Prostatitis: causes, provoking factors, methods of treatment.

The prostate gland synthesizesimmunoglobulins, regulates the consistency of semen with the help of a specific secretion, controls the process of urination and ejaculation. The penetration of pathogens into the cavity of this organ causes prostatitis, an inflammation that occurs acutely or chronically.

Causes and mechanism of development of the disease.

Prostatitis begins with the penetration and reproduction of pathogens into the organ cavity. These are extracellular pathogens or your own microflora on the surface of the skin or mucous membranes:

• colibacillus;
• Proteus;
• enterococcus;
• staphylococcus;
• enterobacter;
• Pneumococcus.

In the presence of STDs or infectious diseases of the internal organs, the following can penetrate the lumen of the prostate gland:

• pale treponema;
• ureaplasma;
• Trichomonas;
• Pseudomonas aeruginosa;
• Koch's bacillus.

In the prostate, the pathogenic flora ascends from the urethra. Less frequently, through the bloodstream or with the flow of lymph from the infected organ. Several provoking factors affect the rate of development of the disease and the intensity of symptoms:

• abnormalities in the structure of the bladder neck;
• stricture of the urethra;
• the consequences of postoperative catheterization;
• decreased immunity against the background of chronic and systemic diseases, hypothermia, physical overload, hard work;
• violation of the outflow of blood and lymph in the pelvic area;
• promiscuous or irregular sex life.

An active blood supply and a moist, closed environment in the prostate cavity promote the unhindered reproduction of pathogens. The secret produced by the gland thickens, its output is disturbed. The infiltration gradually accumulates in the lumen, the inflammation progresses.

The course of acute prostatitis.

Primary inflammation usually develops acutely. On average, the patient feels its clinical signs 5-7 days after infection. His symptoms are vivid, it is impossible not to notice them:

• intense and constant pain in the perineal region, radiating to the scrotum, penis, anus;
• Diuresis disorders: frequent and painful urination, false desires, intermittent and slow cloudy urine stream:
• serous or purulent discharge from the urethra with an unpleasant pungent odor;
• general intoxication: chills, sudden increase in body temperature, physical weakness, weakness.

Most people with acute prostatitis have impaired sexual function. Arousal is completely absent or does not lead to a normal erection or the ability to have sexual intercourse. Semen may contain pus or blood.

The symptoms of bacterial prostatitis depend on the morphological changes and the stages of the disease:

• Catarrhal inflammation, which develops at the beginning, affects the ducts of the organ and leads to the appearance of dull and deep pains. The fever is usually absent, the general state of health is satisfactory.
• The inflammatory process captures one or both lobes of the gland - follicular prostatitis progresses. The tissues swell, the amount of infiltrate in the lumen increases. The pain is constantly excruciating, increasing with movement. Difficulty urinating
• The parenchymal stage occurs when the entire body of the prostate is affected. The functioning of the bladder and rectum is difficult due to the strong compression of the inflamed and swollen walls of the gland. The pain in the perineum becomes unbearable. Purulent and bloody impurities appear in the urine, the body temperature rises to 39 ° C and above.

The delay in treatment causes a chronic disease. Complications are possible: obstruction of the urethral canal, fistulas, abscesses, pyelonephritis, sepsis.

Chronic prostatitis

It develops from an untreated acute disease, but most often it forms as an independent disease. Slow inflammation is caused by insufficient immune response to penetration of infection, a small number of pathogenic microorganisms, or the aseptic nature of the disease. In the latter case, the pathology is provoked by the stagnation of secretions, alterations in the structure of the tissues of the prostate, the permeability of its ducts.

Signs of intoxication and severe pain in chronic bacterial prostatitis occur only with exacerbations. During the latency period, the disease manifests itself with periodic urinary disturbances and physical discomfort. The need to go to the bathroom is more frequent at night, after being in the cold. Diuresis is sometimes accompanied by a slight burning sensation. Erectile dysfunction is common.

Chronic prostatitis can last for years with occasional flare-ups. A long-term course leads to the formation of fibrous areas in the parenchyma, provokes the development of impotence, infertility and oncological tumors.

How to diagnose and treat prostatitis.

If you suspect the development of inflammation of the prostate, you should contact a urologist. The presumptive diagnosis is confirmed by bacterial culture of the gland's secretion. If it is impossible to obtain, a smear from the urethra, urine sample, and seminal fluid is examined. In addition to bacterial seeding, blood and urine tests are examined, an ultrasound of the prostate is performed.

Treatment of acute infectious prostatitis is carried out in a clinical setting in the Department of Urology.

• The main goal is to suppress the pathogen, relieve inflammation, and prevent complications. The patient is prescribed a course of antibiotics. Injections of drugs from the tetracyclines, cephalosporins, fluoroquinolones, or penicillin groups are used, depending on which infection caused the disease. Duration of therapy: from several days to 2-4 weeks.
• To restore the function of urination and relieve acute symptoms, muscle relaxants, anti-inflammatory analgesics and antispasmodics are comprehensively prescribed.
• Specific therapy is supplemented with vitamin and mineral preparations, immunomodulators.

In the early stages, uncomplicated inflammation is completely cured.

Chronic prostatitis does not require hospitalization. The patient undergoes the course of antibiotic therapy at home, observing the necessary restrictions.

In parallel, it is necessary to undergo treatment for possible provoking diseases: bronchitis, pyelonephritis, cholecystitis, genitourinary infections.

The main treatment without exacerbation is supplemented by physiotherapeutic methods: ultrasound procedures, magnetotherapy, laser exposure.

During the therapy period, alcohol, hot spices, marinades, pickles, fatty, canned and smoked foods should be excluded. It is recommended to include in the diet fresh herbs, vegetables, nuts, fish, lean meats.

The success of the treatment of the chronic form in each case depends on the duration of the disease, the damage of the existing organic tissue, the concomitant disorders in the functioning of the kidneys and bladder.