Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate.Currently, urologists tend to believe that prostatitis is not a single disease, but combines several diseases of the male reproductive system.This is one of the most common diseases of the male urogenital tract, and, according to experts, the proportion of men suffering from prostatitis in one form or another is constantly increasing.With increasing age, the risk of developing prostatitis increases.
Causes of Prostatitis
The direct cause of prostatitis are two factors of equal importance.The first is the appearance of congestion in the pelvis and, as a result, in the prostate, and the second is the addition of infection.However, in some cases it is not possible to detect an infectious pathogen in the prostate tissue;In such cases, autoimmune processes are probably the cause of prostatitis, which means that the prostate is attacked by the cells of its own immune system due to a malfunction that has occurred in it.
Predisposing factors for the occurrence of inflammation of the prostate are: weakened immunity as a result of infection, hypothermia, stress;hormonal disorders, incomplete ejaculation, physical inactivity, food preferences (addiction to fried, fatty, smoked, spicy foods), frequent urinary retention.Irregular sex life is considered one of the most common causes of prostatitis.
Types of prostatitis
Currently, an international classification of prostatitis has been adopted, which is the most comprehensive and covers all types of inflammation:
- Category I. Acute prostatitis;
- Category II. Chronic bacterial prostatitis;
- Category III.Nonbacterial chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome – a disease in which no infection is detected and which lasts more than 3 months;
- Subcategory III A. Chronic inflammatory pelvic pain syndrome (leukocytes are detected in prostatic secretion);
- Subcategory III B. Chronic non-inflammatory pelvic pain syndrome (no leukocytes in prostatic secretion);
- Category IV. Asymptomatic chronic prostatitis (leukocytes are present in the prostatic secretion, the patient has no complaints, the disease is discovered accidentally).
Symptoms of prostatitis
There is the so-called “prostatitis triad”, the three most common symptoms of prostatitis.This includes:
- Pain in the pelvic and genital areas;
- Urination disorders which include sluggish stream, intermittent stream, incomplete bladder emptying, frequent urination, etc.;
- Disorders in the genital area.
It should be noted that not all three symptoms of prostatitis are mandatory;In addition, acute and chronic prostatitis occur differently.
Symptoms of acute prostatitis: severe, stabbing pain in the prostate radiating to the rectum, perineum, testicles, and lower back;Deterioration of general condition, fever, headache and muscle pain, general weakness;Disturbance of urination up to acute urinary retention due to swelling of the prostate and compression of the urethra.
Symptoms of chronic prostatitis: pain in the prostate, but less intense than in acute prostatitis;Urination disorders, sexual disorders: incomplete erection, short-term erection, accelerated ejaculation, etc. Chronic prostatitis may have a wave-like course, in which periods of exacerbation are followed by periods of resolution, or it may present with constant mild symptoms.
Unlike other inflammatory diseases, in which a chronic process is a consequence of untreated acute inflammation, chronic prostatitis is often primarily chronic, when it is difficult for the patient himself to determine the onset of the disease.
Diagnosis of prostatitis
To diagnose prostatitis, the following studies are carried out:
- analysis of prostate secretion;
- digital rectal examination;
- transrectal ultrasound of the prostate;
- Ultrasound of the kidneys and bladder;
- blood test for PSA (prostate antigen);
- general blood test;
- general urinalysis;
- Urine test for urogenital infections before and after prostate massage;
- Uroflowmetry (urine examination).
The main aim of the diagnosis is to determine the cause of prostatitis, as therapeutic measures depend on this.Another diagnostic task is to rule out prostate cancer.
Treatment of prostatitis
Acute and chronic prostatitis of bacterial origin is treated with antibacterial drugs.In acute prostatitis, strong doses of antibiotics are prescribed even before culture results are available, since an acute process requires immediate action.In combination, anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs are prescribed, which also have an analgesic effect.
Treatment for chronic prostatitis depends on the cause that caused it.For nonbacterial prostatitis, strengthening and immunomodulating drugs are taken.Treatment of prostatitis occurs with the obligatory participation of physiotherapeutic procedures: laser therapy, magnetotherapy, electrophoresis of drugs, ultrasound, etc.
Urologists claim that treating prostatitis with medical means alone will only provide temporary relief, since treatment of prostatitis is ineffective without changing the usual lifestyle.It is necessary to give up bad habits, lead an active lifestyle, eliminate physical inactivity, avoid congestion in the pelvis with special gymnastics, spend less time in the car, move more on foot and get enough rest.
It is also important to improve your sex life, make it regular and eat well.Chronic prostatitis is prone to relapses, so lifestyle changes should be permanent.Only in this case treatment of prostatitis leads to a complete cure.
Treatment of prostatitis with folk remedies
Traditional methods are widely and successfully used to treat prostatitis, especially chronic prostatitis.They have a milder effect than drugs, but are still quite effective and have fewer side effects, so the treatment of prostatitis with folk remedies can be carried out for a long period of time until the symptoms of the disease are eliminated.
Among folk remedies for the treatment of prostatitis, teas made from medicinal herbs that have anti-inflammatory and antibacterial effects are often used: tea made from chamomile, sage leaves, calendula flowers, etc. Medicinal herbs are also used in the form of tinctures and balms.Honey and bee products are used as general tonics.Beeswax is excellent for wraps to treat chronic prostatitis and replaces paraffin.Echinacea tincture is used as a mild immunostimulant, and some types of honey are successfully used for the same purpose.