An insidious male disease is prostatitis. Symptoms of prostatitis can be varied, depending on the form of the disease. Sometimes, the initial stage of the development of the disease is asymptomatic. And it is very difficult to independently recognize and diagnose prostatitis. But the sooner the problem is identified, the faster and without consequences you can get rid of it. Quite often the hidden latent form gradually turns into chronic prostatitis. This is the danger of this male disease. Urologists around the world strongly recommend that men visit specialists regularly. In addition, any disease is better to prevent than to treat for a long and painful time. In this article, we will analyze the main symptoms and signs of prostatitis in men, highlight their main ways of manifestation.
Types of prostatitis
All signs of prostatitis are classified depending on the type and variety of the disease. But what is prostatitis? So, prostatitis is called an infectious inflammatory process in the prostate gland in men. The glandular and connective tissues are mainly affected. Close attention to this problem began to be paid in the 19th century. In those days, every year the number of patients with prostatitis rapidly increased. Therefore, it was necessary to develop a complex therapy.
Today, the first symptoms of prostatitis in men may occur at the age of 21-50 years. A young man is at risk from the time he begins to have an active sex life. Unfortunately, statistics show that only 25% of the male population regularly visit urologists. And more than 10% of this number are diagnosed with prostatitis of various forms. That's why it's so important to get tested twice a year.
Prostatitis can be classified according to different types. So, depending on the etiology, the following types of prostatitis are distinguished:
- Infectious;
- stagnant;
- Specific;
- Not specific;
- Mixed.
Depending on the area of damage to the prostate, doctors note follicular, catarrhal, parenchymal, dystrophic, prostate abscess, granulomatous, prostate sclerosis. The main types with which doctors begin the classification and diagnosis are acute and chronic prostatitis. Not treating chronic prostatitis provokes prostate adenoma, cancer of the gland, and sclerosis of the organ.
Also, the type of prostatitis can be determined by pathogenesis:
- Uretrogenic;
- hematogenous;
- calculous;
- canalicular;
- Endocrine;
- Allergic.
Symptoms of acute prostatitis
Acute bacterial prostatitis occurs against the background of bacterial lesions of the prostate gland with E. coli, enterococci, staphylococci, Klebsiella, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and other types of pathogenic microorganisms. In some cases, acute prostatitis can develop after a prostate biopsy.
The first symptom of this form of prostatitis is an increase in body temperature to 39-40 degrees Celsius. At the same time, different measurements can show completely different temperatures. So, measuring the temperatures in the mouth, the indicators will be normal. The same thing can happen when measuring in the armpit. But measuring the temperature by the rectal method will show too high indicators.
If the process is developing rapidly, a high temperature will be indicated in any kind of measurement. Other symptoms of prostatitis occur immediately after an increase in body temperature. These are pain sensations that extend to:
- Lower abdomen, back;
- Scrotum area;
- Crotch;
- lower back;
- Anus;
- The organs of the small pelvis.
Also, a characteristic sign of acute bacterial prostatitis is frequent urination. The urge to go to the toilet is much more frequent at night. In this process, a man necessarily feels pain, cramps, discomfort, burning. Also, inguinal lymph nodes can be enlarged, frequent constipation appears. Among other symptoms, it is worth noting signs of intoxication of the body, which manifest themselves in the form of general weakness, muscle pain, headache, dizziness, and increased fatigue.
It should be noted that with any form of prostatitis, the sexual activity of young people is disturbed. In an acute inflammatory process during ejaculation, blood impurities can be detected in the seminal fluid. The same can happen with urination. In such cases, a timely trip to the doctor plays an important role. After all, taking painkillers will not get rid of the problem, but will only aggravate the situation of the patient.
Symptoms of chronic bacterial prostatitis
The chronic form of prostatitis is provoked by the same bacteria as its acute type. But, the disease passes into the "chronicle" when all signs of the disease are ignored. Also, this can happen if the first signs of prostatitis were "erased", the disease was almost asymptomatic. After all, not every man with a slight malaise, headache, fatigue will run to a urologist. Acute symptoms could pass very quickly, and the inflammatory process still develops.
The symptoms of this kind of disease are the same as in the acute form. But, they occur only during the period of exacerbation. Almost always, a man experiences discomfort from urination. The process can be intermittent, sluggish. Pain during urination occurs at the very beginning and at the end. And the urge to go to the toilet becomes more frequent at any time of the day. It is important to know that chronic prostatitis is a relapsing form, and the signs will reappear after a while.
It should be noted that chronic prostatitis is accompanied by a significant decrease in sexual life. Scarring of the prostate tissue during the inflammatory process disrupts the connection of nerve endings with the center of sexual arousal. So, at first the man begins to complain about premature ejaculation. Then the erection becomes unstable, not stable. Often it is not enough to complete a full sexual intercourse. Pleasant sensations from intimacy also decrease. All this negatively affects the mental state of the patient, libido disappears. Sexual life disappears.
Among other symptoms, it is important to note the following:
- Discharge from the urethra after defecation, physical exertion;
- Constant aching pain;
- Change in skin color in the perineum;
- Blockage of the ducts, which leads to suppuration;
- Urinary retention.
Signs of congestive prostatitis in men
The congestive type of prostatitis is often referred to as chronic non-bacterial inflammation of the prostate. This is an atypical form of the disease. The main signs of this form are pain in places unusual for prostatitis - the lumbosacral region, pain in the legs. Because of this atypical localization, the disease is often misdiagnosed. Consequently, the treatment is chosen completely wrong. And inflammation in the prostate gland continues to develop, gain momentum.
Pain in congestive prostatitis is always accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Weak erection;
- Pain during an erection;
- premature ejaculation;
- Decreased sex drive;
- Lack of orgasm.
Over time, the pain spreads to the area of the testicles, urethra and anus. Urination is also frequent and difficult. Discomfort can be felt in the pubic area, perineum, lower abdomen. At the same time, a sharp pain will be given to the penis and rectum. There may be some difficulties in the process of defecation.
There is another form of prostatitis, asymptomatic prostatitis. From the name itself, it becomes clear that this disease does not manifest itself in any way. This type of prostatitis is discovered by chance, during any other clinical examination. So, in the analysis of the patient's urine, an increased level of leukocytes is detected. It is also possible to diagnose prostatitis in the absence of symptoms during direct surgical intervention in the prostate gland.
How to recognize the beginning of prostatitis?
Prostatitis is a complex disease. It is accompanied not only by a number of physiological disorders, but also psychological disorders are observed. All the symptoms of the disease lead men to an oppressed, depressed state. All this can lead to a complete lack of sexual life, prolonged depression. Therefore, it is so important to conduct a full-fledged treatment of prostatitis.
Only a urologist can make an accurate diagnosis. But you can recognize the first symptoms of prostatitis on your own with self-diagnosis. It is enough just to listen to your body, sensations. You can suspect the disease by the following signs:
- Unpleasant sensations during bowel movements;
- Burning in the perineum (long-term or short-term);
- Frequent urge to go to the toilet;
- Difficulty urinating;
- "Erased" orgasm;
- Increased fatigue;
- Constant stress;
- Decreased erection.
It is worth noting that these symptoms may not appear all at once. But, at least in the presence of one of them, it is necessary to consult a doctor. After all, timely treatment of prostatitis is always quick and successful. But the chronic form of inflammation of the prostate is practically incurable, and leads to serious consequences.
Treatment methods for prostatitis
Any treatment always begins with a diagnosis. Very often, doctors diagnose an acute and chronic form of the disease only because men do not know the first symptoms of the disease. But the first bells were, but they did not receive due attention. Even with frequent fatigue, it is better to visit a doctor. Based on the results of the research, the main cause of this condition can be identified.
So, the diagnosis of prostatitis in men can be as follows:
- Ultrasound examination of the prostate gland;
- Rectal finger diagnostics;
- Interrogation of the patient;
- Examination of the secret of the prostate;
- A smear from the urethra;
- Analysis of urine;
- Blood test.
To get the secret of the prostate for laboratory research, it is necessary to perform a rectal massage of the prostate. But, in the case of acute prostatitis, this cannot be done. If an acute form is suspected, ultrasound and urinalysis are sufficient to fully confirm or refute this diagnosis.
Prostatitis is usually treated on an outpatient basis. There are two main principles of complex therapy for men: antibacterial treatment for the sanitation of foci of infection, and measures to enhance and normalize blood flow in the prostate gland (physiotherapy, massage, gymnastics). Speaking of drug treatment, antibiotics are a prerequisite. Also, the doctor necessarily prescribes anti-inflammatory drugs, medicines to eliminate pain.
In the case of chronic prostatitis, the cause of relapses is immunodeficiency. Therefore, in such cases, doctors prescribe vitamin preparations in parallel with antibiotics.
The treatment regimen for prostatitis is selected individually for each patient. The same applies to the duration of the course. After completing a full course of antibiotics, it is important to boost immunity. Therefore, for some time a man should take immunomodulatory drugs, multivitamin complexes. Electrophoresis and washing of the urethra with a special solution are highly effective in the treatment of prostatitis. So you can completely kill all the bacteria that could provoke the disease, and save the man from possible relapses.