Acute prostatitis is an acute inflammation of the prostate gland caused by an infection.With the disease, swelling of the prostate forms and purulent foci appear in its tissues.Statistical data give us the right to affirm that acute prostatitis in men is a common disease;With age, the risk of its occurrence increases.
The effectiveness of the treatment of acute prostatitis directly depends on the timeliness of the patient's treatment.The disease quickly becomes a chronic form, the treatment of which is longer and more complex.
Forms of acute prostatitis.
If we talk about the clinical development of acute prostatitis in men, three forms (stages) of the disease are distinguished:
- catarrhal;
- follicular;
- parenchymatous.
The first that occurs is catarrhal inflammation, which is characterized by dilation of the acini and the appearance of reactive edema of the interstitial tissue.This leads to a significant enlargement of the prostate gland.The next stage is the rapid spread of inflammatory processes to the lobes and excretory ducts of the prostate.We are talking, in particular, about the excretory ducts of the prostate glands that lead to the back of the urethra.Inflammatory changes affect only the mucous membranes.The excretory ducts lose their contractility, become significantly narrowed or become completely blocked, creating obstacles to the release of prostatic secretions.The catarrhal form is directly related to the infectious pathogen that has moved from the posterior part of the urethra.Since the inflammatory process also affects prostate secretion, it can lead to the appearance of subsequent urethritis.
During the follicular stage, foci of inflammation reach and spread throughout individual lobes or the entire prostate gland.Purulent foci appear, pus passes into the urethra.Prostate enlargement does not stop;The tissues undergo destructive changes.
During the parenchymal phase of acute prostatitis, inflammatory processes affect the interstitial tissue of the prostate.This stage occurs after the penetration of an infectious pathogen by contact or hematogenously, for example, after surgery.
Parenchymal prostatitis at the beginning of the disease is accompanied by the appearance of single pustules, which during the development process coalesce and combine with a prostate abscess.
As for the follicular and parenchymal forms, during their development inflammatory changes usually occur in the posterior part of the urethra and the neck of the bladder.
Prognosis and prevention of acute prostatitis.
In the vast majority of cases, etiotropic therapy, carried out in time, can eradicate the signs of acute prostatitis.If treatment is not carried out, it is very possible that an abscess will occur or the disease will become chronic.
Prevention of this disease usually involves the timely treatment of any infectious diseases of the body, as well as the identification and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases and urethritis.A man needs to lead a healthy lifestyle, paying special attention to increasing physical activity.In addition, the development of the disease is prevented by a regular sexual life and the absence of casual unprotected contacts.Strict compliance with the rules of personal hygiene is another important requirement for a man of any age.
Causes of the disease
Acute prostatitis in men can occur at any age.The reason is usually the penetration of various infectious pathogens.This is E. coli, but there can also be streptococcus, staphylococcus, Candida fungi, chlamydia, trichomonas.The most common route of entry is the excretory ducts.The pathogen can also enter the prostate from the bladder, which is undergoing an inflammatory process (for example, acute cystitis).The infection can also spread from purulent foci located in the immediate vicinity.
The inflammatory process in the prostate caused by the presence of microorganisms can occur for various reasons.Factors that increase your risk include:
- surgical interventions in the urethra area;
- unprotected sexual intercourse, inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary tract in a couple;
- use of a urethral catheter;
- prostate stones, etc.
The occurrence of acute prostatitis may not be associated with infections.It can occur as a result of a sedentary lifestyle, hypothermia and various disorders that lead to stagnation in the pelvic area.
Symptoms of acute prostatitis.
Since there are different stages of acute prostatitis, the symptoms of the disease often depend on them.But there are common characteristics that unite all forms.First of all, these are pain, general intoxication and problems with the urination process.
The catarrhal form is usually accompanied by severe pain, a feeling of heaviness in the perineal area, frequent urination and painful sensations.During palpation, the doctor may notice an increase in the size of the prostate.The results of secretion tests may show a high level of white blood cells.
The symptoms of acute prostatitis in the follicular form are more pronounced.A man feels pain in the perineum, which radiates to the sacrum or penis.The process of urination is accompanied by pain, urine is retained, and difficulties with defecation often arise.There is general malaise and the patient has fever.Palpation demonstrates an enlargement of the prostate, its contours become asymmetrical.Focal pain may occur.Tests show an increase in the level of leukocytes and the presence of purulent threads in the urine.
The parenchymal form is accompanied by a sharp increase in body temperature, values can reach 39.5 degrees.The general symptoms are pronounced: chills, loss of appetite and lack of strength.Urination is delayed, the process is accompanied by severe pain.Defecation is also difficult and constipation becomes severe.
In such cases, it is necessary to urgently start treatment for acute prostatitis.If the process is started, there is a high probability of prostate abscess, paraprostatitis, phlebitis of the paraprostatic venous plexus.If the patient does not consult a doctor, the disease becomes chronic and the likelihood of a complete recovery decreases significantly.
Diagnosis of acute prostatitis.
When a patient contacts a urologist, the doctor diagnoses acute prostatitis and identifies what stage the disease is in.The specialist receives the information after carrying out an exhaustive study.The methods used in diagnosis in this case consist of physical, instrumental and laboratory studies.
The physical examination consists of studying the state of the prostate gland from the rectum.In this way, the specialist has the opportunity to evaluate the size, shape, consistency of the organ and the presence of pain.As a result of the analysis of the secreted secretion, it is easy to determine a decrease in the number of lecithin grains and an increase in the level of leukocytes.
Palpation of the gland also involves collecting and transferring urine for examination.In most cases, acute prostatitis is manifested by an increase in the level of leukocytes.Urine culture, PCR and blood culture, and urethral secretion analysis are also prescribed.
Instrumental methods in the case of this disease are represented by ultrasound diagnosis performed transrectically.If the patient has severe pain, the exam of choice is the transabdominal method.
When the question of surgical intervention arises, it becomes necessary to perform a CT and MRI of the pelvis.
Treatment of acute prostatitis
Treatment of acute prostatitis is carried out in a hospital setting.This is due to two factors.First of all, there is a risk of serious complications that can affect men's health and subsequently affect reproductive function and erection quality.Secondly, the disease is complex and is accompanied by pronounced symptoms and painful sensations.Treatment of acute prostatitis begins with drug therapy, prescribing the patient with etiotropic drugs.The most important role is played by antibacterial agents that inhibit the functioning of microorganisms.
To reduce the intensity of pain, as well as eliminate spasms, the patient is recommended to take antispasmodics and analgesics.Thermal enemas and rectal suppositories are sometimes used to relieve the condition.After overcoming the acute symptoms, it is possible to resort to physical therapy.These procedures increase microcirculation, improve local immunity and help eliminate inflammation.Among the physiotherapeutic methods for treating acute prostatitis, the most effective are prostate massage, as well as microwave therapy and electrophoresis.For many years, prostate massage has been considered a particularly popular measure, helping to eliminate congestion;Its regular use as a preventive measure is also recommended for men who have reached the age of forty.
In case of problems with the urinary process, a catheter is not used;instead, trocar cystostomy is preferred.
Recovery is considered to be the regeneration of prostate tissue, the complete restoration of its functions, while laboratory tests indicate that infectious pathogens are absent and prostate secretion returns to its normal composition.
Surgery is not a widely used treatment for prostatitis.It doesn't always give results.The surgical solution provides a positive dynamic in less than half of the cases.The most common side effect of the operation is erectile dysfunction, retrograde ejaculation is also common, in which during ejaculation sperm enter the bladder and sometimes a narrowing of the ureter occurs.The surgical method does not guarantee against relapse.Therefore, surgical intervention is resorted to only in certain cases, such as:
- the appearance of a prostate abscess, which must be opened and cleaned;
- lack of results from treatment with conservative methods in the form of medications, traditional medicine, physiotherapy procedures;
- development of serious complications;
- the presence of a focus of inflammation in the pelvic area;
- formation of paraproctitis (purulent abscess in cells located around the rectum);
- presence of blood in the urine;
- delay in urination and cessation of urination (anuria);
- the presence of stones in the bladder and kidneys, the cause of which was prostatitis;
- suspicion of a malignant tumor.