Acute prostatitis is an acute inflammation of the prostate gland caused by an infection.With this disease, swelling of the prostate is formed, and purulent foci appear in its tissue.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 acute prostatitis treatment 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.
Acute form of prostatitis
If we talk about the clinical development of acute prostatitis in men, there are three forms (stages) of the disease:
- cataracts;
- follicle;
- parenchymatous.
The first to occur is catarrhal inflammation, which is characterized by dilation of acini and the appearance of reactive edema in the interstitial tissue.This leads to significant enlargement of the prostate gland.The next stage is the rapid spread of the inflammatory process to the lobules and excretory ducts of the prostate.We are talking, in particular, about the excretory duct of the prostate gland that leads to the posterior part of the urethra.Inflammatory changes affect only the mucous membrane.The excretory ducts lose their contractility, they narrow significantly or become completely blocked, creating an obstacle to the release of prostate secretions.The catarrhal form is directly related to infectious pathogens that have migrated from the posterior part of the urethra.Since the inflammatory process also affects the secretion of the prostate, it can trigger the appearance of posterior urethritis.
During the follicular stage, the focus of inflammation reaches and spreads to the entire individual lobule or the entire prostate gland.Purulent foci appear, pus enters the urethra.Prostate enlargement does not stop;tissues undergo destructive changes.
During the parenchymal phase of acute prostatitis, the inflammatory process affects the interstitial tissue of the prostate gland.This stage occurs after the penetration of infectious pathogens through contact or the hematogenous route, for example, after surgery.
Parenchymal prostatitis at the beginning of the disease is accompanied by the appearance of a single pustule, which during the development process unites and merges with a prostate abscess.
As for follicular and parenchymal forms, during their development, inflammatory changes often occur in the posterior part of the urethra and bladder neck.
Prognosis and prevention of acute prostatitis
In most cases, etiotropic therapy, carried out on time, can eradicate the signs of acute prostatitis.If treatment is not carried out, it is quite possible that an abscess will occur or the disease will become chronic.
Prevention of this disease usually means timely treatment of any infectious diseases in the body, as well as identification and treatment of venereal diseases and urethritis.A man needs to lead a healthy lifestyle, especially paying attention to increased physical activity.Also, the development of this disease is prevented by a normal sex life and the absence of unprotected casual intercourse.Strict adherence to the rules of personal hygiene is another important requirement for a man at any age.
Cause of 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 are also streptococci, staphylococci, Candida fungi, chlamydia, trichomonas.The most common route of entry is the excretory tract.Pathogens can also enter the prostate gland from the bladder, which is undergoing an inflammatory process (for example, acute cystitis).Infection can also spread from a purulent focus located in the nearby area.
The inflammatory process in the prostate caused by the presence of microorganisms can occur for various reasons.Factors that increase your risk include:
- surgical intervention in the area of the urethra;
- unprotected sexual intercourse, inflammatory diseases of the genitourinary tract in partners;
- use of a urethral catheter;
- prostate stones, etc.
The occurrence of acute prostatitis may not be associated with infection.It can occur as a result of an inactive lifestyle, hypothermia, and various disorders that lead to stagnation in the pelvic area.
Symptoms of acute prostatitis
Since there are various stages of acute prostatitis, the symptoms of the disease often depend on them.But there is a common feature that unites all forms.First of all, it is pain, general intoxication, as well as problems with the urinary process.
The catarrhal form is usually accompanied by severe pain, 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.Secretion test results may show high levels of white blood cells.
The symptoms of acute prostatitis in follicular form are more pronounced.A man feels pain in the perineum, radiating to the sacrum or penis.The process of urinating is accompanied by pain, urine retention, and difficulty defecating often occurs.There is general weakness and the patient has a fever.Palpation shows enlargement of the prostate, its outline becomes asymmetric.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 sudden increase in body temperature, the value can reach 39.5 degrees.Common 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 immediately start treatment for acute prostatitis.If the process is initiated, there is a high probability of prostate abscess, paraprostatitis, paraprostatic venous plexus phlebitis.If the patient does not see a doctor, the disease becomes chronic, and the possibility of complete recovery is significantly reduced.
Diagnosis of acute prostatitis
When the patient contacts the urologist, the doctor diagnoses acute prostatitis, identifying at what stage the disease is.Experts receive information after conducting a comprehensive study.The methods used in the diagnosis in this case consist of physical, instrumental, and laboratory studies.
Physical examination consists of examining the state 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 the 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 marked by an increased level of leukocytes.Urine culture, PCR and blood culture, and urethral discharge analysis are also prescribed.
The instrumental method in the case of this disease is 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 carry out 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.First, there is the risk of serious complications that can affect men's health and further affect reproductive function and erection quality.Second, the disease is complex, accompanied by clear 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 function of microorganisms.
To reduce the severity of pain, as well as to relieve spasms, patients are recommended to take antispasmodics and analgesics.Sometimes heat enemas and rectal suppositories are used to alleviate the condition.After overcoming the acute symptoms, it becomes possible to use physiotherapy.This procedure improves microcirculation, improves local immunity, and helps eliminate inflammation.Among the physiotherapeutic methods for treating acute prostatitis, the most effective is prostate massage, as well as microwave therapy and electrophoresis.For many years, prostate massage has been considered a very popular measure, which helps to get rid of congestion;it is also recommended for regular use as a preventive measure for men who have reached the age of forty.
In case of problems with the urinary process, the catheter is not used;instead, trocar cystostomy is preferred.
Recovery is considered the regeneration of prostate tissue, the complete restoration of its function, while laboratory tests show that infectious pathogens are not present, and prostate secretions return to their normal composition.
Surgery is not a widely used treatment for prostatitis.It does not always bring results.Surgical solutions bring positive dynamics in less than half of cases.The most common side effect of the operation is erectile dysfunction, retrograde ejaculation is also common, where during ejaculation the sperm enters the bladder, and sometimes narrowing of the ureter occurs.Surgical methods do not guarantee recurrence.Therefore, surgical intervention is only used 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 drugs, traditional medicine, physiotherapeutic procedures;
- the development of serious complications;
- the presence of an inflammatory focus in the pelvic area;
- formation of paraproctitis (purulent abscess in cells localized around the rectum);
- the presence of blood in the urine;
- urinary delay and cessation of urination (anuria);
- the presence of stones in the bladder, kidneys, the cause is prostatitis;
- suspected malignant tumor.