Inflammation of the prostate gland, unfortunately, is a fairly common disease. According to statistics, nearly half of men at some age experience this problem. The causes of inflammation may be different, but because of modern medicine there are several different types of this disease. One of them is bacterial prostatitis.
Because such a large spread of the disease, many men are interested in more information about him. What are the causes of bacterial infection? What are the symptoms of should pay attention to? What modern methods of treatment are most effective?
What is prostatitis? The main forms of the disease
Before considering the question, what is bacterial prostatitis, is to understand what is the prostate, or the prostate. This is a small organ that is part of the reproductive system. It is located just below the bladder, around the urethra. The prostate gland produces up to 70% of the seminal fluid, which is then mixed with sperm, which is produced in the testes. The prostate gland also plays an important role in the process of release of sperm and maintain an erection. It also affects the urinary retention.
Prostatitis — a disease which involves an inflammatory process of the prostate tissue. Depending on the reasons for the development of modern medicine, there are several main types of disease:
- acute bacterial prostatitis — an inflammation in this case develops due to infection with organ specific bacteria (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, etc.);
- the chronic form of bacterial prostatitis usually develops on the background of improper care or its absence (illness lasting more than three months, a period of prosperity gave way to exacerbations of inflammatory process);
- nonspecific prostatitis is an inflammatory process, this disease is caused by the activation of conditionally pathogenic microflora, or is not associated with bacterial infection;
- asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis occurs without obvious symptoms, and quite often, the inflammatory process of decay itself.
Causes of bacterial prostatitis
As the name suggests, an inflammatory process in this case is related to the activity of bacterial micro-organisms. Pathogens of bacterial prostatitis often penetrate into the tissue of the prostate when the patient is sexually transmitted diseases. Almost all sexually transmitted diseases (eg. gonorrhea, chlamydia) can cause inflammation of the prostate.
Middle-aged men the causative agent can act and conditionally pathogenic micro-organisms, such as Escherichia coli. A slightly different pattern is observed in elderly patients. The fact that many men more than 50 years, diagnosed so-called. benign prostatic hyperplasia (involved in tissue growth). When this pathology of the evacuation of the secretory fluid from the prostate is hampered, causing it begins to accumulate within the gland. Stagnation of secretions leads to active reproduction of pathogenic micro-organisms and, consequently, inflammation.
Bacterial prostatitis can develop on the background of various diseases of the urogenital system. For example, inflammation is much more frequently diagnosed on the background of a blockage of the bladder, urinary tract infection, epididymitis, urethritis. The dissemination and penetration of infection inside it promotes phimosis (the foreskin of the joint). Trigger inflammation of the prostate can various injuries of the perineum, the installation of the urinary catheter, previously performed cystoscopy (internal examination of the bladder) or biopsy.
There are risk factors?
As you can see, the causes of inflammation of the prostate may be different. In addition, there is a set of so-called. risk factors, whose presence increases the likelihood of both acute and chronic prostatitis:
- a number of infectious diseases of the genitourinary system;
- parasitic;
- incomplete emptying of the bladder;
- genetic predisposition;
- irritation of the urinary tract aggressive chemicals;
- severe hypothermia;
- promiscuous (frequent change of sexual partners, intercourse without a condom);
- Smoking, drugs and alcohol (weakens the protective forces of the organism);
- a weakened immune system;
- long sexual abstinence;
- severe dehydration of the body;
- the wrong food;
- neurological diseases of the urinary tract;
- constant stress, nervous exhaustion, mental stress;
- lack of physical activity, which leads to stagnation of blood in the pelvis (increasing the probability of inflammation, not only prostate, but also some of the other nearby bodies).
What symptoms accompany the disease?
Signs of bacterial prostatitis, as a rule, quite typical. The disease begins suddenly and develops quickly. Often patients first notice that an increase in body temperature, weakness, body aches, fatigue, muscle pain, nausea and vomiting.
Together with this is problems of the urinary system. The process of urination is difficult and painful, want - more often. However, the bladder is not completely emptied. Stream urinating declines, the urine acquires a rather unpleasant smell. Also, it can be a small amount of impurities in the blood. It can cause soreness and smarting in the urethra.
Patients often notice and other symptoms of bacterial prostatitis. In particular, there is pain in the pubic area, which also gives the lower back. You may experience tenderness in the testicles and the perineum area. Men have problems with erection and ejaculation is accompanied by painful sensations. Sometimes semen can be seen from the blood. Also present pain during bowel movements.
Notice such symptoms, you should immediately contact your doctor. The sooner the patient receives adequate medical care, the less the probability of the transition of the disease into a chronic form.
Chronic bacterial prostatitis
Immediately it is worth noting that this form of the disease is quite rare. Chronic bacterial prostatitis may be associated activity of the bacteria that is protected from the effects of drugs, because it is located deep in the tissues of the prostate. In addition, some microorganisms become insensitive to antibiotics, a wide range of effects.
Exacerbation of chronic bacterial prostatitis is accompanied by nearly the same symptoms as the acute form of the disease. Observed pain during urination, pain in the lower abdomen and the perineum, blood in the urine and semen. On the other hand, temperature rise and other symptoms of poisoning are rare. Exacerbation after a period of relative prosperity — a man very familiar with, but some irregularities in the urogenital system is still there. In particular, patients suffering from urge to urinate. Also have problems with an erection (sometimes severe erectile dysfunction) and decreased sex drive.
Diagnosis of the disease
First, the doctor will perform a physical exam and collect your medical history, in order to obtain a complete picture of the symptoms that bother the patient. Usually this is enough to suspect prostatitis and order more tests.
The patient passes blood and urine samples analysis, which help to detect signs of inflammation. You will also need a digital rectal examination of the prostate, which allows the doctor to determine the size, contour, consistency, body, pain and some other parameters. In addition, during the massage the prostate to get samples for his secret, which is then sent to the laboratory for analysis. Seeding samples will help determine the type of infection and sensitivity to certain drugs.
Additional studies are conducted only if the suspected presence of complications. With cystoscopy, the doctor can check and evaluate the condition of the urine channel and the bladder. Sometimes perform urodynamic tests. Transrectal ultrasound and computed tomography help to better understand the condition of the prostate, to detect abscesses or stone. For suspected malignant degeneration of the cells of a biopsy of the prostate.
Drug treatment of prostatitis
When you carry out a full investigation, the doctor can make the most effective scheme of treatment. As a rule, in the first place, bacterial prostatitis with antibiotics. In particular, a very effective antibacterial agents are drugs, which contain tetracycline and ciprofloxacin. Depending on the severity of the disease and the different infection an antibiotic treatment can last from four to six weeks. Sometimes the first few days the medication is injected, and then move in the form of tablets. In the form of chronic inflammation of the treatment can take up to 12 weeks.
Use other medications for the treatment of bacterial prostatitis. In particular, to facilitate the patient's status can antispasmodics to help relax the bladder neck and reduce the pain when urinating.
If it is necessary, the patient is prescribed painkillers drugs, namely non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents that help eliminate the fever. Positive state men are taking a multivitamin complexes, immunomodulators, biostimulants.
Other treatments
During the recovery phase patients often recommend a prostate massage. This procedure helps to eliminate the fluid retention, improving tissue metabolism, improving local immunity, restore drainage function of the prostate and improve blood circulation.
Also in the process of treatment can be used different methods of physiotherapy, in particular:
- magnetic therapy;
- transrectal ultrasound-treatment;
- electrical stimulation of the.
All of the above methods help to normalize blood circulation and to remove stagnant processes.
When surgical intervention is necessary?
Surgery is an extreme measure. It applies only in the case of long-term care and other therapies. Surgical partial resection of the prostate, as a rule, older patients. Young for such a radical treatment to try to avoid, because it sometimes leads to impotence and infertility. Surgery is most often prescribed in elderly patients with chronic forms of prostatitis, as they have for many years suffered problems with urination and constant pain. In addition, it is a plastic repair, which helps to restore a specific way to normalize the bladder.
Alternative ways to deal with the disease
Of course, there are some other less conventional treatments for prostatitis. For example, sometimes a good effect gives the medicinal microclysters, treatment with leeches, acupuncture, massage.
Patients with chronic forms of the disease to recommend a Spa treatment. Also positively on the state of the organism influence specific physical exercises that help to restore the blood circulation and remove blood stasis of the pelvic organs.
How to treat bacterial prostatitis using folk remedies? Today, there are many ways to remove the inflammatory process. In particular, it is a positive condition of the pelvic organs sometimes affected by a warm sitz baths with a decoction of yarrow, horsetail, sage. Also provides a special suppository bees and medicinal herbs.
In any case, it is worth remembering that before using any tools, be sure to consult with your doctor.
What is the outlook for the patient?
Not bacterial prostatitis in men to achieve good results? Immediately is to say that the success of the treatment depends on many factors, such as the stage and form of the disease, the patient's age, presence of comorbidities, etc.
Acute bacterial prostatitis responds well to medical treatment. After only a few days after the start of treatment the patient noted improvement in health. On the other hand, the incorrect treatment, the absence or termination (for example, quite often, the men stop the medication when symptoms disappear, not finishing the full course) can lead to the development of chronic forms of the disease.
Chronic prostatitis — a disease which is much more difficult to treat. Relapses can happen again and again. In such cases, doctors often recommend patients surgery. The results of the surgical treatment, as a rule, positive. Again, sometimes the cut is filled with not very pleasant consequences.