Inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis) in men

Inflammation of the prostate (prostatitis) is a very painful condition. But often prostatitis is not limited to pain and can cause more serious symptoms. Which? How long does prostate inflammation usually last? How does it help?

What is prostatitis?

Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate (prostate). For example, bacteria can enter the prostate tissue from the urethra, causing inflammation of the prostate. Depending on whether the cause of prostate inflammation is bacterial, prostatitis can be divided into the following types:

• bacteria;
• Nonbacterial prostatitis.

The prostate is a four-centimetre gland located below the bladder in men. It is one of the internal reproductive organs that produces secretions that mix with sperm during ejaculation. This secretion energizes the sperm and provides support on the path to the female egg.The male prostate may become inflamed due to inflammation of the bladder or urethra (urethra), and the causative agent of the inflammation may 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, bacteria remained in the prostate and inflammation did not change despite treatment. Diagnosis of chronic prostatitis.

Bacteria aren't always the cause of prostate inflammation

In addition to bacteria, there are other factors that can cause prostate inflammation, such as central nervous system (CNS) disorders, psychiatric problems, stress, and chronic inflammation of the bladder wall. Since prostatitis in this case is not caused by bacteria, it is called nonbacterial prostatitis.Sometimes, nonbacterial prostatitis is called a form of chronic pelvic pain syndrome, or CPPS. However, this pain syndrome can also occur without prostate inflammation. In addition to inflammation, there are also non-inflammatory forms of chronic pelvic pain syndrome.Note: The symptoms of non-inflammatory chronic pelvic pain syndrome are similar to those of prostatitis, but neither bacteria nor signs of inflammation are found.However, the National Institutes of Health's official classification of prostatitis includes both inflammatory and non-inflammatory forms of chronic pelvic pain syndrome.Many believe this misleads doctors and, in the worst cases, could lead to incorrect treatment. Unlike prostatic inflammation, non-inflammatory chronic pelvic pain syndrome does not respond to antibiotic treatment.

Causes of prostatitis

There are many factors that can cause inflammation of the prostate. the most important is:

• recurring urinary tract infections;
• bladder catheterization;
• Surgery in the genitourinary area;
• Unprotected anal sex.

In these and other cases, bacteria can easily enter the urethra and cause inflammation of the prostate. If bacteria enter the prostate, it can cause bacterial prostatitis.Nonbacterial prostatitis can have several causes. Let’s take a closer look at these two causes of prostatitis.

bacterial prostate

Most bacterial prostatitis is caused by intestinal bacteria such as E. coli or enterococci. If they enter the urinary tract through the opening of the penis, they first cause urethra or bladder infection, and then the pathogens enter the prostate, causing prostate inflammation.Men suffering from prostatitis in the hospital are often infected with Pseudomonas aeruginosa. They enter the urinary tract after the bladder is catheterized. In rare cases, inflammation of the prostate is caused by a sexually transmitted disease. In this case, the pathogen is mainly chlamydia.

nonbacterial prostatitis

In nonbacterial prostatitis, a form of chronic pelvic pain syndrome, any bacteria can be the culprit. However, upon testing, leukocytes (white blood cells that protect the body) were found in the prostate and sperm. This indicates that the body is fighting inflammation.Experts have yet to fully understand and study what causes this inflammation. This is likely the result of a combination of factors. The following factors may come into play:

• Impaired immune response;
• Central nervous system disease, which affects the nerves and muscles of the genitourinary system and prevents a person from emptying the bladder normally;
• Mental disorders such as stress, anxiety, or depression.

Some experts believe that silent infection may be the cause of chronic pelvic pain syndrome. However, this assumption is controversial.

Typical symptoms of prostatitis

Typical symptoms of acute bacterial prostatitis are:

• Frequent urination;
• burning sensation when urinating (usually small amounts of urine);
• Bladder and perineal pain;
• Pain during bowel movements;
• feel sick and vomit;
• Fever and chills.

Chronic bacterial prostatitis can also cause pain and urinary problems. However, these symptoms disappear immediately and reappear after some time. Chronic prostatitis is characterized by recurring attacks, resolution and relapse of inflammation. It can last for many months.Another characteristic of chronic inflammation of the prostate is erectile dysfunction.Nonbacterial prostatitis is not caused by bacteria and essentially causes symptoms similar to chronic bacterial prostatitis. Additionally, victims sometimes complain of pain during ejaculation.

Special situation: asymptomatic prostatic inflammation

In rare cases, doctors may detect an increased number of white blood cells in semen or prostate secretions, but the affected person may not feel pain or other symptoms of prostate inflammation.Such cases are classified as silent prostate inflammation and are often discovered incidentally during cancer or infertility screening.

diagnosis

Doctors can diagnose acute bacterial prostatitis by asking patients about their symptoms and examining the prostate. First, the doctor touches the prostate with his finger. If the prostate area feels warm and swollen on palpation, and the patient is in pain, acute bacterial inflammation is present.To confirm the diagnosis, the doctor may also perform a urine test and draw blood from the patient to check for levels of inflammatory cells.Chronic bacterial inflammation of the prostate cannot be diagnosed by palpation alone. For example, if a patient is between episodes of inflammation, the doctor will not be able to detect severe swelling on palpation. Therefore, blood and urine tests are necessary to diagnose chronic bacterial prostatitis.To detect chronic prostatitis, a urine sample is not enough. Because if your urine contains white blood cells and bacteria, this may also indicate a urinary tract infection. To find out if inflammation is affecting the prostate, your doctor will need to examine some urine samples.

Treatment of prostatitis

Which treatments help treat prostate inflammation depends on the cause: If the inflammation is caused by bacteria, treatment will be different than for nonbacterial prostatitis. In both cases, however, doctors may prescribe anti-inflammatory drugs (so-called anti-inflammatory drugs).

Treatment of bacterial prostatitis

For bacterial inflammation of the prostate, antibiotics will help eliminate symptoms.

• If it is mild acute prostatitis, the doctor must prescribe fluoroquinolone antibiotics, which the patient must take for 10 days.
• If the inflammation is severe, your doctor may give you a broad-spectrum antibiotic.
• If the inflammation is chronic, patients usually take fluoroquinolones for 4-6 weeks.

Treatment of nonbacterial prostatitis

Doctors often try to control nonbacterial inflammation of the prostate using a combination of different medications. For example, in addition to anti-inflammatory drugs, they may also prescribe so-called alpha-1 blockers. They relax the prostate and bladder muscles, thereby promoting bladder emptying.Depending on your doctor's suspicion of the cause of the inflammation, further steps may be needed. For example, it has been suggested that psychological problems may also play a role in the development of nonbacterial prostatitis. In this case, the doctor may recommend psychotherapy.In addition, heat therapy, such as bathing, can often be used to relieve symptoms.

Treat prostatitis with folk remedies

Folk remedies for prostatitis can serve as an alternative to medical treatments. For bacterial prostatitis. Consult your doctor before using folk remedies.

weeds

Weed has proven to be an excellent remedy for prostate problems.Weeds are perennial herbs. Its flowers are small and usually white, but also come in various shades of red.Weed seeds are small and have velvet on their surface, which allows them to spread.There are approximately 200 species of weeds, and this plant is often considered a weed and is very toxic, but the beneficial effects have only been demonstrated in weeds. Use flowers and roots. The content of bioactive substances (myricetin, kaempferol, quercetin, lectins and sitosterol) has a positive effect on prostate activity.Fireweed uses:

• Pour 1 heaped teaspoon of the herb into 1/4 liter of water, bring to a boil and brew briefly (15 minutes). You should drink it in small sips (up to 2 cups) throughout the day.

This medicinal plant is used to treat various urinary system disorders, especially:

• Suitable for all prostate diseases, including prostate cancer;
• for kidney disease;
• For bladder disorders;
• for bladder cancer;
• Used for wound healing.

Weed is effective against urinary tract inflammation, often in combination with other herbs, most commonly cranberry, goldenrod, horsetail, or birch, depending on the nature of the problem.

green tea

Medication in the form of green tea is probably the most pleasant way to treat prostatitis.It is recommended to drink 3 cups of green tea every day.This drink promotes urination and helps cleanse the entire body. Additionally, green tea is directly involved in detoxifying the body.suggestion! Men are advised to urinate while seated. In this way, complete emptying of the bladder is achieved. The sitting position completely relaxes all the pelvic muscles, so no urine remains in the bladder, where some disease-causing bacteria can multiply rapidly.

nettle

2 handfuls of freshly picked nettle leaves (about 15 cm from the top of the plant) should be poured into 300 ml of drinking water and left to soak overnight (about 12 hours). In the morning, the infusion should be slightly warm before drinking.

cranberry

Cranberry is one of the famous prostatitis fighters. Home remedies for cranberries include eating them in dried, fresh, or canned form. However, in the latter case, you should be careful about adding sugar.Cranberry juice is also available in stores. You should also be careful here and read labels carefully to make sure the juice doesn't contain extra juice from other fruits or artificial sweeteners.Only 100% cranberry juice is therapeutic.Add dried cranberries to porridge or oatmeal.Who is not suitable for cranberries:Cranberries are contraindicated in people taking blood-thinning medications. Cranberries can reduce the antiplatelet effects of medications, which can lead to bleeding.

ginger

When treating prostatitis, you can pay attention to another useful product - ginger. Ginger is a promising product for treating this disease. It has powerful anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties, interrupts the reproduction cycle of cancer cells (this is particularly important in the treatment of prostate cancer) and promotes apoptosis. In addition, ginger is not toxic to other rapidly growing cells.It should be taken after meals and the root added to tea (preferably green tea).

pumpkin seeds

Practice shows that the most effective way to treat prostatitis is to use fresh rather than dried pumpkin seeds.Preparation: Pumpkin seeds should be crushed. Mix the resulting mass with honey in equal proportions and heat slightly. Then you need to put it in the refrigerator for a few hours and then you need to form into balls the size of walnuts.Pills are taken before meals, 1-2 times a day, once a day.For prevention, you can eat 4-5 pumpkin seeds every day. They contain zinc, selenium and other biochemicals that reduce inflammation in the body, including in the prostate, and positively influence the formation of the male hormone testosterone.

chestnut

Chestnuts are also effective and have no side effects, which is very important for the elderly.Peel the chestnuts, crush them into small pieces, pour boiling water and cook for an hour.The decoction should be taken 3 times a day, before meals, 30 drops each time.

regular sex life

Regular sex, like masturbation, can purify the prostate, promote blood circulation, and prevent local inflammation.

Prognosis: Duration and Course of Prostatitis

Acute prostatitis usually responds well to treatment. The pain and fever usually go away within 36 hours if the person takes the antibiotics prescribed by their doctor. After a few days, symptoms should reduce significantly.Chronic prostatitis lasts for several months and usually recurs, during which time the patient suffers little or no discomfort. Chronic prostatitis usually lasts longer than acute prostatitis: antibiotic treatment usually lasts several weeks.

Can prostatitis be prevented?

Early treatment of urinary tract infections can prevent bacteria from spreading to the prostate, thereby preventing prostate inflammation. Using condoms may also help prevent inflammation of the prostate caused by certain sexually transmitted diseases.