Acute or chronic prostatitis occurs in almost half of men of active age. Bacteria, blockages, stones are more often diagnosed at an older age. Infections cause disease in the younger part of the male population. Therapy is long, complex, does not always give complete recovery. Therefore, it is important to contact a urologist at the earliest stages of identifying symptoms, for a quick treatment.
Etiology of prostatitis
Inflammation of the prostate gland is called prostatitis. Men of active age suffer from the disease. It depends on the causes, the presence of aggravating factors, and the lifestyle of the patient. There are different types of prostatitis. Often the disease contributes to the development of other prostate problems. There are tumors among them.
Benign processes lead to the development of adenoma. Malignant ones cause cancer. Tumors tend to develop in older men.
Increased infection is the predominant cause of disease onset. The harmful agent from the urethra reaches the prostate gland. There, it has a harmful effect on the tissue of the body. This type of inflammation is called non-specific.
This scenario of disease development is typical for the spread of aliens and own microflora. Its own bacteria cause inflammation under certain conditions. This can occur with a decrease in protective function due to hypothermia, which is an accompanying disease. An important role is played by the center of chronic infection - caries, tonsillitis. Non-specific prostatitis accounts for most of the problems occurring in the prostate gland.
The following pathogens cause infectious non-specific inflammation:
- viruses;
- gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria;
- gardnerella - small sticks;
- chlamydia;
- mycoplasmas.
Non-specific infectious prostatitis may appear as a result of the patient's infection after sexual intercourse. There is also a way for the foreign agent to penetrate through purulent foci of the skin, mucous membranes and other sources of infection, for example, tonsillitis.
The causes of inflammatory processes in the prostate can be congestive (stagnant) events. Venous or secretory stasis in the gland is possible in certain cases. Precipitating factors include reduced or excessive sexual activity, long-term abstinence, frequent sex, nicotine and alcohol addiction.
Men often ignore the initial manifestations of the inflammatory process. Postponing a visit to the doctor is dangerous. It is also important to lead a proper lifestyle, treat accompanying diseases in time and get rid of sources of infection. Chronic prostatitis is often caused by several pathogens.
Risk factors
If there is a history of infectious diseases, as well as conditions accompanied by stagnation, the probability of prostate problems increases. Hypothermia and reduced immunity also have an effect. Factors contributing to the development of prostatitis:
- lack of proper rhythm of sexual activity;
- hypothermia (frequent or one-time);
- inert lifestyle, work that forces you to sit for a long time;
- frequent constipation;
- diseases of the genitourinary system;
- perineal injury;
- sexually transmitted diseases;
- chronic pathologies or foci of infection (cholecystitis, caries, tonsillitis);
- nervous stress, depression;
- frequent colds.
The risk of developing the disease increases with constant intoxication after using nicotine, alcohol, and drugs. All of the above reasons contribute to the appearance of pathology by intensifying the latent inflammatory process in the prostate.
Stagnation events play the main role in the development of the disease. Blood flow problems in capillaries cause metabolic disorders. Against the background of the described situations, the addition of specific and non-specific flora is the most common cause of prostatitis.
Classification of types and forms
Currently, there are many classifications of prostatitis. This includes definitions of frequency of occurrence, cause of occurrence, and process by means of infection. Let's focus on the simplest and most popular varieties from a practical point of view. Prostatitis by etiology:
- bacterial;
- contagious;
- calculated;
- stagnant;
- purulent.
Stream form:
- spicy;
- chronic.
Statistical data show that more often pathology is provoked by reasons of a non-bacterial nature. There is also a significant rejuvenation of the disease. It used to be considered a problem for older men. Now more and more young patients suffer from prostatitis.
Acute prostatitis
It happens quickly, the symptoms are actively growing rapidly. Usually, the process is infectious, provoked by harmful agents - bacteria, fungi, protozoa. A common cause can be Escherichia coli, enterococci, Proteus and others. Many microorganisms are part of its flora. In conditions of reduced immune response, they become pathogens and cause damage to the prostate gland.
The presence of sources of infection - caries, tonsillitis, chronic pathological processes increases the probability of the disease. Men identify their disease almost immediately. There are general signs of intoxication.
Pain spreading to the perineum, groin, anus, and lower back is expressed. Possible pain during defecation, myalgia. Urine comes out with difficulty, the desire to empty the bladder is frequent, with delays. Patients note the deterioration of erection, ejaculation. There is pus in the urine and stool, usually when the disease is neglected.
Chronic prostatitis
The disease can be caused by various reasons: stagnation events, the introduction of microbes, age-related changes. Often the prostate is attacked by its own immune system after treatment. This is possible if the patient is under stress, the prostate gland is damaged, and he is often hypothermic.
Also, chronicity is caused by an untreated acute process. May be asymptomatic. In this case, there is inflammation, but the pathogenic flora does not reveal itself.
The disease is less pronounced than the acute course. Patients note some problems with urination against the background of anxiety. There may be a decrease in sexual activity, weakness appears, sometimes there is pain in the groin, a burning sensation.
Periods of exacerbation are characterized by symptoms of the acute process.
Bacterial prostatitis
This type of inflammation is acute and chronic. It is caused by various pathogenic microorganisms. Symptoms are the same as in the acute course. After the examination, changes in the fluid environment are detected, on the basis of which the diagnosis is made.
This disease is more common in young people. A decrease in the immune response, the influence of external factors - stress, frequent alcohol consumption, cooling, poor motor mode contribute to its development. Infectious foci and chronic pathologies of the body, operations are also important.
In an acute course, patients note signs of intoxication - tremors, weakness, hyperthermia, myalgia. Painful sensations of the perineum, anus and genitals are manifested locally. Problems with urination, deterioration of erection are also expressed. There are characteristic changes in blood and secreted fluids.
In its chronic course, the symptoms are not so clear. Exacerbation is manifested by symptoms of an acute course.
Infectious prostatitis
The inflammatory process of the gland caused by foreign microbes. There are acute and chronic. Symptoms and course are similar to bacterial type pathology. This disease is caused by protozoa and fungal pathogens. Among other types of the disease, it is rare, mainly in young patients. The reasons are common factors and the penetration of pathogens into the gland from infection sites.
Calculous prostatitis
The inflammatory process develops due to the presence of stones. A very rare form, almost always occurs in elderly patients. It appears after untreated chronic inflammation. Stones can be endogenous or exogenous.
The first appears due to stagnation in the body. They are small and may not be visible. They are rarely detected because there are no painful sensations.
The latter are similar in composition to those in the bladder and kidneys. It is formed as a result of chronic inflammation of the gland or adenoma. Usually they give a clear pain syndrome. Location of sensations - sacrum, lower back, small pelvis. After sexual intercourse, during movement, the pains increase during walking. There may be a few drops of blood in the ejaculation. Other symptoms of the disease are also expressed - irritation, deterioration of erection, problems with emptying the bladder.
congestive prostatitis
Refers to the chronic form. Its appearance is provoked by stagnation of an organ or blood secretion in the small pelvis. Development is neglected. Symptoms are mild:
- urinary disorders;
- general intoxication;
- discomfort, pain in the perineum, groin, scrotum;
- decrease in sperm quality, orgasm;
There are no special changes in the removed fluids. There are infectious and non-infectious. Symptoms such as weakness and depression are possible.
Purulent prostatitis
Severe form of the acute course of the infectious process. The diagnosis is based on the main symptom - the appearance of pus from the canal. It works at high temperatures. Its types:
- catarrh;
- follicular;
- parenchymal;
- abscess.
Flu, tonsillitis, SARS occur against the background of weakened immunity. These types differ according to the intensity of the flow. Different amounts of pus are released.
Differential Diagnosis
All types and forms of prostatitis require medical examination and laboratory diagnostics. The clinic depends on the characteristics of the course. Be sure to analyze the secreted fluids for the presence of PSA antigen (a specific protein in the disease). An ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs is performed.
A test for sexually transmitted pathogens makes it possible to differentiate between a bacterial or an infectious process. Congestive small pelvic vessels are diagnosed according to the results of the study. Calculous is determined by evaluating the general condition of the patient, palpation data of the organ, urine and blood tests.
Features of treatment depending on the type and stage of the disease
Acute prostatitis is treated in the hospital. Antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, substances that reduce swelling and improve urine flow, immunomodulators, therapeutic microclysters and physiotherapy are prescribed. It is recommended to use medicinal suppositories. Prostate massage is added in chronic processes. Massages with calculosis are prohibited, surgical treatment is possible.
Consequences and prevention
Any type and form of prostatitis requires urgent diagnosis and proper treatment. It is difficult to treat a chronic process, so it is important not to start an acute process. Under the influence of inflammation, iron changes irreversibly. It causes infertility, impotence, abscess, formation of stones and tumors in the organ.
Prevention involves a proper lifestyle, exercise, regular intercourse, and exclusion of sexual intercourse.