Prostatitis is an inflammatory process in the tissues of the prostate.Today, about 30% of men suffer from prostatitis after age 30 and this number increases with age.This disease is much easier to prevent than to treat, so it is important to know the causes of prostatitis, the symptoms of acute and chronic forms, and how to prevent complications such as adenoma and prostate cancer.
Main cause of prostatitis
The clinical picture of prostatitis covers a wide range of symptoms associated with the body's systemic reaction to the inflammatory process.The most common and important are urination problems and sexual life disorders.The degree of manifestation of prostatitis symptoms is multifactorial, that is, it depends on many factors: individual characteristics of the man's body, the condition of the prostate and the presence of accompanying pathologies, the man's lifestyle, smoking, alcohol abuse and the activity of the immune system.
Experts distinguish two main types of diseases, further treatment will depend on:
- Infectious.Inflammation is associated with pathogenic activity of microorganisms.
- Stagnation.Inflammation is associated with blood stasis, hypoxia (hypoxia) and manifests against ischemia and alteration (damage) and remodeling of the gland, replacing functionally active connective tissue.
Often one form of the disease turns into another.The infection process affects blood vessels and disrupts local circulation, causing stagnation;On the other hand, initial stagnation reduces the ability of the immune system to fight locally developing infection, because it reduces the rate of blood transport of immune competent cells to the lesion.Prostatitis occurs in acute and chronic forms.Most often, specialists encounter the first case - its symptoms are quite characteristic, so the process can be slowed down and further development can be completely prevented.
If the disease is not treated properly, the disease can enter a stable state and then become chronic.By the time prostatitis worsens, the man's general health deteriorates, pain appears in the lower back and groin area, urination is interrupted, and body temperature increases.
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An acute pathological process, unlike a chronic disease, manifests itself suddenly and has clear clinical symptoms that force a man to see a doctor.Body temperature increased to 39 degrees, the man felt severe pain in the waist area.The highest incidence of the disease occurs between the ages of 30 and 40 years.
The cause of the pathological process is foci of infection that can be located in distant organs.Pathogens can enter the prostate via the rectum or through the urethra, or travel down the hematogenous route (through the blood) and lymphatic route (through the lymph).
The type of pathogen directly affects the therapy performed:
| pathogens | Frequency of appearance | Gram stain (necessary to select antibiotic therapy) |
|---|---|---|
| Escherichia coli | Frequent | GR- |
| Pseudomonas aeruginosa (Pseudomonas aeruginosa) | Frequent | GR- |
| Klebsiella spp. | Often | GR- |
| Enterococcus feces | Frequent | GR+ |
| Proteus (Proteus mirabilis) | Frequent | GR- |
| Serratia marcescens | seldom | GR- |
| Chlamydia (Chlamydia trachomatis) | Frequent | GR- |
| Staphylococci (Staphylococci spp) | seldom | GR+ |
| Enterobacteriaceae | seldom | GR- |
| Ureaplasma (Ureaplasma urealyticum) | seldom | GR- |
| Neisseria gonorrhoeae (Neisseria gonorrhoeae) | seldom | GR- |
| Mycoplasma (Mycoplasma hominis) | seldom | mollusks |
| Candida (Candida spp) | seldom | mushroom |
| Trichomoniasis | seldom | Protozoa |
Prostatitis can be caused by:
- intestinal and urinary tract infections;
- genital infectious diseases;
- diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract.
Usually the cause of inflammatory damage to internal organs is tooth decay.
The ascending route of infection for bacteria, fungi, and protozoa is when they enter the prostate tissue from the urethra and rectum.Often, the lesions are related to urinary infections, such as:
- urethritis (urethritis);
- cystitis (cystitis);
- pyelonephritis (pyelonephritis).
Sexually transmitted diseases often become the main cause of prostatitis, of which gonorrhea is the most common.A pathological focus is formed, located near the prostate, easily spreading into the prostate tissue.To prevent such diseases, it is important to practice protected sex.
The path of descending spread of the pathogen includes its penetration from the primary focus into the prostate by hematogenous and lymphatic routes.The source of infection can be a pathological process in the throat (pharyngitis), in the upper and lower respiratory tract (bronchitis, flu) or in the oral cavity (tooth decay).
Tuberculosis spreads either through blood.The first symptoms appear 2-3 weeks after infection.Obtaining an epidemiological history is an important part of 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 prevents the growth of pathogenic microorganisms, then the process in the glandular tissue stops without the appearance of pathology.On the other hand, weakened immunity leads to complications.The prostate is a vulnerable organ, located near points susceptible to infection, so it is the first organ to be negatively affected by bacteria.
Chronic
A chronic process will develop if acute prostatitis is not treated.Symptoms of this form of pathology are less pronounced, the general condition is stable, the temperature is normal.That is why men do not consider such a pathological process dangerous and delay seeing a doctor.
Like any chronic disease, prostatitis occurs in periods of remission and exacerbation.In the chronic stage, inflammation of the prostate tissue occurs slowly and therefore symptoms may not be fully present.They will only intensify at times of exacerbation.
A chronic pathological process that causes a deterioration of the organ's innervation capacity, which leads to nutritional (nutritional) disorders of the organ, negatively affecting its function.An autoimmune reaction is also likely to develop.A person's immune system makes antibodies against prostate cells.In this case, inflammation will be maintained even after complete elimination of pathogenic microorganisms.
stagnation
Non-infectious prostatitis occurs due to a blockage in the pelvis.The disease develops gradually and over time, the intensity of the symptom complex increases.This form of prostatitis is the most common today.
The main cause is a circulatory phenomenon that leads to blood not flowing out of the pelvic area, so all organs located in this area do not receive enough nutrition and adequate oxygenation.The flow of secretions is interrupted, and degeneration of the pelvic diaphragm occurs.The most important reason for stagnation is a sedentary lifestyle.The injuries suffered also contribute to stagnation.Diabetes mellitus, through macro- and microangiopathy, can reduce blood flow to the pelvic organs.
Causes of prostatitis:
| Root factors | Pathogenesis |
|---|---|
| Low level of physical activity | Experts consider this to be the most common cause of congestive prostatitis.This is facilitated by the growing influence of technological progress on human life: escalators, elevators, cars.Low physical activity leads to deterioration of the muscle pumping mechanism, which helps blood flow out of the organs.Prevention is exercise, sports, walking |
| Poor nutrition | Negatively affects all body systems and above all the regulation of the vascular system due to both local and systemic factors |
| Overweight | Obesity is one of the components of metabolic syndrome, which includes hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes.One ingredient has a beneficial effect on the growth potential of the other ingredients, all of which lead to vascular insufficiency and stasis |
| Constipation | Increased rectal volume leads to venous compression and obstruction of outflow |
| Sedentary lifestyle (common among drivers and office workers) | Sitting in a chair, a person does not change position for a long time.As a result, compression of individual venous blood vessels occurs and causes local blockage.Prevention is to change sitting posture and exercise and walk periodically |
| Irregular sex life | Leading to stagnation of not only the blood but also the prostate.As a result of metabolic processes, excretions can turn into toxins and produce systemic toxic effects.Excessive sexual activity is also harmful for men, as it leads to deterioration of the nervous and hormonal systems, loss of nutrients, increased gland function and deterioration of its regenerative abilities. |
| Frequently suppress the urge to urinate | The prostate is an additional sphincter in the male body.Its excessive tension leads to an increase in the volume of muscle tissue and a decrease in the volume of glandular tissue.Furthermore, an enlarged bladder will put pressure on the veins, hindering outflow. |
| Smoking and alcohol abuse | Smoking and drinking alcohol lead to vascular dystonia |
| Injury to the lumbar region | Trauma often damages the prostate or important neurovascular bundles.This will disrupt the gland's nutrition and reduce blood flow |
| Excessive nervous tension, stress and depression | Leads to impaired neurological regulation of vascular tone.Hormonal imbalance develops, leading to violation of the regulation of the gland (development of prostate adenoma) and systemic blood circulation |
| Features of the development and structure of the organs of the genitourinary system | May make the gland susceptible to infection or remodeling |
All these reasons have a destructive 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, feels pain in the lower back and groin when urinating, it is necessary to consult a urologist.
Influence of age
Experts consider prostatitis to be a disease that usually manifests itself in old age, but recently the proportion of young people suffering from this disease is increasing.According to unofficial statistics, based on a comparison of data on diagnostic and research cases, about 16% of men between the ages of 20 and 40 are officially diagnosed with chronic prostatitis.
Based on indicators of men aged 20 to 39 years old, experts estimate that the incidence of prostatitis in those aged 40 to 49 is 1.7 times higher, and in those over 55 years old - 3.1 times higher.However, the statistics only take into account identified patients.However, official statistics have a notable flaw, and methods for diagnosing prostatitis are not fully developed.
Diagnosis and treatment
Treatment methods directly depend on the cause of the disease, so the most important point is diagnosis, which includes:
- Life history and epidemiological history collection.
- Supersonic.
- Digital rectal examination.
- Prostatic secretory bacteria.
- PSA level - analysis (necessary to exclude prostate adenoma and prostate cancer).
- Urine test.
- General blood and biochemical tests.
Treatment of prostatitis is effective when using a combination of the following methods:
- Pharmacological treatment.Medicines are selected, as a rule, comprehensively.
- Medical massage.
- Physical therapy.Drug electrophoresis, Darsonvalization, UHF therapy, etc.
- Gymnastics and active lifestyle.
- Folk remedies.The use of various herbal preparations sold in pharmacies.
You should not arbitrarily prescribe medication or practice traditional medicine without consulting a specialist.Many drugs and herbs for the treatment of prostatitis are systemic in nature and are contraindicated in some patients.
Don't forget about prevention, which includes eliminating harmful factors and leading an active lifestyle.