Acute or chronic prostatitis occurs in almost half of men of active age. Bacteria, congestion, stones are diagnosed more often in older age. Infections provoke disease in the young part of the male population. Therapy is long, complex, does not always give full recovery. That is why it is important to contact a urologist at the earliest stages of identifying symptoms for a quick cure.
Etiology of prostatitis
Inflammation of the prostate gland is called prostatitis. Men of active age are affected. It depends on the causes, the presence of aggravating factors, the lifestyle of the patient. There are different types of prostatitis. Often the disease contributes to the development of other problems with the prostate. Among them are tumors.
Benign processes cause the development of an adenoma. Malignant ones lead to cancer. Tumors tend to develop in older men.
Ascending infection refers to the predominant causes of disease onset. The harmful agent from the urinary tract reaches the prostate gland. There is a damaging effect on the tissue of the organ. This type of inflammation is called non-specific.
This scenario of disease development is characteristic of the spread of foreign and own microflora. Own bacteria cause inflammation under certain conditions. This can happen with reduced protective function due to hypothermia, a concomitant disease. An important role is played by the chronic focus of the infection - caries, tonsillitis. Prostatitis of a non-specific nature accounts for the majority of problems arising in the prostate gland.
The following pathogens provoke infectious non-specific inflammations:
- viruses;
- gram-negative and gram-positive bacteria;
- gardnerella - small sticks;
- chlamydia;
- mycoplasmas.
Non-specific infectious prostatitis can occur due to infection of the patient after sexual contact. There is also a way for a foreign agent to penetrate from purulent foci on the skin, mucous membranes and other sources of infection, for example, with tonsillitis.
The causes of inflammatory processes in the prostate can be congestive (congestive) phenomena. In certain situations, venous or secretory stasis in the gland is possible. Provocative factors are reduced or excessive sexual activity, prolonged abstinence, frequent interruptions of sexual intercourse, nicotine and alcohol addiction.
Men often ignore the initial manifestations of the inflammatory process. Postponing a doctor's visit is dangerous. It is also important to lead a proper lifestyle, treat concomitant diseases in a timely manner and get rid of sources of infection. Chronic prostatitis is often caused by several pathogens.
Risk factors
The possibility of prostate problems increases if there is a history of infectious diseases, as well as conditions that are accompanied by stagnation. Hypothermia and reduced immunity also have an impact. Factors contributing to the development of prostatitis:
- irregular rhythm of sexual activity;
- hypothermia (frequent or single);
- sedentary lifestyle, work that forces you to sit for a long time;
- frequent constipation;
- diseases of the genitourinary system;
- injury to the perineum;
- sexually transmitted diseases;
- chronic pathologies or foci of infection (cholecystitis, caries, tonsillitis);
- nervous stress, depression;
- frequent colds.
With constant intoxication after the use of nicotine, alcohol, drugs, the risk of developing the disease increases. All of the above reasons contribute to the appearance of pathology, intensifying the latent inflammatory process in the prostate.
Stagnation phenomena play a major role in the development of the disease. Problems with blood flow in the capillaries provoke metabolic disorders. The addition of specific and non-specific flora against the background of the described situations is the most common cause of prostatitis.
Classification of types and forms
Currently, there are many classifications of prostatitis. This includes definitions of the process by frequency of occurrence, cause of occurrence, route of infection. Let's dwell on the simplest and most popular varieties from a practical point of view. According to the etiology, prostatitis is:
- bacterial;
- infectious;
- calculous;
- stagnant;
- purulent.
Flow form:
- spicy;
- chronic.
Statistical data show that more often the pathology is provoked by causes of a non-bacterial nature. There is also significant rejuvenation of the disease. It used to be thought of as a problem for older men. Now more and more young patients suffer from prostatitis.
Acute prostatitis
It proceeds quickly, the symptoms grow actively, rapidly. Usually, the process is infectious, provoked by harmful agents - bacteria, fungi, protozoa. A common cause can be Escherichia coli, enterococci, Proteus, etc. Many microorganisms are part of their own flora. In conditions of reduced immune response, they become pathogens and cause damage to the prostate gland.
The presence of sources of infection - caries, tonsillitis, chronic pathological processes increase the probability of disease. Men identify their illness almost immediately. There are symptoms of general intoxication.
Pronounced pain in the perineum, groin, radiating to the anus, lower back. Possible pain during defecation, myalgia. Urine comes out with difficulty, the desire to empty the bladder is frequent, with a delay. Patients note deterioration of erection, ejaculation. There is pus in the urine and secretions, usually in a neglected disease.
Chronic prostatitis
The disease can be caused by various reasons: phenomena of stagnation, entry of microbes, age-related changes. Often the prostate is attacked by its own immune system after complete healing. This is possible if the patient is under stress, has trauma to the prostate gland and is often hypothermic.
Also, chronicity is due to an untreated acute process. It may be asymptomatic. In this case, there is inflammation, but the pathogenic flora is not revealed.
The disease manifests itself less pronounced than in the acute course. Patients note some problems with urination against the background of discomfort. There may be a decrease in sexual activity, weakness appears, sometimes there is pain in the groin, a burning sensation.
Periods of exacerbation are characterized by symptoms of an acute process.
Bacterial prostatitis
This type of inflammation is acute and chronic. It is caused by various pathogenic organisms. Symptoms as in an acute course. After the examination, changes in the fluid environments are detected, based on which a diagnosis is made.
This disease is more common in young people. The reduction of the immune response, the influence of external factors - stress, frequent alcohol consumption, cooling, poor motor mode contribute to its development. Infectious foci and chronic pathologies of the body, operations are also important.
In an acute course, patients note symptoms of intoxication - chills, weakness, hyperthermia, myalgia. Painful sensations are manifested locally in the perineum, anus and genitals. Problems with urination, deterioration of erection are also expressed. Characteristic changes in blood, secreted fluids.
With a chronic course, the symptoms are not so obvious. Exacerbation manifests itself with signs of an acute course.
Infectious prostatitis
Inflammatory process of the gland caused by foreign microbes. There are acute and chronic. Symptoms and course resemble bacterial pathology. This disease is distinguished by the fact that it is caused by protozoan, fungal pathogens. Among other types of disease, it occurs rarely, mainly in young patients. The reasons are general factors and the penetration of pathogens into the gland from the foci of infection.
Calculous prostatitis
The inflammatory process develops due to the presence of stones. A very rare form, it is almost always found in elderly patients. It occurs after untreated chronic inflammation. Stones can be of endogenous and exogenous origin.
The first appear due to stagnation in the body. They are small and may not appear. They are rarely detected, as there are no painful sensations.
The latter are similar in composition to those found in the bladder and kidneys. It is formed due to chronic inflammation of the gland or adenoma. Usually they give a pronounced pain syndrome. Localization of sensations - sacrum, sacrum, small pelvis. After sex, when moving, walking, the pain intensifies. The ejaculate may contain a few drops of blood. Other symptoms of the disease are also expressed - irritability, worsening erection, problems with emptying the bladder.
congestive prostatitis
It refers to the chronic form. Its appearance is provoked by stagnation of the secretion of an organ or blood in the small pelvis. The development goes unnoticed. The symptoms are mild:
- urination disorders;
- general intoxication;
- discomfort, pain in the perineum, groin, scrotum;
- reduced sperm quality, orgasm;
There are no specific changes in the excreted fluids. There are infectious and non-infectious. Symptoms such as weakness, depression are possible.
Purulent prostatitis
Severe form of the acute course of the infectious process. The diagnosis is based on the main symptom - the appearance of pus from the canal. Works at high temperatures. Its varieties:
- catarrhal;
- follicular;
- parenchymal;
- abscessation.
It occurs against the background of flu, tonsillitis, SARS, weakened immunity. These types differ in the severity of the flow. A varying amount of pus is released.
Differential diagnosis
All types and forms of prostatitis require a medical examination, laboratory diagnostics. The clinic depends on the characteristics of the course. Do not forget to analyze the excreted fluids for the presence of PSA antigen (specific protein in the disease). An ultrasound of the pelvic organs is performed.
The test for sexually transmitted pathogens allows you to distinguish between a bacterial or an infectious process. Congestive is diagnosed according to the results of examination of the veins of the small pelvis. Calculus is determined by assessing the general condition of the patient, data from palpation of the organ, urine and blood tests.
Features of treatment depending on the type and stage of the disease
Acute prostatitis is treated in a hospital. Antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, substances that reduce swelling and improve urine flow, immunomodulators, therapeutic microclysters and physiotherapy are prescribed. It is recommended to use medicinal suppositories. In chronic processes, prostate massage is added. In case of calculous disease, massages are prohibited, surgical treatment is possible.
Consequences and prevention
All types and forms of prostatitis require urgent diagnosis and appropriate treatment. The chronic process is difficult to treat, so it is important not to start acutely. Under the influence of inflammation, iron changes irreversibly. This leads to infertility, impotence, abscess, formation of stones and tumors in the organ.
Prevention includes a proper lifestyle, sports, regular sex, exclusion of promiscuity.