Acute prostatitis is a common pathology that is accompanied by inflammation of the prostate gland. The defeat of this organ affects the functioning of the reproductive and urinary systems and causes the appearance of extremely unpleasant symptoms. In the absence of therapy, an ailment can lead to the development of dangerous complications.
Therefore, many men are interested in additional information about what constitutes acute prostatitis in men. Symptoms, treatment, causes, possible complications are moments that are worth exploring in more detail.
Brief information about the pathology
Acute prostatitis (ICD code N 41.0) is a pathology accompanied by an inflammatory process in the segments of the prostate gland. This organ is located under the bladder and, accordingly, its inflammation affects the functioning of the urinary system.
According to statistics, prostatitis is the most common male illness. About 30-58% of the stronger sex are faced with this problem. Patients of reproductive age (30-50 years) often suffer.
What are the causes of inflammation?
Inflammation of the prostate gland is associated with the activity of pathogenic microorganisms, including bacteria, fungi and viruses. In most cases, the culprit is a nonspecific infection, in particular Escherichia coli, streptococci, enterococci, staphylococci, candida fungi and other representatives of conditionally pathogenic microflora, which are most often activated against the background of a local or general decrease in the activity of the immune system.
In addition, infection of the tissues with gonococci, chlamydia, ureaplasmas and other microorganisms that are transmitted through sexual intercourse can lead to inflammation.
Perhaps the hematogenous spread of infection. For example, pathogenic bacteria, along with blood flow, enter the prostate tissue from other foci of inflammation. Prostatitis is often a complication of chronic tonsillitis, bronchitis, pyoderma, sinusitis, cholecystitis.
Common risk factors
Of course, there are factors whose presence or effect increases the likelihood of foci of inflammation in the tissues of the prostate. Their list includes:
- promiscuous sex, refusal to use barrier contraceptives;
- irregular sex life (leads to fluid stagnation);
- sedentary work, lack of physical activity (it causes the same stagnation of blood, which increases the likelihood of developing an inflammatory process);
- hypothermia (both one-time and constant, which is associated, for example, with the use of off-season clothing, working conditions, extreme sports);
- physical and mental exhaustion;
- chronic lack of sleep;
- constant stress;
- groin injuries, pelvic surgery, radiation;
- pathological changes in the hormonal background;
- vitamin deficiency;
- decreased immune system activity;
- inflammatory diseases in the kidneys, intestines and other nearby organs.
The phases of the development of the disease
To date, there are three stages of the inflammatory process in the prostate gland.
Each of them has its own characteristics.
- Catarrh is accompanied by a lesion and a change in the mucous and submucous layers of the ducts, which remove secretions from the lobes of the prostate gland.
- Gradually, the walls of the ducts swell, as a result of which mucous and purulent masses accumulate in the follicles of the prostate. In such cases, acute follicular prostatitis develops - pus accumulates in separate lobules.
- The next stage is parenchymal. The purulent-inflammatory process affects a large number of lobules, after which it spreads to interstitial and parenchymal tissues. If small abscesses merge with each other by the edges, then an abscess forms. If untreated, the abscess may burst, its contents enter the bladder, perineal tissue, rectum, and urethral canal.
Acute Prostatitis: Symptoms
The clinical picture with this disease has very characteristic features.
- Acute prostatitis begins suddenly. At first, patients report only an increase in temperature. Gradually, other symptoms of intoxication appear, in particular headaches, weakness, pain throughout the body, and nausea.
- The act of urination is accompanied by pain. The urge to the toilet becomes more frequent, especially at night. May delay urination.
- Patients often complain of pain in the groin, as well as in the pelvis and lower abdomen. Sometimes soreness extends to the lower back.
- In urine and semen, pus impurities and traces of blood sometimes appear.
- Sexual intercourse is also often accompanied by pain and discomfort. Men note a decrease in libido and an inability to achieve orgasm.
- There are also problems with bowel movements. The act of defecation itself is accompanied by pain.
Complications of inflammation
Of course, acute prostatitis is an extremely unpleasant disease. In the absence of therapy, the inflammatory process becomes chronic. Pathology affects the quality of sexual life, causes problems with erection and ejaculation. This, as well as constant discomfort, in turn, affects the patient’s emotional state - men become more irritable, withdrawn, nervous.
But more serious complications are possible, including:
- the formation of an abscess, which requires surgical intervention;
- the transition of the inflammatory process to neighboring organs (the bladder and kidneys most often suffer);
- impotence;
- inflammation of the prostate sometimes leads to male infertility.
It should be understood that with adequate and timely treatment, all of the above problems can be avoided.
Diagnostic procedures
The manifestation of characteristic symptoms in a patient is a sufficient reason to suspect the presence of prostatitis.
In the future, some studies are carried out:
- The patient submits blood, urine and sperm samples for analysis. A laboratory study of these fluids allows you to confirm the presence of an inflammatory process.
- The doctor passes the palpation of the prostate gland through the rectum.
- An ultrasound of the prostate is also performed, which allows the specialist to identify the presence of a cyst and neoplasm, to evaluate the size and structure of the organ.
- Important and scraping from the urethra, followed by bacterial culture.
In the process of diagnosis, the doctor determines the cause of the inflammatory process, finds out the nature of the pathogen, as well as its reaction to certain medicines.
Treatment of acute prostatitis with medication
Many men face a similar problem. What should a patient diagnosed with acute prostatitis do?
Medicines are selected individually, since therapy depends on the causes, symptoms and stage of development of the inflammatory process.
- A mandatory component of therapy are antibiotics that help suppress the activity of the pathogen. If there is a fungal infection, then it is necessary to take antifungal agents ("Fluconazole").
- Anti-inflammatory drugs are used (Nurofen, Ibuprofen, Paracetamol). Glucocorticosteroids also help to cope with inflammation, but they are used in severe cases (for example, in the presence of autoimmune diseases).
- Antispasmodics and analgesics help to cope with pain and eliminate problems with urination.
- Vitamins and immunomodulators help restore the immune system, speed up the healing process and prevent the spread of the inflammatory process.
- After the symptoms of prostatitis begin to disappear, physiotherapy procedures, in particular UHF, prostate massage, electrophoresis, are included in the treatment regimen.
When is surgery necessary?
Treatment of acute prostatitis with drugs in most cases ends successfully. Surgery is very rare and only if there is evidence:
- the appearance of an abscess in the tissues of the prostate (requires urgent opening and cleaning);
- therapy with medications and physiotherapy does not give a result;
- the appearance of blood in the urine;
- prostatitis has led to the formation of kidney stones, the bladder;
- acute urinary retention;
- suspected malignancy;
- inflammation and accumulation of purulent masses in the tissues of the rectum.
It is worth noting that surgical excision of the prostate gland (even partial) often leads to unpleasant consequences, including problems with urination, erectile dysfunction. That is why the operation is carried out only in extreme cases.
Effective folk remedies
Treatment of acute prostatitis is also possible with the help of traditional medicine. Medicinal herbs such as chamomile, celandine, sage, motherwort, St. John's wort and nettle are considered useful. Dry raw materials can be purchased at any pharmacy. Properly prepared decoctions of these herbs have anti-inflammatory, antibacterial and analgesic properties.
In addition, decoction and juice from fresh parsley greens will help to cope with prostatitis. Herbalists practice treatment with decoction of hazel and aspen bark. Natural honey and walnuts are beneficial for the immune system. Of course, before you start using these drugs, you need to ask your doctor for advice.
Proper diet
Acute and chronic prostatitis respond well to drug therapy. An important part of treatment, however, is the proper diet. Patients with inflammation of the prostate are recommended to include boiled vegetables, nuts, fresh herbs, milk and sour-milk products, baked fruits in the diet.
The amount of protein should be limited for a while - it is allowed to consume low-fat varieties of fish and meat (in boiled and baked form), eggs (but not more than two per day). The water regime is also important - for normal functioning, the body needs to receive at least 1.5-2 liters of clean water per day.
At the same time, spices, fatty and fried foods, mushrooms, canned goods, legumes, smoked meats, offal, as well as pastries, should be excluded from the diet. Tea, coffee, cocoa, alcohol are also contraindicated.
Preventive actions
It is much easier to prevent the development of acute prostatitis than to undergo treatment. There are no specific prophylactic agents, but following some rules will significantly reduce the likelihood of an inflammatory process:
- It is imperative to maintain personal hygiene and use suitable cosmetics.
- Random sex increases the risk of infection. If there are occasional sexual contacts, then do not forget about remedies.
- Men are encouraged to maintain physical fitness, engage in feasible sports - this will help prevent stagnation.
- Do not skip scheduled medical examinations.
If alarm signs appear, you need to contact a specialist - procrastination is sometimes very dangerous.
Forecasts: what should patients expect?
Acute prostatitis in men is diagnosed quite often. In most cases, the ailment responds well to treatment - the therapy ends with a complete recovery without any consequences. Nevertheless, with untimely diagnosis, acute inflammation becomes chronic. The formation of an abscess takes some time, so cases of such complications are rarely recorded.