What is acute prostatitis in men

pain in a man with acute prostatitis

Acute prostatitis is an inflammatory disease, usually of an infectious nature, which is accompanied by swelling and the formation of ulcers in the tissues of the organ of the same name. It was once thought that they mainly affected older men, but studies show that the pathology has noticeably "rejuvenated". And now prostatitis occurs in middle-aged patients.

In the treatment it is permissible to use not only drugs, 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 valid age, that is, from 30 to 50 years old. This inflammation causes:

  • erectile dysfunction;
  • infertility;
  • depression.

The causative agent 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 conditionally pathogenic microflora - Candida fungi (Candida).

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

In men, acute cystitis (inflammation of the bladder caused by bacteria) is rare. But if so, then in such cases the prostate suffers, into which the pathogenic microflora enters. The introduction of bacteria into the organ occurs much faster if there are concomitant pathologies - 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 infection through the bloodstream, since 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 way with sinusitis, tonsillitis, bronchitis, even caries.

The presence of cholecystitis (gallbladder disease) also provokes the development of acute prostatitis. Sometimes lymphogenous transmission of 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 vessels of the pelvis, irregular sex life and its violations. In particular, prostatitis is possible in men who practice coitus interruptus.

The factors that provoke the disease are:

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

Basic forms

There are three forms of the disease:

  1. catarrhal. The prostate gland ducts are mostly inflamed, but there are no macro-level changes. In the ducts themselves, processes of dystrophy of the integumentary epithelium are observed, in the stroma there is a slight swelling, the vessels are bloated.
  2. Follicular. It is possible both the reverse development of the process and its increase, when prostatitis turns into a follicular form, and the inflammatory process already affects the tissues of the prostate. The body swells, becomes flabby. Focal infiltrates appear around the ducts.
  3. Parenchymatous. 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, and pus enters the intestines, bladder and urethra.

Symptoms

Common signs are urination 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:

Arrange Symptoms
catarrhal The first signs are a feeling of heaviness and pain in the perineum. There are dysuric disorders, that is, disorders of urination, its increase, the appearance of pain or pain in the process. Body temperature most often remains normal, sometimes rises slightly. Diagnosis at this stage involves the study of prostatic secretion. It may show an increase in the number of leukocytes, the presence of mucopurulent threads. Urinalysis shows an increase in leukocytes. At this time, prostate massage is not prescribed due to pain. But drug treatment allows you to get rid of pathology in 7-10 days.
Follicular Symptoms will be more pronounced. This stage is accompanied by dull, aching pains that are localized in the perineum, but can be transmitted to the anus, rectum or lumbar region. Urination becomes so painful that urinary retention is possible.

The act of defecation is difficult, also because of severe pain. The body temperature rises to 38 degrees, the general state of health deteriorates. The patient feels:

  • weakness;
  • headache;
  • muscle and joint pain;
  • constant feeling of weakness and fatigue
parenchymal In acute parenchymal prostatitis, the temperature rises to 39 degrees. There is a fever or chills. Urination can be rapid, but more often it is difficult, until a complete stop, since attempts to empty the bladder are accompanied by severe pain. Flatulence appears, digestion is disturbed, constipation occurs. The pain is felt in the rectum. From painful, they turn into pulsations. A person tries to find a position in which he will not feel pain (most often when lying down with his legs bent). In the acute form of prostatitis, there is an increase and swelling of the prostate. There may be white or yellowish-green discharge from the urethra

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

Treatment

Treatment of acute prostatitis should be comprehensive. Treatment consists in eliminating the cause of the disease, that is, pathogenic microorganisms. In such cases, antibiotics are used, their combination, since one drug rarely gives the desired effect.

With prompt treatment, symptoms disappear quickly, in just a few days. But the doctor prescribes a course of at least 4 weeks in order to completely cleanse the body of harmful bacteria, prevent relapses and the transition of the process to a chronic form.

Antibiotics are prescribed only based on the results of tests that revealed the causative agent of the disease and its resistance to certain drugs. Other factors are also taken into account. For example, drugs from the group of aminoglycosides and beta-lactams do not penetrate well into the tissues of the prostate.

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

But not only the 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 these drugs can be different.

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

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

For the treatment of acute prostatitis, an important role is played by drinking plenty of fluids, best of all - cranberry juice or rosehip broth to flush the urinary tract, reduce intoxication and prevent the development ofcystitis and pyelonephritis. Mild laxatives like petroleum jelly are used.

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

If there are muscle spasms, take muscle relaxants.

Folk remedies

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

A popular folk remedy is pumpkin seeds. They have been proven to 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 peeled seeds once a day before meals.

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

  1. Twist 500 g of purified raw materials with a meat grinder or blender.
  2. Add a glass of not too runny honey.
  3. Mix well until the consistency is such that the mixture can be molded into walnut-sized balls.

The product is stored in the refrigerator. On the day you need to eat 1-2 such balls half an hour before meals. The drug should be chewed well and not swallowed immediately.