The "second heart of men", the prostate or prostate gland, is an indicator of their sexuality and fertility. Therefore, each man must decide for himself whether it is dangerous for him not to control the state of this organ. And with the development of inflammation of the prostate gland, you will have to ask yourself an important question: how to live with prostatitis?
Prostatitis- a disease characterized by the presence of inflammation and / or infection located in the prostate gland.
It can present with a wide range of clinical symptoms and complaints.
Consider, to begin with, the function of the prostate gland:
- production of a secret, which is an integral part of the sperm and intervenes in the liquefaction of the ejaculate, in addition to saturating it with nutrients, such as various enzymes and vitamins, citric acid, zinc ions, which help improve sperm motility and activity ;
- The prostate contains smooth muscle fibers that help release sperm from the urethra during ejaculation, prevent sperm from entering the bladder, and are involved in the urinary retention mechanism.
- produces hormones and active substances that regulate the functioning of the genital area.
Prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer are the three main diseases of the organs.
All three diseases can coexist in the same prostate at the same time. That is, the presence of prostatitis does not exclude the presence of prostate hyperplasia and prostate cancer in the patient and vice versa.
Causes of prostatitis and risk factors.
According to statistics, prostatitis is the most common urological disease after hyperplasia (enlargement) and prostate cancer in men under 50 years of age and the third most common in men over 50 years of age.
At least 30% of outpatient urology visits are due to prostatitis.
For all the men who have experienced prostatitis, and their number has increased in recent years, it is clear that there will not be a simple and carefree life with such a disease. Many factors influence the appearance of the disease. This is both a deteriorating ecology and a hectic pace of life, as a result of which men are exposed to stress and depression; These reasons sometimes cannot be changed, but there are factors that depend entirely on the men themselves.
The most common causes of the disease:
- sedentary lifestyle, sedentary work, rest in front of the TV;
- prolonged abstinence from sexual activity;
- erratic diet that leads to improper metabolism;
- bad habits: smoking, drinking alcohol and beer;
- chronic diseases of the genitourinary system;
- frequent change of sexual partners increases the risk of prostatitis;
- sexually transmitted diseases and genitourinary infections;
- delayed ejaculation and ejaculation during intercourse;
- excessive consumption of spicy, fatty, salty and spicy foods;
- frequent constipation, hemorrhoids;
- reduced immunity.
Possible causes of prostatitis also include:
- intraprostatic reflux of urine as a result of dysfunctional urination (urine, with certain predisposing factors, can enter the prostate gland through the prostate ducts, causing an inflammatory process);
- unprotected anal sex;
- narrowing of the foreskin (phimosis);
- Autoimmune diseases;
- functional and anatomical changes in the pelvic floor muscles;
- changes in the central nervous system, including functional and anatomical changes in the brain;
- traumatic and unusual sexual activity;
- Psychological factors (in several studies, the influence of psychological stress on the appearance of symptoms of chronic prostatitis has been demonstrated; in some patients psychosomatic disorders were diagnosed, in whose treatment the symptoms of prostatitis were reduced and the probability of relapse were noted. ).
Symptoms:
- pain or burning when urinating (dysuria);
- urinary disorders;
- discoloration of urine and / or semen;
- the appearance of blood in the urine and / or semen;
- pain and / or discomfort in the abdomen, groin, or lower back;
- pain and / or discomfort in the perineum;
- pain and / or discomfort in the penis and testicles;
- pain and / or discomfort during ejaculation;
- increased body temperature (with acute bacterial prostatitis).
Diagnostics:
According to the generally recognized classification of prostatitis NIH (US National Institutes of Health), there are four categories of diseases, traditionally denoted by Roman numerals:
I - acute bacterial prostatitis;
II - chronic bacterial prostatitis;
III - chronic abacterial prostatitis / chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP / CPPS):
IV - asymptomatic (asymptomatic) chronic prostatitis.
The diagnosis of prostatitis involves a digital rectal exam (digital rectal examination), which involves feeling (palpating) the prostate gland with the index finger through the anus (rectum).
Digital rectal exam (DRE)- an important diagnostic manipulation with suspicion of any pathology on the part of the prostate gland. Therefore, it is advisable that men do not refuse to perform it.
Laboratory diagnosis, first of all, includes a general urine test, in which an increase in the number of leukocytes is observed. Bacteriological culture of urine, prostate secretions and semen is recommended, as well as a urethral smear for STIs. Based on the results of the analysis, it is possible to determine the presence of bacteria and their sensitivity to antibiotics and thus adjust the prescribed antibiotic therapy. A general blood test is also performed to assess the general condition of the body and its response to the inflammatory process.
Determination of the oncomarker (PSA), its fractions are also not recommended, due to the low information content and the distortion of the data in the context of inflammation.
Treatment of prostatitis
The main thing in the treatment of an ailment is an integrated approach and strict implementation of all the recommendations of a specialist. Medicine has achieved good results in eradicating prostatitis. Once the patient has found "his" urologist, whom he unconditionally trusted, it is important not to interrupt the algorithm of therapeutic actions. In no case should treatment be interrupted after the onset of relief that occurs after taking medications that fight the infection that has entered the body.
This first success must be consolidated and continued. Treatment involves not only destroying harmful bacteria, but also restoring damaged prostate tissues, boosting immunity, and correcting other changes that have occurred in the body as a result of inflammation. At the beginning of the article, it was said that life with prostatitis will not be carefree. Unfortunately, some patients, noticing an improvement in their health, suspend treatment with a specialist halfway and make boring trips to the clinic for procedures, and then they dedicate themselves to healing. So doing this is not only impossible, but also dangerous.
How is prostatitis treated in the clinic?
The urologist treats prostatitis and other diseases of the genitourinary system, according to international clinical guidelines. This means that he not only uses his professional knowledge, but also focuses on scientifically proven and accepted methods of diagnosis and therapy worldwide.
Our doctors do not prescribe ineffective drugs and tests "just in case", they do not treat non-existent diseases. In making a diagnosis, the urologist relies on the data obtained from the patient's examination, the clinical picture, laboratory data, and instrumental studies.
On the dangers of self-medication
Without sufficient knowledge in the field of medicine, self-medication can only cause harm. No popular method, independently designated, will be useless. The urologist must become the main friend and adviser of man in the fight against the plague. Only a professional can tell you what methods can be used to complement drug treatment. In addition to traditional medicine, which significantly helps to cope with the disease, but only in conjunction with traditional treatment, there are also a large number of dietary supplements that have flooded the shelves of pharmacies. An ignorant person naively believes that the use of dietary supplements will relieve him of prostatitis. Remember that self-medication can lead to chronicity and disease progression!