Prostatitis is an inflammatory process in the prostate tissues.Today, approximately 30% of men suffer from prostatitis after the age of 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 its acute and chronic forms and ways to prevent complications such as adenoma 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 urination problems and sexual life disorders.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 state of the prostate gland and the presence of concomitant pathologies, the lifestyle that the man leads, 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 associated with the pathogenic action of microorganisms.
- Stagnant.Inflammation is associated with blood stagnation, hypoxia (lack of oxygen) and manifestation against its 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 local circulation, causing stagnation;on the other hand, initial stagnation reduces the ability of the immune system to locally combat the developing infection, as it reduces the rate of blood transport of immunocompetent cells to the lesion.Prostatitis occurs in acute and chronic forms.More often, experts encounter the former - 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 stationary and then chronic.At the time of exacerbation of prostatitis, a man experiences a general deterioration in health, pain appears in the lower back, groin area, the urination process stops and body temperature rises.
Spicy
An acute pathological process, unlike a chronic one, manifests itself suddenly and has clear clinical symptoms that force a person to consult a doctor.The body temperature rises to 39 degrees, the man feels severe pain in the lower back.The highest point of incidence occurs between the ages of 30 and 40 years.
The cause of the pathological process is infectious foci that can be located in distant organs.The disease-causing agent can enter the prostate by ascending rectally or through the urethra, or descending via hematogenous (through the blood) and lymphogenic (through the lymph) routes.
The type of pathogen directly affects the therapy performed:
| Pathogen | Frequency of occurrence | Gram stain (required to select 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+ |
| Enterobacteria | 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 region;
- diseases of the upper and lower respiratory tract.
Often the cause of inflammatory lesions of internal organs is caries.
The ascending route of infection by bacteria, fungi and protozoa occurs when they enter the prostate tissue through the urethra and rectum.More often, the injury 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 often become the main cause of inflammation in the prostate gland, with gonorrhea being the most common.The formed pathological focus, located close to the prostate gland, easily spreads into the prostate tissue.To prevent such diseases, it is important to practice protected sex.
The descending route of dissemination of the pathogen consists of its penetration from the primary focus into the prostate via lymphogenic 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 to 3 weeks after the underlying disease.Taking an epidemiological history is an important component 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 suppresses the development of a pathogenic microorganism, the process in the glandular tissue is stopped without the occurrence of pathology.On the other hand, weakened immunity leads to complications.The prostate is a vulnerable organ that is located close to potential entry points for infections, so it is the first to be negatively affected by microbes.
Chronic
A chronic process develops if acute prostatitis is not treated.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 this pathological process dangerous and postpone seeing a doctor.
Like any chronic disease, prostatitis occurs in phases of remission and exacerbation.In the chronic course, inflammation of prostate tissue is slow and therefore symptoms may not fully manifest themselves.They will intensify only at the time of exacerbation.
A chronic pathological process causes a deterioration in the innervation of the organ, which leads to disturbances in the trophism (nutrition) of the organ, which negatively affects its function.An autoimmune reaction is also likely to occur.A person's own immune system produces antibodies against prostate cells.In this case, the inflammation will persist 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 discirculatory phenomena, which cause blood not to flow from the pelvic region, meaning that all organs located in this region do not receive sufficient nutrition and adequate oxygenation.The outflow of secretions is interrupted and degeneration of the pelvic diaphragm muscles occurs.The most important reason for stagnation is an inactive lifestyle.The traumas suffered also contribute to stagnation.Diabetes mellitus, through macro- and microangiopathy, can reduce blood flow to the pelvic organs.
Causes of congestive inflammation of the prostate:
| Etiological factor | Pathogenesis |
|---|---|
| Low level of physical activity | Experts consider it 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 failure of the muscle pump mechanism, which helps blood flow away from the organs.Prevention is exercise, sports, walking |
| Poor nutrition | It negatively affects all body systems and, above all, the regulation of the vascular system due to local and systemic factors |
| Overweight | Obesity is one of the components of metabolic syndrome, which also includes hypertension, dyslipidemia and diabetes mellitus.One component has a beneficial effect on the likelihood of developing others, which leads to vascular insufficiency and stagnation |
| Constipation | An 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 on a chair, a person does not change position for a long time.As a result, compression of individual venous vessels and local congestion occur.Prevention is a change in sitting position and periodic gymnastics, 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 transform into poison and produce a systemic toxic effect.Excessive sexual activity is also harmful to men, as it leads to depletion of the nervous and hormonal systems, loss of nutrients, hyperfunction of the gland and depletion of its regenerative properties. |
| Frequently containing 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.Additionally, an enlarged bladder puts pressure on the veins, impairing blood flow. |
| Smoking and alcohol abuse | Smoking and alcohol lead to dysregulation of vascular tone |
| Trauma to the lumbar region | Trauma often damages the prostate itself or important neurovascular bundles.This will disrupt the trophism of the gland and reduce blood flow |
| Excessive nervous tension, stress and depression | Leads to depletion of nervous regulation of vascular tone.A hormonal imbalance develops, which leads to disruption 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 increase the likelihood of the gland becoming infected or remodeled |
All these reasons have a destructive effect on the circulatory system, both local and general.
If a man feels that he has problems urinating, begins to go to the bathroom more often, feels pain in the lower back and groin when urinating, then he needs to consult a urologist.
Effect of age
Experts consider prostatitis to be a disease that appears more frequently in old age, but recently the percentage of young people with this pathology has been increasing.According to unofficial statistics, based on comparison of data from diagnostic cases and research, about 16% of men in the 20-40 age group are officially diagnosed with chronic prostatitis.
Taking as a basis the indicators for men aged 20 to 39 years, experts obtain that the statistical incidence of prostatitis in the age group from 40 to 49 years 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 noticeable error, and methods for diagnosing prostatitis are not sufficiently developed.
Diagnosis and treatment
The treatment method directly depends on the cause of the disease, therefore the most important point is the diagnosis, which includes:
- Collection of life history and epidemiological history.
- Ultrasound.
- Digital rectal examination.
- Bacteriology of prostate secretion.
- PSA level - analysis (necessary to exclude prostate adenoma and prostate cancer).
- Urine tests.
- General and biochemical blood test.
Prostatitis treatment is effective using a combination of the following methods:
- Pharmacological treatment.Medicines are selected, as a rule, comprehensively.
- Medical massage.
- Physiotherapy.Medicinal electrophoresis, darsonvalization, UHF therapy, etc.
- Gymnastics and active lifestyle.
- Folk remedies.The use of various herbal preparations sold in pharmacies.
You should not prescribe pills on your own or practice traditional medicine without consulting a specialist.Many of the medications and herbs for treating 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.