The term "prostatitis" refers to a chronic or acute inflammatory process of any etiology that occurs in the prostate gland. Since the prostate is an exclusively male organ, prostatitis develops only in men. There are many types of prostatitis, but any type of prostatitis can be divided into acute and chronic.
Acute prostatitis occurs under the influence of many factors: the presence of bacteria, viruses, protozoa, under the influence of malnutrition, a sedentary lifestyle, bad habits and others. >
The prostate is a gland of external secretion, that is, the secret it produces passes to the outside environment. In humans, the prostate is an odd organ whose activity depends on male sex hormones, in particular, androgen and steroid hormones.
The prostate is located behind the bladder, embracing the initial part of the urethra, where its ducts open.
It is precisely because of its location that the prostate owes one of its functions: during an erection, it blocks the outlet of the bladder. It is the prostate gland that is responsible for the sensation of orgasm, this happens due to the abundant nerve supply of the gland, that is, innervation.
Temperature
One of the first signs of acute prostatitis, regardless of the causes of its appearance, is an increase in temperature. As with any other inflammatory process that occurs in the body, the temperature rises to subfebrile figures, that is, about 37. 5-380OF.
In addition, the more intense the immune response, that is, the body's response, the more the temperature rises. That is, at the height of the disease, body temperature can rise up to forty degrees.
Naturally, only an increase in temperature cannot indicate the appearance of prostatitis.
Usually the first symptoms of prostatitis are difficulty urinating with the use of additional muscles - the abdominal muscles, violations of the ejaculation mechanism, itching, burning and other uncomfortable phenomena in the perineum or genitals.
Frequent trips to the bathroom.
In addition, it is an increased urge to urinate (with a small amount of urine being released), a feeling of "residual urine" after emptying the bladder, an unpleasant orgasm and, as a result, a decrease in libido .
overall weakness
As with any other inflammatory disease, there is an intoxication syndrome, including general weakness, decreased performance, nausea, and possibly vomiting.
There is also a disorder of the nervous system - depression, irritability and others.
What causes prostatitis?
There are also factors that predispose to prostatitis: hormonal imbalance, including age, prolonged sexual abstinence, smoking, general hypothermia, stool retention, sedentary lifestyle, lack of physical activity, overheating, chronic sciatica in history, immunodeficiency states , age-related changes in the body.
It is worth paying special attention to such a predisposing factor as inflammatory diseases of the kidneys and urinary tract, since the infection can spread upwards.
It happens that the disease begins with urethritis.
The initial stage of prostatitis is characterized by a fairly typical clinical picture: lethargy of the urine stream, frequent urge to urinate, fever. Possible pain in the perineum. Often there is a violation of sexual function.
However, sexual dysfunction is more of a psychological, physiological or clinical aspect. The ejaculation process itself does not bring any pleasure or even causes pain, before which a conditioned reflex develops, which leads to a decrease in libido.
Purely physiologically, prostatitis can lead to a lack of potency only at a late stage. The initial stage is also called the "first signs" stage - the onset of urination does not occur immediately, as usual, but with a slight delay.
Already at this stage, the prostate is enlarged, but, nevertheless, without pain on palpation. At the same time, the edges of the prostate are well palpated, and the middle sulcus is palpated, as in the norm. The most interesting thing is that the stage of the first signs can last quite a long time, up to three years.
Patients of urologists in recent years are getting younger. That is, the inflammation of the prostate gland "rejuvenates". This is due to the development of "scandalous" recreation - surfing, diving, skiing and kayaking. With improper loads and complete hypothermia of the body, prostatitis can occur.
And, paradoxically, a lifestyle that is too "quiet" can also predispose to the development of prostatitis. This is due to stagnation of blood and lymph in the pelvis - a sedentary and sedentary lifestyle is not the best way to disperse blood in the organs.
Insufficiently cured inflammatory diseases, which may not be associated with the pelvic organs, are also predisposing factors for prostatitis. This is because the infection (of whatever aetiology) of the primary focus is capable of penetrating the prostate gland via the hematogenous or lymphogenic route. In the presence of congestion in the pelvis, the infection settles there and begins to multiply.
It also happens that prostatitis occurs due to stress. Stress weakens the immune system, which increases the risk of prostatitis.
STD - "sexually transmitted diseases" - one of the main causes of inflammation of the prostate. Gonorrhea, if not treated properly, almost always causes prostatitis.
However, do not forget that you cannot go from one extreme to another. With prolonged sexual abstinence, stagnation of blood and lymph in the pelvic organs is formed again, a secret stagnates in the prostate, which leads to prostatitis.
The prognosis for timely detection and proper treatment of this disease is favorable, however, if the disease is left to chance, chronicity or the addition of a secondary infection is possible, which will bring rather sad consequences.