The prostate is an important part of the male reproductive system: it produces secretions that ensure the motor activity and viability of sperm.The secretion contains enzymes, immunoglobulins, citric acid, vitamins and zinc ions.If the activity of the prostate is disturbed, the sexual function of the male body decreases.The most common prostate disease is its inflammation - prostatitis.It usually occurs between the ages of 20 and 50.The older the man, the greater the risk of morbidity.Prostatitis occurs in an acute or chronic form, is often difficult to diagnose and can lead to permanent prostate dysfunction.The most serious consequences of prostatitis are infertility and prostate cancer.
Worldwide, about half of working-age men suffer from chronic prostatitis.Modern medicine is very actively involved in the treatment of prostatitis.Prostatitis, in fact, can be successfully treated - it is only important to diagnose it as early as possible.As soon as the first signs of prostatitis appear, you should consult a urologist.In the early stages, outpatient treatment is possible;in advanced cases, the patient is hospitalized.The course of treatment for both options is one to two weeks, after which the patient is required to take preventive measures to prevent new inflammation of the prostate.The recurrence rate of chronic prostatitis is over 50%
Types of prostatitis
Depending on the causes and clinical picture of the disease, the following types of prostatitis are distinguished:
Acute prostatitis- severe inflammation of the prostate, which is the result of a bacterial infection of its tissues.Many bacteria are part of the body's normal microflora and are constantly present in the intestines and on the skin.However, when they enter the prostate tissue - usually due to non-compliance with the rules of basic hygiene and other reasons - they can cause the development of an acute inflammatory process.Acute prostatitis is extremely rare.Treatment should be carried out in a hospital environment.
Chronic bacterial prostatitis- accounts for a third of all cases of prostate inflammation.This form of prostatitis is dangerous because painful symptoms can resolve spontaneously without treatment.But this does not mean a cure - after a while there is an exacerbation, each time more painful.If nothing is done over and over again, there is a risk of developing pus foci, prostate stones, cystitis and other serious complications, including cancer.
Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome.A difficult form of prostatitis to diagnose, it is manifested by constant pain in the pelvic area that lasts more than three months.Along the way, neurological disorders and psychoemotional disorders can occur.Diagnosis is made by exclusion;tests may not show signs of inflammation.
Asymptomatic chronic prostatitis.It is asymptomatic and can be detected by urine test results that show a high concentration of white blood cells and bacteria.
Chronic granulomatous prostatitis.Usually a side effect of drug treatment for other diseases or prostate radiation.During this disease, the prostate tissue is gradually replaced by connective tissue, and the gland stops functioning.
Symptoms of the disease
Common symptoms can be recognized in men suffering from different forms of prostatitis.These include: Difficulty urinating due to compression of the urethra by an inflamed prostate.Pain and burning may occur during urination.Erection mechanism disorder, weakened orgasm.Rapid ejaculation.Reduced potency.Mental depression, anxiety.For a patient with prostatitis, the psychological attitude towards recovery is very important.Stress further weakens the body and makes treatment more difficult, which leads to even greater depression.It can be difficult for the patient to get out of this vicious circle, so sometimes antidepressants are additionally prescribed for prostatitis.
Causes of prostatitis
The causes of prostatitis are quite different, but they are mostly related to a man's neglect of his health: sexually transmitted infections;poor circulation in the pelvic organs - for example, due to a sedentary lifestyle;prolonged sexual abstinence, interrupted sexual intercourse or artificial prolongation of sexual intercourse;weakened immunity;frequent hypothermia, which is typical for fans of extreme sports;stress;hormonal imbalance;lack of vitamins and microelements;non-compliance with the rules of personal hygiene.
Complications
Prostatitis causes serious discomfort for men: problems with urination, reduced libido and impaired erectile function.If the patient does not receive adequate treatment in time, infertility may occur with a probability of 40%, because the prostate will no longer be able to produce secretions in normal quantities and of the required quality.Self-treatment of prostatitis is unacceptable, because it can lead to the deterioration of the patient's condition and the appearance of accompanying diseases.For example, incorrectly prescribed antibiotics will have a harmful effect on the intestinal microflora and significantly reduce immunity, without solving problems with the prostate.Other drugs only mask the disease and its symptoms, making the situation worse.Therefore, prostatitis must be diagnosed and treated by an experienced specialist.
Prevention
Preventive measures to prevent prostatitis include: careful personal hygiene;regular, orderly sex life;healthy physical activity;diet with enough protein, vitamins and microelements;increase of general immunity;abstinence from alcohol consumption and smoking;timely treatment of any infectious disease;reducing the overall level of daily stress.Due to the large number of variants of prostatitis and the provoking factors of its development, men should be attentive to their well-being and visit a urologist at least twice a year.This is especially important after forty years.