The prostate as an independent organ was first described in the anatomical studies of an ancient Greek physician who practiced around 350 BC.At that time, however, doctors did not pay much attention to it, and the works of this doctor were practically not preserved, so the gland was later rediscovered by the Venetian doctor Nicola Massa.In 1838, Verdes gave the first accurate morphological description of prostate pathology, which was supplemented over time by the brilliant minds of his time.By the way, until the beginning of the 20th century, the existence of chronic prostatitis was not recognized at all by many general practitioners and psychoanalysts, who called it "anal-rectal psychosis".Fortunately, modern medicine has learned not only to diagnose in time, but also to treat this serious disease very successfully.But what exactly is prostatitis?
General characteristics
Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland, a special male organ located just below the bladder.Its task is to produce prostate secretions, an important component of sperm.In addition, the gland closes the exit from the urinary canal during erection.
Inflammation, as you can imagine, can be caused by a variety of reasons.Due to the fact that the prostate is directly connected to the urinary canal, the most common reason for the occurrence of prostatitis is the entry of infectious agents into the gland.Everyone knows that the human body contains a huge number of symbiotic bacteria that are part of its normal microflora.However, as soon as such bacteria leave their colony and enter other tissues, they turn from an ally into a source of trouble, causing strong inflammatory reactions.Enterobacteriaceae (the most famous representatives are Proteus), Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococci, all of them penetrate the gland in many different ways.The most obvious route is the urethra, but since the prostate is connected to a network of large blood vessels, both blood and lymph can act as a transport medium for bacteria.
There is another group of pathogens, called "atypical" in the medical community, because these agents are found much less often.These include, for example, fungal infections — many have probably heard of the fungus Candida, which affects internal tissues and causes the disease "candidiasis".Typically, fungal spores penetrate the internal organs when the human immune system is greatly weakened - which, in harsh climatic conditions and constant overstrain of the body caused by a busy work schedule and lack of sleep, is not at all unusual for modern people.Prostatitis can also be of a viral nature.Human papilloma virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes virus, and even the flu virus (!) can cause inflammation of the prostate and a whole series of complications that exhaust an already weakened body.
In addition, prostatitis is also caused by non-bacterial pathogens.It is primarily about purulent formations in the body: particles of pus are separated from the total mass and enter the tissues through the bloodstream.Sometimes blood alone, without foreign agents, can cause an inflammatory reaction.If a man leads a mostly sedentary lifestyle and neglects physical activity, the blood in the gland stagnates and causes clogging of blood vessels.And finally, the last (but not least) reason is long-term sexual abstinence and promiscuity.In the first case, iron is broken down due to the fact that, in the absence of necessity, the body supplies it with less and less blood, which is why the cells begin to die of starvation.In the second case, all the blame falls on the shoulders of the partner, who can serve as a carrier of certain types of urinary tract infections. Symptoms of prostatitis are difficult to confuse with something else.The main symptom is sharp, acute, less often pressing pain during urination and ejaculation.This is compounded by pain in the lower back, perineum, scrotum and lower back.Due to the increase in the size of the gland, it often blocks the urethra, making urination difficult.In the case of a bacterial infection, greenish and yellowish discharge from the duct itself can often be observed, and in some cases hemospermia develops - the appearance of blood in the sperm.
What are the dangers of prostatitis?
From all of the above, it is not difficult to conclude that inflammation of the prostate results in a series of problems.The most common outcome of advanced prostatitis is impotence and infertility, because the disorder of the prostate leads to a sudden decrease in the production of hormones responsible for sexual desire.The response to infection is rarely localized to the gland alone;usually the focus of inflammation also covers the adjacent tissues.Therefore, prostatitis is accompanied by vesiculitis, pyelonephritis, cystitis, urethritis and other lesions of the genitourinary system.If the cause of prostatitis is a fungal, bacterial or viral infection, you can easily infect your sexual partner.Sexually transmitted agents can cause infectious diseases of the genitourinary system in women.In addition, infection in the blood can simply cause blood poisoning and lead to widespread damage to the body.
You've probably heard the phrase "prostate adenoma" on radio and TV commercials.Adenoma is a tumor of the gland, which increases in size over time, not only causes inflammation and can develop into a malignant one, but simply compresses the genitourinary tract.Why is this so important?It's not just about painful, extremely difficult urination and complete erectile dysfunction.The compressed organ receives less and less blood, due to which the tissues first shrink and then completely die, which leads to the appearance of an extensive focus of necrosis.This form of prostatitis can no longer be treated.
How to treat prostatitis
First of all, you must firmly remember one simple truth: only a qualified doctor can help cure prostatitis.Not the grandmother healer and thistle decoction, not tantric practices and not willow poultices.Such a disease also does not go away on its own: the longer the patient delays treatment, the more problems he will have to face and the more expensive the treatment will be.Many men do not understand modern pharmacology and are superstitiously afraid that the doctor will prescribe them a mountain of drugs that will not only be useless, but will also cause significant damage to their wallet and health.Fear not: instead of a handful of pills, you will most likely be prescribed just one drug at a very reasonable price.
5 interesting facts about prostatitis
Here are some sad facts about the "main male disease" of our time: - Healthy diet is the key to success: with proper nutrition, you can not only strengthen the immune system, but even slow down the inflammatory enlargement of the prostate.— Every third man in the world suffers from one or another form of prostatitis.— By the way, prostatitis is not a "disease of old people": some of its forms can develop at a fairly young age (20-25 years).— Prostate massage is prescribed in most cases, but massage alone can only cure congestive prostatitis.Sometimes massage is strictly contraindicated.— Prostatitis can be asymptomatic for a long time, but it will definitely be detected during a sudden drop in immunity, for example during illness, hypothermia, etc.