Prostatitis: causes, symptoms, treatment with medications and folk remedies

Prostatitis is an inflammatory process localized in the prostate gland.This pathology is quite common and is often diagnosed in men of reproductive age.The prostate (the second name for the prostate gland) is located under the bladder and partially surrounds the urinary tube (urethra).Therefore, even minor dysfunction of this organ leads to disturbances in the functioning of the genitourinary system.

Causes of prostatitis development

Prostatitis is classified as an inflammatory process, but this does not mean that it is caused exclusively by pathogenic microorganisms.Doctors (andrologists deal with diseases of the male reproductive system) identify several reasons for the development of the pathology in question:

1. Stagnation of blood in the pelvis.This refers to a violation of blood microcirculation in the prostate gland and nearby organs, which provokes an enlargement of the organ.A violation can occur against the background of a sedentary lifestyle, obesity (it does not have to be critical), or in the postoperative period.
2. Infection of the genitourinary system.Most often, when examining a patient with prostatitis, doctors isolate gonococci, staphylococci, chlamydia and trichomonas.Very rarely, an infection can penetrate the prostate gland against the background of a sore throat or flu - in this case, the inflammatory process in question is differentiated as a complication.
3. Regular injury to the pelvic organs.For this reason, prostatitis develops in drivers - they constantly receive stress on the perineum, the prostate gland experiences shaking and vibration.
4. Entry of bacteria through biological fluids of the body.Every human body has colonies of bacteria living in the intestines and urethra.Under normal conditions, they are absolutely harmless and only under favorable conditions (weakened immunity, long-term use of medications, chronic diseases, human immunodeficiency virus) do they become pathogenic and cause inflammatory processes.These bacteria can enter the prostate gland through the blood or lymph.

In addition, when diagnosing the inflammatory process in the prostate gland, factors that serve as provocateurs of pathology can be considered:

• regular hypothermia - this may be due to the peculiarities of working conditions or ignoring the rules of wearing clothes during specific periods of the year;
• disturbances in the functioning of the endocrine system - excessive or insufficient production of male hormones, diagnosed diabetes mellitus;
• too active sexual life, as well as prolonged abstinence - the prostate gland is depleted;
• any chronic diseases - there are officially recorded cases of the development of prostatitis against the background of untreated bronchitis, caries, cystitis, and urological infections.

Symptoms of the inflammatory process

Andrologists distinguish between main and indirect signs of a developing inflammatory process in the prostate gland.The main symptoms are clearly expressed:

• urination becomes more frequent, regardless of the amount of fluid consumed;
• the immediate moment of urine outflow is painful, the man experiences pain and burning in the urethra;
• body temperature rises (hyperemia) to critical levels.

These symptoms are quickly joined by a burning sensation in the entire perineum and pain during bowel movements.

Indirect signs of the inflammatory process in the prostate gland are not so noticeable, but men should not ignore them:

• ejaculation becomes too accelerated - the time of sexual intercourse is reduced;
• erection can be quite long at night;
• decreased libido – partial or complete;
• “flakes” or white “threads” appear in the urine.

Please note: these indirect signs indicate the very beginning of the development of the inflammatory process in question - it is highly treatable and proceeds without complications.

Prostatitis is classified into acute and chronic forms, each of which has its own symptoms.

Acute form of prostatitis

Acute prostatitis always begins suddenly and manifests itself:

• increased temperature;
• prolonged pain in the perineum;
• frequent urge to go to the toilet;
• passing a very small amount of urine when the bladder feels full.

Please note: the most dangerous condition in the acute form of inflammation of the prostate gland is urinary retention.In this case, the man will experience a strong desire to go to the toilet, but urine will not be released even with strong straining.Acute urinary retention is accompanied by severe pain in the area of the anatomical location of the bladder, a feeling of pressure - patients describe their condition as “the bladder is about to burst.”The condition requires immediate medical attention, which consists of using a catheter - it is inserted into the urethra and bladder, literally “pushing apart” the swollen gland.As soon as the catheter reaches the bladder, the outflow of urine begins and the patient immediately experiences relief, his condition returns to normal for a short time.

Chronic form of prostatitis

This type of pathology in question is practically asymptomatic - occasionally a man experiences short-term pain in the perineum (similar to a lumbago), notes changes in sexual intercourse - it can either lengthen or shorten.In addition, the patient becomes irritable, sleep becomes restless at night, the stream of urine may become weak (this is due to a narrowing of the urinary canal), and in the morning there may be white clots in the urine in the form of flakes or threads.

Please note: the chronic form of the inflammatory process in the prostate gland can develop unnoticed by the patient.The fact is that at a young age, acute prostatitis occurs with mild symptoms, and if a young man is addicted to drinking alcohol or is too passionate about his work, then he has no time to pay attention to changes in urination or periodic pain in the perineum.The symptoms of acute prostatitis will disappear over time, but this does not mean that the disease has receded - it has simply become chronic.

Treatment methods for prostatitis

Treatment of the inflammatory process in the prostate gland should only be carried out under the supervision of an andrologist.He not only diagnoses prostatitis itself (often its symptoms are identical to prostate cancer), but also reveals the true cause of its occurrence.In general, several different therapy methods can be used to treat prostate inflammation.

Drug treatment

For prostatitis, antibacterial agents (antibiotics) can be prescribed, but only if during the examination pathogenic bacteria were isolated and recognized as the cause of the development of the pathology.Along with antibiotics, the patient is prescribed probiotics or prebiotics - drugs that normalize the intestinal microflora and resist the development of pathological processes in it.

If the inflammatory process began as a result of the negative impact of external factors (hypothermia, injury), then anti-inflammatory non-steroidal drugs will be prescribed.

In case of hormonal disorders, a man must undergo a course of hormonal therapy.

Please note: treatment with medications is very variable, therefore it must be selected on an individual basis - self-medication in this case is strictly prohibited.

Physiotherapy

Treatment of inflammation of the prostate gland should be carried out comprehensively.And against the background of the use of medications, it will be effective to carry out certain physical procedures:

1. Electrical stimulation accelerates metabolic processes, provokes more active hormone production, and restores the structure of the gland.
2. Magnetic therapy is a painless procedure that helps reduce the level of inflammation and get rid of swelling of the prostate gland.
3. Prostate massage - performed only after treatment for acute inflammation; the procedure is painful, but very effective.

Traditional medicine

Please note: recipes from the traditional medicine category should not become the only method of treatment - they can only speed up the therapeutic process and improve the effect of taking medications and performing physical procedures.

The most effective and safe methods of traditional treatment include:

1. Eating pumpkin seeds.They contain zinc, which is an essential element for men's health, so for prostatitis you need to eat 30 raw seeds 30 minutes before meals throughout the entire course of therapy.
2. Pumpkin honey balls.Peel 100 grams of raw pumpkin seeds, grind them in a meat grinder (or in a blender, but not into fine crumbs) and mix with 200 grams of honey.Roll small balls from the resulting mass and store them in the refrigerator.Before eating (30 minutes before) you need to eat 1-2 balls - you don’t need to chew it, it’s better to dissolve it slowly.Treatment with this prescription continues until the symptoms of prostatitis disappear.
3. Decoction of hazel leaves.You can collect hazel leaves yourself, or you can buy dry raw materials at a pharmacy; there is a glass of boiling water per tablespoon of the source material.The decoction is brewed like regular tea for 20 minutes, filtered and taken 50 ml at least 4 times a day.Please note: hazel bark is also sold in pharmacies - it can also be used in the treatment of prostatitis and according to the same recipe.But keep in mind that for bark, the brewing time is doubled.
4. Parsley juice.Prepare it from the green leaves of the plant and take 1 dessert spoon 3 times a day before meals.
5. Decoction of parsley seeds.You need to take 1 tablespoon of parsley seeds, pour 400 ml of boiling water and leave for 2 hours (you can do this in a thermos).You need to take the decoction every day in the morning and evening in the amount of 1 tablespoon.

In any case, no matter how safe the remedy may seem, you should first consult with your doctor.For example, if a man, in addition to prostatitis, has cholelithiasis, then the use of pumpkin seeds is strictly prohibited for him - any prescription is made on a strictly individual basis.

Diet and lifestyle

To obtain the best result during therapeutic measures in relation to prostatitis, you need to adhere to a certain diet.It is supposed to exclude fatty meats, smoked and too salty foods, baked goods and chocolate from the diet.The menu can include fish and seafood, milk and its derivatives, steamed vegetables.It is very useful for prostatitis to consume freshly prepared juices from vegetables and fruits - they will help strengthen and restore the immune system.

During therapy, you need to eliminate alcohol and lead an active lifestyle - at a minimum, do morning exercises, walk more and get rid of extra pounds.

Prostatitis is not considered a life-threatening disease for men, but ignoring its symptoms can lead to the development of severe complications.One of the most difficult consequences is male infertility and loss of erectile function, which often occurs with prolonged chronic prostatitis.