Unpleasant sensations in the genital area, problems with urination and interference with sexual activity - all these symptoms can indicate the developmentprostatitis.
Unfortunately, in the early stages, the disease is practically not manifested at all, which is why a person turns to a urologist too late, and the disease manages to turn into a chronic form.
So, what signs should you pay attention to and how to treat chronic prostatitis?
What is chronic prostatitis
Chronic prostatitis- inflammatory process in the prostate that lasts a long time. The consequences of the disease are the disruption of the gland and its physiological changes.
Over time, a person begins to feel strong discomfort, which directly affects his lifestyle.
This disease is one of the most common problems associated with men's health. According to statistics, 50% of men over the age of 50 have prostate problems. As for the chronic form of the disease, it is typical for young men under 40 years of age.
Classification
Chronic prostatitis in men has several forms, which differ in symptoms and causes.The following types of diseases are distinguished:
- bacterial;
- latent;
- asymptomatic;
- stagnant.
Symptoms characteristic of the disease, as well as treatment, depend on the form of chronic prostatitis.
Bacterial form of the disease
This form is the most common and does not cause difficulties in establishing a diagnosis. Typically, the results of the patient's urine tests show a high content of leukocytes, which indicates the proliferation of pathogenic microflora.
The bacterial form of prostatitis can appear against the background of reduced immunity or as a complication after a previous illness. It is treated with antibiotics, and the treatment regimen depends on the type of pathogen.
Latent prostatitis
The latent form can remain undetected for up to three months or more. Its other name is pelvic pain syndrome. The cause of disease development can be both inflammatory and non-inflammatory processes. The latent form is characterized by the following symptoms:
- increased content of leukocytes in test results;
- constant pain in the genital area;
- problems with urination.
The main difficulty in diagnosis is that, despite the presence of leukocytes in the tests, laboratory methods cannot identify the cause of the infection.
Asymptomatic inflammatory form
The most dangerous form of chronic prostatitis. In this case, changes characteristic of the disease occur in the prostate tissues, but no symptoms indicate the presence of inflammation. The asymptomatic form is usually discovered by chance or when the disease reaches a critical peak.
After a properly selected therapy, the man's health is completely restored.
Stagnant or non-infectious
The non-infectious form of chronic prostatitis occurs as a result of circulatory disorders in the pelvic organs. This form of the disease accounts for approximately 1/3 of all cases of prostatitis in young men. Characteristic symptoms are difficulty urinating, disturbances in intimate life and pain in the pelvis.
Inflammation can be triggered by a sedentary lifestyle, injuries, bad habits, etc.
Causes of disease
The reasons for the development of chronic prostatitis are quite diverse. Among the most common are:
- irregular sexual relations or frequent change of partners;
- complete abstinence from sex;
- injuries and diseases of the pelvic organs;
- frequent overheating or hypothermia of the pelvic area;
- congenital anomalies of the structure of the genitourinary organs;
- untreated infectious or viral diseases;
- abuse of bad habits;
- work in conditions of constant intoxication of the body;
- metabolic disease;
- problems with the musculoskeletal system.
Important!In the process of treating prostatitis, it is extremely important to identify the root cause of the disease. This will help not only to get rid of the problem, but also to avoid relapses in the future.
Symptoms of chronic prostatitis
Despite the fact that chronic prostatitis can be asymptomatic for a long time, the following signs may indicate the disease:
- Strong discomfort in the perineum and genital area. Unpleasant sensations can be present all the time or appear at a certain time, for example, after urination.
- Irradiation of pain to the coccyx or pubic area.
- Sensation of a foreign body in the anus, a little closer to the perineum.
- Increased urge to urinate (especially at night).
- A feeling of fullness in the bladder even after emptying.
- Weakening of libido, reduced erection.
- Less admixture of blood in the seminal fluid.
- Hemorrhoids.
- Protrusion of veins through the skin of the scrotum.
The symptoms described above can lead to the development of neurological abnormalities. Due to frequent urination, a person cannot sleep and work enough, begins to suffer from headaches, drowsiness, irritability, and even outbursts of aggression.
Diagnostics
Diagnosis of chronic prostatitis begins with a visit to a urologist. If the patient is concernedfrequenturination, sexual dysfunction and pain in the perineum, then the diagnosis is made quickly enough.
Difficulties in establishing a diagnosis arise in case of asymptomatic development of the disease. In this case, the man is prescribed a series of additional examinations, including the use of special instruments. During the diagnosis, you can find out from the urologist what prostatitis is and how the disease is treated.
There are the following methods for diagnosing chronic prostatitis:
- Taking samples for laboratory research. This method is suitable for patients with a bacterial form of the disease, as it allows the identification of the cause of inflammation and the selection of the most effective therapeutic approach. Most often, a general blood and urine test is taken for research.
- Ultrasonography. If prostatitis is suspected, the patient is prescribed a transrectal examination. This method allows you to determine the exact stage of the disease and assess the general state of the prostate. In addition, ultrasound can help eliminate the risk of serious complications. Also, sometimes patients are prescribed repeated ultrasounds to monitor the progress of treatment.
- Tomography.MRI is prescribed in cases where other diagnostic methods are powerless or the development of a malignant process in the prostate is suspected.
- Determination of PSA content(prostate-specific antigen). When PSA is above 4 ng/ml, additional diagnostic procedures are indicated, including prostate biopsy to rule out cancer.
Important!Usually, when diagnosing chronic prostatitis, several methods are combined at once, for example, laboratory testing, palpation and ultrasound.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis
Is it possible to cure chronic prostatitis? If chronic prostatitis is not seriously advanced, then it can be treated. If the disease is brought to the last stage, and the walls of the prostate begin to deform, it is possible to ease the patient's condition and achieve remission.
For successful treatment, it is necessary to consult a competent doctor as soon as possible, who will tell you how to cure chronic prostatitis and what to do about it. The urologist's recommendations should be strictly followed. Treatment must not be interrupted, otherwise relapse may occur.
It currently exists3 ways to treat chronic prostatitis:
- medical (taking medication);
- non-drug (using different equipment and procedures);
- surgical (otherwise – surgical).
Drug treatment
The treatment of bacterial and non-bacterial prostatitis is different. In the first case, treatment with antibiotics is necessary. But sometimes the treatment regimen can be the same: antibiotics are prescribed for non-bacterial forms to check the result.
If improvement occurs, antibiotics should be continued.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis should be comprehensive. Only in this case can the maximum effect be achieved.
The following drugs can be prescribed for chronic prostatitis:
- antibiotics;
- immunostimulating drugs;
- vasodilator tablets;
- antispasmodics;
- anti-inflammatory drugs;
- angioprotectors (drugs that stimulate the metabolism of vascular cells).
Alpha-blockers can also be used in treatment, but only after taking antibiotics. Medicines for chronic prostatitis help relax the smooth muscle tissue of the prostate and also relieve tension well.
In some cases, antihistamines and antidepressants may be prescribed.
Therapy without drugs
Drug therapy is recommended to be combined with physiotherapeutic procedures. The following physiotherapy procedures are most often used:
- Laser therapy.
- Electrophoresis.Special treatment solutions are used that penetrate the tissue using the electrode method.
- Temperature treatmentusing microwave ovens.
- Phonophoresis. Exposure of the diseased organ to ultrasound waves.
The methods can be used individually or in combination.
Surgical intervention
If drug therapy and physical procedures do not help, then the disease can only be solved by surgery. This happens when chronic prostatitis is complicated by a sclerotic process.
In sclerotic prostate, the pathology affects other parts, especially the ducts from which the secretion of the prostate and seminal tubercles are removed. The entire structure of the reproductive organs changes, and the quality of a man's life decreases significantly.
In this case, endoscopic surgery is performed. Even congestive chronic prostatitis can be cured surgically.
Treatment can be performed both in budget medical institutions and in paid clinics. The price of therapy depends on the severity of the disease and the duration of the course. In terms of time, early-stage prostatitis can be cured in a month, and complicated prostatitis can be cured in 3-4 months.
Treatment of chronic prostatitis depends on the health condition, age and lifestyle of the patient. If you follow all the doctor's recommendations, there is a high probability that you will fully recover.
However, no one will guarantee lifelong remission. Patients who have removed the cause of the disease have increased chances of recovery.
Timely consultation with a doctor is also of great importance. Do not delay the diagnosis and treatment of prostatitis. The sooner you get medical help, the lower the risk of any complications.
Treatment at home
Chronic prostatitis can be treated at home if there are no complications. In the case of a disease that often recurs or its complicated form, it is necessary to take medication.
To restore men's health, you can also use traditional medicine recipes. This therapy is of an auxiliary nature, that is, it is used as an addition to medical treatment.
Before using any alternative medicine, you should consult your doctor.
Using folk remedies, you can relieve pain, remove inflammation, normalize the process of urination and generally strengthen the immune system.
Pumpkin seeds
Pumpkin seeds are often used in the treatment of prostatitis. They have a large amount of zinc, and the male body especially needs this trace element.
Only dried pumpkin seeds that have not undergone heat treatment are suitable for processing. You just need to peel them and eat them. For full therapy, 0. 5 kg of product is enough.
Such courses must be completed every year until full recovery. Every day it is enough to eat 30-40 seeds before meals. Do not rush, the seeds must be chewed thoroughly.
You can also make sweets that are good for men's health. The recipe is simple: peel the pumpkin seeds, grind them and mix well with honey (200 g).
The result should be a dough-like consistency. From this mixture, roll small balls with a diameter of 3 cm. Eat 2 balls every day on an empty stomach. These sweets cannot be swallowed immediately, they must be chewed for 2-3 minutes.
Hazelnut infusion
To prepare medicinal tincture, you will need leaves or hazelnut bark. You can cook both ingredients, don't forget to alternate them. Due to its hardness, the crust is cooked twice as long. Only fresh material should be used for preparation.
The recipe is as follows: 1 tbsp. l. of hazelnut bark or leaves, pour over 1 cup of boiling water (200 ml), close the lid and leave for 30 minutes. Then strain using cheesecloth. Take ¼ cup 4 times a day. The course of treatment lasts a week.
Sagebrush
This plant has long been known for its beneficial properties. With its help you can deal with any infection. To get rid of prostatitis, you need to undergo complex treatment, which includes washing the urethra with an infusion and taking wormwood orally.
You will need 100 g of dry grass. It is necessary to grind it as finely as possible in the hands and sift it through a strainer. The smallest fragments are useful for taking in dry form, and the larger ones for preparing an infusion, from which urethral lavage and microenemas are made.
Thus, the body has a double effect: it cleanses itself of infections and relieves inflammation.
Dry wormwood should be taken once a day with a glass of water. Washing and microenema are done every evening. The therapy course lasts one week.
A decoction for rinsing and enema is easy to make. 1 tsp. pour 1 liter of dry herbs. boiling water. Wait for the broth to cool to 30 degrees and strain. 50 ml of infusion is enough for one procedure. Injections into the urethra and anus are performed using a syringe.
Do not forget that you should take a separate syringe for each procedure so that you do not accidentally get an infection. The broth must be sharply injected into the urethra: in this way, the liquid will move far.
Medicinal juices
You can drink juices for effective treatment of chronic prostatitis. It is better to drink freshly squeezed vegetable juices; potions ofasparagus and cucumber, beetroot, carrot. It is necessary to drink 600 ml per day. The course of treatment is 10 days.
There are contraindications, it is necessary to consult a specialist.
Disease prevention
Prostatitis is quite difficult to treat and tends to recur. That is why men over 30 must pay attention to disease prevention.
The main preventive measures include:
- regular sex life with one partner;
- playing sports and special gymnastics;
- taking multivitamins to strengthen the immune system;
- adherence to sleep and wakefulness;
- reduction of stressful situations;
- rejection of bad habits;
- regular visits to a proctologist;
- timely treatment of colds and viral diseases.
Prevention should apply to all areas of a man's activity, from nutrition to sexual relations. It is important to understand that prostatitis is treatable and that you can continue to live a full and active life.