The "second heart of a man" - the prostate or prostate gland - is an indicator of his sexuality and fertility. Therefore, each man must decide for himself whether it is dangerous for him not to monitor the condition of this organ. And with the development of inflammation of the prostate gland, you need to ask yourself an important question - how to live with prostatitis?
Prostatitis- diseases characterized by the presence of inflammation and / or localized infection in the prostate gland.
May present with various signs and clinical complaints.
Consider, for a start, the function of the prostate gland:
- secretory production, which is an important part of sperm and is involved in diluting ejaculation, as well as filling it with nutrients, such as various enzymes and vitamins, citric acid, zinc ions, which help increase 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 mechanism of urinary retention.
- produces hormones and active substances that regulate the function of the genital area.
Prostatitis, benign prostate hyperplasia and prostate cancer are the three major organ diseases.
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 patients 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 and the third most common in men over 50.
At least 30% of outpatient urology visits are due to prostatitis.
To all men suffering from prostatitis, and their number has increased in recent years, it is clear that there will be no easy and carefree life with such a disease. Many factors influence the onset of the disease. This is both a deteriorating ecology and a panicked rhythm of life, as a result of which men are prone to stress and depression-these reasons are sometimes irreversible, but there are factors that depend entirely on the man himself.
The most common causes of illness:
- sedentary lifestyle, sedentary work, relaxing in front of the TV;
- prolonged abstinence from sexual activity;
- erratic diet leading to improper metabolism;
- bad habits: smoking, drinking alcohol and beer;
- chronic diseases of the genitourinary system;
- frequent sexual partner changes increase the risk of prostatitis;
- venereal diseases and genitourinary infections;
- delayed ejaculation and ejaculation during intercourse;
- excessive consumption of spicy, fatty, salty, spicy foods;
- frequent constipation, hemorrhoids;
- reduces immunity.
Possible causes of prostatitis also include:
- intraprostatic urine reflux due to dysfunctional urination (urine, with certain predisposing factors, can enter the prostate gland through the prostate duct, 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 some studies, the influence of psychological stress on the occurrence of symptoms of chronic prostatitis has been proven - in some patients psychosomatic disorders are diagnosed, in treatments that reduce the symptoms of prostatitis and the likelihood of its recurrence. have been noted).
symptoms:
- pain or burning when urinating (dysuria);
- urinary disorders;
- discoloration of urine and / or semen;
- appearance of blood in 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 NIH (US National Institutes of Health) classification of prostatitis, there are four categories of the disease, which are 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 chronic prostatitis.
The diagnosis of prostatitis involves a digital rectal examination (rectal examination), which involves feeling (palpation) of the prostate gland with the index finger through the anus (rectum).
Digital rectal examination (DRE)- important diagnostic manipulation with the suspicion of any pathology on the part of the prostate gland. Therefore, it is advisable for men not to refuse to run it.
Laboratory diagnostics, first of all, include a general urine test, in which an increase in the number of leukocytes is noted. Bacteriological cultures of urine, prostate and semen secretions, as well as urethral swabs for STIs are recommended. 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. General blood tests are also performed to assess the general condition of the body and its response to the inflammatory process.
Determination of oncommarker (PSA), its fractionation is also not recommended - due to the low information content and distortion of the data against the background of inflammation.
Treatment of prostatitis
The main thing in the treatment of the disease is an integrated approach and strict implementation of all recommendations of experts. Medicine has achieved good results in eradicating prostatitis. After the patient has found "his" urologist, whom he trusts unconditionally, it is important not to interfere with the algorithm of therapeutic action. In any case, treatment should not 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 tissue, 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 living with prostatitis would not be carefree. Unfortunately, some patients, noting an improvement in their health, half -way stop treatment with a specialist and a tedious trip to the clinic for the procedure, and then they themselves engage in healing. So, doing this is not only impossible, but also dangerous.
How is prostatitis treated in the clinic?
Urologists treat prostatitis and other diseases of the genitourinary system, based on international clinical guidelines. This means he uses not only his professional knowledge, but also focuses on methods of diagnosis and therapy that are scientifically proven and accepted around the world.
Our doctors do not prescribe drugs and ineffective examinations "for precaution", do not treat diseases that do not exist. When making a diagnosis, urologists rely on data obtained from patient examinations, clinical pictures, laboratory data and instrumental studies.
On the dangers of self-medication
Without adequate knowledge in the field of medicine, the drugs themselves can only do harm. No method of the people, appointed independently, will not be useful. The urologist should be the man’s main friend and advisor in fighting the epidemic. Only a professional can tell you the methods that can be used to supplement drug treatment. In addition to traditional medicine, which is very helpful in overcoming the disease, but only along with traditional treatments, there are also many supplements that have flooded pharmacy shelves. Ignorant people naively believe that the use of dietary supplements will relieve them from prostatitis. Remember that medications alone can lead to chronic and disease progression!