Prostatitis is a special disease that mainly occurs in men of reproductive age. It is characterized by acute or chronic inflammation of the prostate - the second "heart" in men.
Recognizing the signs of prostatitis in men is not always easy, especially if the pathology has a chronic course with no previous acute phase. If the process is acute, in this case the symptoms of prostatitis in men will be very typical and pronounced.
If a person has the first signs of prostatitis, he should consult a doctor immediately. Even mild discomfort, indicating the development of urogenital disorders, can lead to serious complications.
The ability to recognize the first symptoms of the inflammatory process allows you to diagnose the pathology in time and start treatment. Therefore, every man should be familiar with them to avoid serious problems caused by prostatitis.
The prostate and its role in a man's life
Although the prostate is small, a person can experience many problems if its function is compromised. The prostate is a walnut-sized organ located between the penis and bladder. The prostate produces the secret to mixing with sperm to form complete semen.
Unlike other prostate conditions (such as enlarged prostate or cancer) that typically affect older men, prostatitis can develop at any age, but the incidence peaks between the ages of 30 and 50.
Types of Prostatitis
Two pathological variants can be distinguished based on the severity of symptoms, the time of onset, and the duration of the disease:
- Chronic prostatitis. Symptoms can be subtle and come and go over the course of several months. This is the most common type of prostatitis, and the cause of the inflammation is usually non-infectious.
- Acute prostatitis. In this form, symptoms of prostatitis in men are severe and develop suddenly. Variants of the disease most commonly cause microbial infections, which can be severe and require immediate treatment until hospitalization.
The problem of chronic prostatitis
The etiology of prostatitis has been studied for a long time, but the understanding of the nature of the process has undergone significant revisions in recent years. Chronic prostatitis, sometimes called chronic pelvic pain syndrome, is characterized by a cluster of symptoms that can lead to a significant deterioration in a man's quality of life. Chronic prostatitis cannot always be identified immediately by a doctor, and subsequent treatment is equally difficult to choose because it depends on various causative factors and symptoms of prostatitis in men.
Unlike the methods used in the past, diagnosis and subsequent treatment are based on the isolation of chronic bacterial prostatitis and other forms of the disease, considered a multifactorial disease. Autoimmune and systemic inflammation, neurological dysfunction, and psychological causes play a role in the development of chronic inflammation, according to data published in Urology Research and Reports in 2019.
With chronic pelvic pain syndrome, various symptoms related to the urinary organs, genitals, rectum, and perineum are typical, and men can often treat other conditions long-term until inflammation is ultimately the problem. prostate.
Signs of Prostatitis in Men
If the prostate has acute inflammation, it is easier to identify, and the performance is more distinct and obvious. The first signs of prostatitis in men include:
- Severe pain radiating around the penis, testicles, anus, lower abdomen, or lower back. Empty bladder can be painful;
- Urinary problems, pain when the bladder fills, the need to urinate frequently (especially at night), interrupted urination, an urgent need to urinate, and sometimes blood in the urine;
- Acute urinary retention may occur on the background of severe swelling and severe pain in the prostate;
- malaise, fever, nausea;
- The urethra has a slightly thick, odorless discharge.
If you detect these or other signs of prostatitis in men, you should contact a therapist or urologist immediately.
Chronic Inflammation: Symptoms of Prostatitis in Men
You can talk about a chronic course if the following symptoms of prostatitis in men have been detected for at least the past three months:
- Pain of a straining, pressing, or aching nature around the penis, testicles, anus, lower abdomen, or lower back.
- Pain when urinating, frequent or urgent urination, especially at night, or intermittent urination.
- Enlarged or tender prostate on rectal exam, although this may be normal in some cases.
- Intimate problems such as erectile dysfunction, pain during ejaculation, or pelvic pain after sex.
These symptoms can have a major impact on a man's quality of life. Without treatment, the condition may gradually worsen and symptoms of prostatitis appear more frequently.
How is the exam conducted?
At the first signs of prostatitis in men, you need to contact a urologist for a full diagnosis. The doctor will ask in detail about all symptoms and events, as well as previous health issues. Then, a genital examination, abdominal and rectal examination will be performed. The doctor inserts a gloved finger into the rectum to feel the prostate. During the study period, if the prostate gland is enlarged or inflamed, it may be uncomfortable. In addition, blood and urine tests are also required to look for signs of infection.
How is prostatitis treated?
Strategies for treating prostatitis will depend on the form of the disease - acute or chronic prostatitis.
For acute inflammation, when symptoms are sudden and severe, pain medication and a 2- to 4-week course of antibiotics are usually given. In the event of acute urinary retention, hospitalization and urgent measures are required - bladder catheterization and urine diversion in the context of intensive therapy.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis, when symptoms recur for several months, usually aims to eliminate all discomfort. Your doctor may recommend the following procedures:
- Painkillers and anti-inflammatory drugs to eliminate pelvic pain and discomfort.
- Alpha-blocker medication to eliminate urination problems. They help relax the muscles at the base of the prostate and bladder.
- Antibiotics may sometimes be prescribed if the microbial nature of the infection is confirmed, or if there is evidence of a previous acute course that has not been cured.
The goal of treating chronic prostatitis is to reduce symptoms to a level that does not interfere with daily activities.