Inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis) is a very painful condition. But prostatitis is usually not limited to just pain and causes even more serious symptoms. Which? How long does prostate inflammation usually last? And what helps?
What is prostatitis?
Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate (prostate gland). The prostate can become inflamed, for example, due to the penetration of bacteria into the prostate tissue from the urinary tract. Depending on whether the cause of prostate inflammation is bacterial or not, the following types of prostatitis are distinguished:
- bacterial;
- abacterial prostatitis.
The prostate is a four-centimeter gland, which in men is located under the bladder. It is one of the internal reproductive organs that produces a secretion that mixes with sperm during ejaculation. This secretion provides sperm motility and provides support on the way to the female egg.
The prostate gland in men can become inflamed due to inflammation of the bladder or urethra (urethra), and the causative agents of inflammation can be bacteria that migrate from the bladder or urethra to the prostate. In this case we talk about acute prostatitis. In most cases, the infection can be controlled with antibiotics.
In about 5 out of 100 patients, the bacteria remain in the prostate despite treatment, leaving the inflammation unchanged. Diagnosis of chronic prostatitis.
Bacteria are not always the cause of prostate inflammation
In addition to bacteria, there are other factors that can cause inflammation of the prostate, such as central nervous system (CNS) disorders, mental problems, stress, and chronic inflammation of the bladder wall. Since in this case prostatitis occursnot because of bacteria, he is calledabacterial prostatitis.
Sometimes abacterial prostatitis is called one of the forms of chronic pelvic pain syndrome (CPPS for short). However, this painful syndrome can develop even without inflammation of the prostate. In addition to inflammatory forms, there are also non-inflammatory forms of chronic pelvic pain syndrome.
Note:In chronic non-inflammatory pelvic pain syndrome, the symptoms are similar to those of prostatitis, but neither bacteria nor signs of inflammation are found.
However, in the official rankingprostatitisThe US National Institutes of Health lists both inflammatory and non-inflammatory forms of the syndromechronicpelvic pain.
According to many, this introducesdoctorsmisleading and, in the worst case, can lead to inappropriate treatment. Unlike inflammation of the prostate gland, chronic non-inflammatory pelvic pain syndrome does not respond to antibiotic therapy.
Causes of prostatitis
There are a number of factors that contribute to inflammation of the prostate gland. The most important are:
- recurrent urinary tract infections;
- bladder catheterization;
- surgical interventions in the urogenital area;
- unprotected anal sex.
In these and other circumstances, bacteria can easily enter the urinary tract and cause inflammation of the prostate gland. If the bacteria enters the prostate, it can lead to bacterial prostatitis.
Nonbacterial prostatitis can have many different causes. Let's take a closer look at the causes of both types of prostatitis.
Bacterial prostatitis
Most bacterial prostatitis are caused by intestinal bacteria such as Escherichia coli or enterococci. If they enter the urinary tract through the opening of the penis, they first cause an infection of the urethra or bladder, then the pathogens enter the prostate gland, causing inflammation of the prostate.
Men who suffer from prostatitis in the hospital often have Pseudomonas aeruginosa. They enter the urinary tract after catheterization of the bladder.
In rare cases, inflammation of the prostate occurs due to sexually transmitted diseases. In this case, the causative agents are mainly chlamydia.
Nonbacterial prostatitis
In nonbacterial prostatitis (a form of chronic pelvic pain syndrome), any bacteria can be the culprit. However, after tests, leukocytes (white blood cells that protect the body) are found in the prostate and sperm. This indicates that the body is fighting inflammation.
What causes this inflammation is not fully understood and studied by specialists. This is probably the result of the combined effect of various factors. The following factors may play a role:
- compromised immune response;
- central nervous system disorders that affect the nerves and muscles of the genitourinary system and prevent a person from emptying the bladder as usual;
- mental disorders such as stress, anxiety or depression.
Some experts suggest that hidden infections could be the cause of chronic pelvic pain syndrome. However, this hypothesis is controversial.
Typical symptoms of prostatitis
Typical symptoms of acute bacterial prostatitis are:
- frequent urination;
- burning when urinating (usually with a small amount of urine);
- pain in the bladder and perineum;
- pain during bowel movements;
- nausea;
- fever and chills.
Chronic bacterial prostatitis also causes pain and problems with urination. However, these symptoms disappear immediately and appear after a while. Chronic prostatitis is characterized by a recurrent course with inflammation that fades and reappears. It can last many months.
Another characteristic sign of chronic inflammation of the prostate is erectile dysfunction.
Nonbacterial inflammation of the prostate, which is not caused by bacteria, essentially causes symptoms similar to those of chronic bacterial prostatitis. Additionally, victims sometimes complain of pain during ejaculation.
Special case: asymptomatic inflammation of the prostate
In rare cases, the doctor may detect an increase in the number of white blood cells in the ejaculate or secretions of the prostate, but the affected person may not experience pain or other symptoms of inflammation of the prostate.
Such cases are classified as asymptomatic inflammation of the prostate and are usually discovered incidentally as part of a cancer or infertility screening.
Diagnostics
A doctor can diagnose acute bacterial prostatitis by asking the patient what his symptoms are and examining the prostate. First, the doctor palpates the prostate with his finger. If on palpation heat and swelling are felt in the prostate area and the patient feels pain, this indicates acute bacterial inflammation.
To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor may also perform a urinalysis and draw blood from the patient to examine the level of inflammatory cells.
Chronic bacterial inflammation of the prostate cannot be diagnosed by palpation alone. For example, if the patient is between two bouts of inflammation, the doctor will not be able to detect severe swelling during palpation. Therefore, blood and urine tests are needed to diagnose chronic bacterial prostatitis.
To detect chronic prostatitis, a urine sample is not enough. Because if the urine contains white blood cells and bacteria, this could also indicate a urinary tract infection. To find out if the inflammation is affecting the prostate, your doctor will need to examine several urine samples.
Treatment of prostatitis
Effective treatment against prostate inflammation depends on the cause: if the inflammation is caused by bacteria, the therapy will be different from the treatment of abacterial prostatitis. In both cases, however, the doctor can prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs (so-called antiphlogistics).
Treatment of bacterial prostatitis
For bacterial inflammation of the prostate, antibiotics will help eliminate symptoms.
- In case of mild acute prostatitis, the doctor should prescribe antibiotics from the fluoroquinolone group, the patient should take them for 10 days.
- If the inflammation is severe, the doctor may give the patient broad-spectrum antibiotics.
- If it is chronic inflammation, the patient usually takes a fluoroquinolone for 4 to 6 weeks.
Treatment of abacterial prostatitis
Doctors usually try to control nonbacterial inflammation of the prostate gland using a combination of several drugs. For example, in addition to anti-inflammatory drugs, they can also prescribe the so-calledalpha-1 receptor blockers. They relax the muscles of the prostate and bladder, thus promoting emptying of the bladder.
Depending on your doctor's suspicions about the cause of the inflammation, additional measures may be necessary. For example, it has been suggested that psychological problems may also play a role in the development of nonbacterial prostatitis. In this case, your doctor may recommend psychotherapy.
Additionally, spa treatments such as baths can often be used to relieve symptoms.
Treatment of prostatitis with folk remedies
Folk remedies for prostatitis serve as an alternative to drug therapy. Used for bacterial prostatitis. Before using folk remedies, consult your doctor.
Fireweed
Fireweed has proven to be an excellent remedy for prostate diseases.
Fireweed is a perennial herbaceous plant. It has small flowers, usually white, but they are also available in various shades of red.
Fireweed seeds are small, on their surface there is a fluff, with the help of which they spread.
There are around 200 species of fireweed. The plant is often considered a weed and can be very toxic, but beneficial effects have only been demonstrated in fireweed. Flowers and root are used. The content of biological active ingredients (myricetin, kaempferol, quercetin, lectin and sitosterol) has a positive effect on the activity of the prostate.
Use of fireweed:
Pour 1 heaped teaspoon of herbs into 1/4 liter of water, bring to the boil and leave to infuse for a short time (15 minutes). It is recommended to drink it in sips throughout the day (up to 2 cups) fresh.
This medicinal plant is used for several urological diseases, in particular:
- for all prostate diseases, including prostate cancer;
- for kidney disease;
- for bladder diseases;
- for bladder cancer;
- for wound healing.
Fireweed is effective against inflammation of the urological tract, as a rule, it is combined with other herbs, depending on the nature of the problems, most often with cranberry, goldenrod, horsetail or birch.
Green tea
Medicines in the form of green tea are probably the most pleasant way to treat prostatitis.
It is recommended to drink 3 cups of green tea a day.
This drink promotes frequent urination, which helps cleanse the entire body. Furthermore, green tea is directly involved in the detoxification of the body.
Advise!Men are advised to urinate while sitting. In this way, complete emptying of the bladder is achieved. The sitting position completely relaxes all the pelvic muscles, so no urine residues remain in the bladder, in which otherwise some pathogenic bacteria would rapidly multiply.
Nettle
2 handfuls of freshly picked nettle leaves - about 15 cm from the top of the plant - should be poured with 300 ml of drinking water and left to infuse overnight (about 12 hours). In the morning the infusion should be slightly heated and drunk.
Blueberry
Cranberry is one of the famous fighters against prostatitis. Home treatment with cranberries involves consumption in dried, fresh or canned form. In the latter case, however, you need to pay attention to added sugars.
Cranberry juices are also available in stores. You should also be careful here and read the label carefully to make sure the juice does not contain additional juices from other fruits or artificial sweeteners.
Only 100% cranberry juice has healing effects.
Add dried cranberries to porridge or oatmeal.
For whom blueberries are not suitable:
Cranberries are contraindicated for people taking blood-thinning medications. Cranberry can reduce the antiplatelet effects of the drug, which will lead to bleeding.
Ginger
When treating prostatitis, you can pay attention to another useful product - ginger root. Ginger is a promising product for the treatment of this disease. It has a powerful anti-inflammatory effect and antioxidant properties, interrupts the reproductive cycle of tumor cells (which is particularly important in the treatment of prostate cancer) and promotes apoptosis. Additionally, ginger is not toxic to other rapidly growing cells.
It should be taken after meals, adding the root to tea (preferably green).
Pumpkin seeds
As practice shows, the most effective method of treating prostatitis is to use fresh pumpkin seeds rather than dried ones.
Preparation:Pumpkin seeds should be crushed. The resulting mass is mixed with honey in equal proportions and slightly heated. Then you have to leave it in the refrigerator for several hours, after which you have to form balls the size of a walnut.
The balls are taken before meals, 1-2 times a day, every day.
For preventive purposes you can eat 4-5 pumpkin seeds every day. They contain zinc, selenium and other biochemicals that reduce inflammation in the body, including the prostate gland, and have a positive effect on the formation of the male hormone testosterone.
Chestnuts
Chestnuts are also effective and have no side effects, which is very important for older people.
Chestnuts should be peeled, crush the stone into small pieces, pour boiling water over them and let it brew for an hour.
The decoction should be taken 3 times a day before meals, 30 drops.
Regular sex
Regular sex, just like masturbation, cleanses the prostate, promotes blood circulation and prevents local inflammation.
Prognosis: duration and course of prostatitis
Acute prostatitis usually responds well to treatment. If the patient takes the antibiotics prescribed by the doctor, the pain and fever generally disappear within 36 hours. After a few days, the symptoms should decrease significantly.
Chronic prostatitis lasts several months and usually manifests itself with relapses, during which the patient experiences little or no discomfort. Chronic prostatitis is usually more persistent than acute prostatitis: antibiotic therapy often lasts several weeks.
Is it possible to prevent prostatitis?
Early treatment of urinary tract infections can prevent the spread of germs to the prostate and therefore inflammation of the prostate. Using a condom can also help prevent inflammation of the prostate caused by some sexually transmitted diseases.