What is acute prostatitis in men

pain in a man with acute prostate

Acute prostatitis is an inflammatory disease, usually of an infectious nature, which is associated with swelling and the formation of ulcers in the tissues of the organ of the same name. It was previously thought to affect older men the most, but studies show that the pathology is "rejuvenated" significantly. And now prostatitis appears in middle-aged patients.

In treatment, it is allowed to use not only medicines, but also the use of folk remedies in consultation with a specialist.

Causes of pathology

Acute prostatitis is diagnosed in 30-50% of men, most often of the most able age, ie from 30 to 50 years old. This inflammation leads to:

  • erectile dysfunction;
  • infertility;
  • depression.

The causative agents of the disease are mainly nonspecific infectious agents. These are pathogenic microorganisms such as E. coli, staphylococci, streptococci, etc. But sometimes acute prostatitis is caused by other pathogens associated with sexually transmitted diseases - chlamydia, ureaplasmosis, gonorrhea, mycoplasmosis. Often the cause is a conditionally pathogenic microflora - the fungus Candida (Candida).

The main reasons for the development of prostatitis are reduced to the penetration of the infection, most often through the transcanalicular route. This occurs through the excretory ducts of the prostate gland. Because they open into the posterior urethral wall, the development of prostatitis is influenced by the presence of a disease such as urethritis.

In men, acute cystitis (inflammation of the bladder caused by bacteria) is rare. But if it is, then in such cases the prostate suffers, into which pathogenic microflora enters. The introduction of bacteria into the organ occurs much faster if there is concomitant pathology - stones in the urethra, which create an increase in intraurethral pressure.

Sometimes it is possible to develop an inflammatory process due to the penetration of the infection into the bloodstream, as the prostate is supplied with the help of a developed arterial and venous network. This happens when there are foci of chronic inflammation in the body, but they have nothing to do with the prostate. Infections are transmitted by hematogenous routes with sinusitis, tonsillitis, bronchitis, and even caries.

The presence of cholecystitis (gallbladder disease) also causes the development of acute prostatitis. Sometimes lymphogenic transmission of the infection from the intestine is also possible (with proctitis and colitis).

Non-infectious factors in the development of prostatitis - the presence of congestion in the pelvic vessels, irregular sex life and its violations. Involvement of prostatitis is possible in men who practice coitus interruptus.

Factors that provoke the disease are:

  • sedentary lifestyle;
  • digestive disorders (mainly frequent constipation);
  • hypothermia and decreased immunity;
  • flebeurism;
  • excessive alcohol consumption.

Basic formats

There are three forms of the disease:

  1. catarrhal. The ducts of the prostate glands are mostly inflamed, but there are no changes at the macro level. In the ducts themselves processes of integrative epithelial dystrophy are observed, in the stroma there is slight swelling, the vessels are pleural.
  2. Follicular. It is possible both the reverse development of the process and its growth, when the prostate turns into a follicular form, and the inflammatory process already affects the tissues of the prostate gland. The body increases in size, becomes weak. Focal infiltrates appear around the canals.
  3. Parenchymal. The most severe stage of the disease. With it, the inflammatory process affects the entire gland, an abscess is formed. With an unfavorable course of the disease, it can open up, and pus enters the intestines, bladder, and urethra.

Symptoms

Common signs are urinary disorders, pain and manifestations of intoxication - weakness, nausea, vomiting, dizziness and other unpleasant phenomena that cause discomfort.

The remaining symptoms of acute prostatitis correspond to the stages of development of the process:

phase Symptoms
catarrhal The first signs are a feeling of heaviness and pain in the perineum. There are dysuric disorders, ie urinary disorders, its increase, the appearance of pain or pain in the process. Body temperature most often remains normal, sometimes rising slightly. Diagnosis at this stage involves the study of prostate secretion. May indicate an increase in the number of leukocytes, the presence of mucopurulent fibers. Urine analysis shows an increase in leukocytes. At this stage, prostate massage is not prescribed because of the pain. But drug treatment allows you to get rid of the pathology in 7-10 days.
Follicular The symptoms will be more pronounced. This stage is accompanied by dull aching pain that is localized to the perineum but may be given in the anus, rectum or lumbar region. Urination becomes so painful that holding urine is possible.

The act of defecation is difficult, also due to severe pain. Body temperature rises to 38 degrees, general health deteriorates. The patient experiences:

  • weakness;
  • headache;
  • muscle and joint pain;
  • feeling of constant weakness and fatigue
Parenchymal In acute parenchymal prostatitis, the temperature rises to 39 degrees. There is fever or chills. Urination can be rapid, but more often it is difficult, up to a complete cessation, as attempts to empty the bladder are accompanied by severe pain. Bloating occurs, digestion is disturbed, constipation appears. The pain is felt in the rectum. From the pain, they turn into throbbing. A person tries to find a position in which he will not feel pain (most often when lying down with his legs wrapped). In the acute form of prostatitis there is an enlargement and swelling of the prostate gland. There may be a leak from the urethra that is white or greenish yellow

The consequences of acute prostatitis can be sepsis (general blood poisoning), cystitis or pyelonephritis. If the disease develops with such complications, then the patient needs hospitalization. But in mild cases, the pathology can be treated at home.

Treatment

Therapy for acute prostatitis should be comprehensive. Treatment involves eliminating the cause of the disease, namely pathogenic microorganisms. In such cases, antibiotics are used, their combination, as a drug rarely gives the desired effect.

With timely treatment, the symptoms go away quickly, in just a few days. But the doctor prescribes a course for at least 4 weeks to completely cleanse the body of harmful bacteria, to prevent relapses and the passage of the process into a chronic form.

Antibiotics are prescribed only according to the results of tests that revealed the causative agent of the disease and its resistance to certain drugs. Other factors have been considered. For example, drugs from the group of aminoglycosides and beta-lactams do not penetrate well into the tissues of the prostate gland.

Antibiotics from the group of fluoroquinolones and macrolides have a higher penetrating power.

But not only penetrating ability is important, but also the strength of the bactericidal effect. Therefore, macrolides and other agents are sometimes prescribed. The forms of release of such drugs can be different.

Candles are rarely used. In severe cases of the disease, intravenous administration of antibiotics (and in a hospital setting) is indicated. In mild cases, treatment is performed on an outpatient basis, the patient takes pills at home.

To relieve pain, analgesics and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used. They lower the temperature, but sometimes additional antipyretics are prescribed. For more severe pain, short-term opiate use is practiced.

For the treatment of acute prostatitis, an important role is played by drinking plenty of fluids, best of all - cranberry juice or rose juice to rinse the urinary tract, reduce intoxication and prevent the development of cystitisand pyelonephritis. Mild laxatives such as Vaseline oil are used.

For problems with urination, antispasmodics and alpha-blockers may be prescribed.

If there is muscle spasm, take muscle relaxants.

Folk remedies

Treatment of the disease with folk remedies is possible only as an adjunct therapy, which enhances the effect of taking medication.

A popular folk remedy is pumpkin seeds. It has been proven that they contain a lot of zinc, which has an anti-inflammatory effect. To get the right dose of this substance, it is enough to eat 30 g of raw seeds peeled once a day before meals.

You can make a mixture based on pumpkin seeds (only not fried) and honey:

  1. Grind 500 g of raw materials cleaned with a grinder or blender.
  2. Add a glass of not too liquid honey.
  3. Mix well until the consistency is such that the mixture forms into balls the size of a walnut.

The product is stored in the refrigerator. The day you should eat 1-2 of these balls half an hour before the meal. The medicine should be chewed thoroughly and not swallowed immediately.