Bacterial prostatitis: signs, pathogens, causes, symptoms. Chronic bacterial prostatitis. How to treat bacterial prostatitis?

Inflammation of the prostate, unfortunately, is a fairly common ailment. According to statistics, almost half of men at this or that age face this problem. The causes of inflammation may be different, and therefore in modern medicine, several types of this disease are distinguished. One of them is bacterial prostatitis.

In view of the widespread spread of the disease, many men are interested in additional information about it. What are the causes of bacterial inflammation? What symptoms should I pay attention to? What methods of modern treatment are most effective?

What is prostatitis? The main forms of the disease

Before considering the question of what a bacterial prostatitis is, it is worth examining what the prostate gland is, or prostate. It is a small organ that is part of the reproductive system. It is located just below the bladder, around the urethra. The prostate produces up to 70 percent of the seminal fluid, which then mixes with the sperm that forms in the testicles. Also, the prostate gland plays a role in the process of ejection of sperm and supports an erection. In addition, it affects the retention of urine.

Prostatitis is a disease that is accompanied by an inflammatory process in the tissues of the prostate. Depending on the causes of development in modern medicine, there are several main types of disease:

• Acute bacterial prostatitis - inflammation in this case develops against the background of organ infection with specific bacteria (eg, chlamydia, gonococci, etc.);
• The chronic form of bacterial prostatitis, as a rule, develops on the background of incorrect therapy or its absence (the disease lasts more than three months, the period of well-being is replaced by exacerbations of the inflammatory process);
• Nonspecific prostatitis - the inflammatory process in such a disease is caused by the activation of a conditionally pathogenic microflora or is not associated with a bacterial infection;
• Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis occurs without any significant symptoms, and quite often the inflammatory process fades in itself.

Causes of bacterial prostatitis

As the name itself says, the inflammatory process in this case is related to the activity of bacterial microorganisms. The causative agents of bacterial prostatitis often penetrate the prostate tissue in the presence of venereal infections in the patient. Virtually any sexually transmitted diseases (eg, gonorrhea, chlamydia), can lead to inflammation of the prostate.

In middle-aged men, opportunistic microorganisms, for example E. coli, can act as pathogens. A slightly different picture is observed in elderly patients. The fact is that many men over the age of 50 are diagnosed with benign prostatic hyperplasia (accompanied by proliferation of tissues). With a similar pathology, the evacuation of secretory fluid from the prostate is difficult, as a result of which it begins to accumulate inside the gland. Stagnation of secret leads to active multiplication of pathogens and, accordingly, to inflammation.

Also bacterial prostatitis can develop against a background of various pathologies of the genitourinary system. For example, inflammation is much more often diagnosed against the background of bladder obstruction, urinary tract infection, epididymitis, urethritis. Distribution and penetration of the infection inside facilitates phimosis (fusion of the extreme flesh). Provoke inflammation of the prostate can various perineal injuries, the installation of a urinary catheter, a previous cystoscopy (internal examination of the bladder), or a biopsy.

Are there risk factors?

As you can see, the causes of inflammation of the prostate gland may be different. In addition, there is a group of so-called risk factors, the presence of which increases the likelihood of developing both acute and chronic prostatitis:

• Frequent infectious diseases of the genitourinary system;
• Parasitic diseases;
• Incomplete emptying of the bladder;
• Genetic predisposition;
• Irritation of the urinary canal with aggressive chemicals;
• Severe hypothermia;
• Disorderly sexual life (frequent change of sexual partners, contacts without using a condom);
• Smoking, drug and alcohol use (weakens the defenses of the body);
• Weakened immunity;
• Long periods of sexual abstinence;
• Severe dehydration of the body;
• Improper meals;
• Neurological diseases of the urinary tract;
• Constant stresses, nervous exhaustion, emotional overstrain;
• Sedentary lifestyle, which leads to stagnation of blood in the small pelvis (increases the likelihood of inflammation not only the prostate gland, but also some other nearby organs).

What symptoms are accompanied by the disease?

The signs of bacterial prostatitis, as a rule, are quite characteristic. The disease begins acutely and develops rapidly. Often, patients primarily notice a rise in body temperature, weakness, body aches, fatigue, muscle pain, nausea and vomiting.

Along with this, there are problems with the work of the genitourinary system. The process of urination becomes difficult and painful, urges are more frequent. However, the bladder does not completely emptied. The jet with urination becomes weak, while urine itself acquires a rather unpleasant odor. Also, it may contain small amounts of blood. Perhaps the appearance of soreness and burning in the urethra.

Patients often observe other symptoms of bacterial prostatitis. In particular, there is pain in the pubic region, which also gives to the lower back. There may be soreness in the testicles and crotch area. Men have problems with erection, and ejaculation is accompanied by painful sensations. Sometimes in the semen you can see traces of blood. Also, pain is present during defecation.

Noticing such symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor. The earlier a patient receives qualified medical care, the less likely the disease will be transferred to a chronic form.

Chronic bacterial prostatitis

Immediately it is worth noting that this form of the disease is rare. Chronic bacterial prostatitis can be associated with the activity of bacteria that are protected from the effects of drugs, since they are deep in the tissues of the prostate. In addition, some microorganisms become insensitive to antibiotics of a wide range of effects.

Exacerbation of chronic bacterial prostatitis is accompanied by almost the same symptoms as the acute form of the disease. There is soreness with urination, pain in the abdomen and perineum, the presence of blood in the urine and semen. On the other hand, the increase in temperature and other signs of intoxication of the body are rare. The aggravation is replaced by a period of relative well-being - the man feels normal, but there are some irregularities in the genitourinary system. In particular, patients suffer from frequent urge to urinate. There are also problems with erection (sometimes up to serious erectile dysfunction) and a decrease in sexual desire.

Diagnosis of the disease

To begin with, the physician conducts a physical examination and collects an anamnesis in order to obtain a complete picture of the symptoms that disturb the patient. As a rule, this is enough to suspect prostatitis and prescribe additional tests.

The patient gives blood and urine samples, the analysis of which helps to detect markers of inflammation. Also, a digital rectal examination of the prostate gland is necessary, which allows the doctor to determine the size, contours, body consistency, the degree of soreness and some other parameters. In addition, during the massage of the prostate , samples of her secret can be obtained, which are then sent for laboratory analysis. Sowing samples helps to determine the type of infection and the degree of its sensitivity to certain drugs.

Further examination is carried out only if there are suspicions of complications. With the help of cystoscopy, a doctor can examine and assess the condition of the urinary canal and bladder. Sometimes urodynamic tests are additionally carried out. Transrectal ultrasound and computed tomography help to better understand the condition of the prostate, to detect the presence of abscesses or stones. If a malignant cell degeneration is suspected, a biopsy of the prostate gland is performed.

Medication for prostatitis

After a full examination, the doctor will be able to make the most effective therapy scheme. As a rule, in the first place, the treatment of bacterial prostatitis with antibiotics is prescribed. In particular, drugs containing tetracycline and ciprofloxacin are considered to be quite effective antibacterial agents. Depending on the severity of the disease and the type of infection, antibiotic therapy can last from four to six weeks. Sometimes in the first few days the drugs are administered intravenously, and then they switch to the tablet form. With a chronic form of inflammation, treatment can last up to 12 weeks.

Used and other drugs for the treatment of bacterial prostatitis. In particular, relieve the condition of the patient can spasmolytics, which help to relax the neck of the bladder and reduce pain during urination. As a rule, the treatment regimen includes Alfuzosin, Terahozin, Silodozin, and several others.

If necessary, the patient is prescribed pain medication, namely non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Paracetamol, Ibuprofen), which also help to remove fever. Positive on the condition of a man will affect the reception of multivitamin complexes, immunomodulators, biostimulants.

Other treatments

In the recovery phase, patients are often recommended to perform prostate massage. This procedure helps to eliminate stagnant fluid, improve tissue metabolism, increase local immunity, restore drainage function of the prostate, and increase blood flow.

Also in the course of treatment, various methods of physiotherapy can be used, in particular:

• Magnetotherapy;
• Transrectal ultrasound therapy;
• Electrostimulation.

All the above methods contribute to the normalization of blood circulation and the elimination of stagnant processes.

When is surgery necessary?

Operative intervention is an extreme measure. It is used only if long-term drug therapy and other methods of treatment do not have any effect. The surgical procedure for partial resection of the prostate gland is usually performed by elderly patients. At a young age, such a radical treatment is avoided, as it sometimes leads to impotence, enuresis and infertility. The operation is most often prescribed for elderly patients with chronic forms of prostatitis, because they have to suffer from problems with urination and constant pain for many years. If necessary, an additional plastic correction is performed, which helps restore the urinary tract, normalize the bladder.

Alternative ways to treat an illness

Naturally, there are some other, less traditional methods of treatment of prostatitis. For example, sometimes a good effect gives medicinal microclysters, treatment with leeches, acupuncture, massage.

Patients with chronic forms of the disease are recommended to have a sanatorium treatment. Also positive on the condition of the body will affect special physical exercises that will help restore blood circulation and eliminate stagnation of blood in the pelvic organs.

How to treat bacterial prostatitis with the help of folk remedies? To date, there are many tools available to eliminate the inflammatory process. In particular, warm sessile baths from yarrow broth, horsetail, sage are sometimes positive on the condition of the pelvic organs. Also, special rectal suppositories are prepared from bee products and medicinal herbs.

In any case, it is worth remembering that before using any remedy, you should always consult a doctor.

What are the patient projections?

Does the treatment of bacterial prostatitis in men achieve good results? Immediately it is worth saying that the success of therapy will depend on many factors, including the stage and form of the disease, the age of patients, the presence of concomitant diseases, and so on.

Acute bacterial prostatitis responds well to drug treatment. Already a few days after the start of therapy, the patient can note improvement in well-being. On the other hand, improper treatment, lack of it, or cessation (for example, quite often men stop taking medication with the disappearance of symptoms without completing a full course) can lead to the development of a chronic form of the disease.

Chronic prostatitis is a disease that is much more difficult to treat. Relapses can happen again and again. And in such cases, doctors often recommend surgical intervention to patients. The results of surgical treatment are usually positive. Again, sometimes the operation is fraught with not too pleasant consequences.