Acute prostatitis is an acute inflammation of the prostate gland caused by infection.With the disease, swelling of the prostate forms, and purulent foci appear in its tissues.Statistical data gives us the right to assert that acute prostatitis in men is a common disease; with age, the risk of its occurrence increases.
The effectiveness of treatment of acute prostatitis directly depends on the timeliness of the patient’s treatment.The disease quickly develops into 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, there are three forms (stages) of the disease:
- catarrhal;
- follicular;
- parenchymatous.
The first to occur 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 lobules and excretory ducts of the prostate.We are talking, in particular, about the excretory ducts of the prostatic glands leading to the posterior part of the urethra.Inflammatory changes affect only the mucous membranes.The excretory ducts lose their contractility, they narrow significantly or become completely blocked, creating obstacles to the release of prostate 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 provoke the appearance of posterior urethritis.
During the follicular stage, foci of inflammation reach and spread throughout individual lobules or the entire prostate gland.Purulent foci appear, pus passes into the urethra.The enlargement of the prostate does not stop; the tissues undergo destructive changes.
During the parenchymal phase of acute prostatitis, inflammatory processes affect the interstitial tissue of the prostate gland.This stage occurs after the penetration of an infectious pathogen through contact or hematogenous routes, for example, after surgery.
Parenchymal prostatitis at the onset of the disease is accompanied by the appearance of single pustules, which during the development process unite and combine with a prostate abscess.
As for the follicular and parenchymal forms, during their development, inflammatory changes often occur in the posterior part of the urethra and the neck of the bladder.
Forecast and prevention of acute prostatitis
In the vast majority of cases, etiotropic therapy, carried out on time, can eradicate the signs of acute prostatitis.If treatment is not carried out, it is quite possible for an abscess to occur or for the disease to become chronic.
Prevention of this disease usually means timely treatment of any infectious diseases in the body, as well as identification and treatment of sexually transmitted diseases and urethritis.A man needs to lead a healthy lifestyle, especially paying attention to increasing physical activity.Also, the development of the disease is prevented by regular sex life and the absence of unprotected casual contacts.Strict adherence to the rules of personal hygiene is another important requirement for a man at any age.
Causes of the disease
Acute prostatitis in men can occur at any age.The reason is often the penetration of various infectious pathogens.This is E. coli, but there can also be streptococci, staphylococci, Candida fungi, chlamydia, trichomonas.The most common route of entry is the excretory ducts.The pathogen can also enter the prostate gland 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 area of the urethra;
- unprotected sexual intercourse, inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary tract in a partner;
- use of a urethral catheter;
- prostate stones, etc.
The occurrence of acute prostatitis may not be associated with infections.It can occur as a consequence of a sedentary lifestyle, hypothermia, and various disorders leading 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 features that unite all forms.First of all, it is pain, general intoxication, as well as problems with the urination process.
The catarrhal form is usually accompanied by severe pain, a feeling of heaviness in the perineal area, frequent urination, accompanied by painful sensations.During palpation, the doctor may notice an increase in the size of the prostate gland.The results of secretion tests may show a high level of white blood cells.
Symptoms of acute prostatitis in the follicular form are more pronounced.A man feels pain in the perineum, radiating to the sacrum or penis.The process of urination is accompanied by pain, urine is retained, and difficulties with defecation often occur.There is general malaise and the patient has a fever.Palpation demonstrates an enlarged prostate, its outlines 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.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 begin 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 see 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, identifying at what stage the disease is.The specialist receives the information after conducting a comprehensive study.The methods used in diagnosis in this case consist of physical, instrumental, and laboratory studies.
Physical examination consists of studying the condition of the prostate gland from the rectum.Thus, the specialist gets the opportunity to assess the size, shape, consistency of the organ, and the presence of pain.As a result of 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 the collection and transfer of urine for examination.In most cases, acute prostatitis is signaled by an increase in the level of leukocytes.Urine culture, PCR and blood culture, and analysis of urethral discharge are also prescribed.
Instrumental methods in the case of this disease are represented by ultrasound diagnostics performed transrectally.If the patient has severe pain, the choice of examination is the transabdominal method.
When the question of surgical intervention arises, it becomes necessary to conduct 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.Firstly, 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, accompanied by pronounced symptoms and painful sensations.Treatment of acute prostatitis begins with drug therapy, prescribing etiotropic drugs to the patient.The most important role is played by antibacterial agents that suppress the functioning of microorganisms.
To reduce the severity of pain, as well as get rid of spasms, the patient is recommended to take antispasmodics and analgesics.Sometimes thermal enemas and rectal suppositories are used to alleviate the condition.After overcoming acute symptoms, it becomes possible to use physiotherapy.These procedures increase microcirculation, improve local immunity, and help eliminate inflammation.Among the physiotherapeutic methods of 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, which helps eliminate congestion; it is also recommended to be used regularly as a preventive measure 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 the prostate secretion returns to its normal composition.
Surgery is not a widely used treatment for prostatitis.It doesn't always bring results.The surgical solution brings positive dynamics 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 enters the bladder, and sometimes 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 occurrence of a prostate abscess, which must be opened and cleaned;
- lack of results from treatment using conservative methods in the form of medicines, traditional medicine, physiotherapeutic procedures;
- development of serious complications;
- the presence of a focus of inflammation in the pelvic area;
- formation of paraproctitis (purulent abscess in cells localized around the rectum);
- presence of blood in the urine;
- delayed urination and cessation of urination (anuria);
- the presence of stones in the bladder, kidneys, the cause of which was prostatitis;
- suspicion of a malignant tumor.