Almost one in two men experience prostatitis at different ages. This disease is associated with an inflammatory process in the prostate, which can be caused by stagnant processes in the pelvic region, various infections. In the event that the result of the analysis showed the presence of pathogens in the secret of the prostate, the doctor diagnoses bacterial prostatitis. Why does the disease develop and how is it treated?
Causes
Based on the name, it becomes clear that the main reason for the development of the disease is the penetration of bacteria into the prostate. Responsible officers can be:
- Intestinal and Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
- Staphylococcus aureus.
- Enterococcus.
- Klebsiella.
- Enterobacter.
- Proteus.
- Sexually transmitted infections.
Many pathogenic microorganisms are still found in the human body without harming it. However, when favorable conditions arise, the infection begins to actively develop, causing disease. These bacteria-friendly conditions include:
- Diseases of the urinary tract.
- Bacterial infections that develop in the body and can enter the prostate through blood or lymph fluid.
- Prostate phimosis.
- Acute epididymitis.
- Urethral catheterization.
- Reflux (intraprostatic or urethroprostatic), when pathogenic organisms enter the prostate.
- Transurethral operations performed without prior antibiotic therapy.
- Violation of urination due to the abnormal structure of the bladder.
- Conditions associated with a decrease in immune defenses (AIDS, diabetes, hemodialysis procedure).
When bacteria enter the prostate area, the pathogenic microflora begins to actively develop, and an inflammatory process appears in the organ.
Risk factors that increase the likelihood of developing prostatitis include:
- Frequent diseases of the genitourinary system of an infectious nature.
- The presence of helminthic infestations and other parasites.
- Genetic predisposition.
- Incomplete or untimely emptying of the bladder.
- Hypothermia.
- Irritation of the urethra with chemicals.
- Promiscuous sex life, lack of contraception.
The main causes of the development of inflammation of the prostate
- Prolonged sexual abstinence.
- The presence of bad habits.
- Weakened immunity.
- Bad nutrition.
- Dehydration of the body.
- A sedentary lifestyle, which leads to the appearance of stagnant processes in the pelvic area.
- Frequent stressful situations.
Symptoms
It is simply impossible not to notice the symptoms of bacterial prostatitis, because this form of the disease begins acutely. The patient is worried:
- Increase in body temperature, accompanied by chills.
- Painful sensations in the perineum, lower abdomen and lower back.
- Painful urination. The patient notes pain and a burning sensation in the urethra, which is especially felt at night.
- Difficulty urinating, feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder.
- Constipation is possible due to compression of the anus by an inflamed prostate.
- Signs of bodily poisoning (headache, general weakness of the body, body aches).
- Discharge from the urethra.
Symptoms of the disease also vary depending on the stage of bacterial prostatitis:
- At the onset of the disease, the inflammation does not spread outside the prostate. A man is worried about pain in the perineum, which may radiate to the region of the sacrum. Urination is rapid and painful.
- In the second stage, the inflammation passes to the prostate lobules. In this case, the pain increases and can be transmitted to the anus. Urination is considerably impaired, until it is completely retained.
- With an advanced form of bacterial prostatitis, the inflammation spreads to all the lobules of the prostate. The patient complains of signs of general intoxication of the body. Body temperature rises to 40 degrees. The delay in urination becomes acute. There are sensations of pulsation in the perineum. Frequent constipation occurs.
Possible complications
With untimely or poor-quality treatment, acute bacterial prostatitis can seriously damage a man's health and life. The most dangerous of these is sepsis.
In addition, the infection can rise above the prostate and lead to pyelonephritis or cystitis.
Bacterial prostatitis can progress to a chronic form, the treatment of which is often difficult and leads to complications such as: adenoma, infertility, impotence, etc.
Diagnostic
Since bacterial prostatitis has characteristic symptoms, it is usually fairly easy to diagnose. If the disease is not acute, the doctor will perform a rectal exam by probing the area of the gland and taking a sample of the secretion for analysis. The following studies make it possible to make a diagnosis:
- Clinical and bacterial analysis of the patient's blood and urine.
- Prostate ultrasound.
- Blood PSA.
- Analysis of scraping of the epithelium of the urethra.
Processing
The danger of bacterial prostatitis is that it is able to become chronic in the shortest possible time. Therefore, it is so important to start treatment when identifying the first signs of the disease. After all, the chronic form of the disease contributes to the spread of the inflammatory process to surrounding tissues and organs. If you ignore treatment and do not take certain medications, the prostate may atrophy completely.
Antibiotics are prescribed to treat bacterial prostatitis. Only a doctor can recommend this or that drug after examination and obtaining the result of microbiological tests.
Treatment with antibacterial drugs is considered the most suitable for the bacterial nature of the disease. Due to the fact that antibiotics are able to make body tissues permeable, the drug can freely penetrate to the site of inflammation.
In the treatment of bacterial prostatitis, the following antibiotics are prescribed:
- Ampicillins.
- Macrolide preparations are quite effective in combating many pathogens of the disease.
- Drugs from the group of cephalosporins are effective in the acute phase of the disease.
- Fluoroquinolones are very sensitive to many bacteria. Due to the fact that these drugs have a large number of side effects, they are prescribed with caution.
- Tetracyclines can be difficult to tolerate, which is why recently they are very rarely prescribed.
The duration of antibiotic treatment cannot be less than 10 days.
In addition, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used for treatment. They effectively relieve pain and inflammation in the prostate.
If problems with urination are observed, the patient is shown the use of alpha-blockers, which lead to a decrease in tension in the smooth muscles of the urethra and bladder.
Often, bacterial prostatitis is accompanied by a depressive state and frequent changes in the mood of the patient. In such cases, the doctor recommends the use of drugs with a sedative effect.
If the disease is severe, the patient needs detoxification therapy, which consists of intravenous administration of glucose, saline with trace elements and vitamin complexes. It is important for a man to observe the drinking regimen and drink at least 2 liters of clean water per day.
The treatment regimen of prostatitis with drugs should be aimed at normalizing blood circulation in the pelvic region and increasing the body's defenses. To do this, use:
- Vitamin and mineral complexes.
- Antispasmodics.
- Immunomodulators.
- Biological.
In addition to taking medication, the doctor will recommend making microclysters with a decoction of medicinal herbs (chamomile, calendula). The use of topical preparations in case of bacterial prostatitis should be strictly limited, since there is a high risk of various complications.
After the elimination of the inflammatory process, the patient is prescribed physiotherapy treatment (electrical stimulation of the prostate, magnetotherapy, etc. ). They help speed up recovery and are performed on an outpatient basis.
In extreme cases, when taking medication has not given the desired result, the doctor may decide on surgery. One such intervention consists of a resection of the prostate and is usually performed in older men. Young people are not prescribed such treatment due to possible complications (bedwetting, impotence, infertility).
If bacterial prostatitis becomes chronic, it is quite difficult to treat it. It must be remembered that it is no longer possible to do this at home.
Preventive measures
The best prevention of bacterial prostatitis is an active lifestyle. This is due to the fact that the gland itself is poorly supplied with blood. Therefore, those who have a sedentary job need to take regular breaks in order to walk a little or to do special exercises (pulling the muscles of the anus).
A contrast shower gives a good effect. In this case, a jet of water is directed directly to the perineal area. The use time of warm (hot) water is 30 seconds, cold - should not exceed 15 seconds. The average duration of the procedure should be 5 minutes.
Preventive measures also include:
- Avoid hypothermia of the body.
- Fight constipation. If you cannot get rid of it on your own, you need to see a doctor who will advise you on mild laxatives.
- Normalization of sexual activity (choice of a permanent partner, use of a condom in case of doubtful contact, avoid prolonged absences or overly active sexual relations).
- Regular preventive examination by a urologist for all men over 40-45 years old.
Forecast
What are the consequences of bacterial prostatitis in humans? The success of treatment depends on how quickly and proficiently the therapy was prescribed. In addition, it is influenced by the age of the patient, his lifestyle, the stage of the disease and the presence of other diseases of the body.
The acute phase responds well to drug treatment which, after a few days, significantly improves the condition of the man. But with improper treatment or its interruption, relapse and transition from prostatitis to a chronic form is possible, which turns out to be much more difficult to cure.
To avoid the unpleasant consequences of bacterial prostatitis, it is important for a man to monitor his state of health, to observe preventive measures and, in case of discomfort in the perineal region, to consult a doctor.