Chronic prostatitis: symptoms and causes

Chronic prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland that leads to dysfunction.

Description of chronic prostatitis

Chronic prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland that leads to dysfunction.This disease is difficult to treat and is characterized by frequent relapses.There are two types of chronic prostatitis:

1. Infectious, caused by damage from bacteria, infection or fungi.
2. Stagnation, development with stagnation of prostate secretion and blood in the 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 childbearing age.

There are several factors that influence the development of prostatitis:

• weakened immunity associated with constant stress, nervous overstrain, smoking and excessive alcohol consumption, regular lack of sleep;
• hormonal disorders;
• previous sexually transmitted diseases;
• untreated urinary tract infections;
• sedentary lifestyle and work (especially for drivers);
• Work that involves prolonged exposure to vibration, e.g.B. Working with a jackhammer or a lathe.

The disease significantly affects the quality of life and leads to social and psychological problems.There is also a decrease in potency and impaired reproductive function.

Chronic prostatitis without appropriate treatment leads to a number of serious complications:

• Pyelonephritis and cystitis – due to urinary tract infection;
• Vesiculitis – inflammation of the testicles and limbs;
• adenoma and prostate cancer;
• inflammatory processes in the nerves responsible for erectile function, which lead to infertility.

Symptoms of chronic prostatitis

The course of the disease is predominantly asymptomatic.Therefore, detection of prostatitis is often associated with the diagnosis of suspected prostate cancer.

Some symptoms are:

• mild pain and discomfort in the perineal area with radiation to the rectum and sacrum, lasting more than three months;
• painful and premature ejaculation;
• burning in the perineum and urethra;
• Difficulty with bowel movements;
• discharge from the urethra;
• sometimes painful difficulty urinating and urinary retention occur;
• reduced potency, erection problems and lack of orgasm;
• state of depression;
• high general fatigue.

Not all signs appear immediately.In general, chronic prostatitis is characterized by a wave-like course of the disease, in which the symptoms of the disease either increase, weaken or disappear completely.This makes diagnosis and subsequent treatment much more difficult.

Diagnosis of chronic prostatitis

Diagnosis when chronic prostatitis is suspected includes:

• patient survey;
• general urine and blood tests;
• urine test with three glasses;
• tests for the presence of sexually transmitted infections;
• Culture of prostate secretions to determine the sensitivity of their microflora to various antibacterial drugs;
• digital rectal examination of the prostate;
• Ultrasound of the pelvic organs and prostate.

In addition, the following may be prescribed:

• Uroflowmetry (measurement of urine excretion 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 treatment method depends on several factors and is primarily aimed at eliminating the factors that lead to the appearance of chronic prostatitis:

• age of patient;
• stage of the disease;
• Type of chronic prostatitis.

The effectiveness of therapy directly depends on the diagnosis of the disease in the initial stages, adherence to the diet, and an increase and regularity of physical activity.

The main method of therapy for chronic prostatitis is complex drug therapy based on the results of bacterial culture of prostatic secretion and urine.The duration of treatment should be at least 4 weeks and, if the dynamics are positive, should be continued until the infection is completely eliminated.

Drugs used to treat chronic prostatitis are divided into the following groups:

• antibiotics and antibacterial drugs;
• alpha-blockers (medicines that cause dilation of blood vessels and channels and regulate metabolism in the prostate);
• 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, eliminates congestion and increases the patency of the prostate ducts.

In recent years, the spectrum of therapeutic measures has been expanded to include various methods of physiotherapy:

1. UHF therapy.
2. Laser therapy (improves microcirculation and eliminates congestion in the prostate).
3. Rectal electrophoresis.
4. Microwave hyperthermia.

Spa treatments are also indicated, especially mud therapy and thermal baths.

Surgical treatment methods are used only in the final stage of the disease - prostate sclerosis.In this case, a transurethral resection of the bladder neck, prostate and seminiferous 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 normal prostate function.

Prevention of chronic prostatitis focuses on eliminating the factors that lead to the development of the disease.

The risk of chronic prostatitis is reduced if the following conditions are met:

• regular physical activity;
• healthy sleep rhythm;
• good nutrition;
• regular sex life.