Symptoms of prostatitis can be detected a few days after the onset of the disease. Depending on the age, individual condition of the patient and other nuances, the disease can manifest itself clearly or proceed more calmly. Early access to a doctor and timely diagnosis guarantee the success of the treatment, the absence of complications and recurrences.
Group of risk
Prostate inflammation in men is diagnosed more and more frequently. The essence of the disease is simple. The gland, which in the normal state is very small, dramatically enlarges, compresses the urinary tract and seminal ducts, causing problems with urine production and normal ejaculation. There are many reasons for the occurrence of the disease. The following patients are at risk:
- middle age and old age;
- overweight and obesity;
- smokers and alcoholics;
- who had diseases of the urogenital area (urethritis, cystitis, orchitis, balanitis, balanoposthitis, pyelonephritis);
- having an irregular sex life;
- practice coitus interruptus as the main means of contraception;
- under treatment with potent drugs (hormonal agents, antibiotics).
A few decades ago, the symptoms of the disease were observed in middle-aged and elderly patients. But today, the disease is increasingly common in active young men who don't have any special health problems. Urologists distinguish 4 types of prostatitis: acute and chronic infectious, non-bacterial, prostatodynia.
The acute infectious form is more common in young, sexually active men. The cause of the disease is bacteria that have entered the urethra and ureter. The source of infection is often the causative agents of sexually transmitted diseases: streptococci, gonococcus, pale spirochetes, Trichomonas, chlamydia. In some cases, bacteria enter the urethra through the rectum. This happens with insufficient hygiene of the genitals. In the absence of proper treatment, acute infectious prostatitis can become chronic. It is characterized by alternating periods of rest with a sudden deterioration in well-being. As the disease progresses, the attacks become more frequent and last longer.
The onset of the disease: how to determine it
The first symptoms of prostatitis are easily confused with manifestations of other diseases. That's why patients don't rush to the doctor, taking painkillers or antipyretics on their own. One sign that should alert you is going to the bathroom too often. The man begins to notice that little urine is released, it becomes dark or almost transparent. Gradually, the process of passing urine becomes painful, itching and burning are felt in the urethra, the external genitalia becomes irritated and reddened.
Another characteristic manifestation is a constant feeling of fullness in the bladder. The overgrown gland presses on the ureter, urine is secreted drop by drop or leaks spontaneously. Perhaps nighttime incontinence and pus, ichor or mucus can be released from the urethra.
Almost simultaneously observed disturbances of sexual function. An enlarged prostate blocks the flow of testosterone, a man notices a decrease in libido, premature ejaculation, worsening erection.
Against the background of the inflammatory process and failures in the genital area, the patient becomes nervous, irritable, outbreaks of aggression or depressed and depressed mood are possible.
Fatigue is very common. An active person gets tired quickly, experiences drowsiness, but even a long sleep does not bring joy. Decreased efficiency, the body can not resist infections. As a result, even a common cold ends up with complications that further worsen the patient's condition.
signs and manifestations
Symptoms of prostatitis in men can be overt or covert. It all depends on the individual characteristics of the body, the presence or absence of other chronic diseases, age and other important points. Usually the first characteristic manifestations occur a few days or weeks after the onset of the disease. These include:
- repeated false urge to urinate;
- pain in the urethra during and after urination;
- local swelling in the genital area;
- feeling that the bladder is not completely emptied;
- problems with urine production;
- dull pain in the lower abdomen;
- discomfort in the scrotum and lower back;
- general malaise;
- short-term temperature rise.
With prostatitis, the patient may experience sleep and appetite problems, often constipation, alternating with diarrhea. The main symptoms of prostatitis, characteristic of the nonbacterial form, appear and disappear, become more pronounced or significantly weaken. With chronic inflammation of the prostate, the characteristic signs are not felt for a long time.
They can be so lethargic that a man does not show concern, attributing the deterioration of health to a cold, stress, fatigue at work. According to statistics, almost a quarter of patients do not feel discomfort within a few months of the onset of the disease.
Acute infectious prostatitis, the symptoms of which become visible after a few days, manifests itself as a sharp increase in temperature, burning and pain in the urethra, a constant desire to go to the bathroom. The patient feels chills and fever. Possible stool problems. In the inflammatory process, the tissues become loose and easily damaged. The patient puts off going to the bathroom, the feces are compressed and hardly pass through the rectum. In the severe form, the development of hemorrhoids, the appearance of cracks in the rectum and other unpleasant consequences is possible.
A hallmark symptom of acute prostatitis is the appearance of traces of blood and pus in the urine. Urine becomes cloudier, acquires an unpleasant odor. Urine comes out drip or remains for several hours, causing severe swelling. Everything speaks of an acute inflammatory process. At the first signs of prostatitis, it is recommended to contact a therapist who will refer you to a urologist.
Prostatodynia and its symptoms
Prostatodynia is a non-inflammatory form of prostatitis. It occurs in 30% of middle-aged and older men. The disease proceeds in a latent or acute form, with a set of characteristic signs of non-infectious prostatitis.
The main difference of this form of the disease is the absence of high temperature, edema, suppuration. At the same time, the patient constantly feels pain of a very different nature: pulling, aching, throbbing. It can be located in the perineum, extending to the lower back, legs, lower abdomen, scrotum or penis. Pain occurs at rest or during overexertion; analgesic blocks or the use of potent drugs can relieve an attack. Antibiotics do not help as the inflammatory component is absent.
Prostatodynia is characterized by problems with urination. Between them:
- slow flow;
- drip leak;
- incomplete emptying of the bladder;
- frequent false impulses;
- dysuria (complete absence of urine).
How to make a diagnosis
With prostatitis of any nature, the main thing is not to delay treatment for a long time. Only a urologist is able to understand what forms the disease will take and what to choose for a quick recovery. The peculiarity of inflammation of the prostate is that the disease is easily confused with other diseases.
For example, problems with urination are characteristic of chronic or acute urethritis or cystitis. Pain in the lower abdomen and the appearance of blood in the urine can signal pyelonephritis.
Finally, a general deterioration in well-being is characteristic of a whole list of illnesses, from the common cold to rectal cancer.
A series of tests and an ultrasound examination to assess the condition of the prostate will help to avoid errors and inappropriate treatments.
If the cause of the disease is a urinary tract infection, it is necessary to get rid of it and only then proceed to eliminate the symptoms of prostatitis.
A few decades ago, it was believed that the disease was typical of older men, but today quite a few young people who lead an active lifestyle also suffer from this disease. Having found the characteristic symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor who will establish a diagnosis and select the correct treatment.