How is prostatitis diagnosed in men?Features, signs, diagnosis and treatment

Prostatitis is a common disease that often affects men of different age groups.Inflammation of the prostate brings a lot of inconvenience to a person's life and, if left untreated, inevitably leads to the development of dangerous complications.Of course, many people are looking for more information about pathology.

Why does inflammation occur?How to determine prostatitis in a man and can you do it yourself?What treatment methods does modern medicine offer?How dangerous is prostate cancer?

General information about the disease

What are the causes of prostatitis in men?Signs and symptoms, complications and treatment are important things to learn.However, first we should consider some general information.

Prostatitis is a disease associated with inflammation of the prostate tissue.As you know, this is an unpaired small organ located under the bladder - it actually covers the urinary canal.The prostate produces a secretion that is part of semen.

Statistics show that the disease most often affects people aged 25 to 50 years.Approximately 50-85% of patients aged 50 years and older have experienced some form of prostatic inflammation at least once in their lives.

As you can see, this is a very common condition.That's why men look for additional information.How do you know if you have prostatitis?What symptoms should you watch out for?Are there effective treatments?

Causes of the development of prostatitis.Predisposing factors

Many men are interested in questions about the first signs of prostatitis.Symptoms and treatment, possible complications and diagnostic features are very important information.However, first it is worth considering the reasons for the development of the inflammatory process.

The cause of the inflammatory process is the activity of pathogenic microorganisms.The infection can be specific.For example, prostatitis is a result of a sexually transmitted disease.If it is a non-specific inflammation, the cause lies in the activity of staphylococci, streptococci and E. coli.Sometimes prostatitis develops against the background of herpes.Of course, there are risk factors whose influence can trigger the onset of the inflammatory process.

• First of all, it should be noted that the disease can develop against the background of other infectious diseases, including a cold.
• Risk factors include irregular sex life.For example, promiscuity increases the chances of infection in the body.Long-term abstinence is also harmful.Ideally, sex life should be regular, preferably with the same partner.
• Prostatitis often develops against the background of stagnant processes in the pelvic area.Risk factors include sedentary jobs and a sedentary lifestyle.
• Hypothermia (both general and local) can also trigger the development of the inflammatory process.
• Risk factors include chronic constipation and other digestive tract diseases.
• The inflammatory process can be the result of urethral reflux, which is accompanied by a backflow of urine and its backflow into the genital canals.This disorder is often accompanied by inflammatory diseases of the urethra or improper catheterization of the bladder.
• Changes in hormone levels are also potentially dangerous, especially when it comes to a decline in male sex hormones.By the way, this is the reason why mature and older men suffer from prostatitis more often.
• Risk factors include constant stress and nervous tension, dietary errors (especially excessively spicy food) and alcohol abuse.If the conditions are present, these factors can provoke the development of an inflammatory process or an exacerbation of chronic prostatitis.

The doctor should know not only how to diagnose prostatitis in men.It is very important to find out what exactly triggered the development of the disease.

Prostatitis in men: how to recognize it?Description of the main symptoms

We have already learned about the main reasons for the development of the inflammatory process.However, many men are interested in questions about how to determine prostatitis on their own.In fact, this is impossible because tests and examinations are required to confirm the diagnosis.However, you can suspect the disease by noticing very characteristic signs.

• How does prostatitis manifest itself in men?The symptoms of the disease include various urinary tract diseases.Patients complain of increased urge.At the same time, the daily amount of urine does not increase.The urge comes even before the bladder is full.
• An enlarged prostate puts pressure on the urinary canal, causing the stream of urine to become weak and often interrupted.Sometimes a man has to strain and use his abdominal muscles to have a bowel movement.
• The urge to urinate also becomes more frequent at night - a man sometimes wakes up several times (or even dozens of times) at night, which affects the quality of rest.
• Urination is often accompanied by unpleasant sensations and sometimes severe, cutting pain.
• If it is an acute inflammation (especially if it is accompanied by the accumulation of purulent masses), the body temperature can rise to 37-39 degrees.
• Patients complain of pain in the perineal area, which increases during physical activity, sexual intercourse and bowel movements.Sometimes the pain is very severe, almost unbearable.
• Sometimes urine contains blood.This is a dangerous symptom that should not be ignored.Hematuria may indicate an abscess rupture, the development of urolithiasis, or a malignant form of hyperplasia.
• Erection problems also occur, although they do not occur in all cases (especially if it is an acute form of the inflammatory process).

These are the main symptoms of prostatitis in men.Under no circumstances should they be ignored - be sure to see a doctor as soon as the first problems appear.

Characteristics of chronic inflammation

You are already familiar with the main signs of prostatitis in men (how to find out if a person has the disease, we will tell you below).Statistics show that without timely treatment, the acute form of the disease sometimes develops into chronic prostatitis.Sometimes the chronic form of inflammation is primary - its first stages proceed with hidden symptoms.In most cases, this type of disease is the result of stagnant processes in the pelvic area.

The symptoms of the disease remain the same.Patients complain of pain in the perineum and problems with urination.Sometimes there is discharge from the urethra during bowel movements.Men often encounter problems in their sexual life - there may be erectile dysfunction and the appearance of unpleasant sensations during sex and during ejaculation.Occasionally, chronic prostatitis leads to complete impotence.This form of the disease is much more difficult to diagnose and treat.

What complications can the disease lead to?

You already know what symptoms to look out for and how to recognize the disease.Prostatitis is a dangerous disease that should definitely not be ignored.There is a possibility of very dangerous complications.

An acute inflammatory process is often accompanied by suppuration of the gland and the formation of an abscess.An enlarged prostate compresses the urinary canal, which can lead to acute urinary retention.In addition, the abscess can open on its own, allowing purulent masses to enter the urinary tract or intestines.

Chronic prostatitis is no less dangerous because it leads to the gradual replacement of glandular tissue with connective tissue, as well as the formation of scars and stones.Chronic inflammation impairs potency and causes erection problems.In addition, the affected gland cannot produce high-quality secretion to support the vital activity of sperm, which leads to problems with conception and sometimes infertility.

How to recognize prostatitis in men?List of diagnostic measures

If you observe the above symptoms, you should consult a specialist.How do you diagnose prostatitis?A variety of procedures are used.

• First, the doctor collects information about the symptoms that bother the patient, the presence of certain diseases and lifestyle.
• The gland itself needs to be examined.How is a prostate test carried out in men?Palpation is done rectally.During the procedure, the doctor may notice an enlargement of the prostate and a change in its structure.If we are talking about an inflammatory process, palpation is often accompanied by very unpleasant, painful sensations.
• During a rectal exam, samples of prostate secretions are often taken for analysis.If it contains bacterial microorganisms and the acidity of the environment is increased, this indicates the presence of an inflammatory process and the activation of one or another infection.
• A swab from the urethra is mandatory.This procedure is unpleasant but very enlightening.The samples are sent for PCR diagnostics and bacterial culture.The study helps detect and identify infectious diseases, including sexually transmitted diseases.
• To confirm the presence of an inflammatory process in the body, a general urine and blood test is performed.
• The diagnostic scheme also includes cystoscopy.The doctor uses special equipment to examine the urethral canal and the bladder from the inside.This makes it possible to detect certain diseases of the urinary system.
• Uroflowmetry is also mandatory.The procedure allows you to determine the speed of urine flow.This is important when diagnosing prostatitis and hyperplasia.
• How is prostatitis diagnosed in men?An ultrasound examination of the prostate is mandatory.This is a simple, accessible and painless procedure that allows you to examine the gland, determine its size and shape, detect the presence of stones, etc.
• Sometimes (if an accurate diagnosis cannot be made) the patient is sent for magnetic resonance imaging.

Drug treatment

You already know how to determine prostatitis in men.After a thorough diagnosis, the doctor will definitely draw up a treatment regimen - it is individual in each case, as it depends on the cause of the development of the disease, the peculiarities of the course, etc.

Hospitalization is only indicated in cases of severe poisoning and suspected abscess formation.In all other cases, treatment is carried out on an outpatient basis.

Since the inflammatory process is associated with the activity of bacterial microorganisms, antibiotics must be included in the treatment regimen.Symptomatic treatment is also carried out - patients are prescribed anti-inflammatory, analgesic and antipyretic drugs.If an abscess is present, a procedure will be performed to open it.

You already know what the main symptoms of prostatitis in men are.And the first signs are a good reason to see a doctor immediately.The fact is that the acute form of inflammation very quickly becomes chronic.The symptoms become less pronounced, but irreversible changes occur in the tissue of the gland, which can no longer be corrected.

Physiotherapeutic procedures

In the chronic form of the disease, physiotherapy is necessary - this is the only way to stop the disease.Of course, patients take antibacterial drugs and the duration of treatment is quite long (sometimes 2-3 months).

Prostate massage is mandatory (it is contraindicated in acute inflammation).During the procedure, it is possible to normalize the outflow of prostate secretions and improve blood microcirculation (and therefore tissue nutrition).

Patients are sent for laser and ultrasound therapy sessions.Sometimes warm microenemas are performed using special medicinal solutions.The treatment regimen also includes immunomodulatory drugs.

Diet for prostatitis

You already know about the symptoms and treatment of prostatitis.In men, symptoms and treatment regimens may vary.In any case, the treatment must be supplemented by an appropriate diet.

• The basis of the diet should be vegetables and fruits, salads dressed with olive oil, nuts and dried fruits.
• The consumption of soups, broths, lean meat and fish is permitted, but only boiled or baked.Different types of grains are useful.
• However, you will have to avoid fatty meat, eggs, flour products and butter for a while.The fact is that regular consumption of such products increases cholesterol levels, which are deposited on the walls of blood vessels and impair blood circulation in the prostate.
• Spicy foods and spices, pickles, canned foods, semi-finished products, overly salty foods and smoked foods are contraindicated.Such foods irritate the intestinal walls and retain water in the body.
• You must avoid alcoholic drinks.It is important to drink enough fluids.Fresh juices are beneficial.However, water consumption should be limited in the evening - this will reduce the number of trips to the toilet at night.

Agree, this diet does not provide for too strict dietary restrictions.But by adhering to such a diet, you can really speed up the healing process, improve the functioning of the digestive tract and strengthen the immune system.

Prostatitis and sexual activity

You already know how to find out if a man has prostatitis.However, many patients are interested in the question of whether it is possible to maintain sexual activity during treatment.

It is worth noting right away that regular sex life directly affects the condition and functioning of the prostate.Both excessively frequent, promiscuous relationships and periods of prolonged abstinence are potentially dangerous.

However, if the inflammatory process is already underway, you should refrain from sexual activity for a while.Of course, prostatitis is a purely male disease and in most cases is associated with the activity of non-specific microorganisms and therefore cannot be transmitted during sexual intercourse.However, a man's sperm contains various products of the inflammatory process, which negatively affect the functioning of the organs of the female reproductive system.It is better to wait until full recovery and only then resume sexual relations.

Prevention: how to prevent the development of the disease?

We have already found out what functions the prostate performs in men.How can we find out if the organ is inflamed?If the disease is not diagnosed in time and treatment is started too late, a variety of unpleasant complications can occur.That is why it is much easier to prevent the development of the disease.

There is no medication that can protect the prostate from inflammation.However, following some recommendations will help significantly reduce the risk of developing the disease.

• Doctors recommend carefully monitoring personal hygiene and avoiding wearing synthetic underwear that is too tight.
• Remember that prostatitis can be caused by sexually transmitted infections.Therefore, you should avoid promiscuity and use condoms.
• Nutrition also plays an important role.Along with food, the body must receive a sufficient amount of nutrients, fiber, minerals and vitamins.
• Physical activity (fitness classes, active rest, daily jogging or walking) prevents blood stagnation in the pelvic organs, which also reduces the likelihood of the development of an inflammatory process.
• Doctors recommend giving up alcohol, smoking and other bad habits.
• It is very important to strengthen the immune system.Hardening and the preventative intake of vitamin complexes help.
• It is worth reducing general stress levels and learning to deal with adverse situations.Remember that nervous tension directly affects hormone levels and often leads to reduced activity of the immune system and the development of certain diseases.

Men over 40 years old must undergo an annual examination - only this can ensure a timely diagnosis of prostatitis.How to recognize a disease, how to draw up a treatment regimen, how to prevent the development of complications - only a doctor knows this.You shouldn't ignore the problem, let alone try to solve it yourself.