The "second heart of a man" - the prostate or prostate - is an indicator of his sexuality and fertility. So, every man must decide for himself whether it is dangerous for him not to monitor the condition of this organ. And with the development of prostatitis, you will have to ask yourself an important question - how to live with prostatitis?
Prostatitis- a disease characterized by the presence of inflammation and / or infection localized in the prostate.
It can occur with a wide range of clinical signs and ailments.
Consider, for starters, prostate function:
- production of secretion, which is an integral part of sperm and which is involved in the liquefaction of ejaculate, as well as its saturation with nutrients such as various enzymes and vitamins, citric acid, zinc ions, which help improve 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 urine retention mechanism.
- produces hormones and active substances that regulate the work of the genital area.
Prostatitis, benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer are the three main diseases of the organs.
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 the patient 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 younger than 50, and the third most common in men older than 50.
At least 30% of outpatient urological visits are due to prostatitis.
It is clear to all men who have experienced prostatitis, and their number has increased in recent years, that there will be no simple and carefree life with such a disease. Many factors influence the onset of the disease. It is also a deteriorating ecology and a frantic rhythm of life, which is why men are exposed to stress and depression - these reasons sometimes cannot be changed, but there are factors that depend entirely on the men themselves.
The most common causes of the disease:
- sedentary lifestyle, sedentary work, rest in front of the TV;
- prolonged abstinence from sexual activity;
- improper diet leading to improper metabolism;
- bad habits: smoking, drinking alcohol and beer;
- chronic diseases of the genitourinary system;
- frequent change of sexual partners increases the risk of prostatitis;
- sexually transmitted diseases and genitourinary infections;
- delayed ejaculation and ejaculation during sexual intercourse;
- excessive consumption of spicy, fatty, salty, spicy foods;
- frequent constipation, hemorrhoids;
- reduced immunity.
Possible causes of prostatitis also include:
- intraprostatic reflux of urine as a result of dysfunctional urination (urine, with certain predisposing factors, can enter the prostate through the prostate ducts, causing an inflammatory process);
- unprotected anal sex;
- skin narrowing (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 activities;
- psychological factors (a number of studies have shown the influence of psychological stress on the onset of symptoms of chronic prostatitis - some patients have been diagnosed with psychosomatic disorders in treatment which reduce the onset of prostatitis symptoms and the likelihood of its recurrence is observed).
Symptoms:
- pain or burning when urinating (dysuria);
- urination 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;
- fever (with acute bacterial prostatitis).
diagnostics:
According to the generally accepted classification of prostatitis NIH (US National Institutes of Health), there are four categories of diseases that 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 (asymptomatic) chronic prostatitis.
The diagnosis of prostatitis includes digital rectal examination (rectal examination), which includes palpation (palpation) of the prostate with the index finger through the anus (rectum).
Digital Rectal Examination (DRE)- important diagnostic manipulation with suspicion of any pathology on the part of the prostate. It is therefore advisable that men do not refuse to spend it.
Laboratory diagnosis, first of all, includes a general urine test, in which an increase in the number of leukocytes is recorded. Bacteriological culture of urine, prostate and sperm 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. A general blood test is also performed to assess the general condition of the body and its response to the inflammatory process.
Determination of oncomarker (PSA), its fractions is also not recommended - due to the low content of information and data distortion in 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 the recommendations of experts. Medicine has achieved good results in the eradication of prostatitis. After the patient has found "his" urologist, whom he trusted unconditionally, it is important not to interrupt the algorithm of therapeutic actions. In no case should treatment be discontinued 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 includes 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 life with prostatitis will not be carefree. Unfortunately, some patients, noticing an improvement in their health, half-stop treatment with a specialist and boring trips to the clinic for procedures, and then deal with the treatment themselves. So, this is not only impossible, but also dangerous.
How is prostatitis treated in a clinic?
A urologist treats prostatitis and other diseases of the genitourinary system, based on international clinical guidelines. This means that he uses not only his professional knowledge, but also focuses on scientifically proven and accepted worldwide methods of diagnosis and therapy.
Our doctors do not prescribe ineffective drugs and examinations "just in case", they do not treat non-existent diseases. When making a diagnosis, the urologist relies on the data obtained from the patient's examination, clinical picture, data from laboratory and instrumental studies.
About the dangers of self-medication
Without enough knowledge in the field of medicine, self-medication can only do harm. No folk method, self-appointed, will be of any use. A urologist should become a man’s main friend and counselor in the fight against the plague. Only an expert can tell you which methods can be used to supplement medication. In addition to traditional medicine, which significantly helps to cope with the disease, but only with traditional treatment, there is a mass of dietary supplements that have flooded the shelves of pharmacies. An uninformed person naively believes that the use of dietary supplements will rid him of prostatitis. Remember that self-medication can lead to chronicity and disease progression!