Prostatitis is an inflammatory disease of the prostate that is often diagnosed in older men. The first or first signs of prostatitis are quite specific, which allows you to timely detect the pathology, undergo a comprehensive examination and begin treatment.
Types of diseases and early signs
There are two forms of the disease: bacterial (infectious) prostatitis and non-bacterial congestive prostatitis. The first signs of the disease directly depend on the nature of the inflammation.
In the first case, the cause of the disease is infection, often the inflammation is caused by the action of bacterial agents which are sexually transmitted. This form of prostatitis is characterized by an ascending or descending route of infection of the prostate - the infection enters either through the urethra or through the kidneys. Symptoms of inflammation are acute, increase rapidly, and fever is often present.
Non-infectious prostatitis is a disease of office workers and men over 50 years of age. The disease develops due to congestion in the pelvic area. The cause of inflammation is a violation of blood microcirculation in the prostate, stagnation of secretions in the organ and a violation of trophism in the tissues of the prostate. Characteristic features of this form of inflammation are a slow increase in symptoms, often latent. If, with the bacterial form of the disease, the deterioration of well-being occurs quickly, non-infectious prostatitis rarely bothers in the early stages, which makes it difficult to diagnose the disease in a timely manner.
Common symptoms of prostatitis
Regardless of the form of the disease, the symptoms of prostatitis in men are as follows:
- pain when urinating;
- discomfort in the anus;
- incomplete emptying of the bladder;
- lowered urinary pressure;
- frequent urge to go to the bathroom at night;
- general malaise;
- weakened erection;
- ejaculation violation;
- pain on ejaculation.
It is impossible to unequivocally answer the question of how exactly the initial stage of prostatitis manifests itself. Each patient has different symptoms early in the development of the disease. This is due to the characteristics of the organism.
In most cases, the first signs of prostatitis are discomfort in the anus and a slight discharge during urination. Such symptoms indicate irritation of the organs.
Often men are faced with weakening of the erection, while other symptoms of the initial form of inflammation may be completely absent. The problem is that patients rarely go to the doctor with a problem with ejaculation disorder or erectile dysfunction. As a rule, such neglect of one's own health over time leads to a progressive form of prostatitis, which is quite difficult to treat.
Pain during urination and the frequent urge to go to the toilet are caused by pressure from an inflamed organ. This leads to narrowing of the lumen of the urethra and incomplete emptying of the bladder. As a rule, obvious problems with urination are noted in the second stage, but not in the first stage of the disease.
Specific symptoms
Specific signs are symptoms characteristic of various forms of inflammation. With the bacterial form of the disease, note:
- increased body temperature;
- discharge from the urethra;
- blood in the urine;
- sharp pain in the scrotum;
- stinging and burning after urinating.
Very often, patients experience severe pain at the end of urination. Often blood is released or a light yellow or purulent discharge is observed. These signs are characteristic of bacterial inflammation, caused, among other things, by diseases transmitted during unprotected sex. The temperature can exceed 38 ° C. There are also symptoms of intoxication of the body, general weakness and loss of strength. Often with bacterial inflammation, the temperature first rises and after a few days specific symptoms appear, such as pain when urinating and frequent urge to urinate.
High temperature is characteristic of the bacterial form of prostatitis.
The first symptoms and manifestations of the non-infectious form of the disease:
- pressure and expansion in the anus;
- decrease in urinary pressure;
- erectile dysfunction;
- Frequent urge to urinate, especially at night.
The temperature in this case rarely rises, there are no symptoms of intoxication. Pain in the perineal area does not develop. At the initial stage of non-infectious prostatitis, there is always discomfort in the anus, which is due to an increase in the size of the inflamed organ.
Since the frequency of the urge to urinate increases at night, patients often complain of insomnia and loss of energy, against this background stress and neurosis can develop.
Nonspecific symptoms which are rare
Prostatitis refers to diseases with specific symptoms, which in most cases are sufficient to order a digital examination of the prostate and make a diagnosis. Nonspecific manifestations of prostatitis are due to clinical cases in which the disease develops against the background of a primary pathology.
So, prostatitis against the background of stones in the prostate is diagnosed quite rarely, but in this case, a characteristic symptom will be blood in the urine and the release of blood droplets from the urethra during urination.
In genital infections, prostatitis may be accompanied by severe pain in the perineum and purulent discharge.
One of the most difficult forms of the disease to diagnose is fungal prostatitis. The disease develops against the background of systemic mycosis or chronic candidiasis balanoposthitis. Characteristic symptoms are inflammation of the glans penis, the formation of a dense white plaque and pain during urination. In addition, pain in the anus and itching of the genitals may be present.
Congestive prostatitis may have a discharge after urination. In this case, light mucous masses, droplets of pus or blood are released. Often times, if there is a discharge, there is no symptom other than discomfort after urination.
When to see a doctor?
It is important to understand that prostatitis in the initial stage can be treated successfully, while the chronic form of pathology requires long-term medication, and treatment in this case lasts for years.
The reason for going to the urologist is:
- urination disorder;
- change in the nature of the erection;
- foreign matter in semen;
- droplets of blood in the urine;
- fullness in the anus.
It is recommended that all men over 40 see a urologist every year. In recent decades, prostatitis has clearly "younger", today the first symptoms and manifestations of the disease are found more and more in men aged 25 to 30 years. The first signs of illness are encountered by office workers, overweight patients and all men leading a sedentary lifestyle.
So, the first thing to do when detecting the initial stage of prostatitis is to undergo a comprehensive examination, which includes:
- examination of the fingers of the organ (prostate massage);
- Ultrasound of the prostate, kidneys and bladder;
- blood test to determine the level of PSA;
- bacterial semen analysis;
- microscopic examination of prostatic secretions.
The stages of the disease can be identified by the photo (ultrasound) of the prostate. Based on these diagnostic methods, the doctor determines at what stage the inflammation is and selects the optimal treatment regimen.
Principle of treatment of prostatitis
When the first signs of prostatitis are detected, the choice of treatment method depends on the form of the disease. As a rule, specific and symptomatic treatment is carried out.
Specific treatments include:
- protectors of the prostate;
- antibiotics;
- alpha blockers;
- restoration agents;
- diet and lifestyle adjustment.
Prostate protectors are drugs that improve the trophism of prostate tissue. Medicines are prescribed for any form of prostatitis, both for therapeutic and prophylactic purposes.
Antibiotics are indicated for bacterial inflammation. They are drunk in a long course - up to a month and a half. In some cases, they can be replaced by drugs from the group of fluoroquinolones. In the treatment of non-infectious prostatitis, anti-inflammatory drugs of the nonsteroidal group are used.
Alpha blockers are drugs that relax the muscles of the bladder and prostate. The purpose of taking drugs in this group is to facilitate the process of urination.
Fortifying agents in the treatment of prostatitis are various herbal, pharmaceutical and traditional preparations. These tools include:
- candles
- with pumpkin extract;
- pumpkin seed oil;
- rectal suppositories with propolis;
- tincture of echinacea;
- herbal preparations;
- tablets.
These funds are used regardless of the form of inflammation at any stage of the disease.
Symptomatic treatment includes an appointment:
- antispasmodics;
- antipyretic drugs; pain relievers
- ;
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs;
- sedatives.
Antispasmodics help relieve urination during the early stages of prostatitis. Antipyretic drugs are indicated when the temperature rises against the background of bacterial inflammation. Pain relievers help relieve pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have both analgesic and anti-inflammatory effects, so they are often prescribed for non-infectious prostatitis. Depending on the doctor's instructions, sedatives may be recommended to the patient. They are prescribed for insomnia and stress, which are caused by discomfort and a frequent urge to go to the bathroom.
Possible complications
Any disease is easier to treat at an early stage and prostatitis is no exception. Timely treatment will not only eliminate discomfort and pain, but also significantly improve the quality of life and sexual activity of a man.
Initiated prostatitis becomes chronic and has a number of complications, including:
- acute stagnation of urine; kidney infection
- ;
- infertility;
- helplessness.
The chronic form of the disease requires constant medication to normalize human well-being. Often, drug therapy becomes ineffective over the years, then the only method of normalizing the patient's condition is surgery - partial or complete removal of the organ.
The initial stage of prostatitis lasts about three to four years. Then the disease becomes chronic. Knowing the first signs of prostatitis in men and the treatment of the initial stage of the disease, you need to consult a specialist as soon as possible. Prostatitis is not a disease diagnosed from a photo, since the disease has no visible manifestations. In order to notice the first symptoms in a timely manner, you need to listen to your own health.