Chronic prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland, leading to disruption of its function.
Description of chronic prostatitis
Chronic prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland, leading to disruption of its function.This disease is difficult to treat and is characterized by frequent relapses.There are two types of chronic prostatitis:
- Infectious, resulting from damage caused by bacteria, infections, or fungi.
- Stagnant, which develops with stagnation of prostatic secretion and blood in the veins.The causes of congestive prostatitis are irregular sexual life, sedentary work and tight underwear.
Chronic prostatitis is the most common urological disease in men of reproductive 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 venereal diseases;
- untreated urinary tract infections;
- sedentary lifestyle and sedentary work (especially for drivers);
- work associated with prolonged exposure to vibration, such as working with a jackhammer or lathe.
The disease significantly impairs the quality of life and leads to social and psychological problems.There is also a decrease in potency and an impairment of reproductive function.
Chronic prostatitis without adequate treatment leads to a number of serious complications:
- pyelonephritis and cystitis - due to urinary tract infection;
- vesiculitis: inflammation of the testicles and appendages;
- prostate adenoma and cancer;
- inflammatory processes in the nerves responsible for erectile function, leading to infertility.
Symptoms of chronic prostatitis
The development of the disease is predominantly asymptomatic.Therefore, the detection of prostatitis is often associated with the diagnosis of suspected prostate cancer.
Some symptoms include:
- mild pain and discomfort in the perineal area, with projection to the rectum and sacrum, lasting more than three months;
- painful and premature ejaculation;
- burning in the perineum and urethra;
- discomfort during bowel movements;
- discharge from the urethra;
- sometimes painful difficulty urinating and urinary retention occur;
- decreased 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, when the symptoms of the disease intensify, weaken or disappear completely.This makes diagnosis and subsequent treatment significantly more difficult.
Diagnosis of chronic prostatitis
The diagnosis of suspected chronic prostatitis includes:
- patient survey;
- general urine and blood tests;
- three-glass urine test;
- testing for the presence of sexually transmitted infections;
- culture of prostatic secretions to determine the sensitivity of its microflora to various antibacterial drugs;
- digital rectal examination of the prostate;
- Ultrasound of the pelvic organs and prostate.
Additionally, the following may be prescribed:
- uroflowmetry (measurement of urine production parameters);
- prostate tissue biopsy;
- PCR (polymer chain reaction) analysis of urethral smears for the presence of chlamydia and mycoplasma.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis
The treatment method depends on several factors and is mainly aimed at eliminating the factors that lead to the appearance of chronic prostatitis:
- age of the patient;
- stage of the disease;
- type of chronic prostatitis.
The effectiveness of therapy directly depends on the diagnosis of the disease in the initial stage, compliance with the diet, increased and regular physical activity.
The main method of therapy for chronic prostatitis is complex drug therapy, based on the results of bacterial culture of prostatic secretions and urine.The duration of the treatment cycle must be at least 4 weeks, with continuation in case of positive dynamics until the complete elimination of the infection.
Medicines used to treat chronic prostatitis are divided into the following groups:
- antibiotics and antibacterial drugs;
- alpha blockers (drugs that cause dilation of blood vessels and channels and regulate metabolism in the prostate gland);
- 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 prostatic ducts.
In recent years the range of therapeutic measures has been expanded to include various physiotherapy methods:
- UHF therapy.
- Laser therapy (improves microcirculation and eliminates congestion in the prostate gland).
- Rectal electrophoresis.
- Microwave hyperthermia.
Spa treatments are also indicated, in particular mud therapy and thermal baths.
Surgical treatment methods are used only in the last stage of the disease - prostatic sclerosis.In this case, transurethral resection of the bladder neck, prostate gland and seminal 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 the infection, normalize the immune system 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 pattern;
- good nutrition;
- regular sexual life.