Prostatitis: causes, symptoms, treatment with drugs 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 below the bladder and partially surrounds the urinary tube (urethra).Therefore, even a minor dysfunction of this organ leads to disturbances in the work of the genitourinary system.

Reasons for the development of prostatitis

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. Blood stagnation in the pelvis.This refers to a violation of blood microcirculation in the prostate gland and nearby organs, which provokes an increase in the organ.The disorder can occur against the background of a sedentary lifestyle, obesity (not necessarily critical) or in the postoperative period.
2. Genitourinary tract infection.Most often, when examining a patient with prostatitis, doctors isolate gonococci, staphylococci, chlamydia and trichomonads.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 get stress on the perineum, the prostate gland experiences tremors and vibrations.
4. Entry of bacteria through body fluids.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 drugs, chronic diseases, human immunodeficiency virus) 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, the factors that serve as provocateurs of the pathology can be taken into account:

• regular hypothermia - this may be due to the peculiarities of working conditions or neglect of the rules for wearing clothes during certain periods of the year;
• disorders 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 exhausted;
• any chronic diseases - there are officially registered cases of the development of prostatitis against the background of untreated bronchitis, caries, cystitis and urological infections.

Symptoms of the inflammatory process

Andrologists distinguish the 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 moment of urination is painful, the man feels pain and burning in the urethra;
• body temperature rises (hyperemia) to critical levels.

These symptoms are quickly joined by a burning sensation throughout the perineum and pain during a bowel movement.

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 intercourse is reduced;
• the 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 very 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:

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

Pay attention: the most dangerous condition in an acute form of inflammation of the prostate gland is retention of urine.In this case, the man will feel a strong desire to go to the toilet, but the urine will not be released even with great strain.Acute urinary retention is accompanied by severe pain in 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 in using a catheter - it is inserted into the urethra and bladder, literally "pushing" the swollen gland.As soon as the catheter reaches the bladder, the flow of urine begins and the patient immediately feels relief, his condition normalizes in a short time.

Chronic form of prostatitis

The type of pathology in question is practically asymptomatic - sometimes a person experiences short-term pain in the perineum (similar to lumbago), notices changes in intercourse - it can be prolonged or shortened.In addition, the patient becomes irritable, sleep becomes restless at night, the stream of urine may become weak (this is due to narrowing of the urethra), and in the morning there may be white clots in the urine in the form of scales 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 alcohol or is too passionate about his work, then he does not have 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 subsided - it has simply become chronic.

Methods of treatment of prostatitis

Treatment of the inflammatory process in the prostate gland should be carried out only 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 therapeutic methods can be used to treat inflammation of the prostate.

Drug treatment

In case of prostatitis, antibacterial agents (antibiotics) can be prescribed, but only if pathogenic bacteria are isolated during the examination and are 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 oppose the development of pathological processes in it.

If the inflammatory process has started 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, the man must undergo a course of hormone therapy.

Please note: drug treatment is very variable, so it must be chosen individually - 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 drugs, it will be effective to carry out certain physical procedures:

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

Traditional medicine

Please note: prescriptions from the category of traditional medicine should not become the only method of treatment - they can only accelerate the therapeutic process and improve the effect of taking drugs 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 with prostatitis you should eat 30 raw seeds 30 minutes before meals throughout the course of treatment.
2. Honey Pumpkin 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.From the resulting mass, roll small balls and store them in the refrigerator.Before a meal (30 minutes before) you need to eat 1-2 balls - you do not need to chew them, it is better to dissolve them 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 in a pharmacy;there is a cup of boiling water per tablespoon of the starting material.The decoction is brewed like a regular tea for 20 minutes, strained and taken 50 ml at least 4 times a day.Please note: hazel bark is also sold in pharmacies - it can also be used to treat prostatitis and according to the same recipe.But keep in mind that for crusts, the cooking time is doubled.
4. Parsley juice.It is prepared from the green leaves of the plant and taken 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 should take the decoction every day in the morning and in the evening for 1 tablespoon.

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

Diet and lifestyle

In order to get the best result during the therapeutic measures regarding prostatitis, you must adhere to a certain diet.Fatty meats, smoked and excessively salty foods, baked goods and chocolate should be excluded from the diet.The menu may include fish and seafood, milk and its derivatives, steamed vegetables.With prostatitis, it is very useful to consume freshly prepared vegetable and fruit juices - they will help to strengthen and restore the immune system.

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

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