By prostatitis, urologists understand inflammatory processes in the prostate gland that arise for various reasons.The prostate belongs to the genitourinary system and is surrounded by other organs and tissues, so symptoms, especially at the initial stage, do not allow one to identify the disease.Let's try to figure out what the first signs of prostatitis may indicate the onset of the disease and tell you where to turn for help.
Signs of chronic abacterial prostatitis
The disease occurs due to injury to prostate tissue or due to the influence of a number of other factors:
- sedentary lifestyle and concomitant disorders of blood microcirculation;
- reflux of urine into the prostate gland;
- narrowing of the lumen of the urethra due to a tumor, stone or inflammatory process;
- sharp contraction of the pelvic muscles;
- hypothermia, smoking, alcohol abuse.
Symptoms of this form appear gradually, their severity increases over time.At first, men may complain of a frequent urge to urinate, accompanied by a burning sensation in the area of the urethral opening.
At this stage, prostatitis can be confused with urethritis, so laboratory diagnosis is important.
As the inflammatory process progresses in the tissues of the prostate gland, other signs of the disease appear:
- urge to urinate at night;
- pain in the perineum (can radiate to the head of the penis, anus, thighs and lower abdomen);
- absent or weak erection;
- pain during ejaculation;
- increase in body temperature to 37.5-37.8 °C.
If the integrity of the tissue of the prostate or adjacent areas of the urethra is damaged, blood may be observed in the urine or semen.The man pays attention to small flakes of scarlet or brown color.
Signs of acute bacterial prostatitis
Bacterial prostatitis is caused by pathogenic and opportunistic microflora.Microorganisms can live in the intestines or on the skin of a man; if hygiene rules are not followed, they can enter the prostate through the urethra and rapidly develop in the tissues of the gland.Another option is penetration of the pathogen into the urethra and further into the prostate during unprotected sexual intercourse.It is also possible to become infected if the prostate biopsy is performed incorrectly.
Once on the mucous membrane of the prostate gland, bacteria develop rapidly, the colony grows literally in 2-3 days.The first signs of prostatitis in this case will be:
- chills, fever, increased body temperature;
- pain in the perineum, lower back or lower abdomen;
- disturbance of urination (pain, intermittent stream of urine, frequent urge).
Without treatment or incorrect treatment tactics, the disease will progress.After a few days, constipation, acute urinary retention, pain in muscles, joints, and lymph nodes may appear.Signs of intoxication are also possible - nausea, vomiting, weakness.
The interval between the first symptoms and the most striking clinical picture can be 3-4 days.
Signs of chronic bacterial prostatitis
The chronic form of bacterial prostatitis occurs due to improper treatment of the acute course, as well as due to injury to the bladder and improper catheterization.It is possible that the inflammatory process in adjacent organs spreads to the prostate gland.
A man may miss the first signs of chronic prostatitis - the symptoms of this form are characterized by mild severity, periods of remission are possible.The disease can be suspected based on the following symptoms:
- problems with urination;
- dull, aching pain in the perineum;
- problems with erection.
Periods of exacerbation alternate with lull.A man may mistakenly think about healing and not visit a doctor.This attitude is dangerous - the inflammatory process progresses, the prostate tissue degenerates and the organ loses its functions.As a result, prostatitis can lead to infertility and cause sepsis - blood poisoning.
Clinical manifestations of pathology
Prostatitis has no characteristic signs; it can be confused with other diseases that have similar symptoms - cystitis, urethritis, chlamydia.
Knowing the first signs of the disease will not help make an accurate diagnosis.It is more effective to pay attention to clinical manifestations.
Acute bacterial prostatitis is characterized by the following signs, which are revealed during examination and laboratory testing of urine and blood:
- body temperature in the anus is 0.5 °C higher than the temperature in the armpits;
- increased number of leukocytes in urine;
- decrease in the number of eosinophils;
- increased C-reactive protein;
- increase in PSA level in the blood.
A blood test for PSA content is not mandatory, but it helps to get a clearer picture of the pathological process.
How to provide first aid and who to contact for treatment
Prostatitis refers to diseases that do not threaten the patient’s life in the initial stage.For severe pain, you can take painkillers, but this is an exception to the rule.It is better not to take such pills, so as not to blur the clinical picture and prevent the doctor from making a correct diagnosis.To combat high fever, you can take antipyretics.
With a competent approach, first aid is provided in a medical institution.To do this, a man must contact a urologist at his place of residence or stay.If for some reason it is impossible to visit a doctor on your own, you need to call an ambulance.
It is strictly forbidden to take antibiotics on your own.
These drugs are prescribed taking into account the type of pathogen; uncontrolled use can increase bacterial resistance and aggravate the manifestation of intoxication.
Consequences of ignoring the first signs
Most men prefer not to see a doctor, especially when it comes to problems in the genitourinary system.This attitude can be dangerous.Prostatitis is a serious disease and can cause negative consequences:
- transition to a chronic form that is practically untreatable;
- development of infertility;
- spread of infection to nearby organs;
- decreased potency;
- the occurrence of sepsis.
The latter condition directly threatens the patient’s life.The probability of death is 30-50%, and every hour of delay in medical care increases this value by 8%.
Let's sum it up
Knowing the first signs of prostatitis in men helps to suspect problems in the body.A more accurate diagnosis is made on the basis of an instrumental examination and the results of laboratory tests of blood and urine.Prostatitis can threaten a man’s life, so self-treatment is unacceptable.If you put off visiting a doctor, the disease can become chronic, which is very difficult to cope with.