Inflammation of the prostate gland, unfortunately, is a fairly common ailment. According to statistics, almost half of men at one age or another face this problem. The causes of inflammation can be different, and therefore in modern medicine there are several types of this disease. One of them is bacterial prostatitis.
In view of such a large spread of the disease, many men are interested in additional information about it. What are the causes of bacterial inflammation? What are the symptoms to look out for? What methods of modern treatment are the most effective?
What is prostatitis? The main forms of the disease
Before considering what bacterial prostatitis is, it is worthwhile to understand what the prostate gland, or prostate, is. This isa small organ that is part of the reproductive system. It is located just below the bladder, around the urethra. The prostate produces up to 70 percent of seminal fluid, which then mixes with sperm, which is formed in the testicles. The prostate gland also plays a role in the ejaculation process and maintains an erection. In addition, it affects the retention of urine.
Prostatitis is a disease that is accompanied by an inflammatory process in the tissues of the prostate gland. Depending on the causes of development in modern medicine, several main types of disease are distinguished:
- acute bacterial prostatitis - inflammation in this case develops against the background of infection of the organ with specific bacteria (for example, chlamydia, gonococci, etc.);
- chronic form of bacterial prostatitis, as a rule, develops against the background of improper therapy or its absence (the disease lasts more than three months, the period of well-being is replaced by exacerbations of the inflammatory process);
- nonspecific prostatitis - the inflammatory process in this disease is due to the activation of conditionally pathogenic microflora or is not associated with a bacterial infection at all;
- Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis occurs without severe symptoms, and quite often the inflammatory process subsides on its own.
Causes of bacterial prostatitis
As the name itself says, the inflammatory process in this case is associated with the activity of bacterialmicroorganisms. The causative agents of bacterial prostatitis quite often penetrate the tissues of the prostate gland if the patient has a sexually transmitted infection. Virtually any sexually transmitted disease (eg gonorrhea, chlamydia) can lead to inflammation of the prostate.
In middle-aged men, opportunistic pathogens, such as E. coli, can also act as a pathogen. A slightly different picture is observed in older patients. The fact is that many men over 50 years old are diagnosed with the so-called benign prostatic hyperplasia (accompanied by tissue growth). With such a pathology, the evacuation of secretory fluid from the prostate is difficult, as a result of which it begins to accumulate inside the gland. Stagnation of the secret leads to the active reproduction of pathogens and, accordingly, to inflammation.
Also, bacterial prostatitis can develop against the background of various pathologies of the genitourinary system. For example, inflammation is much more often diagnosed against the background of bladder obstruction, urinary tract infection, epididymitis, urethritis. The spread and penetration of the infection inside is facilitated by phimosis (fusion of the foreskin). Various injuries to the perineum, the installation of a urinary catheter, a previous cystoscopy (internal examination of the bladder) or a biopsy can provoke inflammation of the prostate.
Are there risk factors?
As you can see, the causes of inflammation of the prostate can be different. In addition, there is a group of so-called risk factors,the presence of which increases the likelihood of developing both acute and chronic prostatitis:
- frequent infectious diseases of the genitourinary system;
- parasitic diseases;
- incomplete bladder emptying;
- genetic predisposition;
- irritation of the urinary tract by harsh chemicals;
- severe hypothermia;
- promiscuous sex life (frequent change of sexual partners, contacts without using a condom);
- smoking, drug and alcohol use (weakens the body's defenses);
- compromised immunity;
- long periods of abstinence;
- severe dehydration;
- malnutrition;
- neurological diseases of the urinary tract;
- constant stress, nervous exhaustion, emotional overstrain;
- a sedentary lifestyle that leads to stagnation of blood in the pelvis (increases the likelihood of inflammation not only of the prostate gland, but also of some other nearby organs).
What are the symptoms of the disease?
Signs of bacterial prostatitis are usually quite characteristic. The disease begins acutely and develops rapidly. Often, patients first notice fever, weakness, body aches, fatigue, muscle pain, nausea, and vomiting.
Along with this, there are also problems with the functioning of the genitourinary system. The process of urination becomes difficult andpainful, urges - more frequent. However, the bladder does not empty completely. The stream during urination becomes weak, while the urine itself acquires a rather unpleasant odor. It may also contain small amounts of blood. There may be soreness and burning in the urethra.
Patients often report other symptoms of bacterial prostatitis. In particular, there is pain in the pubic area, which also radiates to the lower back. There may be pain in the testicles and perineal area. Men have problems with erection, and ejaculation is accompanied by painful sensations. Sometimes traces of blood can be seen in semen. Also, pain is present during bowel movements.
If you notice these symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor. The sooner the patient receives qualified medical care, the less likely the disease becomes chronic.
Chronic bacterial prostatitis
Immediately it should be noted that this form of the disease is quite rare. Chronic bacterial prostatitis may be due to the activity of bacteria that are protected from the effects of drugs, as they are located deep in the tissues of the prostate. In addition, some microorganisms become resistant to broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Exacerbation of chronic bacterial prostatitis is accompanied by almost the same symptoms as the acute form of the disease. There is pain during urination, pain in the abdomen and perineum, the presence of blood in the urine and semen. With anotherOn the other hand, fever and other signs of intoxication of the body are rarely observed. The exacerbation is replaced by a period of relative well-being - the man feels fine, but there are still some disturbances in the work of the genitourinary system. In particular, patients suffer from increased urge to urinate. There are also problems with erection (sometimes up to serious erectile dysfunction) and a decrease in sexual desire.
Diagnosis of disease
First, the doctor conducts a physical examination and collects an anamnesis in order to get a complete picture of the symptoms that bother the patient. As a rule, this is enough to suspect prostatitis and order additional tests.
The patient gives blood and urine samples, the analysis of which helps to detect markers of inflammation. A digital rectal examination of the prostate gland is also necessary, which allows the doctor to determine the size, contours, consistency of the organ, the degree of pain, and some other parameters. In addition, during prostate massage, you can get samples of her secret, which are then sent for laboratory analysis. Cultures help determine the type of infection and how sensitive it is to certain drugs.
Further examination is carried out only if complications are suspected. With the help of cystoscopy, the doctor can examine and evaluate the condition of the urinary canal and bladder. Sometimes additional urodynamic tests are performed. Transrectal ultrasound and computed tomography help to better understand the condition of the prostate, to detect the presence of abscesses or stones. If a malignant degeneration of cells is suspected, a prostate biopsy is performed.
Drug treatment of prostatitis
After a complete examination, the doctor will be able to draw up the most effective treatment regimen. As a rule, bacterial prostatitis is treated first with antibiotics. In particular, preparations containing tetracycline and ciprofloxacin are considered quite effective antibacterial agents. Depending on the severity of the disease and the type of infection, antibiotic therapy can last from four to six weeks. Sometimes in the first few days, the drugs are administered intravenously, and then they switch to the tablet form. In the chronic form of inflammation, treatment can last up to 12 weeks.
Other drugs are used to treat bacterial prostatitis. In particular, antispasmodics can alleviate the patient's condition, which help to relax the bladder neck and reduce pain during urination. As a rule, the treatment regimen includes "Alfuzosin", "Terachosin", "Silodosin" and some others.
If necessary, the patient is prescribed painkillers, namely non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs ("Paracetamol", "Ibuprofen"), which also help to relieve fever. Reception will positively affect the condition of a manmultivitamin complexes, immunomodulators, biostimulators.
Other treatments
In the recovery phase, patients are often advised to have a prostate massage. This procedure helps to eliminate fluid stagnation, improve tissue metabolism, increase local immunity, restore the drainage function of the prostate, and also increase blood flow.
Also, various methods of physiotherapy can be used during the treatment, in particular:
- magnetotherapy;
- transrectal ultrasound therapy;
- electrostimulation.
All the above methods contribute to the normalization of blood circulation and the elimination of stagnant processes.
When is surgery needed?
Surgery is a last resort. It is used only if long-term drug therapy and other methods of treatment do not give any effect. The surgical procedure for partial resection of the prostate gland is usually performed on elderly patients. At a young age, they try to avoid such radical treatment, as it sometimes leads to impotence, enuresis and infertility. The operation is most often prescribed for elderly patients with chronic forms of prostatitis, because they have to suffer from problems with urination and constant pain for many years. If necessary, an additional plastic correction is carried out, which helps to restore the urinary tract, normalize the functioning of the bladder.
Alternative wayscure disease
Of course, there are some other, less traditional treatments for prostatitis. For example, sometimes medicinal microclysters, treatment with leeches, acupuncture, massage give a good effect.
Patients with chronic forms of the disease are recommended sanatorium treatment. Also, special physical exercises will have a positive effect on the state of the body, which will help restore blood circulation and eliminate blood stasis in the pelvic organs.
How to treat bacterial prostatitis with folk remedies? To date, there are many means to eliminate the inflammatory process. In particular, warm sitz baths from a decoction of yarrow, horsetail, and sage sometimes have a positive effect on the state of the pelvic organs. Special rectal suppositories are also prepared from bee products and medicinal herbs.
In any case, it is worth remembering that before using any remedy, you should definitely consult your doctor.
What are the prognosis for patients?
Does the treatment of bacterial prostatitis in men achieve good results? It should be said right away that the success of therapy will depend on many factors, including the stage and form of the disease, the age of patients, the presence of concomitant diseases, etc.
Acute bacterial prostatitis responds well to medical treatment. Already a few days after the start of therapy, the patient may notice an improvement in well-being. On the other hand, improper treatment, its absence or termination (for example, it is quite common for men to stop taking medications when symptoms disappear without completing the full course) can lead to the development of a chronic form of the disease.
Chronic prostatitis is a disease that is much more difficult to treat. Relapses can happen again and again. And in such cases, doctors often recommend surgery to patients. The results of surgical treatment are usually positive. Again, sometimes the operation is fraught with not too pleasant consequences.
