Chronic prostatitis: how to treat, signs of the disease and diagnosis

Unpleasant sensations in the genital area, problems with urination and disturbances in sexual activity - all these symptoms may indicate the development ofprostatitis.

Unfortunately, in the early stages the disease practically does not manifest itself at all, as a result of which the man turns to the urologist too late, and the disease manages to develop into a chronic form.

So, what signs should you pay attention to, and how to treat chronic prostatitis?

What is chronic prostatitis

Chronic prostatitis- an inflammatory process in the prostate that lasts a long time. The consequences of the disease are disruption of the functioning of the gland and its physiological changes.

Over time, a man begins to experience severe discomfort, which has a direct impact on his lifestyle.

This disease is one of the most common problems associated with men's health. According to statistics, 50% of men aged 50 years and older have prostate problems. As for the chronic form of the disease, it is typical for young men under 40 years of age.

Classification

Chronic prostatitis in men has several forms, differing in symptoms and causes.The following types of disease are distinguished:

1. bacterial;
2. latent;
3. asymptomatic;
4. stagnant.

The symptoms characteristic of the disease, as well as treatment, depend on the form of chronic prostatitis.

Bacterial form of the disease

This form is the most common and does not cause difficulties in making a diagnosis. Typically, the results of urine tests in a patient show a high content of leukocytes, which indicates the proliferation of pathogenic microflora.

The bacterial form of prostatitis can occur against the background of decreased immunity or as a complication after a previous illness. It is treated with antibiotics, and the treatment regimen depends on the type of pathogen.

Latent prostatitis

The latent form can remain undetected for up to three months or more. Its second name is pelvic pain syndrome. The cause of the development of the disease can be both inflammatory and non-inflammatory processes. The latent form is characterized by the following symptoms:

1. increased content of leukocytes in test results;
2. constant nagging pain in the genital area;
3. problems with urination.

The main difficulty in diagnosis is that, despite the presence of leukocytes in tests, laboratory methods cannot identify the causative agent of the infection.

Asymptomatic inflammatory form

The most dangerous form of chronic prostatitis. In this case, changes characteristic of the disease occur in the tissues of the prostate gland, but no symptoms indicate the presence of inflammation. The asymptomatic form is usually discovered by chance or when the disease reaches a critical peak.

After properly selected therapy, the man’s health is completely restored.

Stagnant or non-infectious

The non-infectious form of chronic prostatitis occurs as a result of circulatory disorders in the pelvic organs. This form of the disease accounts for approximately 1/3 of all cases of prostatitis in young men. Characteristic symptoms are difficulty urinating, disturbances in intimate life and pelvic pain.

Inflammation can be triggered by a sedentary lifestyle, injuries, bad habits, etc.

Causes of the disease

The reasons for the development of chronic prostatitis are quite varied. Among the most common are:

1. irregular sexual intercourse or frequent change of partners;
2. complete abstinence from sex;
3. injuries and diseases of the pelvic organs;
4. frequent overheating or hypothermia of the pelvic area;
5. congenital anomalies of the structure of the genitourinary organs;
6. untreated infectious or viral diseases;
7. abuse of bad habits;
8. work in conditions of constant intoxication of the body;
9. metabolic disease;
10. problems with the musculoskeletal system.

Important!In the process of treating prostatitis, it is extremely necessary to identify the root cause of the disease. This will help not only get rid of the problem, but also avoid relapses in the future.

Symptoms of chronic prostatitis

Despite the fact that chronic prostatitis can be asymptomatic for a long time, the following signs may indicate the disease:

• Severe discomfort in the perineum and genital area. Unpleasant sensations may be present constantly or occur at some specific moment, for example, after urination.
• Irradiation of pain to the coccyx or pubic area.
• The feeling of a foreign body in the anus, a little closer to the perineum.
• Increased urge to urinate (especially at night).
• Feeling of fullness in the bladder even after emptying it.
• Weakening libido, decreased erection.
• Minor admixtures of blood in the seminal fluid.
• Haemorrhoids.
• Protrusion of veins through the skin of the scrotum.

The symptoms described above can lead to the development of neurological abnormalities. As a result of frequent urination, a man cannot get enough sleep and work; he begins to suffer from headaches, drowsiness, irritability and even outbursts of aggression.

Diagnostics

Diagnosis of chronic prostatitis begins with a visit to a urologist. If the patient is concernedfrequenturination, sexual dysfunction and perineal pain, then the diagnosis is made quickly enough.

Difficulties in making a diagnosis arise in the case of asymptomatic development of the disease. In this case, the man is prescribed a number of additional examinations, including the use of special instruments. During the diagnosis, you can find out from a urologist what prostatitis is and how the disease is treated.

There are the following methods for diagnosing chronic prostatitis:

1. Taking samples for laboratory research. This method is suitable for patients with a bacterial form of the disease, as it allows one to identify the causative agent of inflammation and select the most effective therapeutic approach. Most often, a general blood and urine test is taken for research.
2. Ultrasonography. If prostatitis is suspected, the patient is prescribed a transrectal examination. This method allows you to determine the exact stage of the disease and assess the general condition of the prostate gland. In addition, ultrasound can help eliminate the risk of serious complications. Also, sometimes patients are prescribed a repeat ultrasound to monitor the progress of treatment.
3. Tomography.MRI is prescribed in cases where other diagnostic methods are powerless or the patient is suspected of developing a malignant process in the prostate.
4. Determination of PSA content(prostate-specific antigen). When PSA is above 4 ng/ml, additional diagnostic procedures are indicated, including prostate biopsy to exclude cancer.

Important!Usually, when diagnosing chronic prostatitis, several methods are combined at once, for example, laboratory testing, palpation and ultrasound.

Treatment of chronic prostatitis

Is it possible to cure chronic prostatitis? If chronic prostatitis is not severely advanced, then it can be treated. If the disease is brought to the last stage, and the walls of the prostate begin to deform, it is possible to alleviate the patient’s condition and achieve remission.

For successful treatment, it is necessary to promptly consult a competent doctor who will tell you how to cure chronic prostatitis and what to take for this. The urologist's recommendations should be strictly followed. Treatment should not be interrupted, otherwise a relapse may occur.

Currently exists3 ways to treat chronic prostatitis:

• medicinal (taking medications);
• non-drug (using various equipment and procedures);
• surgical (otherwise – surgically).

Drug treatment

Treatment for bacterial and non-bacterial prostatitis is different. In the first case, treatment with antibiotics is necessary. But sometimes the treatment regimen may be the same: antibiotics are prescribed for non-bacterial forms to check the result.

If improvement occurs, antibiotics should be continued.

Treatment of chronic prostatitis should be comprehensive. Only in this case can the maximum effect be achieved.

For chronic prostatitis, the following medications may be prescribed:

1. antibiotics;
2. immunostimulating drugs;
3. vasodilator tablets;
4. antispasmodics;
5. anti-inflammatory drugs;
6. angioprotectors (drugs that stimulate the metabolism of vascular cells).

Alpha-blockers can also be used in treatment, but only after taking a course of antibiotics. Medicines for chronic prostatitis help relax the smooth muscle tissue of the prostate and also relieve tension well.

In some cases, antihistamines and antidepressants may be prescribed.

Non-drug therapy

Drug therapy is recommended to be combined with physiotherapeutic procedures. The following physiotherapy procedures are most often used:

1. Laser therapy.
2. Electrophoresis.Special treatment solutions are used that penetrate the tissue using the electrode method.
3. Temperature treatmentusing microwaves.
4. Phonophoresis. Exposure of the diseased organ to ultrasonic waves.

The methods can be used either singly or in combination.

Surgical intervention

If drug therapy and physical procedures do not help, then the disease can only be gotten rid of surgically. This happens when chronic prostatitis is complicated by a sclerotic process.

With a sclerotic prostate, the pathology affects other parts, in particular the ducts, from which prostate secretions are removed, and the seminal tubercles. The entire structure of the reproductive organs changes, and the man’s quality of life is significantly reduced.

In this case, endoscopic surgery is performed. Even congestive chronic prostatitis can be cured surgically.

Treatment can be done both in budgetary medical institutions and in paid clinics. The cost of therapy depends on the severity of the disease and the duration of the course. As for the timing, prostatitis at an early stage can be cured in a month, and complicated prostatitis can be cured in 3-4 months.

Treatment of chronic prostatitis depends on the health status, age and lifestyle of the patient. If you follow all the doctor’s recommendations, it is likely that you will recover completely.

However, no one will guarantee lifelong remission. Patients who have eliminated the cause of the disease have an increased chance of recovery.

Timely consultation with a doctor is also of great importance. Do not delay the diagnosis and treatment of prostatitis. The sooner you get medical help, the lower the risk of any complications.

Treatment at home

Chronic prostatitis can be treated at home if there are no complications. In case of a frequently recurring disease or its complicated form, it is necessary to take medications.

To restore men's health, you can also use traditional medicine recipes. This therapy is auxiliary in nature, that is, it is used as an addition to drug treatment.

Before using any alternative medicine, you should consult your doctor.

Using folk remedies, you can relieve pain, remove inflammation, normalize the urination process and generally strengthen the immune system.

Pumpkin seeds

In the treatment of prostatitis, pumpkin seeds are used quite often. They have a large amount of zinc, and the male body especially needs this trace element.

Only dried pumpkin seeds that have not undergone heat treatment are suitable for treatment. They just need to be peeled and eaten. For a full course of therapy, 0. 5 kg of product is sufficient.

Such courses must be completed every year until complete recovery. Every day it is enough to eat 30-40 seeds before meals. Do not rush, the seeds must be chewed thoroughly.

You can also make sweets that are good for men's health. The recipe is simple: peel the pumpkin seeds, mince them and mix well with honey (200 g).

The result should be a dough-like consistency. Roll small balls with a diameter of 3 cm from this mixture. You should eat 2 of these balls every day on an empty stomach. These sweets cannot be swallowed immediately; they must be chewed for 2-3 minutes.

Hazel infusion

To prepare a healing tincture you will need hazel leaves or bark. You can brew both ingredients, remembering to alternate them. Due to its hardness, the bark takes 2 times longer to brew. For preparation it is necessary to use only fresh material.

The recipe is as follows: 1 tbsp. l. bark or hazel leaves, pour 1 cup of boiling water (200 ml), close the lid and leave for 30 minutes. Then strain using gauze. Take 4 times a day, ¼ cup. The course of treatment lasts a week.

Sagebrush

This herb has long been famous for its beneficial properties. With its help you can cope with any infection. To get rid of prostatitis, you need to undergo complex treatment, which includes washing the urethra with infusion and taking wormwood orally.

You will need 100 g of dry grass. It needs to be ground as finely as possible in your hands and sifted through a strainer. The smallest fragments are useful for taking in dry form, and the larger ones are useful for preparing an infusion, from which urethral douching and microenemas are made.

Thus, the body has a double effect: it cleanses itself of infections and relieves inflammation.

Dry wormwood should be taken once a day with a glass of water. Washing and microenemas are done every evening. The course of therapy lasts a week.

A decoction for douching and enemas is simple to make. 1 tsp. dry herbs pour 1 liter. boiling waterWait until the broth cools to 30 degrees and strain. For one procedure, 50 ml of infusion is enough. Injections into the urethra and anus are made using a syringe.

Do not forget that for each procedure you need to take a separate syringe so as not to accidentally get an infection. The broth must be injected sharply into the urethra: this way the liquid will move far.

Medicinal juices

To effectively treat chronic prostatitis, you can drink juices. It is better to drink freshly squeezed vegetable juices; drinks fromasparagus and cucumber, beets, carrots. You need to drink 600 ml daily. The course of treatment is 10 days.

There are contraindications, it is necessary to consult a specialist.

Disease prevention

Prostatitis is quite difficult to treat and tends to recur. That is why men aged 30 years and older need to pay attention to the prevention of the disease.

The main preventive measures include:

1. having regular sex life with one partner;
2. playing sports and special gymnastics;
3. taking multivitamins to strengthen the immune system;
4. adherence to sleep and wakefulness;
5. reduction of stressful situations;
6. rejection of bad habits;
7. regular visits to the proctologist;
8. timely treatment of colds and viral diseases.

Prevention should concern all areas of a man’s activity, from nutrition to sexual relations. It is important to understand that prostatitis is curable, and you can continue to live a full and active life.