Prostatitis: causes, provoking factors, treatment methods

The prostate gland synthesizesimmunoglobulins, regulates the consistency of semen with the help of a specific secretion, controls the process of urination and ejaculation. The penetration of pathogens into the cavity of this organ provokes prostatitis - an inflammation that occurs in an acute or chronic form.

Causes and mechanism of development of the disease

Prostatitis begins with the penetration and reproduction of pathogenic agents in the organ cavity. These are extracellular pathogens or their own microflora from the surface of the skin or mucous membranes:

• colibacillus;
• Proteus;
• enterococcus;
• staphylococcus;
• enterobacter;
• Pneumococcus.

In the presence of STDs or infectious diseases of internal organs, the following can penetrate into the lumen of the prostate gland:

• pale treponema;
• ureaplasma;
• Trichomonas;
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa;
• bacillus of Koch.

In the prostate, the pathogenic flora is brought in ascending from the urethra. Less often - through the bloodstream or with the flow of lymph from the infected organ. A number of provoking factors affect the rate of development of the disease and the intensity of symptoms:

• anomalies in the structure of the bladder neck;
• strictures of the urethra;
• the consequences of postoperative catheterization;
• decreased immunity against the background of chronic and systemic diseases, hypothermia, physical overload, hard work;
• violation of the outflow of blood and lymph in the pelvic area;
• promiscuous or irregular sex life.

An active blood supply and a moist, closed environment in the prostate cavity promotes the unhindered reproduction of pathogens. The secret produced by the gland thickens, its outflow is disturbed. Infiltration gradually accumulates in the lumen, the inflammation progresses.

The course of acute prostatitis

Primary inflammation usually develops acutely. On average, the patient feels its clinical signs 5-7 days after infection. Its symptoms are vivid, it is impossible not to notice them:

• intense constant pain in the perineum, radiating to the scrotum, penis, anus;
• diuresis disorders: frequent, painful urination, false desires, sluggish, intermittent cloudy urine stream:
• serous or purulent discharge from the urethra with a pungent unpleasant odor;
• general intoxication: chills, a sharp increase in body temperature, physical weakness, weakness.

Most people with acute prostatitis have sexual dysfunction. Arousal is either completely absent, or does not lead to a normal erection and the ability to perform intercourse. The semen may contain pus or blood.

The symptoms of bacterial prostatitis depend on morphological changes and stages of the disease:

• Catarrhal inflammation, which develops at the beginning, affects the ducts of the organ and leads to the appearance of deep dull pains. Fever is usually absent, the state of health is generally satisfactory.
• The inflammatory process captures one or both lobes of the gland - follicular prostatitis progresses. The tissues swell, the amount of infiltrate in the lumen increases. The pain excruciates constantly, increases with movement. Difficulty urinating.
• The parenchymal stage occurs when the entire body of the prostate is affected. The functioning of the bladder and rectum is difficult due to strong compression by the inflamed, swollen walls of the gland. The pain in the perineum becomes unbearable. Purulent and bloody impurities appear in the urine, the body temperature rises to 39 ° C and above.

Delay in treatment provokes chronic disease. Complications are possible: obstruction of the urethral canal, fistulas, abscesses, pyelonephritis, sepsis.

Chronic prostatitis

It develops from an untreated acute, but more often forms as an independent disease. Sluggish inflammation is caused by an insufficient immune response to the penetration of infection, a small number of pathogenic microorganisms, or the aseptic nature of the disease. In the latter case, the pathology is provoked by stagnation of secretions, disturbances in the structure of the tissues of the prostate, the patency of its ducts.

Signs of intoxication and severe pain in chronic bacterial prostatitis occur only with exacerbations. During the latency period, the disease manifests itself with periodic urinary disorders and physical discomfort. The urge to use the toilet is more frequent at night, after being in the cold. Diuresis is sometimes accompanied by a slight burning sensation. Erectile dysfunction is common.

Chronic prostatitis can last for years with occasional flare-ups. A long-term course leads to the formation of fibrous areas in the parenchyma, provokes the development of impotence, infertility, and oncological tumors.

How to diagnose and treat prostatitis

If you suspect the development of prostate inflammation, you should contact a urologist. The presumptive diagnosis is confirmed by bacterial culture of the secretion of the gland. If it is impossible to obtain it, a smear from the urethra, urine samples, semen are examined. In addition to bacterial seeding, blood and urine tests are examined, an ultrasound of the prostate is performed.

Treatment of acute infectious prostatitis is carried out in a clinical setting in the Department of Urology.

• The main focus is on suppressing the pathogen, relieving inflammation and preventing complications. The patient is prescribed a course of antibiotics. Injections of drugs from the groups of tetracyclines, cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones or penicillins are used, depending on which infection caused the disease. Duration of therapy: from several days to 2-4 weeks.
• To restore the function of urination and relieve acute symptoms, muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory pain relievers, and antispasmodics are comprehensively prescribed.
• Specific therapy is supplemented with vitamin and mineral preparations, immunomodulators.

In the early stages, uncomplicated inflammation heals completely.

Chronic prostatitis does not require hospitalization. The patient undergoes the course of antibiotic therapy at home, observing the necessary restrictions.

In parallel, it is necessary to undergo a course of treatment for possible provoking diseases: bronchitis, pyelonephritis, cholecystitis, genitourinary infections.

The main treatment without exacerbation is supplemented with physiotherapeutic methods: ultrasound procedures, magnetotherapy, laser exposure.

During the period of therapy, alcohol, hot spices, marinades, pickles, fatty, canned and smoked foods must be excluded. It is recommended to include in the diet fresh herbs, vegetables, nuts, fish, lean meat.

The success of the treatment of the chronic form in each case depends on the duration of the disease, the existing organic tissue damage, concomitant disorders in the functioning of the kidneys and bladder.