Prostatitis is an inflammatory process in the tissues of the prostate gland.Today, approximately 30% of men suffer from prostatitis after the age of 30, and this figure increases with age.This disease is much easier to prevent than to treat, which is why it is important to know the causes of prostatitis, the symptoms of its acute and chronic forms, and ways to prevent complications such as adenoma and prostate cancer.
Main causes of prostatitis.
The clinical picture of prostatitis involves a wide range of symptoms associated with the body's systemic response to the inflammatory process.The most common and significant are problems with urination and sexual life disorders.The degree of manifestation of prostatitis symptoms is multifactorial in nature, that is, it depends on many factors: the individual characteristics of the man's body, the state of the prostate and the presence of concomitant pathologies, the lifestyle led by the man, smoking, alcohol abuse and the activity of the immune system.
Experts distinguish two main types of diseases, on which further treatment will depend:
- Infectious.Inflammation is associated with the pathogenic action of microorganisms.
- Stagnant.Inflammation is associated with blood stagnation, hypoxia (lack of oxygen) and the manifestation against its background of ischemia and disruption (damage) and remodeling of the gland, replacement of functionally active connective tissue.
Often, one form of the disease passes into another.The infectious process affects the blood vessels and alters local circulation, causing stagnation;On the other hand, initial stagnation reduces the ability of the immune system to locally combat the developing infection, as it reduces the rate of blood transport of immunocompetent cells to the lesion.Prostatitis occurs in acute and chronic forms.More often, specialists encounter the first: its symptoms are quite characteristic, so it is possible to slow down the process and completely prevent further development.
If the disease is not treated properly, it can become stationary and then chronic.At the time of exacerbation of prostatitis, a man experiences a general deterioration in his health, pain appears in the lower back, in the groin area, the urination process is disturbed, and body temperature increases.
spicy
An acute pathological process, unlike a chronic one, manifests itself suddenly and has clear clinical symptoms that force a man to go to the doctor.The body temperature rises to 39 degrees, the man feels severe pain in the lumbar region.The highest point of incidence occurs between the ages of 30 and 40 years.
The cause of the pathological process is infectious foci that can be located in distant organs.The causative agent of the disease can enter the prostate either ascending rectally or through the urethra, or descending via hematogenous (through blood) and lymphogenous (through lymph) routes.
The type of pathogen directly affects the therapy performed:
| pathogen | Frequency of occurrence | Gram stain (required to select antibiotic therapy) |
|---|---|---|
| Escherichia coli | Often | GR- |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) | Often | GR- |
| Klebsiella spp. | Often | GR- |
| Enterococcus fecalis | Often | GR+ |
| Proteus (Proteus mirabilis) | Often | GR- |
| Serratia marcescens | Seldom | GR- |
| Chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis) | Often | GR- |
| Staphylococcus (Staphylococci spp) | Seldom | GR+ |
| enterobacteria | Seldom | GR- |
| Ureaplasma (Ureaplasma urealyticum) | Seldom | GR- |
| Gonococci (Neisseria gonorrhoeae) | Seldom | GR- |
| Mycoplasma (Mycoplasma hominis) | Seldom | Mollicutes |
| Candida (Candida spp) | Seldom | Fungus |
| Trichomonas | Seldom | Protozoa |
Prostatitis can be caused by:
- intestinal and urological infections;
- infectious diseases of the genital area;
- Diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract.
Often the cause of inflammatory lesions of internal organs is caries.
The ascending route of infection by bacteria, fungi and protozoa is when they enter the prostate tissue from the urethra and rectum.More often, the injury is associated with urological infections, such as:
- urethritis (inflammation of the urethra);
- cystitis (inflammation of the bladder);
- pyelonephritis (inflammation of the renal pelvis).
Sexually transmitted diseases often become the main cause of inflammation of the prostate, with gonorrhea being the most common.The formed pathological focus, located very close to the prostate, easily spreads to the prostate tissue.To prevent this type of disease, it is important to practice protected sexual relations.
The descending route of propagation of the pathogen consists of its penetration from the primary focus to the prostate through lymphogenous and hematogenous routes.The source of infection can be a pathological process in the throat (sore throat), in the upper and lower respiratory tract (bronchitis, flu) or in the oral cavity (caries).
Disseminated or hematogenous tuberculosis.The first symptoms appear 2-3 weeks after the underlying disease.Collection of an epidemiological history is an important component of diagnosis.
Immune status plays an important role in the incidence of prostatitis.Not all men exposed to infectious diseases develop prostatitis.If the immune system inhibits the development of a pathogenic microorganism, then the process in the gland tissue stops without pathology occurring.On the other hand, a weakened immunity causes complications.The prostate is a vulnerable organ that is located near possible entry points for infections, so it is the first to be negatively affected by microbes.
chronic
A chronic process develops if acute prostatitis has not been treated.The symptoms of this form of pathology are less pronounced, the general condition is satisfactory, and the temperature is normal.That is why men do not consider such a pathological process dangerous and postpone visiting the doctor.
Like any chronic disease, prostatitis occurs in stages of remission and exacerbation.In a chronic course, inflammation of the prostate tissue is slow, and therefore symptoms may not manifest themselves completely.They will intensify only at the time of exacerbation.
A chronic pathological process causes a deterioration in the innervation of the organ, which leads to disorders of trophism (nutrition) of the organ, which negatively affects its function.An autoimmune reaction is also likely to develop.A person's own immune system produces antibodies against prostate cells.In this case, the inflammation will remain even after complete elimination of the pathogenic microorganism.
stagnant
Non-infectious inflammation of the prostate occurs due to congestion in the pelvis.The disease develops progressively and over time the intensity of the symptom complex increases.This form of prostatitis is the most common today.
The main reason is discirculatory phenomena, which cause blood to not flow from the pelvic area, so all the organs located in this area do not receive sufficient nutrition and adequate oxygenation.The outflow of secretions is altered and degeneration of the pelvic diaphragm muscles occurs.The most important reason for stagnation is an inactive lifestyle.Traumas suffered also contribute to stagnation.Diabetes mellitus, through macro- and microangiopathy, can reduce blood flow to the pelvic organs.
Causes of congestive inflammation of the prostate:
| etiological factor | pathogeny |
|---|---|
| Low level of physical activity. | Experts consider it the most common cause of congestive prostatitis.This is facilitated by the increasing influence of technological progress on human life: escalators, elevators, cars.Low physical activity causes a failure of the muscle pump mechanism, which helps blood leave the organs.Prevention is exercise, sports, walking. |
| poor nutrition | It negatively affects all body systems and, above all, the regulation of the vascular system due to both local and systemic factors. |
| overweight | Obesity is one of the components of the metabolic syndrome, which also includes hypertension, dyslipidemia, and diabetes mellitus.One component has a beneficial effect on the likelihood of developing the others, all of which leads to vascular insufficiency and stagnation. |
| Constipation | An increase in the volume of the rectum causes compression of the veins and interruption of outflow. |
| Sedentary lifestyle (common among drivers and office workers) | Sitting in a chair, a person does not change his position for a long time.As a result, compression of individual venous vessels and local congestion occurs.Prevention is a change in sitting position and periodic gymnastics, walks. |
| Irregular sex life | It leads to stagnation not only of blood, but also of prostate secretion.As a result of metabolic processes, the secretion can become poison and produce a systemic toxic effect.Excessive sexual activity is also harmful to men, as it causes depletion of the nervous and hormonal systems, loss of nutrients, hyperfunction of the gland and depletion of its regenerative properties. |
| Frequently repressing the urge to urinate | The prostate is an additional sphincter of the male body.Its overexertion causes an increase in the volume of muscle tissue and a decrease in the volume of glandular tissue.Additionally, an enlarged bladder puts pressure on the veins, impairing outflow. |
| Smoking and alcohol abuse | Smoking and alcohol cause dysregulation of vascular tone |
| Traumatization in the lumbar region. | Trauma often damages the prostate gland itself or important neurovascular bundles.This will alter the trophism of the gland and reduce blood flow. |
| Excessive nervous tension, stress and depression. | Lead to depletion of nervous regulation of vascular tone.A hormonal imbalance develops, leading to impaired regulation of the gland (development of prostate adenoma) and systemic hemocirculation. |
| Features of the development and structure of the organs of the genitourinary system. | May increase the chance of the gland becoming infected or remodeling |
All these reasons have a destructive effect on the circulatory system, both local and general.
If a man feels that he has problems urinating, begins to go to the toilet more often, is bothered by pain in the lower back and groin when urinating, then he needs to consult a urologist.
Age effect
Experts consider that prostatitis is a disease that manifests itself more frequently in old age, but recently the percentage of young people with this pathology has been increasing.According to unofficial statistics, based on a comparison of data from diagnostic cases and investigations, about 16% of men between 20 and 40 years old are officially diagnosed with chronic prostatitis.
Based on the indicators of men aged 20 to 39 years, experts find that the statistical incidence of prostatitis in the age range of 40 to 49 years is 1.7 times higher, and in those over 55 years old, 3.1 times higher.However, the statistics only take into account identified patients.However, official statistics are notably flawed and methods for diagnosing prostatitis are not sufficiently developed.
Diagnosis and treatment.
The treatment method directly depends on the cause of the disease, therefore the most important point is the diagnosis, which includes:
- Collection of life history and epidemiological history.
- Ultrasound.
- Digital rectal examination.
- Bacteriology of prostate secretion.
- PSA level: analysis (necessary to exclude prostate adenoma and prostate cancer).
- Urine analysis.
- General and biochemical blood test.
Treatment of prostatitis is effective through a combination of the following methods:
- Pharmacological treatment.Medicines are selected, as a rule, comprehensively.
- Medical massage.
- Physiotherapy.Medicinal electrophoresis, darsonvalization, UHF therapy, etc.
- Gym and active lifestyle.
- Folk remedies.The use of various herbal preparations sold in pharmacies.
You should not prescribe pills on your own or practice traditional medicine without consulting a specialist.Many of the drugs and herbs for the treatment of prostatitis are systemic in nature and are contraindicated in some patients.
Do not forget about prevention, which involves eliminating harmful factors and leading an active lifestyle.