Modern living conditions often lead many men to a dead end. Society dictates the need to be successful, to work hard, to put work and family first.
A person is forced to work intensively and often cannot afford a full rest. Eating on the run, daily stressful situations, bad environmental conditions - all this does not have the best effect on your health.
Among other dangers, every second man on the planet faces the risk of prostatitis.
Prostatitis and its causes
The inflammatory process in the tissues of the prostate gland is called prostatitis. This is an exclusively male disease that does not depend on age. It is diagnosed both in young men and in older men.
It is not for nothing that the prostate gland is considered one of the key male organs. The prostate regulates the formation of fluid that is present in semen, participates in the secretion of testosterone, controls urination and somehow affects the duration and severity of orgasm.
Accordingly, prostatitis definitely worsens men's health and generally changes a man's life not for the better.
The cause of the disease can be various infections and related complications. In this regard, both according to the type of course and according to the cause of its occurrence, prostatitis is divided into the following forms:
- infectious form;
- acute form;
- bacterial form;
- chronic form.
Impaired blood supply to the pelvic organs, hormonal imbalance (excess or deficiency of certain hormones) can cause prostatitis.
Injuries to the genitals and pelvis of the male body can also lead to prostatitis.
The impact of certain factors over time on the prostate gland also leads to inflammatory processes and prostatitis. These factors include:
- lack or absence of physical activity;
- improper functioning of the immune system;
- overheating or hypothermia;
- a high rate of sexual life or, conversely, a long period without sex.
Diseases of internal organs also often lead to prostatitis. The causative agent of the disease is E. coli, enterococci, chlamydia and other pathogens. Most often, prostatitis develops as a side effect of sexually transmitted infections.
Signs of prostatitis
Timely diagnosis of prostatitis is of paramount importance to restore normal prostate function. Every man should know the signs of this disease. If you start treatment at the stage of the first signs, you can get rid of prostatitis for a long time.
Signs of prostatitis include:
- Impaired bladder function (incontinence, frequent urges, weak stream of urine).
- Problems with ejaculation.
- Pain in the lower abdomen and genitals (scrotum, perineum).
- Sexual dysfunction (lack of erection).
- Any changes in the amount or type of sperm.
Such manifestations appear not only in prostatitis, but also in the presence of other pathological phenomena in the male body. That is why it is very important to consult a specialist immediately after detecting the first signs of prostatitis. Be prepared that you will have to undergo tests to get accurate information about your health. Only a qualified doctor can clearly formulate the problem and assess its scale. So men, even if they know everything about the signs of prostatitis, in no case should they make a diagnosis for themselves and undergo uncontrolled treatment.
Diagnosis of prostatitis
The initial diagnostic measures that the specialist will undertake will consist of an interview, an examination of the patient and a digital rectal examination. The last procedure can be a little uncomfortable. This is due to the fact that if a person really suffers from prostatitis, the prostate gland reacts painfully to palpation. The doctor examines this organ, evaluates its physical condition, whether the size of the prostate is increased, whether there are neoplasms.
In addition, as a rule, if prostatitis is suspected, the following tests are prescribed:
- UAM (general urinalysis),
- prostate secretion analysis (the organ is stimulated by massage and the necessary secretion is collected);
In some cases, to get a clearer picture and a clear visualization of the prostate gland, a transrectal ultrasound may be prescribed. This is the most accurate method for determining prostatitis.
Cystoscopy provides a detailed examination of the bladder, urethra and the prostate itself. But this research is not prescribed very often, usually other diagnostic methods are enough to diagnose prostatitis and determine its stage.
Treatment of prostatitis
After establishing the type of prostatitis, treatment is prescribed. Depending on the stage and form of the disease, individual therapy is prescribed. If we are talking about a bacterial form of prostatitis, then the patient takes a certain series of antibiotics. The chronic form is treated with the same drugs, but longer and more intensively.
The use of various types of alpha-blockers helps to relax the muscles of the prostate and bladder, which helps to restore normal urination.
An important part of restoring prostate function is the intake of antioxidants. They protect the prostate tissue from the negative effects of free radicals, which are produced especially during inflammatory processes, and thus reduce inflammation.
The prostatitis treatment package also includes additional measures and procedures:
- Massage and special exercises.
- Diet (avoidance of spicy, fatty foods).
- Abstaining from sexual activity and certain sports (e. g. cycling can worsen the manifestations of inflammation).
The complicated form of prostatitis in rare cases requires a man to stay in the hospital, but usually inflammation of the prostate gland is successfully treated without hospitalization. The main factor for a favorable result is a timely visit to a specialist. Let us remind you once again that at the first signs of prostatitis you should immediately visit a medical facility. Also, men over 40 years of age are recommended regular preventive examinations by a urologist.