Prostatitis can impair potency or cause infertility.The success of the treatment largely depends on how quickly the treatment was started, so the man must pay attention to the first signs on his own.Let's look at how prostatitis manifests itself in acute and chronic forms, and tell you about clinical manifestations and symptoms.
Signs of acute and chronic prostatitis
Acute prostatitis most commonly occurs in men of childbearing age who are sexually active.In this case, the first signs of the disease appear unexpectedly, develop quickly and cannot go unnoticed.
With acute prostatitis, a man will feel:
- sharp, often throbbing pain in the perineum;
- temperature rises to 39°C;
- Painful urination.
When the disease occurs, the focus of the inflammatory process in the prostate gland is widespread, so neighboring organs may be involved in the pathological process.For example, prostatitis can affect the condition of the rectum and lead to painful bowel movements.
Chronic prostatitis is more common in men of retirement age.The disease can progress without any particular symptoms.Sometimes patients complain to the doctor about burning or itching when urinating or notice mucous or purulent discharge from the glans.Pain in chronic prostatitis is absent or insignificant, and the temperature rises to 37 degrees.
First symptoms
Doctors identify a number of manifestations that are considered harbingers of the disease.They are a signal for a man to see a doctor in the near future.The six symptoms listed below indicate a problem in the genitourinary system and are therefore combined into one group - dysuric syndrome:
- The urine is released drop by drop, the man makes an effort.
- The beam is sluggish, the range is no more than 20 cm.
- Splashing urine, splitting or involuntary interruption of the stream.
- Frequent urge to go to the toilet at night.
- Painful urination.
- Feeling of an empty bladder.
If there is only one symptom - prostatitis - we most likely don't talk about it.However, if a man can notice two or three signs, this is a reason to see a doctor.Most likely, an inflammatory process has begun in the prostate.
A more accurate diagnosis is made by the doctor after a rectal examination, TRUS and laboratory methods, which together constitute a comprehensive examination.Based on the results of these measures, treatment is selected, therefore self-medication is strictly prohibited.
Problems with urination can also indicate prostate cancer.In this case, the treatment tactics are fundamentally different.
Certain manifestations do not always indicate prostatitis;They may indicate any other inflammatory process in the genitourinary system.However, when they appear, there is reason to be cautious.Let's consider what a man will feel if he has inflammation of the prostate.
Difficulty urinating
A patient with acute prostatitis has difficulty urinating.Typically, a man may feel the urge to relieve himself up to 15 times a day, which is due to drinking habits.The average indicators are 4-5 times.However, with prostatitis the picture changes.A man may feel the urge twice as often, but the amount of urine does not increase.This means that the kidneys are working properly, but the bladder walls are being compressed by the prostate.
Narrowing of the prostatic urethra leads to stranguria.This is a pathological condition in which a man experiences severe pain when urinating.It is also possible for ischuria (inability to go to the toilet) to develop.
Temperature rise
The first sign of acute prostatitis is an increase in temperature to feverish values (38-39 degrees).This symptom is especially characteristic of purulent prostatitis and a harbinger of septic shock.As the severe infectious process progresses, the body temperature may drop to 35-36°C.
In some cases, this condition can be life-threatening.It is especially dangerous for men with DIC syndrome (disseminated intravascular coagulation).
The appearance of blood in the urine
This sign is more often detected during a laboratory examination of urine, less often - visually by the man himself. This is a dangerous manifestation of prostatitis, which is very difficult to fight.The cause of hematuria (the scientific name of the symptom) can be:
- Location of the blood vessel in the area of the purulent-inflammatory process;
- development of prostate cancer or adenoma;
- Trauma to the urethra or prostate during the examination.
This manifestation is also possible with calcareous prostatitis, when stones and sand damage the glandular tissue.Fortunately for men, hematuria with prostatitis is very rare.
Groin pain syndrome
Acute prostatitis, as well as cases of complications in the chronic form, can be accompanied by pain of various types, from moderate to severe.This is not the first sign of prostatitis, but it cannot be ignored.The following types of unpleasant sensations are distinguished:
- stabbing, shooting pains;
- aching or pressing sensations;
- Itching and burning (more common in chlamydial prostatitis).
In some cases, men may also experience pain in the anus.It increases during bowel movements, when sitting and disappears when the man rests.
Laboratory symptoms of the disease
One can say that a man has developed prostatitis only after a laboratory study of blood and urine, as well as on the basis of the results of ultrasound, CT, MRI and palpation.There are several well-known signs that indicate inflammation of an organ:
- the appearance of leukocytes in the blood and urine;
- Detection of pathogenic microflora in urine and prostate secretion;
- an increase in the number of leukocytes against the background of a decrease in the number of lecithin grains in prostate juice;
- Tenderness in the prostate area during rectal examination;
- an enlargement of the gland on TRUS images, the presence of areas of increased echogenicity.
The presence of inflammation in the body can also be assessed by other parameters - an increase in ESR in blood tests, a shift in the leukogram and the presence of immobile sperm in the ejaculate.
Various bacteria are found in urine – Trichomonas, Chlamydia, E. coli, etc.
Among the instrumental methods, in addition to TRUS, X-ray examination with contrast medium can also be used.On images of the prostate in different projections, signs of inflammation can be clearly seen - areas with disruptions in the tissue structure.
Conclusion
From a practical point of view, the following first signs of prostatitis are important for a man: problems with urination and pain in the perineum.If the temperature rises at the same time, one can speak of acute bacterial prostatitis.
In any case, you need to make an appointment with the doctor, undergo an examination and only then start treatment.It is forbidden to choose your own therapy based solely on unpleasant symptoms.