogens into the gland from the foci of infection.
Calculated prostatitis
The inflammatory process develops due to the presence of stones. A very rare form that almost always occurs in elderly patients. Appears after untreated chronic inflammation. Stones can be of endogenous and exogenous origin.
The first appear due to stagnation in the body. They are small and may not appear. They are rarely recognized, since there are no painful sensations.
The latter have a composition similar to that in the bladder and kidneys. Formed due to chronic inflammation of the gland or adenoma. Usually they give a pronounced pain syndrome. Localization of sensations - sacrum, lower back, small pelvis. After sex, in motion, when 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.
stasis prostatitis
Refers to the chronic form. Its occurrence is provoked by stagnation of the secretion of an organ or blood in the small pelvis. development goes unnoticed. The symptoms are mild:
- disturbances in urination;
- general intoxication;
- Discomfort, pain in the perineum, groin, scrotum;
- decreased sperm quality, orgasm;
There are no specific changes in the excreted fluids. There are contagious and non-contagious. Symptoms such as weakness, depression are possible.
Purulent inflammation of the prostate
Severe form of the acute course of the infectious process. The diagnosis is based on the main symptom - the appearance of pus from the duct. Runs at high temperatures. Its varieties:
- catarrhal;
- follicular;
- parenchymal;
- Abscess.
Occurs against the background of influenza, tonsillitis, SARS, weakened immunity. These types differ in the strength of the current. A varying amount of pus is released.
differential diagnosis
All types and forms of prostatitis require a medical examination, laboratory diagnostics. The clinic depends on the specifics of the course. Be sure to check the excreted fluids for the presence of PSA antigen (a specific protein in the disease). An ultrasound of the pelvic organs is performed.
The test for sexually transmitted pathogens allows you to distinguish the bacterial or infectious process. Congestion is diagnosed according to the results of an examination of the veins of the small pelvis. Calculus is determined by assessing the general condition of the patient, 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 outflow, immunomodulators, therapeutic microclysters and physiotherapy are prescribed. It is recommended to use medicinal suppositories. In chronic processes, a prostate massage is added. With a calculous disease, massage is prohibited, surgical treatment is possible.
consequences and prevention
All types and forms of prostatitis require urgent 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 the organ.
Prevention includes the right lifestyle, sports, regular sex, the exclusion of promiscuity.