Frequent and painful urination, discomfort in the perineum, hyperthermia, decreased potency and libido are problems faced by 80% of men between 45 and 50 years old, but most postpone visiting the doctor until the pain becomes unbearable.Unpleasant symptoms indicate inflammation of the prostate, which requires immediate treatment: prostatitis in men quickly becomes chronic and can lead to infertility, sexual dysfunction and oncology.
What is prostatitis?
The prostate is an organ similar in size and shape to the fruit of a chestnut tree and located below the bladder.Its lower part borders the perineum.The prostate in men performs the following functions: secretory - the production of sex hormones and secretions that determine the quality of sperm, and barrier - the separation of the processes of ejaculation and urination.
The gland's second name is popularly used to refer to a common disease that affects approximately half of the male population: the older the man, the greater the risk of getting sick;Prostatitis is rarely diagnosed in men aged 20 to 25 years.The disease is dangerous and has serious complications, so it is important to recognize it at an early stage.
The therapeutic course lasts up to 14 days, and the patient must strictly follow preventive measures for several more months.If the disease has become chronic, the risk of relapse is 50%.
Classification
Prostate treatment in men sometimes lasts for years.The disease temporarily follows an asymptomatic course, but a few months later it is remembered with a sharp decrease in immunity, disruption of the intestinal microflora and other stressful situations for the body.Male prostate disease has several forms:
- Spicy.Characterized by a bacterial infection of the prostate tissue.Typical signs are severe pain and a critical increase in temperature.The disease must be treated in a hospital;
- Chronic bacterial.Periodic attenuation of symptoms is often perceived as a sign of recovery, but this is an illusion: each subsequent exacerbation is more severe than the previous ones due to the development of purulent foci and the appearance of neoplasms;
- Asymptomatic.Absence of symptoms with active development of the disease.This prostate in men is often detected by chance, based on the results of a urine analysis;
- Granulomatous.Termination of gland function due to excessive growth of connective tissue;
- Pelvic pain syndrome.A difficult form to diagnose, accompanied by constant sensations of pain in the pelvic area, neurological and psycho-emotional disorders.
What does the prostate mean in men?First of all, the diagnosis means the need to reconsider your lifestyle, be patient and follow the doctor's recommendations;You may need to undergo treatment for a long time.
What causes prostate cancer in men?
Reasons
The exact algorithm for the appearance of the inflammatory process in the prostate gland has not been established, but a pattern has been identified: the probability of getting sick increases with a decrease in general immunity.Why is this happening?Infectious pathogens that enter the mucous membranes of a healthy person are in a "latent" state and do not spread until the protective functions of the body are weakened.This is how the male prostate begins to develop.
Factors that increase the risk:
- hypothermia;
- Injuries and hematomas of the perineum;
- STDs;
- Inactive lifestyle, sedentary work;
- lower sex life;
- Contraception by the method of interruption of sexual relations (incomplete ejaculation occurs);
- Stress, neurosis, depression;
- Bad habits – alcohol abuse, smoking;
- Drug intoxication.
Doctors also point to a relationship between the fashion of tight pants that compress the genitals and increased morbidity.Prostate symptoms are much more common in men who prefer tight jeans and in those who prefer baggy jeans.
Etiology of the chronic form.
Permanent prostatitis in men is a consequence of inadequate treatment (or its complete absence) of acute inflammation of the prostate.Causes of exacerbations: sexually transmitted diseases, stressful situations at work and in the family, forced restriction of emptying the rectum or bladder, wearing tight underwear made of synthetic fabrics.
An additional factor is congestion in the pelvis caused by low mobility.A patient who has experienced what prostate cancer in men is like in acute form should take all measures to prevent a relapse: first of all, walk more to activate blood circulation.
Symptoms of swollen prostate in men.
acute prostatitis
There are three types of course of this form of the disease: catarrhal, follicular, parenchymal (the most dangerous).In the first case, the discomfort begins with persistent pain in the pubic area and a slight increase in temperature.Soon the man notices discomfort when urinating or having sexual intercourse and a persistent feeling of fatigue.
The follicular type is characterized by severe pain in the penis and lower back: it does not allow the intestines and bladder to empty completely.If left untreated, the third type of disease develops.
What is parenchymal prostate in men?Difficulty urinating turns into complete urinary retention, the body temperature reaches 39-40 degrees, and mucous discharge from the rectum appears.The condition is serious and requires immediate hospitalization.
chronic prostatitis
Symptoms of this form are often vague and unexpressed, making diagnosis difficult.The pain syndrome takes on a permanent character, is localized in the lower abdomen and is tolerated quite easily.Discomfort increases after intimacy.
Urinating is a little difficult: the urine stream is intermittent.The urge becomes more frequent.After physical exertion, an unusual discharge appears on the head of the genital organ.Erection disorders may occur.The temperature is maintained between 37 and 37.3 C.
If symptoms of chronic prostatitis are observed in men, treatment should not be delayed: mild inflammation can lead to infertility.
Diagnosis
A timely visit to a urologist is the best solution if you suspect inflammation of the prostate.During the appointment, the doctor will ask several questions about your health and will review the patient's medical history to collect a history.Next, an external examination and palpation of the organ through the rectum is performed.
To clarify the diagnosis, a series of studies are prescribed:
- Secret analysis;
- Prostate ultrasound;
- Collection of material for PCR;
- MRI of the pelvic organs.
If necessary, the urine flow rate during urination is measured with a special device - a uroflowmeter.Measurements are carried out in the clinic: the patient empties the bladder into a special container with a sensor, which at the end of the process produces a graphic image.
Prostate treatment in men.
Before prescribing a course of treatment, it is important to identify all the factors that provoked the inflammatory process.When the exact cause of prostatitis in men is determined, treatment is more productive.The urologist develops an individual comprehensive program that includes the following elements:
- Drug therapy.For viral etiology, antiviral drugs are prescribed, and for infectious lesions, antibacterial drugs.In parallel, anti-inflammatory suppositories and creams, immunostimulating agents and, if necessary, analgesics are used;
- Physiotherapy.The method is determined based on the picture of the disease.It could be electrophoresis, magnetotherapy, laser sessions, UHF;
- Massage.The procedure is performed by a doctor or (after training) the patient's spouse;Emotional well-being and family support are of great importance for the patient.Massage improves the outflow of purulent inflammatory secretions from the prostate ducts.
The effectiveness of the prescribed therapy is evaluated after 10-14 days: if positive dynamics are observed, the course continues after a short break.If there is no improvement, a decision is made to discontinue certain medications and procedures and replace them with others.
Prevention
The prostate in men, its symptoms and treatment is a topic that every representative of the stronger sex who has reached reproductive age should study in detail.Knowledge of preventive measures will help avoid inflammation.
How to protect yourself from prostatitis?It is recommended to avoid hypothermia and unprotected sexual relations, and to get regular tests for sexually transmitted diseases.You should empty your bladder on time and choose loose pants.