Chronic prostatitis: symptoms, prevention and treatment

Chronic prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland that affects men of all ages.In most cases, it occurs as a result of the effect of sexually transmitted infections and opportunistic microflora on the prostate gland.Although inflammation of the gland itself is not scary, if there is no effective treatment, it can cause urinary disorders, pain, male infertility and impotence.Also, the development of chronic prostatitis often contributes to a sedentary lifestyle and lack of regular sex.

What role does the prostate gland play in the body?

The chestnut-shaped prostate gland is located below the bladder.It prevents seminal fluid from entering it, and also produces prostatic secretion, which is an important component of sperm.

Causes of chronic prostatitis

The most common cause of chronic inflammation of the prostate is infections and sexually transmitted pathogens.For example, Trichomonas.A sedentary lifestyle also contributes to the development of this type of prostatitis.But prostatitis itself is not as scary as the fact that this disease is a trigger for the occurrence of more serious diseases - male infertility, adenoma of the prostate gland.

Causes of the disease include:

• frequent hypothermia;
• low immunity;
• hormonal disorders;
• a person has bad habits;
• damage to the pelvic organs;
• sedentary lifestyle.

The causes of chronic prostatitis are divided into two types:

1. Infections.They enter the body in different ways - through the urethra, through the flow of blood or lymph from the sites of infection or from inflamed organs in the body.
2. Poor blood circulation in the prostate glandor stagnation of its secretion occurs in the following cases:
   • abstinence from sexual intercourse for a long time;
   • frequent interrupted sexual intercourse or unfulfilled excitement;
   • defective ejaculation.

Stress and alcoholism can also cause chronic prostatitis in men.Exacerbation is often observed after hypothermia, various infectious diseases, errors in diet (very spicy food, alcohol).

Symptoms of chronic prostatitis

The most common symptoms:

• discomfort or pain in the groin and suprapubic regions, perineum, scrotum, rectum, lumbosacral region;
• frequent and painful urge to urinate;
• pain in the lower abdomen (constant or during urination);
• intermittent or slow flow of urine;
• decrease in the duration of sexual intercourse, deterioration of erection, decrease in libido, premature ejaculation;
• periodic / permanent absence of morning erection (spontaneous);
• after ejaculation, the pain in the head of the penis disappears by itself within half an hour.

Many men do not pay attention to the symptoms of chronic prostatitis, believing that the disease will pass by itself.However, it progresses, causing various complications: pyelonephritis, cystitis, vesiculitis.Over time, infertility and impotence develop against the background of inflammation of the prostate gland.

Diagnosis of the disease

To make an accurate diagnosis, it is necessary to undergo laboratory and instrumental examination.This includes:

• general urinalysis,
• general blood test,
• examination of prostate secretion,
• bacteriological examination of prostate secretion to determine microflora by determining sensitivity to antibacterial drugs;
• Blood test for PSA (prostate-specific antigen),
• Ultrasound of the pelvic organs and prostate gland,
• digital examination of the prostate.

Complications that can be caused by chronic prostatitis

This disease causes many accompanying diseases that seriously complicate a person's life:

• Urinary tract disorders: frequent urination during the day and at night, weak urine flow, feeling of complete emptying of the bladder.
• Vesiculitis, colliculitis - inflammation of seminal vesicles and seminal tuberculosis.
• Gland abscess is a serious pathology that requires hospitalization and often surgical intervention.
• Sclerosis of the prostate gland - develops with long-term prostatitis and requires surgical treatment.
• Cysts and eventually prostate stones.
• Impotence, infertility.

Treatment of chronic prostatitis

Treatment of this disease should be carried out only under the constant supervision of a doctor.One of the best and most effective modern drugs used in the treatment of chronic prostatitis is made from an extract of prostate tissue.Its use gives quick results and relieves symptoms.

Since the therapy is complex, other drugs should also be used:

• antibacterial,
• alpha blockers,
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

There is no universal treatment.Therefore, doctors can recommend antibacterial drugs of different groups.Cephalosporins, protected penicillins, fluoroquinolones, nitrofurans and tetracyclines, etc.All affect the cause of the disease - bacterial infection.

Alpha-blockers are drugs for chronic prostatitis, designed to relax the muscles of the prostatic urethra and bladder neck, relieving spasm and facilitating the flow of urine.In fact, they do not cure, but relieve the painful symptoms of inflammation.

Among anti-inflammatory drugs, urologists recommend drugs that reduce inflammation and relieve pain.

Medicine	Benefits	Disadvantages	Recommendations for use
Fluoroquinolones	Perfectly penetrates the prostate tissue. Good bioavailability. Equivalence of oral and parenteral pharmacokinetics. Good activity against typical and atypical pathogens.	Cross allergies. Phototoxicity. Effects on the central nervous system.	Recommended for use.
Diaminopyrimidines	It penetrates the prostate tissue well. Dosing selection is not required. Good antimicrobial activity.	Negative against Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Enterobacteriaceae.	Second line drugs.
Macrolides	Moderate activity against gram-positive bacteria. Activity against atypical pathogens. It penetrates the prostate tissue well. Low toxicity.	Insufficient activity against gram-negative bacteria.	It is used for specific pathogens.
Tetracyclines	Good activity against atypical pathogens.	It is ineffective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Insufficient activity against staphylococci, Escherichia coli.	It is used for specific pathogens.

Effective treatment of chronic prostatitis

Medicines with a large evidence base include those containing bovine prostate tissue extract.Most often - in the form of suppositories or ampoules.The drug is effective in the treatment of both acute and chronic forms of the disease.This drug is available in the form of suppositories (rectal suppositories) and ampoules (needle), the effect of the drug is aimed at strengthening the walls of blood vessels and improving blood circulation at the micro level.

The effect of using the drug for chronic prostatitis:

• Elimination of dysuric disorders and normalization of the urinary process.
• Improving the functional state of the prostate gland.
• Reducing congestion, reducing swelling of the prostate gland.
• Reducing severe symptoms of chronic prostatitis.
• Normalization of complete blood circulation in the pelvic area reduces the possibility of blood clots in blood vessels.
• A decrease in the concentration of leukocytes infiltrating the prostate tissue.

Methods of treatment of chronic prostatitis

In most cases, chronic disease is successfully treated with conservative methods.But it should be remembered that therapy will give quick positive results only with an integrated approach.It is recommended to reconsider the lifestyle that caused the disease, otherwise there is a possibility of relapse.Abuse of alcoholic beverages, unbalanced diet, sedentary lifestyle and promiscuous sexual relations are extremely harmful to the male reproductive system.

Treatment procedures:

• Prostate massage, performed manually through the anus.It should be noted that the procedure is not very pleasant, but the effectiveness is very high.
• Physiotherapy procedures.Treatment of chronic prostatitis with thermal physiotherapy gives good results by improving microcirculation and absorption of drugs into tissues.Physiotherapy procedures include ultrasonic heating and irrigation with an antibacterial solution using enemas.
• Balneotherapy.In many sanatoriums, this disease is successfully treated with balneotherapy methods, that is, with the help of mineral waters.For the treatment of patients with prostatitis, low-mineralized water is usually prescribed both internally and in the form of a bath.
• Diet therapy.At the first signs of prostatitis, you should start following a special diet.First of all, you should avoid alcoholic beverages, because ethyl alcohol irritates the prostate ducts, increases pain and inflammation.In order to prevent the formation of cholesterol plaques and further deterioration of blood circulation, it is also necessary to limit the intake of fatty meats.Legumes, mushrooms, offal, salty and spicy foods, tea and coffee, carbonated drinks, bakery products are prohibited.

For chronic prostatitis, the diet should consist of foods rich in zinc (this is found in seafood and pumpkin seeds).It is recommended to eat as many vegetables as possible (except those that contribute to the formation of gas, for example, cauliflower), dairy products, grains and dried fruits.

Preventive measures

Chronic prostatitis usually does not develop if a man leads a healthy lifestyle: his diet, exercise, etc.follows.Prevention of prostatitis is facilitated by giving up bad habits and casual sex.

The task of preventing the recurrence (flare-up) of existing chronic prostatitis is primary, preventive and secondary, aimed at preventing the occurrence of the disease.

Primary preventionIt refers to regular sexual intercourse, balanced nutrition, physical activity regime, timely and complete treatment of any infectious (purulent) diseases of the body, and timely sanitization of the oral cavity.

Secondary preventionprovides regular examination by a urologist and preventive treatment - multivitamins, restorative drugs, exercise.

Howmedicine for preventionprostate diseases, suppositories can be used.