Prostatitis: causes, symptoms, treatment with medications and folk remedies

pain in men with prostate

Prostatitis is an inflammatory process localized in the prostate gland.This pathology is quite common and is often diagnosed in men of reproductive age.The prostate (the second name for the prostate gland) is located below the urinary bladder and partially surrounds the urinary tube (urethra).Therefore, even a small malfunction of this organ leads to disturbances in the functioning of the genitourinary system.

Causes of the development of prostatitis

Prostatitis is classified as an inflammatory process, but this does not mean that it is caused exclusively by pathogenic microorganisms.Doctors (andrologists deal with diseases of the male reproductive system) identify several reasons for the development of said pathology:

  1. Blood stagnation in the pelvis.This refers to a violation of blood microcirculation in the prostate gland and nearby organs, which provokes an enlargement of the organ.A violation can occur against the background of a sedentary lifestyle, obesity (it should not be critical) or in the period after surgery.
  2. Infection of the genitourinary system.Most often, when examining a patient with prostatitis, doctors isolate gonococci, staphylococci, chlamydia and trichomonas.Very rarely, an infection can penetrate the prostate gland against the background of a sore throat or flu - in this case, the inflammatory process in question is differentiated as a complication.
  3. Regular pelvic organ injury.For this reason, prostatitis develops in drivers - they constantly receive stress on the perineum, the prostate gland experiences vibration and vibration.
  4. Entry of bacteria through body fluids.Every human body has colonies of bacteria living in the intestines and urethra.Under normal conditions, they are absolutely harmless and only under favorable conditions (weakened immunity, long-term use of medications, chronic diseases, human immunodeficiency virus) become pathogenic and cause inflammatory processes.These bacteria can enter the prostate gland through blood or lymph.

In addition, during the diagnosis of the inflammatory process in the prostate gland, the factors that serve as provocateurs of the pathology can be taken into account:

  • regular hypothermia - this may be due to the peculiarities of working conditions or ignoring the rules of wearing clothes during special periods of the year;
  • disorders in the functioning of the endocrine system - excessive or insufficient production of male hormones, diagnosed diabetes mellitus;
  • very active sex life, as well as prolonged abstinence - the prostate gland is depleted;
  • any chronic disease - there are officially recorded cases of the development of prostatitis against the background of untreated bronchitis, caries, cystitis and urological infections.

Symptoms of the inflammatory process

palpation of the prostate to diagnose prostatitis

Andrologists distinguish between the main and indirect signs of an inflammatory process developing in the prostate gland.The main symptoms are clearly stated:

  • urination becomes more frequent, regardless of the amount of fluid consumed;
  • the immediate moment of urination is painful, the man experiences pain and burning in the urethra;
  • body temperature rises (hyperemia) to critical levels.

These symptoms are quickly joined by a burning sensation throughout the perineum and pain during bowel movements.

Indirect signs of the inflammatory process in the prostate gland are not so obvious, but men should not ignore them:

  • ejaculation becomes very accelerated - the time of sexual intercourse decreases;
  • the erection can be quite long at night;
  • decrease in sexual desire - partial or complete;
  • White "flakes" or "threads" appear in the urine.

Please note: these indirect signs indicate the beginning of the development of the inflammatory process in question - it is very treatable and continues without complications.

Prostatitis is classified into acute and chronic forms, each of which has its own symptoms.

Acute form of prostatitis

Acute prostatitis always begins suddenly and manifests itself:

  • increased temperature;
  • prolonged pain in the perineum;
  • frequent desire to go to the toilet;
  • passing a very small amount of urine when the bladder feels full.

Please note: the most dangerous condition in the acute form of inflammation of the prostate gland is retention of urine.In this case, the man will experience a strong desire to go to the toilet, but the urine will not be released even with strong effort.Acute retention of urine is accompanied by severe pain in the area of the anatomical location of the bladder, a feeling of pressure - patients describe their condition as "the bladder is about to burst."The condition requires immediate medical attention, which consists in the use of a catheter - it is inserted into the urethra and bladder, literally "pushing" the swollen gland.As soon as the catheter reaches the bladder, the output of urine begins and the patient immediately feels relief, his condition returns to normal for a short time.

Chronic form of prostatitis

This type of pathology in question is practically asymptomatic - from time to time a man experiences short-term pain in the perineum (similar to lumbago), notices changes in sexual relations - it can be prolonged or shortened.In addition, the patient becomes nervous, sleep becomes disturbed at night, the flow of urine may weaken (this is due to a narrowing of the urinary canal), and in the morning there may be white clots in the urine in the form of flakes or threads.

Please note: the chronic form of the inflammatory process in the prostate gland can develop without being noticed by the patient.The fact is that at a young age, acute prostatitis appears with mild symptoms, and if a young man is addicted to drinking alcohol or is very passionate about his work, then he does not have time to pay attention to changes in urination or periodic pains in the perineum.Symptoms of acute prostatitis will disappear over time, but this does not mean that the disease has decreased - it has simply become chronic.

Prostatitis treatment methods

Treatment of the inflammatory process in the prostate gland should be carried out only under the supervision of an andrologist.He not only diagnoses prostatitis itself (often its symptoms are identical to prostate cancer), but also reveals the true cause of its occurrence.In general, several different methods of therapy can be used to treat prostate inflammation.

Drug treatment

For prostatitis, antibacterial agents (antibiotics) can be prescribed, but only if during the examination pathogenic bacteria have been isolated and recognized as the cause of the development of the pathology.Along with antibiotics, the patient is prescribed probiotics or prebiotics - drugs that normalize the intestinal microflora and resist the development of pathological processes in it.

If the inflammatory process started as a result of the negative influence of external factors (hypothermia, injury), then non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs will be prescribed.

In case of hormonal disorders, a man should undergo a course of hormone therapy.

Please note: drug treatment is very variable, so it must be chosen on an individual basis - self-medication in this case is strictly prohibited.

Physiotherapy

Treatment of inflammation of the prostate gland should be carried out comprehensively.And against the background of the use of medicines, it will be effective to carry out certain physical procedures:

  1. Electrical stimulation accelerates metabolic processes, provokes more active production of hormones and restores the structure of the gland.
  2. Magnetic therapy is a painless procedure that helps to reduce the level of inflammation and remove the swelling of the prostate gland.
  3. Prostate massage - performed only after treatment for acute inflammation;the procedure is painful but very effective.

Traditional medicine

Please note: prescriptions from the category of traditional medicine should not become the only method of treatment - they can only accelerate the therapeutic process and improve the effect of taking medications and performing physical procedures.

The most effective and safe methods of traditional treatment include:

  1. Eating pumpkin seeds.They contain zinc, which is an essential element for men's health, so for prostatitis you need to eat 30 raw seeds 30 minutes before meals during the entire course of therapy.
  2. Pumpkin Honey Balls.Peel 100 grams of raw pumpkin seeds, grind in a meat grinder (or in a blender, but not into fine crumbs) and mix with 200 grams of honey.Roll small balls from the resulting mass and store in the refrigerator.Before eating (30 minutes before) you need to eat 1-2 balls - you do not need to chew it, it is better to dissolve it slowly.Treatment with this prescription continues until the symptoms of prostatitis disappear.
  3. Decoction of hazelnut leaves.You can collect the hazelnut leaves yourself, or you can buy dry raw materials in a pharmacy;there is a glass of boiling water for a tablespoon of the source material.The decoction is brewed like ordinary tea for 20 minutes, filtered and taken 50 ml at least 4 times a day.Please note: hazelnut bark is also sold in pharmacies - it can also be used in the treatment of prostatitis and according to the same prescription.But keep in mind that for the peel, the cooking time is doubled.
  4. Parsley juice.Prepare it from the green leaves of the plant and take 1 dessert spoon 3 times a day before meals.
  5. Boiling parsley seeds.You need to take 1 tablespoon of parsley seeds, pour 400 ml of boiling water and leave for 2 hours (you can do this in a thermos).You should take the decoction every day in the morning and in the evening in the amount of 1 tablespoon.

In any case, regardless of how safe the drug may seem, you should first consult with your doctor.For example, if a man, in addition to prostatitis, has cholelithiasis, then the use of pumpkin seeds is strictly prohibited for him - each prescription is made on a strictly individual basis.

Diet and lifestyle

man eats vegetables with prostatitis

To get the best result during the therapeutic measures related to prostatitis, you must adhere to a certain diet.It is supposed to exclude from the diet fatty meat, smoked and very salty foods, baked products and chocolate.The menu may include fish and seafood, milk and its derivatives, steamed vegetables.It is very useful for prostatitis to consume fresh juices prepared from vegetables and fruits - they will help to strengthen and restore the immune system.

During therapy, you need to eliminate alcohol and lead an active lifestyle - at least exercise in the morning, walk more and get rid of extra pounds.

Prostatitis is not considered a life-threatening disease for men, but ignoring its symptoms can lead to the development of serious complications.One of the most difficult consequences is male infertility and loss of erectile function, which often occurs with prolonged chronic prostatitis.