Prostatitis is an inflammatory disease of the prostate that is often diagnosed in older men. The first or first signs of prostatitis are very specific, which makes it possible to identify pathologies in time, undergo a comprehensive examination and begin treatment.
Types of diseases and first signs
There are two forms of the disease - bacterial (infectious) prostatitis and non-bacterial congestive prostatitis. The first signs of the disease directly depend on the type of inflammation.
In the first case, the cause of the disease is infection. Often times, inflammation is caused by the action of sexually transmitted bacteria. This form of prostatitis is characterized by an ascending or descending route of infection in the prostate - the infection enters either through the urethra or through the kidneys. Symptoms of inflammation are acute, rapidly increasing, and fever is common.
Non-infectious prostatitis is a disease affecting office workers and men over 50. The disease develops due to a congestion in the pelvic area. The cause of inflammation is a violation of the microcirculation of blood in the prostate, stagnation of secretions in the organ and a violation of trophism in the tissues of the prostate. The characteristic features of this form of inflammation are a slow increase in symptoms, often a latent course. If, with the bacterial form of the disease, the deterioration in well-being occurs quickly, then non-infectious prostatitis in the early stages rarely bothers, which makes it difficult to diagnose the disease in a timely manner.
Common prostatitis symptoms
Regardless of the form of the disease, the symptoms of prostatitis in men are as follows:
- pain when urinating;
- discomfort in the anus;
- incomplete emptying of the bladder;
- weakened primal impression;
- frequent urge to go to the bathroom at night;
- general malaise;
- weakening of the erection;
- violation of ejaculation;
- pain when ejaculating.
It is impossible to clearly answer the question of how exactly the initial stage of prostatitis is manifested. Every patient has different symptoms at the beginning of the disease development. This is due to the properties of the body.
In most cases, the first signs of prostatitis are discomfort in the anus and light leakage when urinating. Such symptoms indicate organ irritation.
Men are often faced with a weakened erection, while other symptoms of the original form of inflammation may be completely absent. The problem is that patients rarely go to the doctor with the problem of ejaculation disorder or the weakened erection. Such neglect of one's health over time usually leads to a progressive form of prostatitis that is difficult to treat.
Pain when urinating and frequent urges to use the toilet are caused by pressure from an inflamed organ. This leads to a narrowing of the lumen of the urethra and incomplete emptying of the bladder. As a rule, obvious problems with urination are noted in the second, but not the first, stage of the disease.
Specific symptoms
Specific symptoms are characteristic symptoms of different forms of inflammation. Note the bacterial form of the disease:
- increased body temperature;
- discharge from the urethra;
- blood in the urine;
- acute pain in the scrotum;
- Stinging and burning sensation after urinating.
Very often patients experience severe pain at the end of urination. Often blood is released or a light yellow or purulent discharge is observed. Such signs are characteristic of bacterial inflammation, which is caused, among other things, by diseases transmitted through unprotected sex. The temperature can rise above 38 ° C. There are also symptoms of body poisoning, general weakness, and loss of strength. With bacterial inflammation, the temperature often rises first and after a few days certain symptoms appear, such as: B. Pain when urinating and frequent urination.
An elevated temperature is characteristic of the bacterial form of prostatitis.
The first symptoms and manifestations of the non-infectious form of the disease:
- Pressure and expansion in the anus;
- weakening of the primal impression;
- erectile dysfunction;
- Frequent need to urinate, especially at night.
The temperature rarely rises in this case, there are no symptoms of intoxication. Pain in the perineal area does not develop. At the initial stage of non-infectious prostatitis, there are always discomforts in the anus that are due to an enlargement of the inflamed organ.
As the frequency of the urge to urinate increases at night, patients often complain of insomnia and loss of energy. Against this background, stress and neuroses can develop.
Unspecific symptoms that are rare
Prostatitis refers to diseases with specific symptoms that, in most cases, are enough to prescribe a digital exam of the prostate and make a diagnosis. Nonspecific manifestations of prostatitis are due to clinical cases when the disease develops against the background of a primary pathology.
So, prostatitis against the background of stones in the prostate is diagnosed quite rarely. In this case, a characteristic symptom is blood in the urine and the release of drops of blood from the urethra during urination.
With genital infections, prostatitis can be accompanied by severe perineal pain and purulent discharge.
One of the most difficult forms of the disease to diagnose is fungal prostatitis. The disease develops against the background of systemic mycoses or chronic candidal balanoposthitis. The characteristic symptoms are inflammation of the glans, the formation of a white, thick plaque, and pain when urinating. In addition, there may be pain in the anus and itching in the genital area.
Congestive prostatitis can occur after urination with a discharge. In this case, light mucous membranes, drops of pus or blood are released. Often, when a discharge does occur, there are no symptoms other than discomfort after urination.
When to see a doctor?
It is important to understand that prostatitis can be treated quite successfully in the early stages, while the chronic form of the pathology requires long-term medication, and treatment in this case lasts for years.
The reason for visiting the urologist is:
- urination disorder;
- change in the type of erection;
- Foreign bodies in the semen;
- drops of blood in the urine;
- Fullness in the anus.
It is recommended that all men over the age of 40 see a urologist annually. In the past few decades prostatitis has "rejuvenated" considerably. Today, the first symptoms and manifestations of the disease increasingly appear in men between the ages of 25-30. The first signs of illness appear in office workers, overweight patients, and all men who lead sedentary lives.
So if you detect the early stages of prostatitis, the first thing you need to do is undergo a full examination that includes:
- finger examination of the organ (prostate massage);
- Ultrasound of the prostate, kidneys and bladder;
- blood test to determine the PSA level;
- bacterial semen analysis;
- microscopic examination of prostate secretions.
The stages of the disease can be identified through the photo (ultrasound) of the prostate. Based on these diagnostic methods, the doctor determines what stage the inflammation is at and selects the optimal treatment regimen.
Principle of prostatitis treatment
When the first signs of prostatitis are detected, the choice of treatment method depends on the form of the disease. As a rule, specific and symptomatic treatment is carried out.
Specific treatments include:
- prostate protectors;
- antibiotics;
- alpha blockers;
- restorative;
- Diet and lifestyle adjustments.
Prostate protectors are drugs that improve the trophism of the prostate tissue. Drugs are prescribed for any form of prostatitis, both for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes.
Antibiotics are indicated for bacterial inflammation. You are drunk in the long run - up to a month and a half. In some cases they can be replaced with fluoroquinolone group drugs. In the treatment of non-infectious prostatitis, anti-inflammatory drugs of the non-steroidal group are used.
Alpha blockers are drugs that relax the muscles of the bladder and prostate. Taking medication in this group is said to make the urination process easier.
Tonics in the treatment of prostatitis are various herbal preparations, both pharmaceutical and folk. These tools include:
- candles with pumpkin extract;
- pumpkin seed oil;
- rectal suppositories with propolis;
- Echinacea tincture;
- herbal preparations;
- tablets.
These funds are used at any stage of the disease, regardless of the form of inflammation.
Symptomatic therapy includes an appointment:
- antispasmodic;
- antipyretics;
- analgesics;
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs; Sedatives
- .
Anticonvulsants make it easier to urinate in the early stages of prostatitis. Antipyretics are indicated when the temperature rises against the background of bacterial inflammation. Analgesics relieve pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have both analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, so they are often prescribed for non-infectious prostatitis. Sedatives may be recommended to the patient as directed by the doctor. They are prescribed for insomnia and stress caused by discomfort and frequent urges to use the toilet.
Possible complications
Any disease is easier to treat at an early stage, and prostatitis is no exception. Timely treatment not only eliminates discomfort and pain, but also significantly improves a man's quality of life and sexual activity.
The prostatitis that has started becomes chronic and is fraught with a number of complications, including:
- acute stagnation of urine;
- kidney infection;
- infertility;
- impotence.
The chronic form of the disease requires constant medication to normalize a man's well-being. Often times, drug therapy becomes ineffective over the years. The only method of normalizing the patient's condition is surgical intervention - partial or complete removal of the organ.
The initial stage of prostatitis lasts about three to four years. Then the disease becomes chronic. Knowing the first signs of prostatitis in men and the treatment of the initial stage of the disease, you should consult a specialist as soon as possible. Prostatitis is not a disease that is diagnosed from a photo, since the disease has no visible manifestations. In order to notice the first symptoms in time, you should listen to your own health.