Prostatitis is an inflammatory process in the tissues of the prostate.Today, about 30% of men suffer from prostatitis after the age of 30, and this percentage increases with age.This disease is much easier to prevent than to cure, so it is important to know the causes of prostatitis, the symptoms of its acute and chronic form, and ways to prevent complications such as adenoma and prostate cancer.
Main causes of prostatitis
The clinical picture of prostatitis indicates a wide range of symptoms related to the body's systemic response to the inflammatory process.The most common and important are problems with urination and disorders of sexual life.The degree of manifestation of the symptoms of prostatitis is multifactorial, that is, it depends on many factors: the individual characteristics of the man's body, the state of the prostate and the presence of accompanying pathologies, the lifestyle followed by the man, smoking, alcohol abuse and the activity of the immune system.
Experts distinguish two main types of diseases, on which further treatment will depend:
- Infectious.Inflammation is related to the pathogenic action of microorganisms.
- Stationary.Inflammation is associated with blood stagnation, hypoxia (lack of oxygen) and the manifestation against the background of ischemia and alteration (damage) and remodeling of the gland, replacement of functionally active connective tissue.
Often one form of the disease passes into another.The infectious process affects the blood vessels and disrupts the local circulation, causing stagnation.On the other hand, initial stagnation reduces the ability of the immune system to locally fight the developing infection, as it reduces the rate of blood transport of immune-competent cells to the lesion.Prostatitis occurs in acute and chronic forms.More often, specialists deal with the first - its symptoms are quite characteristic, so the process can be slowed down and further development can be completely avoided.
If the disease is not treated properly, it can become static and then chronic.At the time of exacerbation of prostatitis, a man experiences a general deterioration of his health, pain appears in the lower back, in the groin, the urination process is disturbed, and the body temperature rises.
Spicy
An acute pathological process, unlike a chronic one, manifests itself suddenly and has clear clinical symptoms that force a man to see a doctor.The body temperature rises to 39 degrees, the man feels severe pain in the lumbar region.The highest incidence occurs between the ages of 30 and 40.
The cause of the pathological process is infectious foci that may be located in distant organs.The causative agent of the disease can enter the prostate gland either ascending from the rectum or through the urethra, or descending hematogenously (via blood) and lymphogenously (via lymph).
The type of pathogen directly affects the treatment performed:
| Pathogenic | Frequency of occurrence | Gram stain (required for selection of antibiotic therapy) |
|---|---|---|
| Escherichia coli | Often | GR- |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) | Often | GR- |
| Klebsiella spp. | Often | GR- |
| Enterococcus faecalis | Often | GR+ |
| Proteus (Proteus mirabilis) | Often | GR- |
| Serratia marcescens | Rarely | GR- |
| Chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis) | Often | GR- |
| Staphylococci (Staphylococci spp) | Rarely | GR+ |
| Enterobacteriaceae | Rarely | GR- |
| Ureaplasma (Ureaplasma urealyticum) | Rarely | GR- |
| Gonococci (Neisseria gonorrhoeae) | Rarely | GR- |
| Mycoplasma (Mycoplasma hominis) | Rarely | Mollicutes |
| Candida (Candida spp) | Rarely | Mushrooms |
| Trichomonas | Rarely | Protozoa |
Prostatitis can be caused by:
- intestinal and urological infections.
- infectious diseases of the genital area.
- diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract.
Often the cause of inflammatory lesions of the internal organs is caries.
The ascending route of infection for bacteria, fungi and protozoa is when they enter the prostate tissue from the urethra and rectum.Most often, the damage is associated with urinary infections, such as:
- urethritis (inflammation of the urethra).
- cystitis (inflammation of the bladder).
- pyelonephritis (inflammation of the renal pelvis).
Sexually transmitted diseases often become the main cause of inflammation in the prostate gland, with gonorrhea being the most common.The formed pathological focus, located in close proximity to the prostate, easily spreads to the prostate tissue.To prevent such diseases, it is important to practice protected sex.
The downward path of spread of the pathogen consists of its penetration from the primary focus to the prostate lymphogenously and hematogenously.The source of infection can be a pathological process in the throat (sore throat), in the upper and lower respiratory tract (bronchitis, flu) or in the oral cavity (caries).
Disseminated or hematogenous tuberculosis.The first symptoms appear 2-3 weeks after the underlying disease.Taking an epidemiological history is an important component of the diagnosis.
Immune status plays an important role in the incidence of prostatitis.Not all men exposed to infectious diseases develop prostatitis.If the immune system suppresses the growth of a pathogenic microorganism, then the process in the tissue of the gland stops without the appearance of pathology.On the other hand, weakened immunity leads to complications.The prostate gland is a vulnerable organ located near potential entry points for infection, so it is the first to be adversely affected by microbes.
Years
A chronic process develops if acute prostatitis has not been treated.The symptoms of this form of pathology are less intense, the general condition is satisfactory, the temperature is normal.That is why men do not consider such a pathological process dangerous and postpone going to the doctor.
Like any chronic disease, prostatitis occurs in stages of remission and exacerbation.In a chronic course, the inflammation of the prostate tissue is subdued and therefore the symptoms may not be fully manifested.They will only intensify at the time of flare-up.
A chronic pathological process causes deterioration of the innervation of the organ, which leads to disorders of the trophic (nutrition) of the organ, which negatively affects its function.It is also possible to develop an autoimmune reaction.A person's immune system produces antibodies against prostate cells.In this case, the inflammation will persist even after the pathogenic microorganism is completely rejected.
Stagnation
Non-infectious inflammation of the prostate occurs due to congestion in the pelvis.The disease develops progressively and over time the intensity of the symptomatic complex increases.This form of prostatitis is the most common today.
The main reason is bicyclic phenomena, which lead to the fact that blood does not flow from the pelvic area, so all the organs located in this area do not receive sufficient nutrition and sufficient oxygenation.The outflow of secretions is disturbed and degeneration of the muscles of the pelvic diaphragm occurs.The most important reason for stagnation is an inactive lifestyle.The injuries he suffered also contribute to the stagnation.Diabetes mellitus, through macro- and microangiopathy, can reduce blood flow to the pelvic organs.
Causes of congestive inflammation of the prostate:
| Causative factor | Pathogenicity |
|---|---|
| Low level of physical activity | Experts consider it to be the most common cause of congestive prostatitis.This is facilitated by the increasing impact of technological progress on human life: escalators, elevators, cars.Low physical activity leads to a failure of the muscle pump mechanism, which helps blood flow through the organs.Prevention is exercise, sports, walking |
| Poor diet | It negatively affects all body systems and mainly the regulation of the vascular system due to local and systemic factors |
| Excess weight | Obesity is one of the components of the metabolic syndrome, which also includes hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus.One component has a beneficial effect on the growth potential of the others, all of which lead to vascular insufficiency and stagnation |
| Constipation | The increase in the volume of the rectum leads to compression of the veins and interruption of outflow |
| Sedentary lifestyle (common among drivers and office workers) | Sitting in a chair, a person does not change his position for a long time.As a result, compression of individual venous vessels and local congestion occurs.Prevention is a change in the sitting position and periodic exercise, walks |
| Irregular sex life | It leads to stagnation not only of blood, but also of prostate secretion.As a result of metabolic processes, the secretion can turn into a poison and cause a systemic toxic effect.Excessive sexual activity is also harmful for a man, as it leads to exhaustion of the nervous and hormonal system, loss of nutrients, hyperactivity of the gland and depletion of its regenerative properties. |
| Frequent retention of the urge to urinate | The prostate is an additional sphincter in the male body.Its hyperintensity leads to an increase in the volume of muscle tissue and a decrease in the volume of glandular tissue.In addition, an enlarged bladder puts pressure on the veins, reducing outflow |
| Smoking and alcohol abuse | Smoking and alcohol lead to dysregulation of vascular tone |
| Injury to the lumbar region | Trauma often damages the prostate gland itself or important neurovascular bundles.This will disrupt the trophism of the gland and reduce blood flow |
| Excessive nervous tension, stress and depression | It leads to exhaustion of the nervous regulation of vascular tone.Hormonal imbalance develops, which leads to gland dysregulation (prostate adenoma development) and systemic blood circulation |
| Characteristics of the development and structure of the organs of the genitourinary system | It can make the gland more likely to become infected or remodel |
All these reasons have a devastating effect on the circulatory system, both local and general.
If a man feels that he has problems with urination, begins to go to the toilet more often, is bothered by pain in the lower back and groin when urinating, then he should consult a urologist.
Effect of age
Experts believe that prostatitis is a disease that manifests itself more often in old age, but recently the percentage of young people with this pathology is increasing.According to unofficial statistics, based on the comparison of data on diagnostic cases and surveys, about 16% of men aged 20 to 40 are officially diagnosed with chronic prostatitis.
Taking as a basis the indicators of men from 20 to 39 years old, experts conclude that the statistical incidence of prostatitis in the age range from 40 to 49 years is 1.7 times higher, and in people over 55 years old - 3.1 times higher.However, the statistics only take into account identified patients.However, official statistics have a noticeable error, and the methods for diagnosing prostatitis are not sufficiently developed.
Diagnosis and treatment
The treatment method directly depends on the cause of the disease, so the most important point is the diagnosis, which includes:
- Collection of life history and epidemiological history.
- Ultrasound.
- Digital rectal examination.
- Bacteriology of prostatic secretion.
- PSA level - analysis (necessary to rule out prostate adenoma and prostate cancer).
- Urine tests.
- General and biochemical blood test.
Treatment of prostatitis is effective with a combination of the following methods:
- Pharmacological treatment.Medicines are chosen, as a rule, comprehensively.
- Medical massage.
- Physiotherapy.Pharmaceutical electrophoresis, Darsonvalization, UHF therapy, etc.
- Fitness and active lifestyle.
- Folk remedies.The use of various herbal preparations sold in pharmacies.
You should not prescribe pills yourself or practice traditional medicine without consulting a specialist.Many of the drugs and herbs for the treatment of prostatitis are systemic in nature and are contraindicated in some patients.
Do not forget about prevention, which includes eliminating harmful factors and leading an active lifestyle.