Modern living conditions often drive many men into a dead end. Society dictates the need to be successful, to work hard, to put work and family first.
A man is forced to work intensively and often cannot afford proper rest. Eating on the run, daily stressful situations, poor 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 in both young men and 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 sperm, participates in the secretion of testosterone, controls urination and in some way influences 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 the reason for 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 imbalances (excess or deficiency of certain hormones) can cause prostatitis.
Injuries to the genital organs and hip part of the male body can also lead to prostatitis.
Exposure to certain factors over time on the prostate gland also leads to inflammatory processes and prostatitis. These factors include:
- lack or lack of physical activity;
- defective functioning of the immune system;
- overheating or hypothermia;
- high pace 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 primary importance for restoring 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 activity (incontinence, frequent urge, weak urine stream).
- Problems with ejaculation.
- Pain in the lower abdomen and genitals (scrotum, perineum).
- Sexual dysfunction (lack of erection).
- Any changes in the quantity or type of sperm.
Such manifestations occur not only with prostatitis, but also in the presence of other pathological phenomena in the male body. Therefore, it is very important to consult a specialist immediately after detecting the first signs of prostatitis. Be prepared that you will need to undergo tests in order to obtain accurate information about your health. Only a qualified doctor can clearly formulate the problem and assess its scale. So men, even knowing everything about the signs of prostatitis, should under no circumstances make a diagnosis for themselves and undergo uncontrolled treatment.
Diagnosis of prostatitis
The initial diagnostic measures that the specialist will take will consist of interviewing, examining the patient and performing a digital rectal examination. The last procedure may be a little uncomfortable. This is due to the fact that if a man really suffers from prostatitis, the prostate gland reacts painfully upon palpation. The doctor examines this organ, assesses its physical condition, whether the size of the prostate is enlarged, whether there are neoplasms.
In addition, as a rule, if prostatitis is suspected, the following tests are prescribed:
- UAM (general urine analysis),
- analysis of prostate secretions (the organ is stimulated through massage and the necessary secretions are collected);
In some cases, to obtain a clearer picture and 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 examination is not prescribed very often; usually other diagnostic methods are enough to diagnose prostatitis and determine its stage.
Treatment of prostatitis
Once the type of prostatitis is diagnosed, 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 restore normal urination.
An important part of restoring prostate function is taking antioxidants. They protect prostate tissue from the negative effects of free radicals, which are especially produced during inflammatory processes, and thus reduce inflammation.
The treatment package for prostatitis also includes additional measures and procedures:
- Massage and special exercises.
- Diet (avoiding spicy, fatty foods).
- Abstaining from sexual activity and certain sports (cycling, for example, can aggravate the manifestations of inflammation).
A complex form of prostatitis in rare cases requires a man to stay in hospital, but usually inflammation of the prostate gland is successfully cured 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 old are recommended to have regular preventive examinations with a urologist.