Prostatitis is an inflammatory process in the prostate tissue.Today, about 30% of men over the age of 30 suffer from prostatitis, although this number increases with age.This disease is much easier to prevent than to treat.Therefore, it is important to know the causes of prostatitis, the symptoms of its acute and chronic forms and ways to prevent complications such as adenomas and prostate cancer.
Main causes of prostatitis
The clinical picture of prostatitis implies a wide range of symptoms associated with the body's systemic response to the inflammatory process.The most common and significant are problems with urination and problems with sexual life.The degree of manifestation of prostatitis symptoms is multifactorial in nature, that is, it depends on many factors: the 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, on which further treatment depends:
- Contagious.Inflammation is associated with the pathogenic action of microorganisms.
- Stagnant.Inflammation is associated with blood stagnation, hypoxia (lack of oxygen) and the manifestation against the background of ischemia and change (damage) and remodeling of the gland, as well as the replacement of functionally active connective tissue.
Often one form of the disease turns into another.The infectious process affects blood vessels and disrupts local blood circulation, causing stagnation.On the other hand, the initial stagnation reduces the ability of the immune system to locally combat the developing infection because it reduces the rate of blood transport of immunocompetent cells to the lesion.Prostatitis occurs in acute and chronic forms.More often, specialists come across the first disease - 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, it can become stationary and then chronic.At the time of exacerbation of prostatitis, a man experiences a general deterioration in his health, pain appears in the lower back and groin, the urination process is disrupted, and 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 consult a doctor.The body temperature rises to 39 degrees, the man feels severe pain in the lumbar region.The highest incidence rate occurs between the ages of 30 and 40.
The cause of the pathological process are foci of infection that can be located in distant organs.The causative agent of the disease can enter the prostate either rectally ascending or through the urethra, or hematogenously (through the blood) and lymphogenously (through the lymph) descending.
The type of pathogen has a direct influence on the therapy carried out:
| pathogens | 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 fecalis | 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 | Molluscs |
| 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.
The cause of inflammatory lesions of internal organs is often caries.
The ascending route of infection of bacteria, fungi and protozoa is that they enter the prostate tissue through the urethra and rectum.More often the lesion is associated with urological infections such as:
- urethritis (inflammation of the urethra);
- cystitis (inflammation of the bladder);
- Pyelonephritis (inflammation of the renal pelvis).
Sexually transmitted diseases are often the main cause of inflammation of the prostate, the most common being gonorrhea.The formed pathological focus, which is in close proximity to the prostate, easily spreads into the prostate tissue.To prevent such diseases, it is important to practice protected sexual intercourse.
The descending route of spread of the pathogen is that it penetrates the prostate from the primary focus through lymphogenous and hematogenous routes.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 illness.Taking an epidemiological history is an important part of the diagnosis.
Immune status plays an important role in the development of prostatitis.Not all men exposed to infectious diseases develop prostatitis.When the immune system suppresses the development of a pathogenic microorganism, the process in the glandular tissue stops without pathology occurring.On the other hand, weakened immunity leads to complications.The prostate is a vulnerable organ that is located close to possible entry points for infections and is therefore the first to be negatively affected by microbes.
Chronic
A chronic process develops if acute prostatitis has not been treated.The symptoms of this form of pathology are less pronounced, the general condition is satisfactory, the temperature is normal.That is why men do not consider such a pathological process to be dangerous and postpone going to the doctor.
Like any chronic disease, prostatitis progresses in phases of remission and exacerbation.In a chronic course, the inflammation of the prostate tissue is sluggish and therefore the symptoms may not appear completely.They will only intensify at the moment of exacerbation.
A chronic pathological process leads to a deterioration in the innervation of the organ, which leads to disorders of the trophism (nutrition) of the organ, which negatively affects its function.It is also likely that an autoimmune reaction will develop.A person's own immune system produces antibodies against prostate cells.In this case, the inflammation persists even after the pathogenic microorganism has been completely eliminated.
Stagnant
Non-infectious inflammation of the prostate occurs due to congestion in the pelvis.The disease develops progressively and over time the intensity of the symptom complex increases.This form of prostatitis is the most common today.
The main reason is circulatory phenomena that result in no blood flow from the pelvic area, so all the organs located in this area do not receive adequate nutrition and oxygen.The drainage of secretions is disrupted and the pelvic floor muscles degenerate.The most important reason for stagnation is an inactive lifestyle.Traumas suffered also contribute to stagnation.Diabetes mellitus can reduce blood flow to the pelvic organs through macro- and microangiopathy.
Causes of congestive inflammation of the prostate:
| Etiological factor | Pathogenesis |
|---|---|
| Low physical activity | Experts consider it to be the most common cause of congestive prostatitis.This is facilitated by the increasing influence of technical progress on human life: escalators, elevators, cars.Low physical activity leads to failure of the muscle pumping mechanism that promotes blood flow from the organs.Prevention is exercise, sport, going for a walk |
| Poor diet | Due to local and systemic factors, it negatively affects all body systems and, above all, the regulation of the vascular system |
| Overweight | Obesity is one of the components of metabolic syndrome, which also includes hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus.One component favorably affects the likelihood of developing the others, all leading to vascular insufficiency and stagnation |
| constipation | An increase in the volume of the rectum leads to compression of the veins and disruption of their outflow |
| Sedentary lifestyle (common among drivers and office workers) | Sitting on a chair, a person does not change his position for a long time.This leads to compression of individual venous vessels and local congestion.Prevention is a change in sitting position and regular gymnastics and walks |
| Irregular sex life | Leads to stagnation not only of blood, but also of prostate secretion.Through metabolic processes, the secretion can turn into poison and have a systemic toxic effect.Excessive sexual activity is also harmful for a man, as it leads to depletion of the nervous and hormonal systems, loss of nutrients, hyperfunction of the gland and depletion of its regenerative properties |
| Frequent withholding of the urge to urinate | The prostate is an additional sphincter in the male body.Its overload 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, impairing drainage |
| Smoking and alcohol abuse | Smoking and alcohol lead to dysregulation of vascular tone |
| Traumatization in the lumbar region | Trauma often damages the prostate itself or important neurovascular bundles.As a result, the trophism of the gland is disrupted and blood circulation is reduced |
| Excessive nervous tension, stress and depression | Lead to exhaustion of the nerve regulation of vascular tone.A hormonal imbalance develops, which leads to disruption of gland regulation (development of prostate adenoma) and systemic blood circulation |
| Features of the development and structure of the organs of the urogenital system | May increase the chance of the gland becoming infected or changing shape |
All of these reasons have a destructive effect on the circulatory system, both local and general.
If a man feels that he has problems urinating, needs to go to the toilet more often, has pain in the lower back and groin when urinating, he needs to see a urologist.
Effect of age
Experts consider prostatitis to be a disease that manifests itself more often in old age, but recently the proportion of young people with this pathology is increasing.According to unofficial statistics based on a comparison of data on diagnostic cases and research results, about 16% of men between the ages of 20 and 40 are officially diagnosed with chronic prostatitis.
Based on the indicators of men aged 20 to 39 years, experts conclude that the statistical incidence of prostatitis is 1.7 times higher in the age range of 40 to 49 years and 3.1 times higher in people over 55 years old.However, statistics only take into account identified patients.However, the official statistics have a clear error and the methods for diagnosing prostatitis are not sufficiently developed.
Diagnosis and treatment
The method of treatment directly depends on the cause of the disease.Therefore, the most important point is diagnosis, which includes:
- Collection on life history and epidemiological history.
- Ultrasonic.
- Rectal digital examination.
- Bacteriology of prostate secretion.
- PSA value - analysis (necessary to exclude prostate adenoma and prostate cancer).
- Urine tests.
- General and biochemical blood test.
Treatment of prostatitis is effective through a combination of the following methods:
- Pharmacological treatment.As a rule, drugs are selected comprehensively.
- Medical massage.
- Physiotherapy.Medical electrophoresis, darsonvalization, UHF therapy, etc.
- Gymnastics and active lifestyle.
- Folk remediesThe use of various herbal preparations sold in pharmacies.
You should not prescribe pills or practice traditional medicine without consulting a specialist.Many of the medications and herbs used to treat prostatitis are systemic in nature and are contraindicated in some patients.
Do not forget about prevention, which involves eliminating harmful factors and leading an active lifestyle.