Prostatitis is an inflammatory process that develops in the prostate. In theory, any man is at risk of developing it, regardless of age.
However, men are most susceptible to diseases that are influenced by the following factors:
- Sedentary lifestyle;
- Prolonged sexual abstinence or, conversely, an overly active sex life;
- Frequent constipation. Please note that only regular stool disorders can cause prostatitis and not episodic constipation.
- Hypothermia. To get prostatitis, it is not necessary to swim for hours in ice water. It is enough just to sit on a cold stone or to be in the cold for a long time in unsuitable clothing.
- Chronic inflammatory diseases (e. g. chronic bronchitis) or an untreated focus of infection in the body (tooth decay, tonsillitis);
- Chronic and acute urological or previous venereal diseases (urethritis, gonorrhea);
- Sedentary work. First of all, these are those who are forced to constantly sit at work without the opportunity to get up and warm up (driver, computer operator);
- Any condition that can suppress the body's immune system. These include inadequate or inadequate nutrition, physical and emotional overload, constant lack of sleep, chronic stress.
All of the above factors become especially dangerous when a man is over 50 years old. At this age, the hormonal background changes significantly, immunity decreases, various diseases appear, and in addition, few men of this age lead an active lifestyle. For these reasons, all men over 50 must see a prophylactic urologist every six months.
How does the disease begin?
Usually the first sign of prostatitis is uncomfortable or even painful sensations when urinating. Sometimes you have to get up several times a night to go to the bathroom. Few see a doctor at this stage in disease development, although treatment at this stage will be short-lived and effective.
After a while, sharp cutting, drawing or shooting pains appear in the pubic or perineum, sometimes the pain radiates to the penis or anus. Urination becomes frequent and painful, and the urine becomes much cloudy. Pain may occur during bowel movements.
In addition, the body temperature may rise and men sometimes notice drops of translucent white fluid being released from the urethra. Typically, most men see a doctor during this time of illness.
What if prostatitis is left untreated?
If you do not consult a doctor after the above symptoms and start treatment, the disease will continue to progress. The temperature can rise to 40 degrees, the pain becomes very severe, urination becomes very painful, the outflow of urine is disturbed (it flows in a thin stream from the urethra or in drops). The longer prostatitis is left untreated, the greater the likelihood of acute urinary retention and the development of acute kidney failure. Timely examination is also needed because symptoms such as prostatitis also occur with cystitis and prostate cancer.
diagnosis
After contacting a urologist, an examination of the prostate through the rectum, as well as an analysis of the secretion of the prostate, is carried out. This procedure is not very pleasant and sometimes painful, especially in the later stages of the disease. Sometimes that's why men don't want to see a doctor.
In fact, the sooner you undergo an exam, the less painful it is. In addition, palpation of the prostate itself is already a treatment as it helps clear congestion.
In the laboratory, the secretion of the gland is sown on nutrient media, the sensitivity of the microflora to antibiotics is determined and a urinalysis is carried out. Ultrasound is also done to confirm the diagnosis. Most often, the treatment of prostatitis is not difficult for a urologist if treated in a timely manner.
The early stages of prostatitis are treated at home. The patient is prescribed antibacterial drugs, baths, compresses and other thermal interventions on the perineum, as well as pain relievers and prostate massage. The treatment lasts about 10 days. You should also avoid spicy foods or alcohol during treatment.
Signs and treatment of chronic prostatitis
With chronic prostatitis, there is aching pain in the perineum that subsides after walking or doing light exercise. A burning sensation occurs when urinating. A man often does not sleep well and becomes irritable.
If left untreated, chronic prostatitis can cause pelvic inflammatory disease and even infertility. Reflexology and prostate massage are also added to the above treatment. The patient is advised to lead a more active lifestyle and exclude spicy foods and alcohol from the diet.
Trust the doctors
You shouldn't try to self-diagnose without seeing a doctor. After all, only a urologist can choose the optimal treatment regimen for you based on the test results.
When you self-medicate, you are taking antibiotics "blindly". This can turn the disease into a chronic form. If the disease progresses, hospitalization may be required. In hospital, therapy lasts 1-2 weeks and possiblyeven longer.
To prevent complications from developing, see a urologist every six months.
prophylaxis
Prevention of prostatitis is based on the following recommendations:
- If you are going to be out in the cold for long periods of time, choose the right clothing.
- Eat regularly and completely;
- Live an active lifestyle, play sports;
- Use laxatives for constipation;
- Have a normal sex life, preferably with a regular partner.
A very large number of men suffer from prostatitis. This article provides basic information about the disease and explains why it is necessary to see a urologist on a regular basis.