Unpleasant sensations in the genital area, problems with urination and disturbances in sexual activity - all these symptoms may indicate the development ofprostatitis.
Unfortunately, in the initial stages the disease practically does not manifest itself, which is why the man seeks out a urologist too late and the disease manages to develop into a chronic form.
So what signs should you pay attention to and how to treat chronic prostatitis?
What is chronic prostatitis
Chronic prostatitis- an inflammatory process in the prostate gland that lasts a long time. The consequences of the disease are disruption of the functioning of the gland and its physiological changes.
Over time, men begin to feel severe discomfort, which directly affects their lifestyle.
This disease is one of the most common problems associated with men's health. According to statistics, 50% of men aged 50 and over have prostate problems. The chronic form of the disease is typical of young men under 40 years of age.
Classification
Chronic prostatitis in men has several forms, differing in symptoms and causes. The following types of diseases are distinguished:
- bacterial;
- latent;
- asymptomatic;
- stagnant.
The characteristic symptoms of the disease, as well as treatment, depend on the form of chronic prostatitis.
Bacterial form of the disease
This form is the most common and does not make diagnosis difficult. Typically, the results of a patient's urine tests show a high content of leukocytes, which indicates the proliferation of pathogenic microflora.
The bacterial form of prostatitis can occur against the background of decreased immunity or as a complication after a previous illness. It is treated with antibiotics and the treatment regimen depends on the type of pathogen.
latent prostatitis
The latent form can remain undetected for up to three months or more. Its second name is pelvic pain syndrome. The cause of the development of the disease can be inflammatory and non-inflammatory processes. The latent form is characterized by the following symptoms:
- increased leukocyte content in test results;
- constant, dull pain in the genital area;
- problems with urination.
The main difficulty in diagnosis is that, despite the presence of leukocytes in the tests, laboratory methods cannot identify the agent causing the infection.
Asymptomatic inflammatory form
The most dangerous form of chronic prostatitis. In this case, changes characteristic of the disease occur in the prostate tissues, but no symptoms indicate the presence of inflammation. The asymptomatic form is usually discovered by chance or when the disease reaches a critical peak.
After properly selected therapy, the man's health is completely restored.
Stagnant or non-infectious
The non-infectious form of chronic prostatitis occurs as a result of circulatory disorders in the pelvic organs. This form of the disease accounts for approximately 1/3 of all cases of prostatitis in young men. The characteristic symptoms are difficulty urinating, disturbances in intimate life and pelvic pain.
Inflammation can be triggered by a sedentary lifestyle, injuries, bad habits, etc.
Causes of the disease
The reasons for the development of chronic prostatitis are quite varied. Among the most common are:
- irregular sexual relations or frequent changes of partners;
- complete abstinence from sex;
- injuries and diseases of the pelvic organs;
- frequent overheating or hypothermia of the pelvic region;
- congenital anomalies in the structure of the genitourinary organs;
- untreated infectious or viral diseases;
- abuse of bad habits;
- work in conditions of constant intoxication of the body;
- metabolic disease;
- problems with the musculoskeletal system.
Important!In the process of treating prostatitis, it is extremely necessary to identify the root cause of the disease. This will help not only get rid of the problem, but also avoid relapses in the future.
Chronic prostatitis symptoms
Despite the fact that chronic prostatitis can be asymptomatic for a long time, the following signs may indicate the disease:
- Severe discomfort in the perineum and genital area. Unpleasant sensations may be present constantly or occur at a specific time, for example, after urinating.
- Radiation of pain to the coccyx or pubic region.
- Sensation of a foreign body in the anus, a little closer to the perineum.
- Increased urge to urinate (especially at night).
- Feeling of fullness in the bladder even after emptying it.
- Weakening of libido, decreased erection.
- Small blood impurities in the seminal fluid.
- Hemorrhoids.
- Protrusion of veins through the skin of the scrotum.
The symptoms described above can lead to the development of neurological abnormalities. As a result of frequent urination, a man cannot sleep and work enough, he begins to experience headaches, drowsiness, irritability and even outbursts of aggression.
Diagnosis
Diagnosis of chronic prostatitis begins with a visit to the urologist. If the patient is worriedfrequenturination, sexual dysfunction and perineal pain, then the diagnosis is made quickly enough.
Difficulties in diagnosis arise in the case of asymptomatic development of the disease. In this case, the man is prescribed a series of additional examinations, including the use of special instruments. During diagnosis, you can find out from a urologist what prostatitis is and how the disease is treated.
There are the following methods for diagnosing chronic prostatitis:
- Collecting samples for laboratory research. This method is recommended for patients with the bacterial form of the disease, as it allows the causative agent of inflammation to be identified and the most effective therapeutic approach to be selected. Most often, a general blood and urine test is done for research.
- Ultrasound. If prostatitis is suspected, the patient is prescribed a transrectal examination. This method allows you to determine the exact stage of the disease and assess the general condition of the prostate gland. Additionally, ultrasound can help eliminate the risk of serious complications. Additionally, patients are sometimes prescribed a repeat ultrasound to monitor treatment progress.
- Tomography.MRI is prescribed in cases where other diagnostic methods are powerless or the patient is suspected of developing a malignant process in the prostate gland.
- Determination of PSA content(Prostate specific antigen). When PSA is above 4 ng/ml, additional diagnostic procedures, including prostate biopsy, are indicated to exclude cancer.
Important!Usually, when diagnosing chronic prostatitis, several methods are combined at once, for example, laboratory tests, palpation and ultrasound.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis
Is it possible to cure chronic prostatitis? If chronic prostatitis is not seriously advanced, it can be treated. If the disease reaches the last stage and the walls of the prostate begin to deform, it is possible to alleviate the patient's condition and achieve remission.
For successful treatment, you must immediately consult a competent doctor who will tell you how to cure chronic prostatitis and what to take for this. The urologist's recommendations must be strictly followed. Treatment should not be interrupted, otherwise a relapse may occur.
There is currently3 ways to treat chronic prostatitis:
- medicinal (taking medicines);
- non-medicated (using various equipment and procedures);
- surgical (otherwise – surgically).
Drug treatment
The treatment of bacterial and non-bacterial prostatitis is different. In the first case, antibiotic treatment is necessary. But sometimes the treatment regimen may be the same: antibiotics for non-bacterial forms are prescribed to check the result.
If improvement occurs, antibiotics should be continued.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis must be comprehensive. Only in this case can the maximum effect be achieved.
For chronic prostatitis, the following medications may be prescribed:
- antibiotics;
- immunostimulating drugs;
- vasodilator tablets;
- antispasmodics;
- anti-inflammatory medications;
- angioprotectors (medicines that stimulate the metabolism of vascular cells).
Alpha-blockers can also be used in treatment, but only after a course of antibiotics. Medications for chronic prostatitis help relax the smooth muscle tissue of the prostate and also relieve tension.
In some cases, antihistamines and antidepressants may be prescribed.
Non-drug therapy
It is recommended that drug therapy be combined with physiotherapeutic procedures. The following physical therapy procedures are most frequently used:
- Laser therapy.
- Electrophoresis.Special treatment solutions are used that penetrate the tissue using the electrode method.
- Temperature treatmentusing microwaves.
- Phonophoresis. Exposure of the diseased organ to ultrasonic waves.
The methods can be used alone or in combination.
Surgical intervention
If drug therapy and physical procedures do not help, the disease can only be eliminated surgically. This happens when chronic prostatitis is complicated by a sclerotic process.
In a sclerotic prostate, the pathology affects other parts, in particular the ducts, from which prostate secretions are removed, and the seminal tubercles. The entire structure of the reproductive organs changes and the man's quality of life is significantly reduced.
In this case, endoscopic surgery is performed. Even chronic congestive prostatitis can be cured surgically.
Treatment can be carried out both in budgetary medical institutions and in paid clinics. The cost of therapy depends on the severity of the disease and the duration of the course. As for timing, early-stage prostatitis can be cured in a month, and complicated prostatitis can be cured in 3-4 months.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis depends on the patient's health status, age and lifestyle. If you follow all of your doctor's recommendations, you are likely to make a complete recovery.
However, no one will guarantee lifelong remission. Patients who have eliminated the cause of the disease have a greater chance of recovery.
Timely consultation with a doctor is also of great importance. Do not delay the diagnosis and treatment of prostatitis. The sooner you seek medical help, the lower your risk of complications.
Home treatment
Chronic prostatitis can be treated at home if there are no complications. In the case of a frequently recurring disease or its complicated form, it is necessary to take medications.
To restore men's health, you can also use traditional medicine recipes. This therapy is auxiliary in nature, that is, it is used as a complement to drug treatment.
Before using any alternative medicine, you should consult your doctor.
Using folk remedies, you can relieve pain, remove inflammation, normalize the urination process and generally strengthen the immune system.
Pumpkin seeds
In the treatment of prostatitis, pumpkin seeds are used quite often. They contain a large amount of zinc and the male body especially needs this trace element.
Only dried pumpkin seeds that have not undergone heat treatment are suitable for treatment. They just need to be peeled and eaten. For a full course of therapy, 0. 5 kg of product is enough.
These courses must be completed every year until complete recovery. Every day it is enough to eat 30-40 seeds before meals. Take your time, the seeds must be chewed well.
You can also make sweets that are good for men's health. The recipe is simple: peel the pumpkin seeds, chop them and mix well with honey (200 g).
The result should be a dough-like consistency. From this mixture, roll balls measuring 3 cm in diameter. You should eat 2 of these balls every day on an empty stomach. These candies cannot be swallowed immediately; they must be chewed for 2-3 minutes.
Hazelnut infusion
To prepare a healing tincture, you will need hazelnut leaves or bark. You can prepare both ingredients, remembering to alternate them. Due to its hardness, the peel takes twice as long to ferment. For preparation it is necessary to use only fresh material.
The recipe is as follows: 1 tbsp. I. hazelnut peel or leaves, pour 1 cup of boiling water (200 ml), close the lid and leave for 30 minutes. Then strain through cheesecloth. Take 4 times a day, ¼ cup. The course of treatment lasts one week.
Artemisia
This herb is famous for its beneficial properties. With its help you can deal with any infection. To get rid of prostatitis, it is necessary to undergo complex treatment, which includes washing the urethra with infusion and taking wormwood orally.
You will need 100 g of dry grass. It needs to be ground as finely as possible in your hands and sifted through a sieve. The smaller fragments are useful for taking in dry form, and the larger ones are useful for preparing an infusion, from which urethral douches and microenemas are made.
Thus, the body has a double effect: it cleanses itself of infections and relieves inflammation.
Dry wormwood should be taken once a day with a glass of water. Washes and microenemas are done every night. The course of therapy lasts one week.
A decoction for douching and enemas is simple to make. 1 teaspoon. dry herbs pour 1 liter. boiling waterWait until the broth cools to 30 degrees and strain. For one procedure, 50 ml of infusion is enough. Injections into the urethra and anus are made with a syringe.
Do not forget that for each procedure you need to take a separate syringe so as not to accidentally get an infection. The broth must be injected forcefully into the urethra: this way the liquid will go far.
Medicinal juices
To effectively treat chronic prostatitis, you can drink juices. It is best to drink freshly squeezed vegetable juices; drinks fromasparagus and cucumber, beetroot, carrot. You need to drink 600 ml daily. The course of treatment is 10 days.
There are contraindications, it is necessary to consult a specialist.
Disease prevention
Prostatitis is quite difficult to treat and tends to recur. This is why men aged 30 and over need to be careful about preventing the disease.
The main preventive measures include:
- have regular sex life with one of the partners;
- practice sports and special gymnastics;
- take multivitamins to strengthen the immune system;
- adherence to sleep and wakefulness;
- reduction of stressful situations;
- rejection of bad habits;
- regular visits to the proctologist;
- timely treatment of colds and viral diseases.
Prevention must cover all areas of man's activity, from nutrition to sexual relations. It is important to understand that prostatitis is curable and that you can continue to live a full and active life.