Inflammation of the prostate gland, unfortunately, is a fairly common ailment. According to statistics, almost half of men at one age or another face this problem. The causes of inflammation can be different, and therefore in modern medicine there are several types of this disease. One of them is bacterial prostatitis.
In view of the widespread spread of the disease, many men are interested in additional information about it. What are the causes of bacterial inflammation? What symptoms should I look for? What methods of modern treatment are the most effective?
What is prostatitis? The main forms of the disease
Before considering the question of what is bacterial prostatitis, it is worthwhile to analyze what the prostate gland, or prostate, is. This is a small organ that is part of the reproductive system. It is located just below the bladder, around the urethra. The prostate produces up to 70 percent of seminal fluid, which is then mixed with sperm, which forms in the testes. The prostate also plays a role in the process of sperm ejection and maintains an erection. In addition, it affects the retention of urine.
Prostatitis is a disease that is accompanied by an inflammatory process in the tissues of the prostate gland. Depending on the causes of development in modern medicine, several main types of the disease are distinguished:
- acute bacterial prostatitis - inflammation in this case develops against the background of infection of the organ with specific bacteria (for example, chlamydia, gonococci, etc.);
- a chronic form of bacterial prostatitis, as a rule, develops against the background of improper therapy or its absence (the disease lasts more than three months, the period of well-being is replaced by exacerbations of the inflammatory process);
- nonspecific prostatitis - the inflammatory process in such a disease is caused by the activation of conditionally pathogenic microflora or is not at all associated with a bacterial infection;
- asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis occurs without pronounced symptoms, and quite often the inflammatory process fades on its own.
Causes of Bacterial Prostatitis
As the name says, the inflammatory process in this case is associated with the activity of bacterial microorganisms. Pathogens of bacterial prostatitis quite often penetrate into the tissues of the prostate gland in the presence of sexually transmitted infections in the patient. Almost any sexually transmitted disease (for example, gonorrhea, chlamydia) can lead to inflammation of the prostate.
In middle-aged men, conditionally pathogenic microorganisms, such as E. coli, can also act as a pathogen. A slightly different picture is observed in elderly patients. The fact is that many men over 50 are diagnosed with the so-called benign prostatic hyperplasia (accompanied by proliferation of tissues). With such a pathology, the evacuation of secretory fluid from the prostate is difficult, as a result of which it begins to accumulate inside the gland. Stagnation of the secret leads to the active reproduction of pathogens and, accordingly, to inflammation.
Also, bacterial prostatitis can develop against the background of various pathologies of the genitourinary system. For example, inflammation is much more often diagnosed against the background of bladder obstruction, urinary tract infection, epididymitis, urethritis. The spread and penetration of infection inward is facilitated by phimosis (fusion of the foreskin). Various injuries of the perineum, installation of a urinary catheter, previous cystoscopy (internal examination of the bladder) or biopsy can provoke inflammation of the prostate.
Are there any risk factors?
As you can see, the causes of prostate inflammation can be different. In addition, there is a group of so-called risk factors, the presence of which increases the likelihood of developing both acute and chronic prostatitis:
- frequent infectious diseases of the genitourinary system;
- parasitic diseases;
- incomplete emptying of the bladder;
- genetic predisposition;
- urinary tract irritation with aggressive chemicals;
- severe hypothermia;
- promiscuous sex life (frequent change of sexual partners, contacts without using a condom);
- smoking, drug and alcohol use (weakens the body's defenses);
- weakened immunity;
- long periods of sexual abstinence;
- severe dehydration;
- improper nutrition;
- neurological diseases of the urinary tract;
- constant stress, nervous exhaustion, emotional overstrain;
- a sedentary lifestyle that leads to stagnation of blood in the pelvis (increases the likelihood of inflammation not only of the prostate gland, but also of some other nearby organs).
What are the symptoms of the disease?
Signs of bacterial prostatitis are usually quite characteristic. The disease begins acutely and develops rapidly. Often, patients primarily notice an increase in body temperature, weakness, body aches, fatigue, muscle pain, nausea and vomiting.
Along with this, there are problems with the functioning of the genitourinary system. The process of urination becomes difficult and painful, urges become more frequent. However, the bladder is not completely empty. The stream during urination becomes weak, while the urine itself acquires a rather unpleasant odor. Also, small impurities of blood may be present in it. There may be soreness and burning in the urethra.
Patients often note other symptoms of bacterial prostatitis. In particular, pain appears in the pubic region, which also gives off to the lower back. Soreness in the testicles and perineum may be observed. Men have problems with erection, and ejaculation is accompanied by painful sensations. Traces of blood can sometimes be seen in semen. Pain is also present during bowel movements.
Having noticed such symptoms in yourself, you should immediately consult a doctor. The sooner the patient receives qualified medical care, the less likely the disease will become chronic.
Chronic bacterial prostatitis
It is immediately worth noting that this form of the disease is quite rare. Chronic bacterial prostatitis can be associated with the activity of bacteria that are protected from the effects of drugs, as they are located deep in the tissues of the prostate. In addition, some microorganisms become insensitive to broad-spectrum antibiotics.
Exacerbation of chronic bacterial prostatitis is accompanied by almost the same symptoms as the acute form of the disease. There is pain during urination, pain in the abdomen and perineum, the presence of blood in the urine and semen. On the other hand, fever and other signs of intoxication are rare. An exacerbation is replaced by a period of relative well-being - a man feels normal, but there are still some disorders in the genitourinary system. In particular, patients suffer from increased urge to urinate. There are also problems with an erection (sometimes even serious erectile dysfunctions) and a decrease in sexual desire.
Diagnosis of the disease
To begin with, the doctor conducts a physical examination and collects an anamnesis in order to get a complete picture of the symptoms that concern the patient. As a rule, this is enough to suspect prostatitis and prescribe additional tests.
The patient gives blood and urine samples, the analysis of which helps to detect markers of inflammation. A digital rectal examination of the prostate gland is also necessary, which allows the doctor to determine the size, contours, body consistency, degree of pain and some other parameters. In addition, during the massage of the prostate, you can get samples of its secretion, which are then sent for laboratory analysis. Sowing samples helps to determine the type of infection and the degree of its sensitivity to certain drugs.
Further examination is carried out only if there are suspicions of complications. Using cystoscopy, a doctor can examine and evaluate the condition of the urinary canal and bladder. Urodynamic tests are sometimes additionally performed. Transrectal ultrasound and computed tomography help to better study the condition of the prostate, to detect the presence of abscesses or stones. If a malignant transformation of cells is suspected, a prostate biopsy is performed.
Drug treatment of prostatitis
After a full examination, the doctor will be able to draw up the most effective treatment regimen. As a rule, antibiotic treatment of bacterial prostatitis is first prescribed. In particular, drugs containing tetracycline and ciprofloxacin are considered quite effective antibacterial agents. Depending on the severity of the disease and the type of infection, antibiotic therapy can last from four to six weeks. Sometimes in the first few days, drugs are administered intravenously, and then they switch to a tablet form. With a chronic form of inflammation, treatment can last up to 12 weeks.
Other drugs are used to treat bacterial prostatitis. In particular, antispasmodics can help relieve the patient’s condition, which help to relax the bladder neck and reduce pain during urination. As a rule, the treatment regimen includes Alfuzosin, Terakhozin, Silodozin and some others.
If necessary, the patient is prescribed pain medication, namely non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Paracetamol, Ibuprofen), which also help relieve fever. Admission of multivitamin complexes, immunomodulators, biostimulants will positively affect the condition of a man.
Other treatments
At the recovery stage, patients are often recommended to perform prostate massage. This procedure helps to eliminate fluid stagnation, improve tissue metabolism, increase local immunity, restore prostate drainage function, and increase blood flow.
Also, various physiotherapy methods can be used in the treatment process, in particular:
- magnetotherapy;
- transrectal ultrasound therapy;
- electrical stimulation.
All the above methods contribute to the normalization of blood circulation and the elimination of stagnant processes.
When is surgery necessary?
Surgery is a last resort. It is used only if long-term drug therapy and other treatment methods do not give any effect. The surgical procedure for partial resection of the prostate gland is performed, as a rule, in elderly patients. At a young age they try to avoid such radical treatment, as it sometimes leads to impotence, enuresis and infertility. The operation is most often prescribed for elderly patients with chronic forms of prostatitis, because they have to suffer for many years from problems with urination and constant pain. If necessary, plastic correction is additionally carried out, which helps to restore the urethra, normalize the bladder.
Alternative treatments for the disease
Naturally, there are some other, less traditional methods of treating prostatitis. For example, sometimes medicinal microclysters, treatment with leeches, acupuncture, massage give a good effect.
Patients with chronic forms of the disease are recommended spa treatment. Also, special physical exercises that will help restore blood circulation and eliminate blood stasis in the pelvic organs will positively affect the state of the body.
How to treat bacterial prostatitis with folk remedies? To date, many tools are known to eliminate the inflammatory process. In particular, warm sitting baths from a decoction of yarrow, horsetail, and sage sometimes have a positive effect on the condition of the pelvic organs. Special rectal suppositories from beekeeping products and medicinal herbs are also being prepared.
In any case, it is worth remembering that before using any remedy, you should definitely consult your doctor.
What are the prognoses for patients?
Does the treatment of bacterial prostatitis in men achieve good results? Immediately it is worth saying that the success of therapy will depend on many factors, including the stage and form of the disease, the age of the patients, the presence of concomitant diseases, etc.
Acute bacterial prostatitis lends itself well to medical treatment. A few days after the start of therapy, the patient may notice an improvement in well-being. On the other hand, improper treatment, its absence or discontinuation (for example, quite often men stop taking medications when the symptoms disappear without completing the full course) can lead to the development of a chronic form of the disease.
Chronic prostatitis is a disease that is much more difficult to treat. Relapses can happen again and again. And in such cases, doctors often recommend surgery to patients. The results of surgical treatment are usually positive. Again, sometimes the operation is fraught with not too pleasant consequences.