How to determine prostatitis in men?Characteristics, signs, diagnosis and treatment

Prostatitis is a common disease that often affects men of different age categories.Inflammation of the prostate brings many inconveniences to a person's life, and if left untreated, it inevitably leads to the development of dangerous complications.Of course, many people are looking for more information about the condition.

Why does inflammation develop?How to determine prostatitis in a man and can you do it yourself?What treatment methods does modern medicine offer?How dangerous is prostate cancer?

General information about the disease

What are the causes of prostatitis in men?Signs and symptoms, complications and treatment are important things to learn.But first we should consider some general information.

Prostatitis is a disease accompanied by inflammation of the prostate tissue.As you know, this is a small unpaired organ located below the bladder - it actually covers the urinary canal.The prostate produces a secretion that is part of semen.

Statistics show that the disease most often affects people aged 25 to 50.Approximately 50 to 85% of patients aged 50 and over have suffered from some form of prostate inflammation at least once in their life.

As you can see, this is a very common disease.This is why men seek additional information.How do you know if you have prostatitis?What symptoms should you watch out for?Are there effective treatments?

Causes of the development of prostatitis.Predisposing factors

Many men are interested in questions about the first signs of prostatitis.Symptoms and treatment, possible complications and diagnostic features are very important information.But first it is worth considering the reasons for the development of the inflammatory process.

The cause of the inflammatory process is the activity of pathogenic microorganisms.The infection can be specific.For example, prostatitis is a consequence of a sexually transmitted disease.If we talk about nonspecific inflammation, the cause is the activity of staphylococci, streptococci and E.coli.Sometimes prostatitis develops against the background of herpes.Of course, there are risk factors whose impact can trigger the initiation of the inflammatory process.

• To begin with, it should be noted that the disease can develop against the background of other infectious diseases, including colds.
• Risk factors include an irregular sex life.For example, promiscuity increases the risk of infection in the body.Long-term abstinence is also harmful.Ideally, sex life should be regular, preferably with the same partner.
• Prostatitis often develops against the background of stagnant processes in the pelvic region.Risk factors include sedentary work and a sedentary lifestyle.
• Hypothermia (both general and local) can also trigger the development of the inflammatory process.
• Risk factors include chronic constipation and other digestive tract disorders.
• The inflammatory process can be the result of urethral reflux, which is accompanied by backflow of urine and its backflow into the genital canals.This disorder is often associated with inflammatory diseases of the urethra or poor bladder catheterization.
• Changes in hormonal levels are also potentially dangerous, especially when it comes to a decrease in the level of male sex hormones.This is why middle-aged and older men are more likely to suffer from prostatitis.
• Risk factors include constant stress and nervous tension, dietary errors (especially excess spicy food) and alcohol abuse.If there are prerequisites, these factors can provoke the development of an inflammatory process or exacerbation of chronic prostatitis.

The doctor should not only know how to determine prostatitis in men.It is very important to find out what exactly triggered the development of the disease.

Prostatitis in men: how to recognize it?Description of the main symptoms

We already know the main reasons for the development of the inflammatory process.But many men are interested in how to determine prostatitis on their own.In fact, this is impossible, because tests and examinations are necessary to confirm the diagnosis.But we can suspect the disease by noticing very characteristic signs.

• How does prostatitis manifest in men?Symptoms of the disease include various urinary disorders.Patients complain of increased urge.At the same time, the daily volume of urine does not increase.The urge appears even before the bladder is full.
• An enlarged prostate puts pressure on the urinary canal, weakening and often interrupting the flow of urine.Sometimes, to have a bowel movement, a man must make an effort and contract his abdominal muscles.
• The urge to urinate also becomes more frequent at night: a man sometimes wakes up several times (or even dozens of times) during the night, which affects the quality of rest.
• Often the process of urination is accompanied by unpleasant sensations and sometimes severe cutting pain.
• If we talk about acute inflammation (especially if it is accompanied by the accumulation of purulent masses), the body temperature can reach 37-39 degrees.
• Patients complain of pain in the perineum, which intensifies during physical activity, sexual intercourse and defecation.Sometimes the pain is very severe, almost unbearable.
• Sometimes urine contains blood.This is a dangerous symptom that should not be ignored.Hematuria may indicate the rupture of an abscess, the development of urolithiasis or a malignant form of hyperplasia.
• Erection problems also appear, although this does not occur in all cases (especially when it is an acute form of the inflammatory process).

These are the main signs of prostatitis in men.They should in no case be ignored - be sure to consult a doctor as soon as the first symptoms appear.

Characteristics of chronic inflammation

You already know the main signs of prostatitis in men (how to tell if a person has the disease will be discussed below).Statistics show that the acute form of the disease, in the absence of timely treatment, sometimes develops into chronic prostatitis.Sometimes the chronic form of inflammation is primary - its early stages are manifested by hidden symptoms.In most cases, this type of disease is the result of stagnant processes in the pelvic region.

The symptoms of the disease remain the same.Patients complain of pain in the perineum and problems with urination.Sometimes there is discharge from the urethra during bowel movements.Men often experience problems in their sex life - it is possible to develop erectile dysfunction, the appearance of unpleasant sensations during sex and during ejaculation.Sometimes chronic prostatitis leads to complete impotence.This form of the disease is much more difficult to diagnose and treat.

What complications can the disease cause?

You already know what symptoms you should pay attention to and how to identify the disease.Prostatitis is a dangerous disease that should in no case be ignored.There is a possibility of very dangerous complications.

An acute inflammatory process is often accompanied by suppuration of the gland and the formation of an abscess.An enlarged prostate compresses the urinary canal, which can lead to acute urinary retention.In addition, the abscess may open on its own, leading to the appearance of purulent masses penetrating the urinary system or intestines.

Chronic prostatitis is no less dangerous, as it leads to the gradual replacement of glandular tissues with connective tissue, the formation of scars and stones.Chronic inflammation affects potency and causes erection problems.In addition, the affected gland cannot produce high-quality secretion to support the vital activity of sperm, which leads to problems with conception and sometimes infertility.

How to identify prostatitis in men?List of diagnostic measurements

If you observe the above symptoms, you should consult a specialist.How to diagnose prostatitis?In this case, various procedures are widely used.

• To begin with, the doctor collects information about the symptoms that bother patients, the presence of certain diseases and lifestyle.
• The gland itself should be examined.How is a prostate test performed in men?Palpation is carried out rectally.During the procedure, the doctor may notice an enlargement of the prostate and a change in its structure.If we talk about an inflammatory process, palpation is often accompanied by very unpleasant and painful sensations.
• During a digital rectal exam, samples of prostate secretions are often taken for analysis.If it contains bacterial microorganisms and the acidity of the environment is increased, this indicates the presence of an inflammatory process and the activation of one or another infection.
• A urethral smear is mandatory.This procedure is unpleasant but very informative.Samples are sent for PCR diagnosis and bacterial culture.The study helps detect and identify infectious diseases, including sexually transmitted diseases.
• A general urine and blood test is taken to confirm the presence of an inflammatory process in the body.
• The diagnostic scheme also includes cystoscopy.Using special equipment, the doctor examines the urethral canal and bladder from the inside.This makes it possible to detect certain diseases of the urinary system.
• Urinary flowmetry is also mandatory.The procedure allows you to determine the speed of urine flow.This is important when diagnosing prostatitis and hyperplasia.
• How to determine prostatitis in men?Prostate ultrasound is mandatory.This is a simple, accessible and painless procedure that allows you to examine the gland, determine its size and shape, detect existing stones, etc.
• Sometimes (if an accurate diagnosis cannot be made), the patient is sent for magnetic resonance imaging.

Drug treatment

You already know how to determine prostatitis in men.After a thorough diagnosis, the doctor will definitely draw up a treatment regimen - it is individual in each case, since it depends on the cause of the development of the disease, the features of the course, etc.

Hospitalization is only indicated in cases of severe poisoning and suspicion of abscess formation.In all other cases, treatment is carried out on an outpatient basis.

Since the inflammatory process is associated with the activity of bacterial microorganisms, antibiotics should be included in the treatment regimen.Symptomatic treatment is also carried out - patients are prescribed anti-inflammatory drugs, pain relievers and antipyretics.If there is an abscess, a procedure is performed to open it.

You already know what the main symptoms of prostatitis in men are.And the first signs are a good reason to immediately consult a doctor.The fact is that the acute form of inflammation very quickly becomes chronic.The symptoms become less pronounced, but irreversible changes occur in the tissues of the gland, which can no longer be corrected.

Physiotherapeutic procedures

Physiotherapy is necessary for the chronic form of the disease - this is the only way to stop the disease.Naturally, patients take antibacterial drugs and the treatments are quite long (sometimes 2 to 3 months).

Prostate massage is mandatory (it is contraindicated in periods of acute inflammation).During the procedure, it is possible to normalize the outflow of prostate secretions and improve blood microcirculation (and, as a result, tissue nutrition).

Patients are sent for laser and ultrasound therapy sessions.Sometimes warm microenemas with special medicinal solutions are performed.The treatment regimen also includes immunomodulatory drugs.

Diet for prostatitis

You already know the symptoms and treatment of prostatitis.Signs in men may vary, as may treatment regimens.But in all cases, the treatment must be supplemented by a suitable diet.

• The basis of the diet should be vegetables and fruits, salads seasoned with olive oil, nuts and dried fruits.
• It is allowed to consume soups, broths, lean meats and fish, but only boiled or baked.Various cereals will be useful.
• But you will have to give up fatty meat, eggs, flour products and butter for a while.The fact is that regular consumption of such products increases the level of cholesterol, which is deposited on the walls of blood vessels, thereby impairing blood circulation in the prostate.
• Spicy foods and spices, pickles, canned foods, semi-finished products, overly salty foods and smoked foods are contraindicated.These foods irritate the intestinal walls and retain water in the body.
• You must give up alcoholic drinks.It is important to drink enough fluids.Fresh fruit juices will be beneficial.But in the evening, the amount of water consumed should be limited - this will reduce the number of night trips to the toilet.

Okay, this diet does not provide for too strict dietary restrictions.But by following such a diet, you can actually speed up the healing process, improve the functioning of the digestive tract and strengthen the immune system.

Prostatitis and sexual activity

You already know how to tell if a man has prostatitis.But many patients are interested in the question of whether it is possible to maintain sexual activity during treatment.

It should immediately be noted that regular sex life directly affects the condition and functioning of the prostate.Too frequent and promiscuous relationships as well as periods of prolonged abstinence are potentially dangerous.

But if the inflammatory process is already underway, then you should abandon sexual activity for a while.Of course, prostatitis is a purely male disease and in most cases is associated with the activity of non-specific microorganisms and therefore cannot be transmitted during sexual intercourse.However, a man's sperm contains various products of the inflammatory process that negatively affect the functioning of the organs of the female reproductive system.It is better to wait for a complete recovery and only then start having sex again.

Prevention: how to prevent the development of the disease?

We have already understood the information about the functions performed by the prostate in men, how can we find out if the organ is inflamed?If the disease is not diagnosed in time and treatment is started too late, this can lead to the development of a large number of unpleasant complications.That is why it is much easier to try to prevent the development of the disease.

There is no medication that would protect the prostate from inflammation.However, following certain recommendations will significantly reduce the risk of developing the disease.

• Doctors recommend carefully monitoring personal hygiene and avoiding wearing too tight synthetic underwear.
• Remember that prostatitis can be caused by sexually transmitted infections.Therefore, you should give up promiscuity and use condoms.
• Nutrition also plays an important role.In addition to food, the body must receive a sufficient amount of nutrients, fiber, minerals and vitamins.
• Physical activity (gym classes, active leisure, daily jogging or walking) prevents stagnation of blood in the pelvic organs, which also reduces the risk of developing an inflammatory process.
• Doctors recommend giving up alcohol, tobacco and other bad habits.
• It is very important to strengthen the immune system.Hardening and preventive intake of vitamin complexes will contribute to this.
• It's worth reducing your overall stress level and learning how to cope with adverse situations.Remember that nervous tension directly affects hormonal levels and often leads to a decrease in the activity of the immune system and the development of certain diseases.

Men over 40 should have an annual examination - only this can guarantee a timely diagnosis of prostatitis.How to identify a disease, how to draw up a treatment regimen, how to prevent the development of complications - only a doctor knows.You should not ignore the problem, let alone try to solve it yourself.