Chronic prostatitis - symptoms and treatment

The symptoms of chronic prostatitis are often mild and are not treated in the early stages. However, if you take it seriously, the problem can be solved.

What's this

Many patients don’t learn what chronic prostatitis is until they see their doctor for a completely different reason. At the same time, this disease is very dangerous and is a long-term inflammatory process that occurs in the prostate. If left untreated, serious complications may occur: impotence, infertility, seminal vesiculitis, prostatic cysts, adenomas, and prostate cancer.The disease comes in several forms:

• Acute bacterial prostatitis is caused by the invasion of the prostate by infectious pathogens. It is characterized by typical pain in the lower abdomen and during urination;
• Chronic bacterial prostatitis, together with the clinical manifestations of acute pathology, is accompanied by the presence of bacteria and an increase in the level of leukocytes in urine and prostate secretions;
• Chronic prostatitis, which is the result of ineffective or lack of treatment of previous bacterial forms of the disease;
• Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis is characterized by the absence of any symptoms but manifestation on laboratory diagnostic methods.

More than 90% of the disease is non-bacterial chronic prostatitis and is asymptomatic, resulting in delayed treatment.

Can it be cured?

The diagnosis itself indicates that the disease has been progressing in the body for a long time. It is often difficult for men to see a doctor for such a pressing problem before the situation becomes critical. At the same time, the sooner a person seeks medical help (at the first sign of poor health), the more effective the treatment will be and the higher the chance of getting rid of the disease completely. In its advanced stages, chronic prostatitis is almost impossible to cure, but with appropriate and regular treatment, symptoms can become less noticeable. That's why it's so important to consult your doctor promptly.

reason

This disease occurs in men between 20 and 50 years old and depends on a number of prerequisites:

1. Infectious pathogens. They enter the prostate in several ways:
   • Ascending (along the urethra);
   • Descending (through infected urine);
   • Lymphogenic (via lymphatic channels);
   • Hematogenous (through blood).
   Examples of pathogenic microflora in the form of bacteria that cause prostatitis are Staphylococcus, Escherichia coli, Enterococcus, Proteus, viruses, fungi, parasitic pathogens, as well as Chlamydia, Neisseria gonorrhoeae, Gardnerella, etc.
2. Disruption of normal blood circulation to pelvic organs. This may be due to a sedentary lifestyle, sedentary jobs (drivers, office workers) and poor nutrition. As a result, congestion and swelling of the prostate tissue occur, and incomplete drainage of secretions from the lumen of the organ is observed. All of these can lead to partial or complete dysfunction of the gland.
3. Long-term abstinence or interruption of sexual intercourse. These actions can also trigger an inflammatory process in the prostate.
4. Concomitant diseases. First of all, this concerns diseases of the urinary system: cystitis, urethritis, pyelonephritis, untreated acute prostatitis. But the cause of chronic prostatitis may also be other diseases: chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, sinusitis, etc.
5. Often staying in cold, high ambient temperature or high humidity conditions for long periods of time and enduring psychological and emotional stress.

symptom

The clinical manifestations of chronic prostatitis are poor in the initial stages. Generally speaking, men will not feel any discomfort or notice the appearance of disease symptoms if they do not interfere with their normal lifestyle. The condition generally worsens over time, with symptoms such as:

1. Pain in the perineum, genitals, and groin. Pain during urination, defecation, after intercourse, and during ejaculation may be mild, painful, or quite severe. The pain syndrome typically spreads to the sacrum, anus, scrotum, and testicles.
2. Difficulties in urination and defecation. In the first case, the process is characterized by frequent and painful urges and burning sensations in the urethra. Linear structures were observed in the urine. There may be discharge from the urethra during bowel movements, which indicates insufficient prostate tone.
3. Sexual dysfunction. Men with chronic prostatitis may experience symptoms such as decreased sexual desire, unstable or absent erections, pain during and after intercourse, hematospermia, and infertility.
4. Poor sleep quality, irritability, tension, fatigue, and depression.
5. Increased body temperature. It can be observed during exacerbations of the disease and is a slight deviation from normal.

Symptoms may not appear at the same time but may persist.

diagnosis

Diagnostic studies can refute or confirm a presumed diagnosis, determine the type of disease and the likelihood of curing it.The main diagnostic procedures are:

• General urinalysis;
• Analyze prostate secretions for the presence of pathogenic flora and determine deviations of physiological parameters from normal values (increased number of white blood cells, etc. );
• Urine bacterial culture and urethral smear;
• Three urine samples to identify localized areas of inflammation;
• Analysis to identify the causative agent of genital tract infections;
• Prostate ultrasound;
• Spermogram data research, MAR testing (reproductive abnormalities);
• Urodynamics, endoscopy;
• Determination of prostate-specific antigen (PSA).

Treatment of chronic prostatitis

The answer to the question of how to treat chronic prostatitis depends on the severity of the pathology and its type. The disease requires a comprehensive approach to eliminate or stabilize symptoms.

medical treatement

It involves taking medications from the following categories:

1. Antibiotics are necessary when diagnosing bacterial pathology. However, if sustained positive effects are observed, this therapy may also be suitable for non-bacterial chronic prostatitis. Penicillins, cephalosporins, tetracyclines, aminoglycosides, and fluoroquinolones should be taken strictly as directed by your doctor for at least two weeks.
2. Antispasmodics help relieve painful spasms in the perineum.
3. Anti-inflammatory and analgesic.
4. Alpha1 blockers are used to reduce prostate hypertonia and normalize motility.
5. Immunostimulating drugs.

Medication regimens are selected individually based on diagnostic characteristics and intolerance to individual drugs (if present).

non-pharmacological treatment

In this case, the positive effect of the treatment is achieved by physical effects of different nature on the diseased area. Patients may be prescribed:

1. Prostate Massage. It activates the complete discharge of prostate secretions, improves blood circulation and normalizes the tone of the organ. Massage combined with antibiotics is particularly effective in treating bacterial chronic prostatitis. However, its use is contraindicated if the patient is diagnosed with:
   • acute bacterial prostatitis;
   • Gonadal concomitant diseases (seminal vesiculitis, Cooperitis);
   • Presence of stones in the prostate;
   • Prostatic cyst;
   • enlarged prostate;
   • Organ cancer or suspected cancer;
   • Prostate abscess;
   • Hemorrhoids, rectal fissures, and other conditions.
2. Electrophoresis. The physiotherapy process uses a small current (not exceeding 50μA) to produce a therapeutic effect on the diseased area. In this way, recovery responses are stimulated, pain is reduced, and blood flow in glandular tissue is optimized. Electrophoresis promotes deeper penetration of the antibiotic into the prostate structure, thereby increasing the effectiveness of its action.
3. ultrasound. This method is widely used to treat chronic prostatitis and has significant anti-inflammatory, restoration of sexual function, and pain suppression effects. Prostate tumors have been successfully treated with ultrasound.
4. Phonophoresis is the use of ultrasound therapy in combination with medications. This approach allows the drug to penetrate deep into the affected organ and work most effectively there.
5. Magnet therapy. The physiotherapy process has a comprehensive restorative effect on the genitourinary system, improving metabolic processes and nerve regeneration.
6. Laser magnetic therapy. Laser irradiation can also effectively treat the manifestations of the disease and eliminate the risk of possible complications.
7. Inductance measurement involves exposure to high frequency alternating magnetic fields.
8. Urethral drip, mud therapy, therapeutic enemas, hot baths.

Physical therapy combined with medication can result in long-lasting results and, in most cases, complete victory over the disease in its initial stages.

Surgical treatment

Indicates a situation in which the patient cannot be helped by other means.

1. Prostatectomy is the partial or complete removal of the prostate while maintaining erectile function.
2. Transurethral resection (TUR) is a surgery to remove or remove overgrown glandular tissue. For the treatment of adenomas or prostate cancer.
3. Laser surgery. The surgery involves using a laser beam to remove affected organ tissue. In this case, the blood vessels are "sealed", eliminating bleeding.
4. Prostatic abscess drainage. With this procedure, you extract pus from the gland cavity by cutting the skin tissue and using a rubber drain inserted through the perineum or rectum.
5. Transurethral prostatic incision. Surgery involves making multiple incisions in the prostate to relieve pressure from the affected organ on the urethra and restore urination.

After surgical intervention, patients need to recover, with recovery intervals ranging from 2-3 days to several months depending on the type of surgery.

folk remedies

Herbal medicines are also effective in the comprehensive treatment of chronic prostatitis. To do this, use tinctures, decoctions, food mixtures or ointments, including:

• pumpkin seeds;
• poplar bark;
• hazel leaves and bark;
• chestnut shell;
• coriander;
• honey, propolis;
• longevity flower etc.

Regular use of herbs helps eliminate unpleasant symptoms, restores damaged functions and has a long-term preventive effect.Chronic prostatitis is a disease that should be taken seriously as soon as symptoms appear so that dangerous complications can be eliminated and cured promptly.