There are different types of prostatitis, which differ in the symptoms and the course of the inflammatory process. Although, in general, this disease has been studied quite well, there is one form of which little is known - this is bacterial prostatitis. This condition is also called chronic pelvic pain syndrome and according to the latest information it occurs in one in five men on the planet. Despite its widespread appearance, the disease is still a mystery to doctors and is very difficult to treat.
Bacterial and non-infectious prostatitis: what is the difference?
Bacterial or non-bacterial prostatitis is often confused with non-infectious prostatitis. In fact, they are two different diseases with different manifestations and causes of development.
Chronic bacterial prostatitis is a disease with no clear symptoms of inflammation in the prostate gland. In addition, in the vast majority of cases, a detailed examination does not allow the presence of an inflammatory process in the organ. At the same time, non-infectious prostatitis is an inflammatory disease that has well-defined and well-studied causes. Non-infectious prostatitis is caused by a violation of the nutrition of the prostate gland, as a result of which the secretion of the prostate stagnates and the inflammatory process develops. Non-infectious prostatitis is more commonly diagnosed in elderly patients, while non-bacterial prostatitis can occur in men of all ages.
To avoid confusion, non-bacterial prostatitis is also called chronic pelvic pain syndrome, which perfectly characterizes the main symptoms of this complex disease.
Typical symptoms
With a little need, a painful discomfort is felt.
The signs of bacterial prostatitis are not similar to the symptoms of inflammation of the prostate gland, so many doctors assume the neurological nature of the development of this disease.
With bacterial prostatitis, the symptoms are as follows:
- persistent pain pain in the pelvic area.
- increased pain syndrome when urinating.
- severe discomfort with ejaculation.
- general physical condition;
- nervous tension.
As a rule, pelvic pain occurs for a long time, in the period from three months to six months. The pain syndrome is painful, monotonous, can go away on its own without the use of analgesics and then come back spontaneously. The pain radiates to the testicles, the perineum, the anus. Sometimes there are short-term episodes of shooting "nervous" pain in the lower back, in the lower abdomen, in the groin.
Patients complain of worsening erections. During ejaculation, he feels intense tension, ejaculation is accompanied by acute pain. When urinating, severe pain attacks are also possible.
Along with these symptoms, there is intense emotional depression. The man is tense, prone to stress, some patients have insomnia and neurosis-like conditions.
Causes of bacterial prostatitis
A fall and as a result of a back injury, can cause illness.
Non-bacterial prostatitis is not well understood, so doctors give the possible causes of this disease.
The exact mechanism of development and pathogenesis of chronic bacterial prostatitis has not yet been documented.
The disease may have the following reasons for its development:
- inflammation of the ligaments and tendons of the pelvic floor.
- autoimmune process;
- increase of pelvic floor ligaments.
- back injuries and chronic diseases of the spine.
- violation of the microcirculation of blood in the prostate gland.
- neuropsychiatric reasons;
- intracellular parasites and pathogens in the prostate.
Inflammation of the ligaments and tendons of the pelvic floor can develop due to infectious diseases of the organs of the urogenital system, which are in the immediate vicinity. As a result, the infection spreads to the ligaments, becoming inflamed and increasing in size, compressing and irritating the nearby nerve endings. The pain that a man feels at the same time can be transmitted along the nerves, giving to the lower back, groin, lower abdomen or anus.
Another suspected cause of chronic bacterial prostatitis or CABD is autoimmune processes in the body. As a result of such a failure, the immune system begins to perceive prostate cells as a foreign element and attacks them with immune cells, which leads to the appearance of typical symptoms of bacterial prostatitis.
Another suspicious cause is viral prostatitis, which the patient suffered in childhood. As the prostate in boys is not yet sufficiently developed, the viral inflammation of this organ may be asymptomatic and turn into a chronic form, which in an adult man manifests as pelvic pain syndrome.
The disease can also be associated with various back pathologies, injuries or osteochondrosis, resulting in compression of the nerve roots of the spine, which causes pain and disruption of the prostate gland.
Some doctors have suggested that this disease may be due to a congenital circulatory failure of the prostate gland, due to which the organ can not cope with its function. Over time, this leads to the appearance of chronic pain that is characteristic of bacterial prostatitis.
In addition, there is a theory that CABD may be caused by neuropsychiatric disorders, for example, severe stress, neurosis, and vascular dystonia. In this case, the pathology should be considered as a psychosomatic illness.
Another theory is that the disease may be related to intracellular parasites or microorganisms, the size of which is so small that they do not allow the causative agent of the disease to be detected by standard methods.
Risk factors
Smoking can contribute to prostate problems.
Probably the risk factors for developing chronic pelvic pain syndrome in men are:
- previous prostate diseases.
- chronic stress;
- back injury;
- hypothermia of the pelvic organs.
- urogenital infections;
- chronic testicular disease;
- Bad Habits;
- circulatory disorders of the pelvic organs.
- weakness;
- pelvic injury.
The risk of developing the disease increases if a man does not eat properly. Deficiency of vitamins and essential micronutrients can affect not only the general well-being, but also the work of the prostate.
Differential diagnosis
The following conditions are necessary for the diagnosis of chronic pelvic pain syndrome:
- long-term pain, for a period of three months.
- the absence of pathogenic microorganisms in prostatic secretion.
- absence of chronic foci of infection in the body.
- discomfort with ejaculation.
To make a diagnosis, a differential diagnosis is made with prostate cancer, neurological syndromes, pathologies of the spine, which lead to irritation of the roots of the spinal nerves.
A general urological examination is required - palpation of the prostate, transrectal ultrasound of the organ, study of the composition of the prostate secretion. You should also rule out inflammatory diseases of the testicles, bladder and kidney pathology, which can manifest as a pain syndrome of different localization.
Examination by a neurologist and therapist is mandatory. You should also consult a proctologist to rule out rectal pathologies.
Treatment methods
An integrated approach is used to treat bacterial prostatitis. The treatment is chosen by the urologist, taking into account the characteristics of the course of the disease in the patient. This takes into account the general health and psycho-emotional state of the man.
The treatment includes the following methods:
- symptomatic treatment;
- prostate massage;
- physiotherapy methods.
As needed, treatment can be supplemented with sedatives, homeopathic and herbal remedies.
Pharmacotherapy
Before using the medication, you should consult your doctor.
For the symptomatic treatment of bacterial prostatitis, drugs of the following groups are prescribed:
- broad-spectrum antibiotics with antimicrobial activity.
- non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
- anticonvulsants and analgesics;
- alpha blockers;
- sedatives and antidepressants.
In the treatment of non-bacterial prostatitis, antibacterial agents are used, as paradoxical as it sounds. The fact is that the theory of microorganisms that are not visible under a microscope remains open, so antibacterial agents are prescribed for prevention. Urologists say that these drugs help to quickly eliminate the symptoms of the disease, so their use is completely justified.
Antispasmodics and analgesics are used to reduce pain. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can also be used as symptomatic treatment.
To facilitate the process of urination, the administration of alpha-blockers is indicated.
It should be noted that the optimal treatment regimen is selected individually for each man. You should not self-medicate, foolishly taking the drugs of the mentioned groups, it is better to trust an experienced specialist.
Prostate massage and physiotherapy
In general, the treatment of bacterial prostatitis with drugs shows good results. Other methods are required to consolidate the therapeutic effect.
Prostate massage improves the function of the organ, prevents stagnation of prostate secretions, normalizes blood circulation and metabolic processes. Appointed in a course of 10 procedures.
As physical therapy, magnetic effects, ultrasound therapy, electrophoresis with vasodilators and other methods are prescribed. Patients also receive spa treatment, for example, mud therapy.
Folk remedies
Motherwort herbal tinctures are good for treating ailments.
It is possible to treat non-bacterial prostatitis with folk remedies only after consulting a doctor, otherwise such a treatment will not help, but will only worsen the state of health.
For the treatment of non-bacterial prostatitis with folk remedies, you can use:
- infusions of sedative herbs to improve overall health - chamomile, lemon balm, valerian.
- micro-envelopes with anti-inflammatory decoctions of St. John's wort, straw, straw grass.
- hot sitz baths with calamus decoction, soda or nettle.
- suppositories with pumpkin oil.
- tampons with honey and propolis.
The use of any of the mentioned funds should be agreed with your doctor. The suppositories are prepared as follows: five parts of cocoa butter are melted in a water bath, then one part honey and one part propolis (or two parts pumpkin oil) are added. The mass is then cooled, suppositories 4 cm long and 1 cm in diameter are formed and cooled in the refrigerator. Such suppositories should be injected into the rectum after cleansing enema at night for two weeks.
Possible complications and prevention
Bacterial prostatitis requires early diagnosis and treatment. Otherwise, pelvic pain syndrome can lead to infertility, impotence, cystitis and other problems of the male urogenital system.
To prevent the development of the disease, it is necessary to follow an active lifestyle and eat properly. It is important to maintain immunity, to avoid hypothermia of the pelvic organs. Men need a regular sex life with a stable partner to prevent the development of stagnant processes in the prostate gland. It is also necessary to have regular check-ups with a urologist.