Prostatitis comes in two forms - acute and chronic. If acute inflammation is treated quickly with antibiotics, chronic prostatitis becomes a serious problem in older men, negatively affecting quality of life. Chronic prostatitis can be caused by infection and congestion in Organs pelvic organs. The disease requires complex and long-term treatment.
Classification of the disease
Chronic prostatitis in men is divided into two types - congestive (abacterial, congestive) and infectious.
Chronic congestive prostatitis is a consequence of impaired prostate trophism. The disease develops with heart failure or lack of regular sexual life.
Chronic abacterial prostatitis is characterized by moderately severe symptoms and absence of acute pain syndrome. When analyzed, no infectious agent is detected in the secretion of the prostate, so the disease is called abacterial.
Chronic infectious prostatitis is a consequence of untreated bacterial inflammation. The disease begins with an acute form due to infection of the prostate. The disease becomes chronic due to the lack of appropriate and timely therapy. Chronic infectious prostatitis is characterized by periodic exacerbations.
Causes of chronic non-infectious prostatitis
Speaking of chronic prostatitis, most of the time we refer to a non-infectious disease triggered by congestion in Organs pelvic organs. This is due to a violation of the prostate trophism - blood circulation, lymphatic flow, flow of prostate secretions.
This form of the disease is directly related to lifestyle and is considered a disease of office workers. The main reason for the development of congestive prostatitis is physical inactivity.
Among the factors that predispose to the development of congestive prostatitis are:
- sedentary work;
- lack of regular sports;
- unbalanced diet;
- obesity;
- bad habits;
- varicose veins;
- hemorrhoids;
- irregular sex life.
The disease develops in the context of any conditions, accompanied by circulatory disorders of the lower extremities. Often, prostatitis appears with obesity, when, as a result of increased stress in the lower back and lower limbs, the metabolic processes in that area are interrupted.
If, due to the nature of the profession, you have to sit all day, you need to move at least at night.
Bad habits can trigger the development of prostatitis. Smoking destroys blood vessels and disrupts normal blood flow. Due to a person's physiological characteristics, this mainly affects the blood circulation of the lower extremities and the pelvic region.
Sexual activity plays an important role in the functioning of the prostate. The ideal number of sexual intercourse per week for a man over 40 is 3-4. A smaller amount leads to a violation of the prostate secretion flow, a larger amount leads to organ depletion.
Another cause of congestive prostatitis is heart failure. This disease is characterized by impaired blood circulation, including in Organs pelvic organs.
The reasons for the development of chronic infectious prostatitis
Chronic bacterial prostatitis is a consequence of acute untreated inflammation of the prostate. This form of the disease is characterized by severe symptoms and the presence of pathogens found in prostate secretion.
The most common causative agents of infectious prostatitis:
- E. coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa;
- staphylococci and streptococci;
- chlamydia; ureaplasma;
- Trichomonas;
- fungal flora.
The infection enters the prostate in three ways: through blood flow, lymph or urethra. The last pathogen penetration pathway is valid in cases of infection by chlamydia, ureplasma or Trichomonas.
Reasons for the development of the disease:
- decreased immunity; severe hypothermia;
- stress;
- long-term antibiotic therapy.
Conditionally pathogenic bacteria are always present in the body and only strong immunity does not allow them to be activated.
Chronic bacterial prostatitis develops from an acute form in the following cases:
- presence of chronic focus of infection;
- antibiotic therapy selected incorrectly;
- late discontinuation of treatment;
- weakened immunity.
In most cases, the chronic form of the disease develops precisely because of inadequate treatment. This occurs when the antibiotic therapy regimen is not correctly designed or self-medication. Stopping antibiotics when you feel better means that the pathogen will not be completely destroyed. Any decrease in immunity or hypothermia, in this case, leads to the new development of the disease.
The most difficult to treat is fungal prostatitis caused by yeast-like fungi. This pathogen quickly develops resistance to antifungals, which makes treatment more difficult and increases the risk of developing a chronic form of the disease.
Symptoms of the disease
In chronic prostatitis, symptoms are mild, however, with decreased immunity or after stress, the disease worsens.
The most common symptoms of chronic prostatitis in men are:
- urinary disorder;
- weight on the prostate;
- weakening of power;
- nightly need to use the bathroom.
With exacerbation of chronic prostatitis, pain in the bladder and perineum is observed. The frequency of urgency to the toilet can reach 10 per hour. At the same time, the urinary stream is weak, it is necessary to stretch the muscles to urinate, but the process itself does not bring relief and repeated impulses appear after a few minutes.
The symptoms and treatment of chronic prostatitis depend largely on the form of inflammation. In congestive prostatitis, erection problems are common. This is due to impaired blood circulation. Ejaculation can occur quickly or be absent due to thickening of the prostate secretion.
In case of infectious inflammation of the prostate or chronic bacterial prostatitis, pain may occur when urinating and burning in the urethra after ejaculation. These symptoms are accompanied by irritation of the urethral mucosa by disease-causing agents contained in the secretion of the prostate.
Prostatitis and erectile dysfunction
Inflammation of the prostate is not visible to the naked eye, the symptoms of chronic prostatitis have no visible manifestation, but refer to internal disorders. One of the characteristic symptoms of the disease is the weakening of the erection.
Erectile dysfunction in congestive prostatitis develops in several stages. The disease itself can go on for a long time without pronounced symptoms and signs of prostatitis will appear only with a strong weakening of the immune system.
Bacterial inflammation of the prostate can be suspected by changes in erection. At the beginning of the development of the disease, there is an increase in potency. The man gets aroused quickly, but ejaculation also comes quickly. This is due to a change in viscosity of prostate secretion. You may experience discomfort during ejaculation, but the pain is characteristic of infectious, but not congestive, prostatitis.
This causes a series of psychological problems that aggravate the course of the disease. Erectile dysfunction due to problems with blood flow is aggravated by fear of a sexual partner, which can lead to the development of impotence in the context of prostatitis.
Urinary disease
Problems with urodynamics are seen in all forms of prostatitis.
Chronic bacterial inflammation is characterized by a nocturnal urge to urinate. It is caused by swelling of the prostate, which worsens at night. There is a weakening of urinary pressure and the need to contract the pelvic floor muscles to urinate. At the same time, he feels weight and fullness in his bladder, and occasional spasms can appear. Due to the frequent need to go to the bathroom at night, sleep problems and insomnia arise. All of this affects the psychological state of man and further aggravates the course of the disease, since in the context of stress there is a decrease in immunity and a slowdown in metabolic processes.
Men often complain of cramps in the lower abdomen, which is explained by the increased tone of the bladder muscles. Typically, severe symptoms of prostatitis are seen with a decrease in immunity. Without an exacerbation of the disease, the pain syndrome may be completely absent.
Congestive prostatitis is characterized by severe swelling of the prostate. The contours of the organ become indistinct, the prostate itself swells and increases in size. In that case, there may be a feeling of fullness in the rectum and increased discomfort during bowel movements. Urination problems are caused by compression of the urethra by a swollen prostate.
Why is prostatitis dangerous?
The consequences of chronic prostatitis depend on several factors:
- age of the patient;
- severity of symptoms;
- current duration;
- the effectiveness of drug therapy.
The longer a man lives with chronic prostatitis, the more severe the consequences of the disease. In most cases, the urinary system is affected. In bacterial prostatitis, kidney infection can occur when urine returns. This is due to the entry of pathogens into the urethra during ejaculation.
Constant irritation of the bladder and urethra can cause inflammation. In the context of prostatitis, cystitis and urethritis of various types are frequently diagnosed.
In chronic prostatitis, the consequences affect the man's psycho-emotional state. Violation of potency, frequent need to go to the bathroom, discomfort in the bladder - all this leads to the development of stress. Prostatitis can be an indirect cause of neurosis and depression.
The disturbance of the nervous system in a context of constant discomfort in the genitourinary organs leads to a decrease in immunity and the deterioration of all metabolic processes in the body. Thus, prostatitis causes nervous disorders, which in turn aggravate the course of the disease, and the circle closes.
Constant discomfort, violation of potency, inability to sleep - all of which greatly affect the quality of life.
Diagnosis of diseases
If you suspect inflammation of the prostate, you should consult a urologist or andrologist. The following diagnostic methods are used to make a diagnosis:
- rectal palpation of the prostate;
- Ultrasound and TRUS of an organ; renal ultrasound;
- analysis of prostate secretion;
- PSA blood test.
The need for further tests is determined after palpation of the rectal organ. This procedure is also known as prostate massage. The doctor inserts two fingers into the rectal opening and palpates the prostate. Inflammation is evidenced by a change in the structure of the organ, the heterogeneity of tissues and contours of the prostate. During the massage, the organ is stimulated and secretion from the prostate is secreted by the urethra. It is collected for further analysis. Analysis of prostate secretion shows:
- quantity of lecithin grains;
- leukocyte and erythrocyte count;
- presence of pathogenic microorganisms;
- presence of fungal microflora.
This allows not only to determine the nature of the inflammatory process, but also to identify the causative agent of infectious prostatitis.
Ultrasound and TRUS are performed more to exclude calculations in the prostate than to diagnose prostatitis, since the method is not very informative, unlike the analysis of secretions.
A PSA blood test is prescribed to exclude oncopathology in the prostate. It also detects inflammation or adenoma of the prostate. Treatment of chronic prostatitis depends on test results and the type of inflammation.
Treatment resources
The treatment regimen for chronic prostatitis is a combination of drugs, physical therapy and popular methods. The treatment is complemented by a change in lifestyle - adaptation of the menu, abandonment of habits, regular sports and sexual life.
It is important to understand that, for chronic prostatitis, treatment takes at least six months. In addition to medications to relieve inflammation, men receive long-term rehabilitation therapy, necessary to normalize prostate function.
Medication
How to cure chronic prostatitis depends on the form of the disease. Medications for chronic prostatitis include:
- antibiotics or anti-inflammatories;
- rectal suppositories to normalize trophism;
- immunostimulants and agents to improve health in general.
For the treatment of chronic prostatitis in men, antibiotics are used, but only if it is an infectious inflammation of the prostate. How to treat infectious prostatitis in men depends on the pathogen and the success of the previous therapeutic course. In acute bacterial inflammation, macrolide antibiotics are prescribed in most cases. They effectively suppress the activity of pathogens and have a broad spectrum of action. In case of non-adherence to the therapeutic regimen or inadequate selection of drugs, the microorganisms that cause inflammation quickly develop resistance to macrolides, which largely determines the transition of the disease to the chronic form.
Fluoroquinolones are effective antibacterial agents for microbial prostatitis. They have pronounced anti-inflammatory activity against a wide range of pathogenic microorganisms.
Although fluoroquinolones do not have natural analogues, which explains the lack of resistance of pathogenic microorganisms to the action of the drug, it is necessary to carefully follow the treatment schedule chosen by the doctor. Otherwise, the medication will be ineffective and antibiotic therapy will have to be repeated.
Antibacterial drugs and pills are not used to treat chronic non-infectious prostatitis. In congestive prostatitis, inflammation is not caused by microbes, but by a violation of trophism, so it is not appropriate to use antibiotics for treatment. They use anti-inflammatory drugs. They are applied in short courses to reduce inflammation and swelling. Medicines are prescribed in suppositories or injections. The treatment lasts an average of one week, the drug is administered rectally at night or intramuscularly once a day. With severe inflammation, it is possible to use the drug twice a day.
Anti-inflammatories are not antibiotics. The pills are used successfully to relieve the inflammatory process with non-infectious or congestive prostatitis. On average, doctors prescribe two pills a day for 5 days and then transfer the patient to therapy with phytopreparations that improve prostate trophism.
In case of severe urination disorders, treatment is supplemented with drugs from the alpha blocker group. These medications relax the bladder, reducing muscle tone, thus allowing urine to flow normally. The drugs in this group are taken one tablet a day in short cycles; treatment with alpha blockers rarely exceeds one week.
After the inflammation has disappeared, congestive (cognitive) and infectious prostatitis is treated with drugs that normalize prostate trophism. Medicines contribute to:
- reduces inflammation;
- pain relief;
- normalization of urination;
- increase in power.
For chronic prostatitis, these drugs are used for at least two weeks. They come in the form of rectal suppositories. The recommended dosage is one candle a day at night.
Propolis suppositories are recommended to restore local immunity. They relieve inflammation, improve blood circulation and the flow of secretions from the prostate, and also significantly increase immunity, preventing exacerbation of prostatitis. The drugs come in the form of small suppositories that are injected into the rectum at night.
In addition, your doctor may recommend suppositories with ichtiol. They relieve inflammation and reduce swelling of the prostate.
Echinacea extract-based preparations are recommended as a general tonic for prostatitis. They strengthen the immune system and prevent the development of exacerbations of prostatitis. With the appearance of neurosis and insomnia in the context of prostatitis, the doctor may recommend sedatives.
Physiotherapy for chronic prostatitis
The causes of chronic prostatitis are poor circulation in Organs pelvic organs. To speed up the recovery and restoration of prostate trophism, physiotherapy methods are widely used:
- magnetic therapy; electrophoresis
- ;
- shockwave therapy;
- acupuncture.
Acupuncture (acupuncture) and leech therapy (hirudotherapy) are different from non-traditional methods.
There are many methods of home physiotherapy. The most popular are the special devices. They create alternating magnetic fields that have a positive effect on metabolic processes, eliminating congestion in Organs pelvic organs.
Darsonvalização can also be used at home. This is a microcurrent effect that improves metabolic processes. You can buy devices for home treatment at any medical equipment store, but it is recommended to consult your doctor first.
Prostate massage is used to treat congestive prostatitis. It is performed by a specialist at a medical center. Organ stimulation allows you to get rid of swelling and discomfort, and it also relieves stagnation of prostate secretions. The course of treatment consists of 10-15 procedures.
Folk remedies
The treatment of chronic prostatitis depends on the range of therapeutic measures taken. Traditional medicine will help to complement drug treatment.
Homemade suppositories are used to relieve inflammation in the prostate. To prepare candles, 200 g of any fatty base, 40 ml of propolis extract will be needed. The base is melted in a water bath, the propolis is poured gradually, stirring constantly. When the product acquires a uniform color, it is poured into plastic wrap and packed in the form of sausage. The dough should be refrigerated for an hour to cool. When the product cools, it is divided with a knife into equal pieces in torpedo shape, approximately 5 cm long and 2 cm in diameter. These candles must be stored individually wrapped in the refrigerator. The recommended dosage is a suppository in the rectal opening before bedtime. The duration of treatment is 2-3 weeks.
You can also make candles with pumpkin seed oil and honey. The proportions are 200 g of base, 50 ml of oil and 3 tablespoons of honey. As a base, you can take beeswax, lanolin, cocoa butter. These suppositories relieve inflammation, improve prostate function and increase immunity.
To cure chronic prostatitis at home, you can use various infusions and decoctions. One of the most effective remedies is parsley juice. 3 large spoons should be taken daily.
Traditional medicine recommends consuming 30 g of pumpkin seeds a day. They contain many nutrients that are necessary for the normal functioning of the prostate.
Another effective treatment is a mixture of pumpkin seeds, nuts and honey. To prepare the medicine, take 100 peeled seeds and an equal number of walnut kernels, place them in a suitable container and pour 500 ml of honey. The product is kept in the refrigerator for 4 days for infusion, then 4 large spoons are taken daily.
Surgical Treatment
Whether chronic prostatitis can be cured permanently depends on the severity of the disease and the patient's age. With frequent exacerbations, you have to use drugs constantly.
Surgical treatment of prostatitis in most cases is not performed. Perhaps the use of radical measures - the complete removal of the prostate. This operation is performed only if the prostate does not perform its functions due to chronic inflammation and treatment with drugs is ineffective. In addition, prostate removal is practiced with the risk of developing oncology.
Interestingly, the effects of prostatitis are generally seen in old age, in men over 65 years old. In this case, several difficulties arise in the treatment:
- diseases of the cardiovascular system;
- contraindications to taking medications;
- many side effects.
Many men, having suffered from prostatitis for more than 10 years, insist on surgery. This is usually associated with low tolerance to the drug and a large number of side effects. Doctors say surgery is the last resort and, with the right approach, prostatitis can be cured with conservative methods.
Prevention and prognosis
After discovering what chronic prostatitis is in men and how dangerous it is, the question immediately arises whether the disease can be completely cured.
Patient testimonials indicate that chronic prostatitis can be cured, but it will take a long time. The course of treatment lasts an average of six months or more. Urologists agree that proper therapy, lifestyle changes and a balanced diet will help to eliminate inflammation.
Most of the time, exacerbations and repeated episodes of inflammation after prolonged remission are found by men who do not follow the doctor's recommendations, but are treated according to the advice of friends. It is important to understand that the success of therapeutic treatment depends on the appropriately selected drug therapy. Leading to exacerbation or re-manifestation of signs of chronic prostatitis can:
- unsystematic medication intake;
- non-compliance with the doctor's recommendations;
- stop treatment after the first improvements;
- bad habits;
- lack of physical activity.
Self-selection of drugs often leads to deterioration in well-being. This is especially true in cases of infectious inflammation, when the patient selects antibiotics independently, without being tested.
A common mistake that men make is to stop treatment when the first improvements appear. In that case, the inflammation does not go away, but it subsides for a short time. With decreased immunity or hypothermia, the disease will again be felt.
In addition to medication, prostatitis requires changes in lifestyle. It is important to give up bad habits, normalize food and start playing sports. In prostatitis, yoga, physiotherapy, swimming are recommended. Any training that involves the pelvis will be beneficial. Men with this condition, especially sedentary work, should do 10-minute exercises every day and do a full workout several times a week. In addition, during the treatment of chronic prostatitis, it is necessary to have sex, as regular ejaculation helps to reduce edema of the prostate.
Successful treatment of prostatitis depends on timely diagnosis, so if you notice problems when urinating, you should see a urologist as soon as possible.