Bacterial inflammation of the prostate can be acute or chronic. It develops during the multiplication of conditionally pathogenic or pathogenic microflora in the tissues of this organ. The disease becomes chronic in cases where insufficient attention has been paid to the treatment of acute prostatitis. Also, those men who lead a sedentary lifestyle, abuse alcohol and smoke, also face this problem.
Symptoms of problems
Each man on the onset of pain may suspect acute bacterial prostatitis. The treatment in this case is reduced to the long-term use of antibiotics, anti-inflammatory and painkillers. But diagnosing the chronic form of bacterial prostatitis is somewhat more difficult.
The disease may be accompanied by symptoms such as:
- periodic pain of varying intensity in the perineum, testicles, above the womb, in the sacrum, rectum;
- frequent urination;
- weak or intermittent stream of urine;
- pain during urination;
- discomfort during ejaculation;
- problems with erection.
In men suffering from chronic prostatitis, only some of these symptoms may be present. Signs of the disease are so implicit that many do not pay attention to them.
Diagnosis of the disease
Only a doctor can establish an accurate diagnosis and choose which treatment regimen for bacterial prostatitis will be most acceptable. He can conduct a differential diagnosis and exclude other diseases whose symptoms are similar. It is necessary to exclude the possibility of developing urinary tract infections, bladder cancer, prostatic hyperplasia, inguinal hernia and other diseases.
To determine the size, shape, consistency and degree of tenderness of the prostate, a digital rectal examination is used. This method also allows for differential diagnosis of cancer, prostate obstruction, and acute prostatitis.
To clarify the diagnosis, urine is taken for analysis. For diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct microscopy and bacteriosis of prostate secretion. Experts also make inoculation of 3 servings of urine. Based on the results of the tests, they can determine the specific form of the disease.
In some cases, ultrasound helps to determine chronic bacterial prostatitis. Doctors prescribe a course of treatment, focusing on the received tests and examination results. Ultrasound allows you to identify stones, determine the degree of enlargement of the prostate gland, see its contours.
Causes of chronic prostatitis
Bacterial damage to the prostate occurs due to the ingestion of pathogenic microflora in its tissue . The disease is caused by staphylococci, streptococci, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, fecal enterococci. Also, prostatitis can begin due to the ingestion of chlamydia, Klebsiella, Trichomonas and other pathogenic microorganisms.
But chronic prostatitis occurs not only against the background of an infectious lesion. Such factors can lead to its development:
- hypothermia;
- passive lifestyle;
- stress, lack of sleep and other causes that weaken the immune system;
- irregular sex life (impairs blood flow in the tissues of the prostate);
- hormonal changes.
Men are affected by the development of chronic bacterial prostatitis:
- after operations on the pelvic organs;
- after catheterization;
- preferring anal sex without the use of barrier contraception;
- suffering from narrowing of the foreskin.
Untreated acute bacterial prostatitis can become chronic.
The choice of treatment tactics
If the doctor has diagnosed bacterial prostatitis, the treatment will last quite a long time. Men should be prepared for the fact that only 30% of patients manage to get rid of this problem. The rest, subject to all recommendations, may enter a period of prolonged remission. But almost half of all patients have relapses.
Treatment for acute bacterial prostatitis usually lasts 2 weeks. Properly selected medications during this period can destroy all pathogenic microorganisms. With the transition of the disease into a chronic form, getting rid of it becomes more difficult. Treatment should be aimed at eliminating all factors that contribute to maintaining the disease in a prolonged sluggish form.
Antibacterial therapy becomes more effective if alpha-blockers are used at the same time, which affect prostate tissue receptors. Prostate massage and physiotherapy are also effective. They should be aimed at stimulating the nerve endings of the tissues of the prostate gland and activating clogged mucous ducts that are involved in spermogenesis.
Selection of antibacterial drugs
Only a doctor should choose the means that will help the patient get rid of chronic prostatitis. For treatment, antibiotics from the group of fluorinated quinols are often prescribed. These are such drugs as Ofloxacin, Sparfloxacin, Ciprofloxacin, Lomefloxacin.
With individual intolerance or insensitivity to these antibiotics, the doctor selects other drugs for the treatment of bacterial prostatitis. The list of funds can be expanded with antibiotics belonging to the macrolide group. These are drugs such as Erythromycin, Clarithromycin, Josamycin, Roxithromycin. In some cases, doxycycline is prescribed. This is an antibiotic belonging to the tetracycline group.
An integrated approach to treatment
To get rid of prostatitis or to achieve long-term remission, antibiotics can be prescribed for a period of 4 to 6 weeks. If a man has frequent relapses, or the disease is not treatable, then he is prescribed antibacterial drugs in minimal preventive doses for a long period.
In addition, treatment with alpha-1-blockers is recommended. They must be taken for 3 months. This helps to reduce discomfort in the pelvic area and increase the volumetric flow rate of urine in patients who have been diagnosed with chronic bacterial prostatitis. Treatment can improve their quality of life. Doctors may prescribe Alfuzosin, Doxazosin, or Tamsulosin.
Physiotherapeutic procedures
Drug treatment is mandatory for the detection of chronic prostatitis. But prostate massage and special physiotherapeutic procedures will help alleviate the condition and reduce the manifestations of the disease. These methods are aimed at improving blood circulation in the tissues.
Massage can reduce unpleasant symptoms, because it helps to eliminate stagnation of the secretion in the prostate gland , reduce inflammation. After it, libido rises, potency improves even for those who have long been bothered by bacterial prostatitis.
Treatment becomes more effective with physiotherapy. The doctor may recommend microclysters from decoctions of chamomile, calendula or other herbs. An electromagnet, electrophoresis, ultrasound effect on the tissues of the prostate gland are also prescribed. Light therapy is also used for treatment. Infrared radiation improves metabolic processes and blood circulation, thereby reducing pain. Ultraviolet is able to activate immunity. It also contributes to the resorption of infiltrates.
Preventative methods
Prevent the development of chronic prostatitis under the strength of every man. To do this, you just need to adhere to all the doctor's recommendations and not try to get rid of the disease using alternative methods. Treatment of bacterial prostatitis with folk remedies can be carried out in agreement with the urologist in combination with the prescribed antibacterial therapy.
You can also alleviate the condition, if you do not forget that it provokes the development of the disease. Men should:
- avoid overcooling;
- lead a regular sex life;
- use barrier methods of contraception with random partners;
- stick to a diet;
- exclude alcohol.
Food should be balanced. Spicy dishes, flour products, rich broths, spices are excluded from the diet. The menu should include foods that improve digestion and help soften feces.
Possible complications
Many refuse antibiotic therapy and prescribed procedures after they find out that they have chronic bacterial prostatitis. Treatment (drugs for which should be selected only by a doctor) they consider optional. But at the same time, they forget that chronic prostatitis can lead to the development of a number of serious problems. Among them:
- infertility;
- problems with erection;
- inflammation of the testicles, seminal vesicles, appendages of the testis;
- prostate sclerosis;
- formation of fistula in the prostate gland ;
- BPH;
- the formation of cysts and stones in the tissues of the prostate.
It is possible to prevent the development of such complications if you regularly go to the doctor and see if bacterial prostatitis has arisen again. Treatment of a chronic form does not always lead to a complete recovery. But it can eliminate all the unpleasant manifestations of the disease. In this case, the patient has a state of persistent remission.