With prostatitis, urologists understand the inflammatory process in the prostate gland that arises for various reasons.The prostate belongs to the genitourinary system and is surrounded by other organs and tissues, so symptoms, especially in the early stages, do not allow a person to identify this disease.Let's try to figure out what the first signs of prostatitis may indicate the beginning of the disease and tell you where to get help.
Symptoms of chronic abacterial prostatitis
This disease occurs as a result of injury to the prostate tissue or due to the influence of several other factors:
- sedentary lifestyle and concomitant disorders of blood microcirculation;
- reflux of urine into the prostate gland;
- narrowing of the urethral lumen due to tumors, stones or inflammatory processes;
- sharp contraction of pelvic muscles;
- hypothermia, smoking, alcohol abuse.
Symptoms of this form appear gradually, their severity increases over time.At first, men may complain of a frequent urge to urinate, accompanied by a burning sensation in the area of the urethral opening.
At this stage, prostatitis can be confused with urethritis, so laboratory diagnosis is important.
When the inflammatory process develops in the tissue of the prostate gland, other signs of the disease appear:
- the urge to urinate at night;
- pain in the perineum (can radiate to the head of the penis, anus, thighs and lower abdomen);
- erection absent or weak;
- pain during ejaculation;
- increase in body temperature to 37.5-37.8 °C.
If the integrity of the prostate tissue or the area adjacent to the urethra is damaged, blood can be observed in the urine or semen.The man pays attention to small pieces of red or brown color.
Symptoms of acute bacterial prostatitis
Bacterial prostatitis is caused by pathogenic and opportunistic microflora.Microorganisms can live in the intestines or on the skin of men;if hygiene rules are not followed, they can enter the prostate through the urethra and grow rapidly in the glandular tissue.Another option is the penetration of the pathogen into the urethra and then into the prostate during unprotected sexual intercourse.It may also become infected if a prostate biopsy is performed incorrectly.
Once on the mucous membrane of the prostate gland, bacteria grow rapidly, colonies grow literally in 2-3 days.The first signs of prostatitis in this case are:
- chills, fever, increased body temperature;
- pain in the perineum, lower back or lower abdomen;
- urinary disorders (pain, intermittent flow of urine, frequent urges).
Without treatment or incorrect treatment tactics, the disease will develop.After a few days, constipation, acute urinary retention, pain in muscles, joints, and lymph nodes may appear.Signs of intoxication are also possible - nausea, vomiting, weakness.
The interval between the first symptoms and the most noticeable clinical picture can be 3-4 days.
Symptoms of chronic bacterial prostatitis
The chronic form of bacterial prostatitis occurs due to improper treatment of the acute course, as well as due to injury to the bladder and improper catheterization.It is possible that the inflammatory process in the adjacent organs spreads to the prostate gland.
A man may miss the first signs of chronic prostatitis - the symptoms of this form are characterized by mild severity, a period of remission is possible.This disease can be suspected based on the following symptoms:
- problems with urination;
- dull pain, pain in the perineum;
- problems with erection.
Periods of exacerbation alternate with remission.A man may mistakenly think about healing and not visit a doctor.This attitude is dangerous - the inflammatory process develops, the prostate tissue deteriorates and the organ loses its function.As a result, prostatitis can cause infertility and cause sepsis - blood poisoning.
Pathological clinical manifestations
Prostatitis has no characteristic signs;it can be confused with other diseases that have similar symptoms - cystitis, urethritis, chlamydia.
Knowing the early signs of the disease will not help to make an accurate diagnosis.It is more effective to pay attention to clinical manifestations.
Acute bacterial prostatitis is characterized by the following signs, which are revealed during examination and laboratory tests of urine and blood:
- the body temperature in the anus is 0.5 °C higher than the temperature in the armpit;
- an increase in the number of leukocytes in the urine;
- reduction in the number of eosinophils;
- increased C-reactive protein;
- an increase in PSA levels in the blood.
A blood test for PSA content is not mandatory, but it helps to get a clearer picture of the pathological process.
How to provide first aid and who to contact for treatment
Prostatitis refers to a disease that does not threaten the patient's life in the early stages.For severe pain, you can take painkillers, but this is an exception to the rule.It is better not to take such pills, so as not to obscure the clinical picture and prevent the doctor from making the correct diagnosis.To combat high fever, you can take antipyretics.
With a competent approach, first aid is provided in medical institutions.To do this, a man must contact a urologist at his place of residence or accommodation.If for some reason it is impossible to visit the doctor yourself, you need to call an ambulance.
It is absolutely forbidden to take antibiotics yourself.
These drugs are prescribed taking into account the type of pathogen;uncontrolled use can increase the resistance of bacteria and worsen the manifestations of intoxication.
Consequences of ignoring the first signs
Most men prefer not to see a doctor, especially when it comes to problems in the genitourinary system.This attitude can be dangerous.Prostatitis is a serious disease and can cause negative consequences:
- the transition to a chronic form that is almost untreatable;
- development of infertility;
- spread of infection to nearby organs;
- decreased potency;
- occurrence of sepsis.
The latter situation directly threatens the patient's life.The probability of death is 30-50%, and every hour of delay in medical treatment increases this value by 8%.
Let's summarize
Knowing the first signs of prostatitis in men helps suspect problems in the body.A more accurate diagnosis is made based on instrumental examination and blood and urine laboratory test results.Prostatitis can threaten a man's life, so self-medication is unacceptable.If you delay a visit to the doctor, the disease can become chronic, which is very difficult to overcome.