Prostatitis is an inflammatory prostate disease often diagnosed in elderly men. The initial or early signs of prostatitis are quite specific, which allows for detecting the pathology in a timely manner, making a complete examination and starting treatment.
Types of disease and early signs
There are two forms of the disease - bacterial (infectious) prostatitis and non-bacterial congestive prostatitis. The first signs of the disease depend directly on the nature of the inflammation.
In the first case, the cause of the disease is an infection, usually the inflammation is caused by the action of bacterial agents that are sexually transmitted. This form of prostatitis is characterized by an ascending or descending route of prostate infection - the infection enters the urethra or the kidneys. The symptoms of inflammation are acute, increase rapidly and fever is usually present.
Non-infectious prostatitis is a disease that affects office workers and men over 50. The disease develops due to congestion in the pelvic region. The cause of the inflammation is the violation of the microcirculation of blood in the prostate, the stagnation of secretions in the organ and the violation of the trophism in the tissues of the prostate. The characteristics of this form of inflammation are a slow increase in symptoms, usually a latent course. If, with the bacterial form of the disease, deterioration of well-being occurs quickly, non-infectious prostatitis rarely bothers in the early stages, making diagnosis of the disease in a timely manner difficult.
Common symptoms of prostatitis
Regardless of the form of the disease, the symptoms of prostatitis in men are as follows:
- pain when urinating;
- discomfort in the anus;
- incomplete emptying of the bladder;
- weakened urinary pressure;
- frequent need to use the bathroom at night;
- general malaise;
- weakening of the erection;
- violation of ejaculation;
- pain in ejaculation.
It is impossible to answer unequivocally the question of how exactly the initial stage of prostatitis manifests itself. Each patient has different symptoms early in the development of the disease. This is due to the characteristics of the organism.
In most cases, the first signs of prostatitis are discomfort in the anus and slight discharge when urinating. These symptoms indicate organ irritation.
Often, men experience a weakening of the erection, while other symptoms of the initial form of inflammation may be completely absent. The problem is that patients rarely go to the doctor with the problem of ejaculation disorder or weakened erection. As a rule, this neglect of health over time results in a progressive form of prostatitis, which is quite difficult to treat.
Pain when urinating and a frequent desire to go to the bathroom are caused by pressure from an inflamed organ. This leads to a narrowing of the lumen of the urethra and incomplete emptying of the bladder. As a rule, obvious problems with urination are seen in the second stage of the disease, but not in the first.
Specific symptoms
Specific signs are characteristic symptoms of various forms of inflammation. With the bacterial form of the disease, note:
- increased body temperature; secretion from the urethra;
- blood in the urine;
- sharp pain in the scrotum;
- burning and burning after urinating.
Patients often experience severe pain at the end of urination. Often, blood is released, or a light yellow or purulent discharge is observed. These signs are characteristic of bacterial inflammation, caused, among other things, by diseases transmitted through unprotected sex. The temperature can rise more than 38 ° C. There are also symptoms of body intoxication, general weakness and loss of strength. Often, with bacterial inflammation, the temperature rises first, and after a few days, specific symptoms appear, such as pain when urinating and frequent urge to urinate.
The elevated temperature is characteristic of the bacterial form of prostatitis.
The first symptoms and manifestations of the non-infectious form of the disease:
- pressure and expansion in the anus;
- weakening of urinary pressure;
- erectile dysfunction;
- Frequent desire to urinate, especially at night.
The temperature in this case rarely rises, there are no symptoms of intoxication. Pain in the perineal region does not develop. In the early stage of non-infectious prostatitis, there is always discomfort in the anus, which is due to the increased size of the inflamed organ.
As the frequency of the urge to urinate at night, patients often complain of insomnia and loss of energy. In this context, stress and neurosis can occur.
Non-specific symptoms that are rare
Prostatitis refers to diseases with specific symptoms, which, in most cases, are sufficient to prescribe a digital examination of the prostate and make a diagnosis. The nonspecific manifestations of prostatitis are due to clinical cases in which the disease develops in the context of some primary pathology.
Therefore, prostatitis in the context of prostate stones is rarely diagnosed, but in this case, a characteristic symptom will be blood in the urine and the discharge of blood droplets from the urethra during urination.
In genital infections, prostatitis may be accompanied by severe pain in the perineum and purulent discharge.
One of the most difficult ways to diagnose the disease is fungal prostatitis. The disease develops in the context of systemic mycoses or chronic Candida balanoposthitis. The characteristic symptoms are inflammation of the penis glans, formation of a dense, white plaque and pain when urinating. In addition, there may be pain in the anus and genital itching.
Congestive prostatitis may present with discharge after urination. In that case, clear mucous masses, droplets of pus or blood are released. Often, if there is discharge, there are no symptoms other than discomfort after urinating.
When to see a doctor?
It is important to understand that early stage prostatitis is quite successfully treatable, while the chronic form of the pathology requires long-term medication and treatment, in this case, lasts for years.
The reason to go to the urologist is:
- urinary disorder;
- change in the nature of the erection;
- foreign matter in the semen;
- blood droplets in the urine;
- fullness in the anus.
It is recommended that all men over 40 years of age visit a urologist annually. In the last decades, prostatitis has become significantly "younger", today the first symptoms and manifestations of the disease are increasingly found in men aged 25 to 30 years. The first signs of illness are found by office workers, overweight patients and all men who lead sedentary lives.
Therefore, the first thing to do when detecting the early stage of prostatitis is to undergo a comprehensive examination, which includes:
- examination of the organ finger (prostate massage);
- ultrasound of the prostate, kidneys and bladder;
- blood test to determine the PSA level;
- analysis of bacterial semen;
- microscopic examination of prostate secretions.
The stages of the disease can be identified by the photo (ultrasound) of the prostate. Based on these diagnostic methods, the doctor determines what stage the inflammation is in and selects the ideal treatment regimen.
Principle of prostatitis treatment
When the first signs of prostatitis are detected, the choice of treatment method depends on the form of the disease. As a rule, specific and symptomatic treatment is carried out.
Specific treatments include:
- prostate protectors;
- antibiotics;
- alpha blockers;
- fortifying agents;
- diet and lifestyle adjustments.
Prostate protectors are drugs that improve the trophism of prostate tissue. The drugs are prescribed for any form of prostatitis, both for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes.
Antibiotics are indicated for bacterial inflammation. They get drunk on a long haul - up to a month and a half. In some cases, they can be replaced by drugs in the fluoroquinolone group. In the treatment of non-infectious prostatitis, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used.
Alpha blockers are drugs that relax the bladder and prostate muscles. The use of drugs in this group aims to facilitate the urination process.
Fortifying agents in the treatment of prostatitis are various herbal preparations, both pharmaceutical and popular. These tools include:
- candles with pumpkin extract;
- pumpkin seed oil;
- rectal suppositories with propolis;
- echinacea tincture;
- herbal preparations;
- tablets.
These funds are used regardless of the form of inflammation at any stage of the disease.
Symptomatic therapy includes a consultation:
- antispasmodics;
- antipyretic drugs;
- analgesics;
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- sedatives.
Antispasmodics help facilitate urination during the early stages of prostatitis. Antipyretics are indicated when the temperature rises in the context of bacterial inflammation. Painkillers help to relieve pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, so they are often prescribed for non-infectious prostatitis. According to the doctor's instructions, sedatives can be indicated to the patient. They are prescribed for insomnia and stress, which are caused by discomfort and the frequent need to use the bathroom.
Possible complications
Any disease is easier to treat at an early stage and prostatitis is no exception. Timely treatment will not only eliminate discomfort and pain, but will also significantly improve a man's quality of life and sexual activity.
Prostatitis initiated becomes chronic and presents several complications, including:
- acute urine stagnation; kidney infection
- ;
- infertility;
- impotence.
The chronic form of the disease requires constant medication to normalize man's well-being. Often, drug therapy has become ineffective over the years; then, the only method to normalize the patient's condition is surgical intervention - partial or complete removal of the organ.
The initial stage of prostatitis lasts about three to four years. Then the disease becomes chronic. Knowing the first signs of prostatitis in men and the treatment of the initial stage of the disease, you should consult a specialist as soon as possible. Prostatitis is not a disease diagnosed by photo, as the disease has no visible manifestations. To notice the first symptoms in a timely manner, you must listen to your own health.