Chronic prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland, which leads to disruption of its function.
Description of chronic prostatitis
Chronic prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland, which leads to disruption of its function.This disease is difficult to treat and is characterized by frequent relapses.There are two types of chronic prostatitis:
- Infectious, resulting from damage by bacteria, infections or fungi.
- Stagnation, developing with stagnation of prostatic secretions and blood in its veins.The causes of congestive prostatitis are irregular sex life, sedentary work and tight underwear.
Chronic prostatitis is the most common urological disease in men of reproductive age.
There are several factors influencing the development of prostatitis:
- weakened immunity associated with constant stress, nervous overload, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, regular lack of sleep;
- hormonal disorders;
- previous venereal diseases;
- untreated urinary tract infections;
- sedentary lifestyle and sedentary work (especially for drivers);
- work involving prolonged exposure to vibration, for example work with a hammer or lathe.
The disease significantly worsens the quality of life and leads to social and psychological problems.A decrease in potency and impaired reproductive function are also observed.
Chronic prostatitis without proper treatment leads to a number of serious complications:
- pyelonephritis and cystitis - due to infection in the urinary tract;
- vesiculitis - inflammation of the testicles and appendages;
- prostate adenoma and cancer;
- inflammatory processes in the nerves responsible for erectile function, which lead to infertility.
Symptoms of chronic prostatitis
The development of the disease is mostly asymptomatic.Therefore, the detection of prostatitis is often associated with the diagnosis of suspected prostate cancer.
A few symptoms include:
- slight pain and discomfort in the perineal area, with projection to the rectum and sacrum, lasting more than three months;
- painful and premature ejaculation;
- burning in the perineum and urethra;
- discomfort during bowel movements;
- discharge from the urethra;
- sometimes there is painful difficulty urinating and retention of urine;
- reduced potency, erection problems and lack of orgasm;
- a state of depression;
- high general fatigue.
Not all signs appear immediately.In general, chronic prostatitis is characterized by an undulating course of the disease, when the symptoms of the disease intensify, weaken or completely disappear.This greatly complicates the diagnosis and subsequent treatment.
Diagnosis of chronic prostatitis
The diagnosis of suspected chronic prostatitis includes:
- patient survey;
- general tests of urine and blood;
- three-cup urine test;
- tests for the presence of sexually transmitted infections;
- culture of prostate secretions to determine the sensitivity of its microflora to various antibacterial drugs;
- digital rectal examination of the prostate;
- Ultrasound of the pelvic organs and the prostate gland.
In addition, the following may be prescribed:
- uroflowmetry (measurement of urine parameters);
- biopsy of prostate tissue;
- PCR (polymer chain reaction) analysis of urethral swabs for the presence of chlamydia and mycoplasma.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis
The method of treatment depends on several factors and is mainly aimed at eliminating the factors leading to the appearance of chronic prostatitis:
- age of the patient;
- disease stage;
- a type of chronic prostatitis.
The effectiveness of the therapy directly depends on the diagnosis of the disease in the initial stage, compliance with the diet, increase and regularity of physical activity.
The main method of treatment of chronic prostatitis is complex drug therapy based on the results of a bacterial culture of prostate secretion and urine.The duration of the course of treatment should be at least 4 weeks, with continuation in case of positive dynamics until the complete elimination of the infection.
Medicines used to treat chronic prostatitis are divided into the following groups:
- antibiotics and antibacterial drugs;
- alpha-blockers (drugs that cause dilation of blood vessels and channels and regulate metabolism in the prostate gland);
- anti-inflammatory drugs;
- muscle relaxants and antispasmodics;
- immunostimulants;
- antidepressants;
- vitamin complexes;
- plant extracts;
- analgesics;
- drugs to improve microcirculation and reduce blood clotting.
An important place in the treatment of chronic prostatitis is occupied by prostate massage, which improves blood and lymph circulation, removes congestion and increases the patency of the prostate channels.
In recent years, the range of therapeutic measures has been expanded to include various methods of physiotherapy:
- UHF therapy.
- Laser therapy (improves microcirculation and removes congestion in the prostate gland).
- Rectal electrophoresis.
- Microwave hyperthermia.
Balneotherapy, especially mud therapy and thermal baths, is also indicated.
Surgical treatment methods are used only in the last stage of the disease - prostate sclerosis.In this case, a transurethral resection of the bladder neck, prostate gland and seminal tubercle is performed.
Due to the lack of universal approaches to the treatment of chronic prostatitis, the main goal of therapy is to eliminate the source of infection, normalize the immune background and restore the normal function of the prostate.
Prevention of chronic prostatitis focuses on the elimination of the factors leading to the development of the disease.
The risk of chronic prostatitis is reduced if the following conditions are met:
- regular physical activity;
- a healthy sleep pattern;
- good nutrition;
- regular sex life.