Inflammation of the prostate gland, unfortunately, is quite common disease. According to statistics almost half of men in some age experience this problem. The causes of inflammation may be different, but, because in modern medicine there are several types of this disease. One of them is bacterial prostatitis.
Because of this great spread of the disease, many people are interested in more information about him. What are the causes of bacterial inflammation? What symptoms should pay attention? What modern methods of treatment are most effective?
What is prostatitis? The main forms of the disease
Prior to the start of the question what is bacterial prostatitis, is to understand what is the prostate, or the prostate. This is a small organ which is part of the reproductive system. It is located slightly below the bladder surrounding the urethra. The prostate produces up to 70 percent of the seminal fluid, which then mixed with the sperm, which are produced in the testicles. Prostate, also plays a role in the process of release of sperm and maintain an erection. It also affects the retention of urine.
Prostatitis — illness which is accompanied by an inflammatory process in the prostate tissue. Depending on the reasons for the development in the modern medicine there are several main types of disease:
- acute bacterial prostatitis — the inflammation in this case develops due to infection with organ specific bacteria (e.g., chlamydia, gonorrhea, etc.);
- the chronic form of bacterial prostatitis usually develops on the background of improper care or its absence (illness lasts more than three months, the period of prosperity gives way to the risk of inflammatory process);
- nonspecific prostatitis is the inflammatory process in this disease is caused by the activation of conditionally pathogenic microflora, or is not associated with bacterial infection;
- asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis occurs without visible symptoms, and quite often, the inflammatory process of decay itself.
Causes of bacterial prostatitis
As the name suggests, an inflammatory process in this case is connected with the activity of bacterial microorganisms. Pathogens of bacterial prostatitis quite often penetrate into the tissue of the prostate when the patient has sexually transmitted infections. Almost every sexually transmitted diseases (eg. gonorrhoea, chlamydia) can lead to inflammation of the prostate gland.
The middle-aged men as the causative agent can act and conditionally pathogenic microorganisms, such as Escherichia coli. A slightly different pattern was observed in older patients. The fact that a lot of men older than 50 years and diagnosed with t.n. benign prostatic hyperplasia (associated with the development of the tissue). When this pathology of the evacuation of the secretory fluid from the prostate is hampered, causing it begins to accumulate in the gland. Stagnation of secretions leads to active reproduction of pathogenic microorganisms and, consequently, inflammation.
Bacterial prostatitis may develop on the background of different pathologies of the urogenital system. For example, inflammation is much more frequently diagnosed on the background of the obstruction of the bladder, urinary tract infection, epididymitis, urethritis. The dissemination and penetration of infection inside it promotes phimosis (foreskin merger). Cause inflammation of the prostate can be various injuries of the perineum, the installation of the urinary catheter, previously performed cystoscopy (internal examination of the bladder) or a biopsy.
There are risk factors?
As you can see, the reasons for the occurrence of inflammation of the prostate may be different. In addition, there is a group of t.n. risk factors, the presence of which increases the likelihood of both acute and chronic prostatitis:
- frequent infectious diseases of the genitourinary system;
- parasitic diseases;
- incomplete emptying of the bladder;
- genetic predisposition;
- irritation of the urethra aggressive chemicals;
- severe hypothermia;
- promiscuous (frequent change of sexual partners, intercourse without a condom);
- Smoking, use of drugs and alcohol (weakens the protective forces of the organism);
- a weakened immune system;
- long periods of sexual abstinence;
- severe dehydration of the body;
- the wrong food;
- neurological disorders of the urinary tract;
- constant stress, nervous exhaustion, emotional stress;
- the sedentary way of life, which leads to stagnation of blood in the pelvis (increasing the probability of inflammation, not only prostate, but also and some other nearby organs).
What symptoms accompany the disease?
Signs of bacterial prostatitis, as a rule, quite distinctive. The disease begins acutely and develops quickly. Often patients first notice an increase in body temperature, weakness, body aches, fatigue, muscle pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Along with this there are problems with the urinary system. The process of urination becomes difficult and painful, urge - more frequent. However, the bladder is not completely emptied. Stream when urination becomes weak, the urine gets a rather unpleasant smell. Also, it may be a small amount of impurities in the blood. It can cause pain and burning in the urethra.
Patients often note and other symptoms of bacterial prostatitis. In particular, there is pain in the pubic area, which, also, gives to the lower back. You may experience pain in the testicles and the perineum area. Men have problems with erection and ejaculation is accompanied by painful feelings. Sometimes in the seeds, can be seen traces of blood. Also present pain during bowel movements.
Noticing such symptoms you should immediately consult a doctor. The sooner the patient will get proper medical care, the lower the probability of transition of the disease into the chronic form.
Chronic bacterial prostatitis
Immediately, it is worth noting that this form of the disease is quite rare. Chronic bacterial prostatitis may be associated with the activity of bacteria that are protected from the effects of the drugs, as it is located deep in the tissues of the prostate. Also, some microorganisms become insensitive to antibiotics, a wide range of influences.
Exacerbation of chronic bacterial prostatitis is accompanied with almost the same symptoms as the acute form of the disease. Noticed pain when urinating, pain in the abdomen and the perineum, blood in the urine and semen. On the other hand, temperature increase and other signs of intoxication are rare. Exacerbation followed by a period of relative prosperity — man it feels good, but some irregularities in the urogenital system still exist. In particular, patients suffer from urge to urinate. Also have problems with an erection (sometimes to the point of serious erectile dysfunction) and a decrease in sex drive.
Diagnosis of the disease
For a start, the doctor performs a physical examination and collecting a medical history, in order to get a complete picture of the symptoms that are bothering the patient. Usually it is enough to suspect prostatitis and order additional tests.
The patient passes from the blood and urine samples, analysis of which helps for detection of the markers of inflammation. You also need a digital rectal examination of the prostate gland, which makes possible the doctor determine the size, outline, consistency, body, degree of pain and some other parameters. In addition, during the massage of the prostate to obtain samples of her secret, which then is sent to the laboratory for analysis. The help of the samples helps to determine which type of infection and the degree of sensitivity to certain drugs.
Further examination will be carried out only if there is a suspicion of the presence of complications. With cystoscopy, the doctor can inspect and assess the condition of the urethra and the bladder. Sometimes performs urodynamic tests. Transrectal ultrasound and computed tomography help to better understand the condition of the prostate, to detect the presence of abscesses or stones. For suspected malignant degeneration of cells biopsy of the prostate.
Drug treatment of prostatitis
After conducting a full examination, the doctor will be able to make the most effective scheme of therapy. As a rule, in the first place, treatment of bacterial prostatitis with antibiotics. In particular, the very effective antibacterial agents are medications that contain tetracycline and ciprofloxacin. Depending on the severity of the disease and the diversity of infection antibiotic therapy can last from four to six weeks. Sometimes in the first few days of the drugs are injected, and then moved in the form of tablets. In the form of a chronic inflammation of the treatment can last up to 12 weeks.
Use of other drugs for the treatment of bacterial prostatitis. In particular, to facilitate of the patient, the disease can antispasmodics to help relax the neck of the bladder and reducing pain during urination.
If necessary, the patient is prescribed painkillers drugs, namely nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents that help to remove the fever. Positively on the state of men will be affected by taking a multivitamin complexes, immunomodulators, biostimulants.
Other treatments
During the recovery phase of the patients often recommend a prostate massage. This procedure helps to eliminate the fluid retention, to improve tissue metabolism, improve the local immunity, restore drainage function of the prostate and improving the flow of blood.
Also, in the process of the treatment can be used different methods of physiotherapy, in particular:
- magnetic therapy;
- transrectal ultrasonic therapy;
- electrical stimulation.
All the above methods help to normalize blood circulation and eliminate stagnant processes.
When surgical intervention is necessary?
Surgery is an extreme measure. It applies only in the case of long-term medical therapy and other treatments are without effect. Surgical procedure for partial resection of the prostate is, as a rule, older patients. At a young age such a radical treatment to try to avoid, as it sometimes leads to impotence and infertility. Surgery commonly prescribed for older patients with chronic forms of prostatitis, because they have many years to suffer from problems with urination, and constant pain. Additionally, it is the plastic correction, which helps to restore a special way to normalize the bladder.
Alternative ways to treat the disease
Of course, there are some other less conventional treatments for prostatitis. For example, sometimes a good effect gives a remedy microclysters, treatment with leeches, acupuncture, massage.
Patients with chronic forms of the disease recommend the Spa treatment. Also positively on the state of the organism will affect the special physical exercises that will help to restore circulation and eliminate blood stasis in the pelvic organs.
How to treat bacterial prostatitis using folk remedies? Today there are many means to eliminate the inflammatory processes. In particular, it is positive for the condition of the pelvic organs sometimes affected warm sitz baths decoction of yarrow, horsetail, sage. Also offers special rectal suppositories of bee products and medicinal herbs.
In any case, it is worth remembering that before the use of any tools be sure to consult with your doctor.
What is the Perspective for the patients?
Not treatment of bacterial prostatitis in men to achieve good results? Immediately is to say that the success of therapy depends on many factors, including the stage and form of disease, patient age, presence of comorbidities, etc.
Acute bacterial prostatitis responds well to medical treatment. After only a few days after the beginning of therapy the patient noted improvement of health. On the other hand, the incorrect treatment, the absence or termination (for example, very often men stop taking medication when symptoms disappear, not the completion of the whole course) can lead to the development of chronic forms of the disease.
Chronic prostatitis — a disease that is much harder to treat. Relapses can happen again and again. In such cases, doctors often recommend that patients surgery. The results of the surgical treatment, as a rule, are positive. Again, sometimes surgery is fraught with not so pleasant consequences.