Modern living conditions often lead many men to a dead end. Society dictates the need to be successful, to work hard, to put work and family first.
A man is forced to work intensely and often cannot get adequate rest. Eating on the run, daily stressful situations, poor environmental conditions - all this does not have the best effect on his health.
Among other dangers, every second man on the planet is at risk of prostatitis.
Prostatitis and its causes
The inflammatory process in the prostate tissues is called prostatitis. This is an exclusively male disease that does not depend on age. It is diagnosed in young men and older men.
It is no wonder that the prostate is considered one of the main male organs. The prostate regulates the formation of fluid present in sperm, participates in the secretion of testosterone, controls urination and somehow influences the duration and severity of orgasm.
Consequently, prostatitis definitely worsens men's health and generally does not change a man's life for the better.
The cause of the disease can be various infections and related complications. In this sense, both by the type of course and the reason for its occurrence, prostatitis is divided into the following forms:
- infectious form;
- acute form;
- bacterial form;
- chronic form.
Impaired blood supply to the pelvic organs and hormonal imbalances (excess or deficiency of certain hormones) can cause prostatitis.
Injuries to the genitals and hip part of the male body can also cause prostatitis.
Exposure to certain factors over time in the prostate also leads to inflammatory processes and prostatitis. These factors include:
- lack or lack of physical activity;
- defective functioning of the immune system;
- overheating or hypothermia;
- high rate of sexual life or, conversely, a long period without sex.
Diseases of the internal organs also often cause prostatitis. The causative agent of the disease is E. coli, enterococci, chlamydia and other pathogens. Most often, prostatitis develops as a side effect of sexually transmitted infections.
Signs of prostatitis
Timely diagnosis of prostatitis is of fundamental importance to restore normal prostate function. Every man should know the signs of this disease. If you start treatment at the stage of the first signs, you can get rid of prostatitis for a long time.
Signs of prostatitis include:
- Impaired bladder activity (incontinence, frequent urge, weak urinary flow).
- Problems with ejaculation.
- Pain in the lower abdomen and genitals (scrotum, perineum).
- Sexual dysfunction (lack of erection).
- Any changes in the amount or type of sperm.
Such manifestations occur not only with prostatitis, but also in the presence of other pathological phenomena in the male body. Therefore, it is very important to consult a specialist immediately after detecting the first signs of prostatitis. Be prepared that you will need to undergo tests to obtain accurate information about your health. Only a qualified doctor can clearly formulate the problem and assess its scale. Therefore, a man, even knowing everything about the signs of prostatitis, should under no circumstances make a diagnosis for himself and undergo uncontrolled treatment.
Prostatitis diagnosis
The initial diagnostic measures that the specialist will carry out will consist of interviewing, examining the patient and performing a digital rectal examination. The last procedure can be a little uncomfortable. This is due to the fact that if a man really suffers from prostatitis, the prostate gland reacts painfully to palpation. The doctor examines this organ, assesses its physical condition, whether the size of the prostate is enlarged, whether there are neoplasms.
Also, as a rule, if prostatitis is suspected, the following tests are prescribed:
- UAM (general urine analysis),
- analysis of prostate secretions (the organ is stimulated through massage and the necessary secretions are collected);
In some cases, to obtain a clearer image and clear visualization of the prostate, a transrectal ultrasound may be prescribed. This is the most accurate method for determining prostatitis.
Cystoscopy provides a detailed examination of the bladder, urethra, and prostate itself. But this examination is not prescribed very often, usually other diagnostic methods are enough to diagnose prostatitis and determine its stage.
Prostatitis treatment
Once the type of prostatitis is diagnosed, treatment is prescribed. Depending on the stage and form of the disease, individual therapy is prescribed. If we are talking about a bacterial form of prostatitis, the patient takes a certain series of antibiotics. The chronic form is treated with the same medications, but in a more prolonged and intense manner.
Using various types of alpha blockers helps relax the prostate and bladder muscles, which helps restore normal urination.
An important part of restoring prostate function is taking antioxidants. They protect prostate tissue from the negative effects of free radicals, which are especially produced during inflammatory processes, and thus reduce inflammation.
The prostatitis treatment package also includes additional measures and procedures:
- Massage and special exercises.
- Diet (avoiding spicy and fatty foods).
- Abstaining from sexual activity and certain sports (cycling, for example, can aggravate manifestations of inflammation).
A complex form of prostatitis in rare cases requires a man to stay in the hospital, but usually prostate inflammation is successfully cured without hospitalization. The main factor in a favorable outcome is a timely visit to a specialist. We remind you once again that at the first signs of prostatitis you should immediately consult a medical center. Additionally, men over 40 are recommended to have regular preventive checkups with a urologist.