Causes of acute prostatitis, symptoms and treatment. Symptoms and treatment of acute prostatitis in men - how to relieve an attack with antibiotics and folk remedies Acute and chronic prostatitis

Acute prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland, usually caused by various microorganisms. The disease does not require urgent medical attention. However, there is a risk of developing a chronic form. In the article you will learn the main symptoms of the disease, methods of diagnosis and treatment. You will understand how to treat the disease.

Causes of acute prostatitis

The disease most often occurs in young men, 25 years of age and older. Causes: microorganisms of various types:

• Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa;
• enterococci;
• Staphylococcus aureus;
• Klebsiella;
• Proteus and others.

Some of them are constantly present on the human skin and do not cause pathologies. But, once through the urethra onto the prostate mucosa, they actively develop and cause acute inflammation of the prostate. Other microorganisms enter the prostate gland during unprotected intercourse. Men who are sexually active and change partners are at risk of developing acute prostatitis.

The disease also occurs for non-infectious reasons. The medical history in men often contains the following factors:

• sedentary lifestyle;
• hypothermia;
• sexual abstinence;
• interrupted sexual intercourse;
• smoking and alcoholism.

Conditions are created for the formation of stagnation of secretions or blood in the vessels adjacent to the organ. Prostatitis in acute form can be provoked, for example, by excessively long sexual intercourse. In this case, the prostate secretion does not find a way out, accumulates in the gland, and becomes a medium for the development of bacteria. If you do not consult a doctor, there are various complications:

• abscesses;
• prostate cancer;
• prostate adenoma;

In addition, dysfunction of the prostate leads to infertility and impotence.

Classification of prostatitis and characteristic symptoms

According to the international classification of diseases ICD-10, acute prostatitis has code N 41.0. Andrologists distinguish several forms, which depend on the degree of damage to the prostate gland.

Catarrhal form

Acute catarrhal prostatitis occurs when an infection enters the excretory ducts of the prostate. At this stage, pathogens develop only on the mucous membrane of the gland and do not penetrate deep into the tissue. Foci of inflammation and swelling occur, the prostate gland increases in size, and often compresses the urinary canal. In some cases, influenza or sore throat viruses can trigger the disease.

Symptoms of catarrhal acute prostatitis are mild, sometimes absent:

• minor urinary disturbance;
• a feeling of heaviness in the perineum, especially when sitting;
• gradual increase in body temperature to 31-38 C.

The last symptom may not exist. How long does it take to treat this type of prostatitis? In acute catarrhal form, the symptoms may go away on their own after 2 weeks. In some cases, self-healing occurs without taking medications. However, there is a possibility of the disease progressing and transitioning to the next form.

Follicular prostatitis

Develops against the background of untreated catarrhal disease. The infection spreads and affects individual lobules of the prostate gland. The clinical picture will be more pronounced. Symptoms of follicular form:

• acute pain during bowel movements;
• aching, pulling sensations in the perineum;
• increase in body temperature to 38;
• urinary disturbance.

Due to the fact that with follicular prostatitis, foci of pus appear in the gland, purulent threads may be observed in the urine. The prognosis is favorable only with timely treatment: symptoms disappear on the 12th day. If drug treatment is not started, the disease progresses to the next form.

Parenchymal prostatitis

Another name is diffuse. The final stage of acute inflammation of the prostate. The disease spreads to the parenchyma of the gland, purulent foci appear. Some of them merge into one continuous purulent lesion. The inflammatory process can completely cover the entire organ, while the gland increases in size.

Symptoms of the parenchymal form of prostatitis are pronounced. The overall clinical picture is complex:

1. Severe pain in the perineum, radiating to the head of the penis. In some cases, men note a decrease in pain when lying on their back, with their legs pressed to their stomach.
2. Partial or complete urinary retention.
3. In the rectal area there is a feeling of a foreign body, sharp pain, intensifying with defecation.
4. Disorders of stool and gas discharge, mucous discharge from the anus.
5. The body temperature rises, reaches 40 degrees, and chills appear.

Read also: What is chronic prostatitis in men: definition, symptoms and treatment

The outcome of the diffuse form of prostatitis is difficult to predict. With the correct treatment, recovery may occur, but with the loss of some functions of the prostate gland. A transition to a chronic form or the occurrence of a prostate abscess is possible.

Diagnosis of acute prostatitis, methods and features

What to do if you find one of the symptoms listed above and you suspect the development of acute prostatitis? First of all, consult a urologist or andrologist. It is not possible to make a diagnosis on your own based on symptoms alone. Read below to learn how acute prostatitis is diagnosed.

First, the doctor will take a medical history. Finds out whether there were sexually transmitted diseases. If yes, what was the treatment? Clarifies the symptoms and their severity. It will collect data about your profession, age, sex life, and so on. This is necessary to get a complete picture of the disease.

After collecting anamnesis, the urologist will perform a rectal examination of the prostate (see photo). That is, palpation of the organ with a finger through the wall of the rectum. Depending on the stage, the following will be noticeable:

1. With catarrhal prostatitis - a slight enlargement of the prostate gland, mild pain.
2. With follicular, the picture is the same as with catarrhal, but small areas of inflammation of the lobules of the prostate gland are palpated with increased pain.
3. With parenchymal - the prostate gland is greatly enlarged, with altered consistency and acute pain. Often it is not possible to insert a finger into the rectum due to severe pain in the anal area.

After the rectal examination, the doctor will order blood and urine tests. See the results in the table.

Types of laboratory tests prescribed for suspected acute prostatitis in men:

1. Study of prostate secretion.
2. Three-glass urine sample.
3. Luminescence microscopy.
4. Bacteriological blood culture (if there are signs of sepsis).

To clarify the diagnosis and exclude other prostate diseases, the doctor will give a referral for examination. Currently, there are many techniques available, so let’s look at the main ones.

TRUS of the prostate gland - transrectal ultrasound examination. Allows you to identify changes in tissues, including parenchyma. For diffuse prostatitis, the technique allows us to exclude diseases such as adenoma and prostate cancer.

Urethroprostatography - allows you to distinguish acute prostatitis from cancer, adenoma and prostate cyst. The pictures will show a narrowing of the urethra in the prostate area and its deformation.

A biopsy is not performed in acute prostatitis, for fear of provoking the spread of infection throughout the prostate gland.

Treatment of acute prostatitis

What to do if an acute attack of prostatitis occurs - this is a question asked by men who, for objective reasons, cannot immediately visit a medical facility. There are several ways to help relieve pain temporarily.

First aid is to take a painkiller. Drink more fluids, this will make urination easier and relieve pain. If possible, sit in a bowl of warm water for a few minutes.

As soon as possible, consult a doctor. Don't forget to tell us what medications you took.

Drug treatment has two goals:

1. Elimination of the causes of acute prostatitis (infections).
2. Normalization of blood circulation, elimination of congestion.

Read also: Petrification of the prostate gland

Treatment is carried out on an outpatient basis. Hospitalization is required only for complications of the parenchymal form of prostatitis. That is, there is no need for inpatient treatment. Before you learn how to treat acute prostatitis, familiarize yourself with the principles of traditional therapy.

Prescribing antibiotics

If acute prostatitis is caused by bacteria, the doctor will prescribe antibiotic treatment. Do not try to take medications on your own, without a prescription from a urologist.

Firstly, when selecting a medicine, the characteristics of the body are taken into account. For example, in case of kidney failure, some drugs (gentomycin, carbenicillin) increase the amount of toxins in the body.

Secondly, the duration of taking antibiotics is also determined individually based on the general condition of the body. If a man’s health condition is unsatisfactory, long-term use provokes the development of allergic reactions, dermatitis, candidiasis and other diseases.

Thirdly, antibiotics have different spectrums of action. Therefore, the doctor, based on the results of bacteriological culture, selects exactly the drug that will cope with the pathogen.

To reduce the negative effects of antibiotics on the body, your doctor will prescribe antihistamines. To restore intestinal microflora - lactobacterin or bifidumbacterin.

Strengthening the immune system in a sick man

In complex drug treatment of acute prostatitis, drugs that strengthen the immune system are prescribed. A strong body is able to cope with infection in the body, so immunotherapy prevents relapses. The most commonly prescribed drugs:

1. Timalin - administered intramuscularly, accelerates the restoration of damaged tissue.
2. Taktivin - prescribed in the presence of purulent foci in the prostate (parenchymal form). Helps the body fight infections. Has contraindications.
3. SIAM - prescribed if acute prostatitis is caused by bacteria. Side effects include increased body temperature in 2% of patients, so independent use is not recommended.

Modern medicine widely uses interferons to treat various types of prostatitis, including acute prostatitis. These are new generation drugs that do not have a toxic effect on the body. They are used intramuscularly and rectally (through the anus). The most well-known drugs of the interferon group:

1. Viferon.
2. Yodinur.
3. Cycloferon.

Additionally, the urologist may prescribe nutritional supplements, for example, Immunal.

Diet for acute prostatitis

As with other diseases, following a diet will help alleviate the condition of a man suffering from acute prostatitis.

See the table for information on what you can eat and what you cannot eat.

To cure prostatitis, the body requires zinc. Therefore, it is necessary to include in your diet foods that contain this microelement:

• chicken meat and egg;
• pumpkin seeds;
• Walnut.

Try to drink more fluids. Remember that acute prostatitis and alcohol are incompatible. During treatment at home, and to prevent relapse, it is advisable to exclude alcoholic beverages from the diet.

Is treatment with folk remedies effective?

Despite the fact that official medicine is skeptical about treatment with folk remedies, in pharmacology up to 40% of drugs are made from plants. Therefore, if a particular recipe is approved by a urologist, infusions and decoctions can be used to treat acute prostatitis.

What plants can be used:

• aspen bark;
• chestnut fruit;
• horsetail;
• chamomile;
• coltsfoot and others.

Remember that the effects of medicinal herbs have not yet been fully studied. Do not self-medicate. Once you find out a particular recipe, consult your doctor about the advisability of using it.

Conclusion

Acute prostatitis is easy to treat. Therefore, to avoid unpleasant consequences, do not hesitate to seek medical help. Modern diagnostic methods make it possible to detect the disease at an early stage. Uncontrolled use of drugs and traditional medicine, as a rule, worsens well-being and increases the risk of developing other diseases.

Acute prostatitis called acute inflammation of the prostate gland caused by infection. The disease is characterized by the occurrence of swelling of the prostate and the formation of purulent foci in its tissues. As medical statistics show, every man has a risk of developing acute prostatitis, and over the years it increases even more.

It is important to know that you should consult a doctor at the first signs of the disease, since acute prostatitis exists for a very short period of time, after which either a cure will occur, or the disease will develop into prostatitis, which is much more difficult to treat.

Forms and stages

In the clinical development of a disease such as acute prostatitis, there are three main forms, which are also its stages:

• catarrhal;
• follicular;
• parenchymatous.

The beginning of acute prostatitis is always catarrhal inflammation, in which the acini expand and reactive edema of the interstitial tissue occurs, as a result of which it increases in size. Then intensive development of inflammatory changes occurs in the lobules and excretory ducts of the prostate.

It is the excretory ducts of the prostatic glands, opening into the posterior part of the urethra, that are directly involved in the inflammatory process. Inflammation does not spread deeper than the mucous layers. In this case, the contractility of the excretory ducts is impaired; they may become narrowed or blocked, which leads to disruption of the normal secretion of prostate secretions.

As a rule, catarrhal acute prostatitis occurs due to the penetration of an infectious pathogen from the posterior part of the urethra. Since the prostate secretion also becomes inflammatory, its secretion may contribute to the development of posterior urethritis.

The next stage of the disease is follicular prostatitis. The inflammatory process continues to spread and affects the prostatic glands of the entire prostate gland or its individual lobes. Pus is released into the urethra, and separate purulent foci may also form. In this case, the cells of the glandular tissue undergo certain destructive changes, and the prostate continues to enlarge.

We can talk about parenchymal acute prostatitis when inflammation spreads to the interstitial tissue of the prostate gland. As a rule, this stage develops independently if infection occurs through hematogenous or contact (after surgery, puncture, etc.) route.

In the first stages, the parenchymal stage of acute prostatitis develops as a diffuse focal stage, characterized by the formation of individual pustules. Subsequently, purulent foci begin to merge with the forming prostate abscess. Most often, the follicular and parenchymal stage of acute prostatitis is accompanied by the development of an inflammatory process in the posterior part of the urethra, as well as the bladder neck, which gives the overall clinical picture of the disease several additional features.

Causes

As already mentioned, acute prostatitis can develop in almost any member of the stronger sex due to the penetration of infectious pathogens into his body, which can be E. coli, staphylococci, streptococci, chlamydia, trichomonas, Candida fungi and other microorganisms.

Most often, pathogenic microbes enter the tissue of the prostate gland through its excretory ducts, for example, with urethritis. Less commonly, the infection spreads to the prostate from an inflamed bladder in acute cystitis. Or acute prostatitis may develop if infectious pathogens are introduced into the prostate from distant foci of purulent lesions.

Thus, we can identify a number of risk factors, the presence of which significantly increases the chances of pathogens entering the prostate and causing an inflammatory process in it:

• the presence of chronic inflammatory diseases in a sexual partner or promiscuity in sexual relations;
• presence of a urethral catheter;
• previous instrumental interventions in the area of ​​the urethra;
• availability, etc.

There are also non-infectious factors that can also provoke the occurrence of acute prostatitis. These include, first of all, congestion in the pelvis, which is often caused by various sexual disorders, a sedentary lifestyle, hypothermia, etc.

Symptoms

Each stage of acute prostatitis may be characterized by both general manifestations and some features. Common symptoms always include:

• pain;
• disturbances in the urination process;
• general intoxication.

During the catarrhal stage of prostatitis, a man, as a rule, feels very noticeable pain and heaviness in the perineal area, and urination also becomes painful and frequent. Signs of intoxication at this stage of the disease may be absent. During a palpation examination, only a slight increase in the size of the prostate gland can be noticed, but laboratory tests of the secretion reveal an increase in the level of leukocytes.

The follicular stage, as a rule, has more vivid and pronounced clinical manifestations. Aching pain in the perineal area begins to radiate to the penis or sacral area. Urination can be so difficult and painful that men often develop urinary retention, and bowel movements can also be difficult. In addition, the general well-being of the patient significantly worsens, which is caused by an increase in body temperature.

Upon palpation, the doctor may find that the prostate is enlarged, tense and asymmetrical. In some areas there may be severe pain. A high level of purulent threads and leukocytes is found in the urine.

Parenchymal acute prostatitis is characterized by even more intensive development. Body temperature rises even higher (up to 39.5 degrees), which is accompanied by weakness, chills, and loss of appetite. At this stage, men often experience urinary retention, and any attempts to empty the bladder lead to severe pain. All this is often accompanied by severe constipation.

If you do not start treatment for acute prostatitis on time, this can lead to the development of severe complications, such as:

• prostate abscess;
• phlebitis of the paraprostatic venous plexus;
• paraprostatitis.

Most often, the outcome of ignoring the disease is its transition to a chronic form, which is much more difficult to treat.

Diagnostic tests

A urologist diagnoses acute prostatitis and determines its current stage, based on the results of a comprehensive study, including physical, instrumental and laboratory methods.

The physical method involves examining the prostate gland through the rectum, which allows the doctor to determine the size of the organ, as well as its consistency, symmetry and pain. Palpation should always be performed with the utmost care. When examining the resulting secretion, it reveals increased leukocytes and a decreased level of lecithin grains.

Also, after palpation of the prostate gland, the collected urine is sent for laboratory testing. Acute prostatitis is always characterized by increased leukocyturia. Among other things, to accurately diagnose acute prostatitis, tests such as urine culture, examination of urethral discharge, PCR and blood culture are performed.

Instrumental research methods used to diagnose acute prostatitis include ultrasound, which can be performed, but only with moderate pain. If the pain is severe, the examination is performed transabdominally.

If the doctor plans surgical treatment of destructive forms of the disease, it is also advisable to perform an MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) or CT (computed tomography) scan of the pelvis.

Treatment of acute prostatitis

Since acute prostatitis in most cases is quite severe and can be dangerous for the development of severe complications, its treatment is most often carried out in an inpatient setting. The predominant direction of therapy is the use of etiotropic drugs, which may include antibacterial and other drugs. have a suppressive effect on the vital activity of microbes.

To reduce pain and spasms, the doctor prescribes analgesics and antispasmodics to the patient; rectal suppositories or thermal microenemas may also be prescribed. When the acute symptoms of the disease subside, the patient is prescribed physiotherapeutic procedures to improve microcirculation, eliminate inflammation and increase local immunity. In particular, patients undergo electrophoresis, microwave therapy, etc.

If urinary retention occurs against the background of acute prostatitis, preference is given to trocar cytostomy, and bladder catheterization is not performed. If a prostate abscess occurs, its cavity is opened surgically.

Cure from acute prostatitis occurs when the functions and tissues of the gland are completely restored, the composition of prostatic juice is normalized, and infectious pathogens are no longer detected in laboratory tests.

Prevention measures

It is worth noting that preventing the occurrence of acute prostatitis is extremely simple. It includes several important points:

• careful personal hygiene;
• strict adherence to sexual hygiene;
• timely treatment of emerging foci of purulent infection.

For any man who cares about his own health, it is extremely important to normalize his physical activity and sex life.

Acute prostatitis is an infectious inflammatory process in the prostate gland, which is characterized by swelling of its tissues and the appearance of foci with pus. Every man is susceptible to this disease, and with age, the risk of developing pathology increases significantly.

Often the last 2 stages of the disease progress against the background of inflammation of the posterior wall of the urinary duct and the neck of the bladder, and then the symptoms of acute prostatitis are complemented by some features.

Causes of acute prostatitis

In more rare cases, the infectious disease spreads to the prostate gland from the bladder, which is inflamed in the acute form of cystitis. In addition, the causes of acute prostatitis may lie in remotely located purulent foci, the pathogens of which have entered the lumen of the excretory ducts of the gland.

The above facts make it possible to identify a group of unfavorable factors that increase the likelihood of acute prostatitis in a man:

• promiscuous sexual intercourse or a chronic infectious disease in a sexual partner;
• installed urethral catheter;
• invasive methods of examination or treatment of elements of the genitourinary system;

The causes of the development of acute prostatitis may be non-infectious in nature. Thus, the pathological process can begin as a result of congestion in the pelvic area, which can be caused by impaired sexual function, sedentary work, hypothermia, etc.

Video: "Acute prostatitis"

Clinical manifestations of pathology

At each stage of acute prostatitis, symptoms may be specific, and clinical manifestations characteristic of all stages may occur.

The general symptoms are:

• pain from the prostate gland;
• impaired urinary function;
• signs of general poisoning of the body.

During the catarrhal prostatitis phase, the patient may complain of pain in the perineal area, frequent and painful urge to urinate. There are no symptoms of poisoning in the catarrhal form of pathology. Palpation of the perineal area allows you to feel a slight swelling of the prostate.

After analyzing the glandular secretion, an increased number of leukocytes is detected in it.

Symptoms of acute prostatitis at the follicular stage developments are characterized by greater brightness and severity compared to the catarrhal stage. Aching painful sensations from the perineal area spread to the penis or sacral area.

The act of urination becomes so difficult and painful that the patient often experiences urine retention in combination with difficulty defecating. The man's general condition worsens as he experiences frequent fevers.

Palpation allows you to determine the enlargement of the prostate gland, its tension and asymmetry. Sharp pain may occur in certain places in the prostate. Urine analysis shows a high content of pus and leukocytes.

At the parenchymal stage pathological process, even more striking clinical manifestations develop. Body temperature can rise to 39.5°C. This entails general weakness, chills, and loss of appetite. At this stage, patients often experience urinary retention, and attempts to empty the bladder are accompanied by severe pain. Often, a man suffers from constipation.

If you do not start treatment for acute prostatitis at the first warning signs, the pathology can lead to serious complications in the form of prostate abscess, inflammation of the paraprostatic vascular node, as well as paraprostatitis.

In most cases, neglecting treatment and letting the disease take its course leads to the development of a chronic form of prostatitis, which is much more difficult to cure.

Video: "Acute prostatitis - symptoms and diagnosis"

Methods for diagnosing acute prostatitis

At the first clinical symptoms of the disease, a man should make an appointment with a urologist as soon as possible. A specialist, based on a set of instrumental, physical and laboratory methods, after listening to the patient’s complaints, determines the stage of development of acute prostatitis.

Physical diagnostic methods include examination of the prostate through the rectum. Using palpation, the urologist determines the degree of swelling of the prostate gland, the symmetry of its sides, consistency and the presence of pain in the patient. This procedure is carried out with great care.

Prostate secretion is taken to analyze the number of leukocytes and lecithin grains in it.

Also for diagnosing acute forms of the disease hardware methods such as ultrasound are used.

In this case it can be carried out 2 ways:

• transrectal, that is, through the rectum (possible only with mild pain);
• transabdominal- through the anterior wall of the groin area.

If the clinical picture of the pathology indicates its destructive variant, the patient may be prescribed radical surgical treatment. In this case, magnetic resonance imaging or computed tomography of the pelvic area serves as a diagnostic method.

Treatment method for acute prostatitis

Acute inflammation of the prostate gland must be treated in a hospital setting. This is due to the severe course of the disease and the high likelihood of complications.

Medication

The basis of therapy is the patient is taking erotropic drugs, some of which include antibiotics. This is a prerequisite for effective treatment, since the causative agents of acute prostatitis are bacterial organisms.

Treatment of acute prostatitis in men involves taking analgesic and antispasmodic drugs. They significantly reduce pain caused by purulent inflammation of the prostate and make life easier for the patient. The urologist may prescribe the patient the use of rectal suppositories and/or thermal microenemas.

Physiotherapy

After overcoming the peak of acute symptoms of the pathology, the patient is prescribed a series of physiotherapy procedures. Their implementation improves microcirculation, eliminates the inflammatory process and helps strengthen the body's immune response. To overcome acute prostatitis, treatment may include a prostate massage procedure, electrophoresis sessions, etc.

Surgical method

Since the acute form of the disease can provoke urine retention, a catheter is not installed in the urethra. Instead of her trocar cystostomy is performed - suprapubic puncture of the bladder. With the development of a prostate abscess, surgery is indicated to remove the purulent focus.

To prevent the occurrence of an inflammatory process in the prostate gland, a man should follow simple prevention methods:

• carefully follow the rules of personal hygiene;
• do not neglect intimate hygiene;
• Contact a urologist if you experience pain, swelling, discomfort or burning when urinating.

It is very important to use contraceptives during sexual intercourse, especially with a new sexual partner.

Conclusion

Acute prostatitis is a disease from which not a single representative of the strong side is immune. When it is diagnosed, treatment should be started as quickly as possible according to the instructions of a specialist, since the disease can progress and become complicated. Against this background, a chronic form of prostatitis develops