There are different stages of prostatitis. They differ from each other in clinical symptoms and characteristics of the course. The most effective is the treatment of the initial stage of development of inflammation of the prostate gland. At this stage, the disease does not have time to significantly affect the functioning of the genitourinary system. The later a person with prostatitis turns to a doctor for help, the smaller his chances of a full recovery.
What is prostatitis
Prostatitis is an inflammatory process that occurs in the prostate gland. More than half of the adult male population is personally familiar with this disease. Doctors distinguish several forms of the disease, each of which proceeds in its own way. When making the diagnosis, urologists specify the type of prostatitis found in the patient. The inflammation can be bacterial or non-bacterial. Both pathologies negatively affect the functioning of the gland and neighboring organs.
The pathological process has 2 types of flow:
- spicy;
- Chronic.
The first symptoms of acute prostatitis appear from the first days of the disease. Their severity increases if a person does not try to deal with the inflammation. The chronic course is characterized by the absence of obvious symptoms of illness. Therefore, this form of prostatitis is usually detected during a routine examination by a urologist.
Acute prostatitis, even in the initial stage, gives vivid symptoms, while chronic prostatitis does not manifest itself for a long time.
Stages of chronic disease
Chronic prostatitis is divided into several stages, which follow one after the other if a person does not try to fight the disease. It can be latent for several years. In this case, the pathology periodically worsens. Remission and relapse of the disease gradually replace each other.
Only the patient's actions depend on how long he will treat the disease, to what stage he will be able to reach and whether he will be able to fully recover.
1 stage
The initial stage of the prostate is considered the safest for health. That is why doctors recommend starting treatment at this stage. But the difficulty lies in the fact that at the very beginning the disease does not cause much discomfort. A person does not always even know that he is sick. If, for a number of reasons, the patient cannot overcome the pathological process in the prostate gland, he will move on to a more difficult stage. And so it will continue until the causative agent of the infection is stopped with therapy.
Prostatitis of the 1st degree is characterized by such symptoms, which will be mild:
- Body temperature rises to 38 degrees. After some time it can increase to 40 degrees;
- Severe pain is felt in the area of the hip joints;
- There is discomfort during a bowel movement;
- The member becomes more sluggish;
- In the process of urination, you can notice mucus that has no color;
- Pain occurs during urination;
- The urethra becomes narrower, so you have to strain to empty the bladder;
- At night, frequent urges to the toilet begin to disturb;
- Intercourse becomes shorter.
All these signs are a good reason to see a specialist. They will bother the man for up to 3 years. During this time, the course of the first stage of the disease is usually observed.
Symptoms of prostate inflammation will come and go, as the disease occurs in waves at this stage. It will seem to a person that the disease has gone away, but after a while it appears again.
Very often, patients do not complete the initial stage of inflammation of the prostate gland. Because of this, the disease becomes chronic. It is very difficult to deal with this form of pathology. Treatment will take a long time and require the investment of large sums of money. At the same time, there is no guarantee that the disease will go away after completing the therapeutic course.
A urologist can detect the initial stage of prostatitis in a patient if he undergoes a series of diagnostic procedures. The disease is detected by such tests:
- Palpation of the rectum;
- Collection of secretions and semen;
- General analysis of urine and blood;
- semen analysis;
- Ultrasound of the prostate.
The analysis of the research results will allow the specialist to determine the disease and its cause. If the prostatitis turns out to be infectious, then the man will be offered to drink antibiotics and other drugs that help restore the affected tissue of the prostate and normalize its work. The non-infectious form of inflammation also needs drug therapy. Such treatment will be based on immunomodulatory drugs, nutritional supplements and rectal suppositories with anti-inflammatory action.
If the initial stage of the disease occurs in an unencumbered form, then the patient is additionally prescribed physiotherapy along with a diet.
In the early stage, inflammation of the prostate responds well to treatment.
2 stage
Prostatitis of the 2nd degree is accompanied by a temporary weakening of symptoms. Many men perceive this condition as recovery. They postpone visits to the doctor or stop paying the necessary attention to therapy. But the reduction of the inflammatory process with such a diagnosis is a bad sign. During the first stage of the disease, an increase in the size of the prostate is observed due to the active division of its cells. As a result, scars form on the walls. Ruptures of blood vessels lead to disruption of blood supply to the prostate gland.
The second stage of prostatitis is usually accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Violation of biological rhythms;
- nervousness;
- Pain when urinating;
- Heart failure;
- Exacerbation of sciatica;
- Disappearance of orgasm;
- Lack of sexual desire.
At this stage of prostatitis in men, it is difficult to correctly determine the specific localization of the pain syndrome. Initially, pain is felt at the site of the prostate. After spreading to all areas of the small pelvis.
Patients with stage 2 prostatitis are recommended to take immunostimulating drugs and attend physical therapy procedures. In order not to complicate the situation, they should avoid hypothermia, give up bad habits and normalize nutrition.
It is very important to lead a healthy lifestyle
3 stage
The third stage of the development of inflammation of the prostate gland brings the most problems. In this case, the man was diagnosed with a chronic form of prostatitis. At this stage, there is a serious change in the tissues of the prostate. They begin to die quickly. The scars formed in the previous stages strongly press the bladder. This provokes the development of urinary retention, which is an extremely dangerous complication.
Prostatitis in the 3rd degree of development leads to the appearance of pathological changes in the kidneys and bladder. The danger lies in the fact that they are irreversible. At this stage, men often complain of sciatica.
The last stage of the development of the disease has the following symptoms:
- Frequent urge to urinate;
- Severe pain during urination;
- Weak flow of urine;
- Cut in the area of the kidneys;
- Lack of sensation of complete emptying of the bladder after going to the toilet.
The last stage of chronic prostatitis is considered the most dangerous. At this stage, the dying cells are replaced by connective tissue. This change leads to a decrease in the size of the prostate gland and a narrowing of the urinary tract. Due to the fact that the system does not function properly, a person develops cystic formations. He also develops impotence.
Since the symptoms are very pronounced in the last stages of the disease, the patient's life is significantly complicated. Constant pain haunts him day and night. Quite often, for the first time, men turn to a urologist precisely because of such obvious symptoms of prostatitis. But since irreversible processes have occurred in the gland by this time, doctors do not guarantee removal of the pathology, even if the patient fulfills all their requirements. It is difficult for them to predict how inflammation will behave at a given stage of development.
If the case is severe and antibiotics do not bring significant relief, then the patient is referred for surgery to partially or completely remove the prostate gland.
At stage 3, the pain becomes severe and the changes in the organs become irreversible.
Stages of acute illness
Prostatitis begins with acute inflammation in the glandular organ. It gradually escalates. The prostate gland is affected by an infection that develops safely in it with a weakened immune system. Chronic prostatitis is observed in those who cannot cope with the acute form of the pathology. In this case, the man will not feel the special symptoms of the disease until it is in the acute stage.
Inflammation of the prostate caused by an infectious agent manifests itself from the first days of the disease. Therefore, this form of pathology is diagnosed earlier than the chronic one. Acute prostatitis is characterized by slightly different stages of development. Doctors distinguish 4 degrees of the disease, which follow one after the other.
catarrhal stage
At this stage, the inflammatory process in the prostate begins. It spreads in the ductal tissues of the glandular lobules. There is a swelling of the prostate that continues to progress. At this stage, the man does not have purulent discharge, which could indicate an infection in the gland. He will be bothered by other symptoms:
- Frequent urge to go to the toilet;
- Painful urination;
- General weakness in the body;
- Changeable psycho-emotional state;
- apathetic mood;
- irritability.
Another distinctive feature of acute prostatitis in stage 1 of development is the enlargement of the prostate gland. Although this symptom is also characteristic of the chronic course of the pathology. The doctor will be able to notice this characteristic during palpation of the problem area. Special analyzes allow to confirm the fears of a specialist. He must necessarily refer the patient to the supply of prostate secretion to study its composition. In prostatitis, an increased number of leukocytes will be found in the fluid. Also in the sample, the doctor will find impurities of pus and mucus.
Treatment of the catarrhal stage of acute prostatitis consists in taking a group of drugs that suppress inflammation and reduce the severity of the main symptoms of the disease.
Massage with such a course of pathology is strictly prohibited, as well as many other similar physiotherapy procedures.
On average, treatment of the initial stage of acute inflammation of the prostate gland takes about 2 weeks. During this time, the patient completely gets rid of the disease. The positive result of the therapy is due to the fact that it was started before the time when the pathology had not yet managed to lead to the development of irreversible processes in the organs of the genitourinary system.
Follicular stage
As this phase of prostatitis progresses, the swelling spreads to the follicles and excretory ducts of the prostate. Its structures begin to press the neighboring tissues, which causes serious suppuration. The symptoms of the disease intensify and become more pronounced and noticeable. In this condition, men complain of the following signs of malaise:
- Body temperature rises to 38 degrees and does not fall;
- apathetic mood;
- The appearance of pain in the groin area;
- Spread of pain to the genitals, anal area and hip joint;
- painful urination;
- Pain in the head of the penis;
- Defecation becomes more difficult;
- The excretion of a minimal amount of urine.
When examining the problem area, you can find an asymmetric increase in prostate tissue. While examining the results of a urinalysis, the doctor will find the presence of an excessive amount of pus and white blood cells in the sample.
It is very important to begin urgent treatment of the follicular stage of acute prostatitis, otherwise a malignant process may develop in the structures of the glandular organ.
If therapy is neglected, there is a risk of developing cancer
Parenchymal stage
Prostate tissues are subject to permanent damage. Because of this, a large number of small pustules are formed in them. Urinary tracts are further compressed. As a result, there is acute retention of urine. Other symptoms of the parenchymal stage are the following conditions:
- Painful defecation;
- An increase in body temperature to 39 degrees or more;
- Constant feeling of strong thirst;
- Loss of appetite;
- severe weakness;
- Chronic fatigue;
- Difficulty urinating;
- Severe pain in pelvis, anus and loins;
- Flatulence and constipation.
Impurities of unusual mucus begin to appear in the stool as the inflammation affects the intestines. The gland becomes quite large, and its contours are blurred.
Stage of abscess formation
This stage of acute prostatitis is accompanied by a number of painful symptoms that prevent a man from leading a full life. They are more pronounced than in the initial stage of development of the inflammatory process. At this stage, small pustules merge into a whole formation. Purulent masses quickly accumulate in it. When it gets too big, it bursts. As a result, the accumulated pus comes out through the urethra. At the stage of abscessation, the patient is tormented by the following symptoms:
- severe malaise;
- Increase in body temperature up to 40 degrees;
- Passivity to any actions;
- Severe pain in the anus and genitals;
- Difficulties in defecation and urination.
If a person in this condition does not receive adequate treatment, he may die. It is very important that the abscess is removed so that the patient can feel better. Only then will the main symptoms of the disease begin to subside.
Complications
The earlier the treatment of prostatitis begins, the less the inflammatory process will harm the body. That is why it is best to deal with the disease at an early stage. But not all men adhere to this recommendation, as many hope that the disease will disappear by itself. Because of this, the disease progresses and leads to the development of unpleasant complications. Neglecting the help of a specialist, a person faces the following consequences of untreated prostatitis:
- The appearance of various inflammatory processes in the organs of the genitourinary system;
- Decreased sexual desire;
- Psychological disorders;
- infertility;
- Impotence.
It is not unusual for men who have had prostatitis to have a normal erection. Because of this, the patient's sexual activity is significantly reduced. In some cases, the lack of ejaculation is considered a complication. A man's penis may drop off abruptly. If such deviations are found, it is necessary to visit a specialist to understand the nature of the violation and find ways to get rid of it.
Do not forget that the inflammatory process can actively spread to neighboring tissues and organs. That is why, against the background of prostatitis, men additionally develop cystitis and urethritis. These diseases lead to a violation of the outflow of urine. The occurrence of chronic incontinence is not excluded.
Impotence is perceived by men as one of the most severe complications of acute or chronic prostatitis. With such a deviation, the ability to excite disappears. This is due to inflammation that interferes with the process of tissue nutrition. Edema prevents the corpora cavernosa from filling completely with blood. Medicine has learned to treat this complication with long-term drug therapy. However, not all patients who have completed such a course are satisfied with the result.
Prostatitis is called the main reason for the development of infertility of the 1st degree. In this case, a variant of the disease is considered, in which the composition of the seminal fluid changes. The secret changes the level of acidity and viscosity. All these deviations are detected during the examination of the sperm sample, which is sent for analysis.
For the problem of infertility, men should contact an andrologist. This will help you choose the best treatment.
If the prostatitis is severe, then it will lead to the appearance of infertility of the 2nd degree. This condition is not amenable to therapeutic treatment.
A man's psycho-emotional mood suffers greatly due to inflammation of the prostate. Frequent failures in the intimate sphere make him anxious. Against this background, depressions appear, which further worsen the general condition of the patient.
More than 30% of patients who have been diagnosed with prostatitis face psycho-emotional experiences. A psychologist helps them restore male libido, which has been reduced due to stress.
Impotence and infertility are frequent complications of the disease
Remission of chronic prostatitis
If treatment for prostatitis has been started, the patient may achieve remission. This is the name of the condition in which there is a significant weakening of the symptoms of the disease or their complete disappearance. Prostatitis in remission is fixed in most patients who have completed a full course of treatment. This period varies from person to person. If the man does not adhere to the doctor's recommendations, after some time there will be an exacerbation of the inflammation of the prostate. And then the patient will have to be treated again.
Kinds
Remission in prostatitis can be complete or incomplete. In the first case, after complete therapy, the man ceases to be disturbed by absolutely all symptoms of the pathology. I forget about them for a long time. Incomplete remission usually lasts no more than 3 months. During this time, the patient may complain of minor symptoms that characterize prostatitis. For example, many continue to experience painful urination and pelvic discomfort.
Duration
Even experienced doctors sometimes find it very difficult to predict how long remission will last for a particular person who has been treated for prostatitis. This indicator is individual. The duration of this period depends directly on a number of factors:
- The causative agent of the disease;
- General condition of the body;
- The quality of treatment;
- The severity of the disease;
- Stage of the disease.
It is also taken into account how faithfully the patient follows the recommendations of the attending physician, which refer to the prevention of recurrence of prostatitis.
If a person fulfills all the requirements of a specialist and carefully takes care of his own health, then his remission can last for several decades. Sometimes the disease completely recedes.
Forecast
If a patient who had to undergo treatment for chronic prostatitis, begins to lead a proper lifestyle, will take control tests and regularly visit his doctor, as well as take drugs to prevent the recurrence of inflammation of the prostate, thenhe will have a favorable recovery forecast. In this case, the disease may never bother a person again.
If a person does get prostatitis, he should immediately start treatment. To do this, you need to contact a specialist. A complete examination of the genitourinary system will help the urologist choose an appropriate treatment that will stop the disease and eliminate the complications that have arisen.