Inflammation of the prostate tissue is quite common, the causes of prostatitis in men are infections and congestion. According to statistics, after 30 years, 30% of men already suffer from this disease, and with age, the number increases, and the disease is getting younger. As you know, the best treatment is prevention, and if we know the causes of a certain pathology, we will find it easier to protect ourselves from it.
Where does prostatitis come from?
The clinical picture of the disease may include a different set of symptoms. The most common and significant are disorders of urination and sexual dysfunction. In any case, the set of symptoms and the degree of their manifestation depend on the individual characteristics of a person, especially on his lifestyle, general health and the work of the immune system.
According to the reasons, it is common to distinguish two forms of the disease:
- contagious
- stagnant.
Reasons for the development of infectious prostatitis
In the infectious form of the disease, the causes of prostatitis are pathogenic microorganisms. In this case, the disease develops when a focus of infection forms in the prostate. It can occur in both acute and chronic forms, but infectious prostatitis is more often acute. At the same time, the general condition of the man worsens, there is pain in the lower back, groin, the process of urination is disturbed, the body temperature rises.
Acute prostatitis
The immediate causes of prostatitis in men are foci of infection, which can be found in completely different organs. Pathogens enter the prostate either by rising from the rectum or urethra, or by descending through the blood and lymph.
The most common causes of acute prostatitis:
- Colibacillus,
- Staphylococcus aureus,
- streptococcus,
- Gonococci.
What causes prostatitis, where are the foci of infection that lead to acute inflammation of the prostate? First of all, urological infections, sexually transmitted diseases, diseases of the upper respiratory tract, intestinal infections can cause prostatitis. Even banal caries can cause the development of prostatitis, because there is an infection of carious teeth.
The ascending route of spread of pathogenic microorganisms is their entry into prostate tissues from the rectum and urethra. When does that happen? Most often, this phenomenon is caused by urological infections: cystitis, urethritis, pyelonephritis. Possible causes of prostatitis are sexually transmitted diseases, the most common of which is gonorrhea. If a man gets sick from this disease, then a focus of infection is formed in him, which is located in the immediate vicinity of the prostate. This means that pathogenic microflora can easily spread to prostate tissue. The penetration of gonococci or trichomonas into the prostate can also occur during unprotected intercourse if the partner is ill.
The descending route of spread of the infection means its penetration through the blood or lymph from the organs located above the prostate. In this case, the causes of prostatitis lie in the negative effects of infections of the throat, upper respiratory tract or oral cavity on the body. Among the diseases that cause prostatitis can be bronchitis, flu, tonsillitis, tuberculosis. Inflammation of the prostate resulting from these problems is usually a complication, and the first symptoms appear a few weeks after the underlying infection.
An important role in whether inflammation occurs or not is played by the state of immunity. Not all men with foci of prostatitis develop. If the body is in an active, strong state, the immunity copes with the infection, and the pathological process stops. Deterioration of the defense leads to the development of complications. They are manifested by various diseases, it all depends on individual characteristics and "weak" points in the body. The prostate is one of the most sensitive organs in the male body, so any negative influence can affect its condition.
Why does immunity fall? The reason for this is stress, malnutrition, sedentary lifestyle, hypothermia. Infections themselves, especially sexually transmitted ones, become a factor in reducing immunity and contribute to the development of complications.
Chronic prostatitis
In the acute form of the disease, all the symptoms are quite bright, it is impossible not to pay attention to them, so men with acute prostatitis, as a rule, immediately consult a doctor. The chronic form of the disease is sluggish, the symptoms are not very pronounced, the health condition usually remains satisfactory, and the temperature is normal. Due to the low symptomatology of chronic prostatitis, it has become so widespread. Men do not tend to actively treat a problem that does not have vivid, characteristic symptoms, so they usually do not rush to the doctor with mild manifestations of prostatitis.
What causes chronic prostatitis? The reasons may be the same as in acute prostatitis, but due to the work of the immune system or the weakness of the pathogenic microflora, the disease does not become acute, but develops slowly. However, the most common cause of chronic prostatitis is an acute form of this disease, which has not been treated effectively enough.
Reasons for the transition from acute to chronic prostatitis:
- Late start of treatment,
- Wrong start of treatment
- Lack of treatment
- Significant reduction in immunity.
In chronic prostatitis, the inflammatory process of prostate tissue is not pronounced, so the symptoms cannot be felt until exacerbation occurs.
The peculiarity of chronic prostatitis is that the primary inflammation of the prostate causes a deterioration of the innervation of the organ, which negatively affects its work and can cause autoimmune processes. During these processes, the immune system produces antibodies directed against prostate tissue. Even after the infection clears, such prostatitis will progress.
Causes of noninfectious prostatitis
Non-infectious, ie congestive, prostatitis occurs due to congestion in the pelvic area. It is most often chronic, developing gradually, over time, intensifying symptoms. It is this form of prostate inflammation that most often occurs.
What causes prostatitis in men in most cases? The main reason is the violation of blood circulation, its stagnation. As a result, the organ does not receive sufficient nutrition, oxygen, there is no full-fledged outflow of secretions, ie favorable conditions for the development of inflammation appear. This condition is usually found in men who are not very active, it occurs less often in the background of trauma.
Reasons for stagnant prostatitis
- Lack of physical activity
- Work associated with prolonged sitting at a table, driving a car,
- Irregular sex life
- Prison
- extra pounds,
- An unbalanced diet
- Often restrained urge to urinate
- Smoking and alcohol abuse
- Lumbar injuries
- Characteristics of the structure of the organs of the genitourinary system.
All these reasons negatively affect circulation, both locally and in general. For example, smoking and regular alcohol consumption greatly weaken vascular tone, which disrupts blood flow throughout the body. The prostate also suffers from this. Stagnation in the pelvic organs affects men who have a sedentary job, as well as those who spend a lot of time driving a car or are accustomed to passive rest on the couch. Long sitting, in general, is not good for men's health. One way or another, the vessels that supply blood to the pelvic region are constricted and bring blood to the prostate worse.
An unbalanced diet leads to deterioration of the general condition of the body, overweight, poor bowel function. All this also negatively affects the state of blood circulation, especially in the organs of the genitourinary system.
Sex life is very important for men's health, it should be regular. Sexual intercourse three times a week can be considered average numbers, but each has its own characteristics, which depend on the constitution of the man, his desires and needs. Insufficient sexual activity leads to stagnation, because the tension that inevitably accumulates does not get emptied. There is not only stagnation of blood, but also secretion of the prostate in which harmful substances accumulate.
Excessive sexual activity is also harmful, because it deprives a man of a lot of strength, leads to physical and nervous exhaustion, and hormonal imbalance. All this becomes a factor that causes inflammation of the glandular tissue.
A sedentary lifestyle is one of the most common causes of prostatitis in men. Today, we move a lot by transport, we take the elevator to the upper floors, a lot has been done to make our lives easier. However, the human body, especially the male, is designed for high physical activity. To get that, men would have to do some kind of sport. You can always choose what you like, what brings you pleasure. Good results are achieved by daily gymnastics, which consists of simple exercises, walks.
Anatomical features of blood vessels or other structures located in the pelvic region can lead to prostate congestion. These characteristics may be due to congenital anomalies or defects, as well as acquired trauma or other diseases. Injury to the structure of tissues, the condition of blood vessels, the formation of cysts or tumors very often leads to significant changes in the functioning of the organ itself, as well as arteries and veins that ensure its blood supply.
When to worry
If a man felt that he had problems urinating, began to go to the toilet more often, was worried about pain in the lumbar region, groin, then you need to visit a urologist. Even if the manifestations are insignificant, they should not be neglected. The appearance of such symptoms indicates that adverse changes have occurred in the body.
In case of problems with urination, pain in the groin and lower back, you should consult a urologist!
Diagnosis and treatment
The causes and treatment of prostatitis are closely related, so a complete diagnosis is necessary to successfully overcome the disease.
Diagnostic procedures
- history taking,
- Rectal digital examination,
- ultrasound,
- Bacteriological analysis of prostate secretion,
- Blood and urine tests,
- Analysis to determine PSA levels.
These procedures give an idea of the condition of the prostate, and enable the recognition of inflammation and its causes. PSA levels are needed to rule out adenoma and prostate cancer. Repeated such analyzes are needed to monitor treatment success.
It is necessary to treat prostatitis in a comprehensive way, including the following methods:
- drug therapy,
- massage,
- physiotherapy,
- physiotherapy.
Depending on the causes of the disease, drugs are prescribed that remove the infectious component, improve blood circulation, outflow of urine and glandular secretions, relieve cramps. The earlier the treatment is started and the more responsibly the man treats him, the better his results will be.
However, it is best to prevent the disease, then you will not have to treat it. Prevention for a man is to avoid the causes and provoking factors, lead a healthy lifestyle and be sexually active.