Diseases of the genitourinary system in men are difficult to treat and are recurrent in nature. Pathologies of the prostate gland affect hormonal levels, emotional state, erectile and genitourinary function.
Treatment of prostatitis in men is complicated by the fact that in the early stages of development, disorders practically do not manifest themselves symptomatically. The first symptoms appear when the disease progresses. Early diagnosis and an adequately prescribed course of therapy are the keys to a favorable prognosis in the fight against pathology.
What is prostatitis?
With few exceptions, the term "prostatitis" refers to chronic or acute inflammation of the prostate gland. Manifestations of prostatitis in men are similar to symptoms of other pathologies of the genitourinary system. The process leads to blockage of glandular tissues and the appearance of the following disorders:
- Dysuric disorders.
- Decreased sexual desire.
- Erectile dysfunction.
- Pain syndrome.
The disease causes adhesions and scars. Metabolism and blood circulation in tissues gradually deteriorates. Irreversible changes occur that can only be corrected by surgery. There are several types of disorders depending on their etiology and stage of development.
Categories of prostatitis
Inflammation of the prostate gland develops against the background of obstruction in the pelvic region. The process quickly becomes chronic. The favorable time for treatment is the initial stage of the disease.
Medical reference books describe 4 types of the disease along with characteristic symptoms and manifestations:
- Category I—
Acute prostatitis. The catalyst is tissue, injury and infection that enters hypothermia of the gland. Inflammation occurs suddenly and lasts 3-4 days. It becomes chronic without proper therapy. Manifestations:- heat,
- temperature,
- pain in the pelvis and lower back,
- intoxication of the body.
- Category II—
Chronic bacterial prostatitis. It starts with aggravation. The reason for the appearance: an interrupted course of antibiotics, self-treatment. Inflammation occurs in a hidden form, without visible manifestations, until the immune system is so weakened that the infection causes an exacerbation of the disease. Treatment begins with antibiotics and NSAIDs. - Category III—
Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CP/CPPS). Mutated disease caused by acute inflammation of the prostate gland. Disturbances develop slowly, irreversible changes occur, which lead to tissue congestion. Congestive inflammation, in turn, is divided into two subgroups:Category IIIa - Chronic prostatitis with inflammatory symptoms/chronic pelvic pain syndrome. It is characterized by clear manifestations: low-grade fever, rising to 38-38, 5 ° during exacerbation. Characteristic symptoms of male prostatitis: deterioration of erection, hemospermia, prolonged sexual intercourse without orgasm, impaired urination.Category IIIb - Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome without inflammatory symptoms. In this case, the manifestations are diagnosed only using instrumental research methods.
- Category IV—
Asymptomatic (asymptomatic) chronic prostatitis. It is considered a poorly understood disease with an incompletely understood etiology. Some leading urologists have proposed an age-related cause of the disease. There are no pathological signs.
Prostatitis is difficult to treat even at an early stage. To achieve a stable remission, it is necessary to eliminate the causes - catalysts, to cope with the complications and consequences.
Why is prostatitis dangerous?
Inflammation of the prostate gland is a serious pathology affecting men's health. Possible complications and consequences of the disease:
- erectile dysfunction- scars and adhesions resulting from inflammation prevent normal blood flow in the cavernous vessels. At the same time, the ability of the prostate to process testosterone deteriorates. Sexual desire decreases. During the acute period, friction and discharge bring pain. All of the above causes deterioration of erection. In some cases, complete sexual impotence is diagnosed.
- Infinity— chronic inflammation affects not only the prostate, but also spreads to adjacent parts and organs of the genitourinary system. Often, degenerative disorders are manifested in the ligament: testicles + glandular tissues. The quality and volume of spermatogenesis deteriorates. Conceiving a man with advanced prostatitis is problematic.
- Development of associated diseases- inflammation can spread to neighboring organs of the genitourinary system:
- urethral canal,
- bladder,
- kidneys,
- testicle
- Death— there is a danger of death with purulent disease. If the treatment of acute male prostatitis is not started on time and purulent formations that turn into abscesses appear, the patient's life is at risk. A ruptured cavity into the rectum causes general intoxication and may result in death.
In severe cases, surgical intervention is required. Unlike adenoma or malignant hyperplasia, surgery is rarely prescribed and does not guarantee prevention of relapse.
Which doctor treats prostatitis?
It all depends on the manifestations of the disease. The urologist remains the mainstay. It is this specialist who deals with pathologies of the male genitourinary system, including inflammation of the prostate gland. When certain violations are detected, it will be necessary to involve doctors of other specialties.
Current clinical guidelines indicate the need to promote:
- Psychiatrist— if pain and other manifestations cause psychological refusal of intercourse, impotence without physical disorders, help is needed.
- Immunologist— long-term antibacterial and drug treatment has a strong impact on the body. Protective functions and resistance to infection decrease. Some forms of prostatitis begin with autoimmune diseases. In each of these situations, the help of an immunologist will be required.
- Surgeon— opening of purulent abscesses, TUR, prostatectomy, removal of calcifications is performed by a specialist. The help of a surgeon will be required to remove adhesions in the seminal ducts and restore reproductive function.
The fact that so many specialists are needed for the complete recovery of the patient convincingly proves that it is impossible to treat prostatitis alone, let alone get rid of complications. Qualified assistance is required.
How to recognize prostatitis
The insidiousness of the disease lies in the fact that for a long time the inflammation develops asymptomatically in a latent form. The first signs of prostatitis are often attributed to: fatigue, radiculitis, diseases of the genitourinary system. The pain stops after taking an analgesic or antispasmodic tablet. But inflammation of the prostate gland continues until the disorders become global. A man goes to the doctor, where he is given an unpleasant diagnosis.
Still, the most effective way to get rid of prostatitis is early diagnosis and prompt treatment. The chance of complete recovery is about 80%.
A number of diagnostic tests are performed to distinguish inflammation from other diseases:
- Rectal method— the doctor examines the structure of the gland by inserting his finger into the anus, which allows identifying any anomalies and deviations.
- Ultrasound and TRUS— Ultrasound diagnosis remains the standard of investigation due to its low cost and availability. The monitor shows an empty structure of the gland indicating inflammation, it is possible to detect calcifications and other signs of prostatitis.
- Clinical and biochemical tests of blood and urine- indicate the presence of inflammation, as well as determine the infectious agent.
- Spermogram- reduction of sperm vitality and speed, characteristic signs of congestive prostatitis and obstruction of glandular tissue. During an infectious disease, bacteria and pathogens are detected in discharge.
- MRI and PET-CT- the most reliable diagnostic methods. Due to the high cost, the examination is prescribed only when the results of previous tests are inconclusive, as well as when cancer is suspected.
Tomography reveals signs of prostatitis at an early stage, which are not possible with other diagnostic methods. If abnormalities in prostate function are suspected, MRI remains the preferred type of instrumental examination.
How long does the treatment take?
Stories of miraculous deliverance in a few days are nothing but fairy tales. There is no quick cure for prostatitis. After the diagnosis of inflammation, it is necessary to adapt to long-term therapy and radical changes in eating habits and lifestyle. Only in this case will it be possible to defeat the disease.
Modern and effective methods of prostatitis treatment have made it possible to shorten the duration of therapy. With an integrated approach, significant progress can be achieved within 2-3 months.
Doctors have learned to cope with the consequences of prostatitis. Unique therapy methods help to eliminate infertility, restore normal erection and increase sexual desire.
After achieving stable remission, you will need to regularly take herbal medicines, participate in physical therapy sessions for prevention and in other ways to protect men's health.
How is prostatitis treated?
There is no effective pill, after taking it all unpleasant symptoms will disappear. There is no such miracle remedy among traditional medicine. The best methods of treatment of prostatitis in men, which have been proven to be effective, include an integrated approach: drug therapy + physical therapy + non-traditional methods.
Official medicine offers conservative treatment. After finishing the course, unpleasant symptoms and negative manifestations of the disease disappear. In the second stage, the task is to eliminate the complications that have arisen.
Advanced non-invasive methods have increased the chances of a favorable outcome of the disease. 10-15% of cases require surgical intervention.
With the help of drugs
Conservative therapy aimed at eliminating symptoms is carried out. The following drug groups are prescribed:
- NSAIDs- eliminate inflammation, heat and fever. They have a mild analgesic effect. When prostatitis begins, short-term treatment with anti-inflammatory drugs and vitamins is required to keep the gland in normal condition. Medicines are available in suppositories, tablets and injections.
- Antibiotics- designed to eliminate infectious or bacteriological inflammatory factors. The treatment regimen of prostatitis is prescribed after identifying the pathogen and checking its resistance to antibiotics. The course of treatment is 7-10 days. In severe cases, therapy is extended up to two weeks.
- Hormones- it is recommended when the usual course of drugs does not provide any benefit, as well as with a decrease in sexual desire due to an advanced disease. Treatment with hormones in the early stage is prohibited. Medicines are taken under the strict supervision of a urologist.
- Symptomatic drugs— take acetylsalicylic acid tablets to relieve pain. Spasms are removed by an antispasmodic agent. Blockade with anesthesia is indicated for persistent severe pain.
- Vitaminsand medications to maintain prostate function. During the period of remission, it is recommended to take medication to normalize metabolism and improve blood supply to glandular tissues and juice production. Herbal medicines are prescribed for this purpose. A complex of vitamins and minerals is indicated to strengthen the immune system.
Self-medication is dangerous and does more harm than good. Before taking any of these drugs, you should consult a urologist.
Use of physiotherapy
Prostatitis is characterized by extensive obstruction in the pelvic region, which significantly complicates therapy. Taking the drug is ineffective because the active components simply cannot be delivered to the prostate gland through the blood vessels.
In order to increase the effectiveness of drug treatment, physiotherapy is included in the course of treatment of prostatitis in men, immediately after the exacerbation is eliminated.
In addition to traditional electrophoresis, the following methods are prescribed:
- UHF and microwave.
- Magnetotherapy.
- Mud therapy.
- Galvanization.
- Ultraphonophoresis.
- Laser treatment.
- Heat treatment.
Most of the listed procedures are included in the complex of techniques used in spa treatment. Contraindications to physiotherapy remain: acute period of inflammation, development of tumor tumors, individual intolerance of the patient.
Natural remedies
Modern methods of treatment of prostatitis increasingly combine official methods with alternative medicine. In ancient times, our ancestors treated prostatitis with herbal infusions, decoctions and bee products. The disease itself did not go away, but unpleasant symptoms were eliminated.
Some methods have survived to this day:
- Apitherapy— beekeeping products are used to eliminate inflammation and strengthen the immune system. Honey is a natural antibiotic. Used in treatment: death, propolis, wax, pollen, poison. Compresses and honey massage, tinctures are prepared.
- Plant collections- urological compounds are sold in pharmacies and you can prepare them yourself. Herbs treat urinary tract disorders, relieve inflammation and relieve pain. Some plants are good antiseptics. Decoctions and teas are prepared from the collections, they are added when preparing compotes and tinctures.
In the old days, there were neither hospitals nor pharmacies. Diseases were treated using the gifts of "Mother Nature". After prescribing a course of drug treatment, the urologist will definitely recommend one of the alternative medicine prescriptions: herbal medicine or apitherapy.
Only an integrated approach to the fight against prostatitis will help to get rid of the disease once and for all. The success of treatment depends on early diagnosis and careful adherence to urologist's recommendations.