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. Timely access to a doctor and timely diagnosis guarantee successful treatment, the absence of complications and relapses.
Risk group
Inflammation of the prostate in men is being diagnosed more and more often. The essence of the disease is simple. The gland, which in its normal state is very small, greatly increases, compresses the urinary tract and seminal ducts, causing problems with urine production and normal ejaculation. There are many reasons for the onset of the disease. The following patients are at risk:
- middle and elderly age;
- overweight and obese;
- smokers and alcoholics;
- who have had diseases of the urogenital area (urethritis, cystitis, orchitis, balanitis, balanoposthitis, pyelonephritis);
- having an irregular sex life;
- practicing coitus interruptus as the main means of contraception;
- being treated with potent drugs (hormonal agents, antibiotics).
A few decades ago, symptoms of the disease were observed in middle-aged and elderly patients. But today the disease is increasingly common in active young men who do not have any particular 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 are often the causative agents of sexually transmitted diseases: streptococci, gonococci, pale spirochetes, Trichomonas, chlamydia. In some cases, bacteria enter the urethra from the rectum. This happens with insufficient hygiene of the genitals. Without proper treatment, acute infectious prostatitis can become chronic. It is characterized by periods of rest alternating with a sudden deterioration in well-being. As the disease progresses, 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 the manifestations of other diseases. That is why patients do not rush to the doctor, taking painkillers or antipyretic drugs on their own. A 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 in color or becomes almost transparent. Gradually, the process of urine outflow becomes painful, itching and burning in the urethra are felt, the external genitals are irritated and red.
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 flows out spontaneously. Perhaps nocturnal incontinence and pus, ichor or mucus may be released from the urethra.
Disorders of sexual function observed almost simultaneously. An enlarged prostate blocks the flow of testosterone, a man notes a decrease in libido, premature ejaculation, worsening of erection.
Against the background of the inflammatory process and failures in the genital area, the patient becomes nervous, irritable, outbursts of aggression or depressed, depressed mood are possible.
Fatigue is very common. An active person quickly gets tired, experiences drowsiness, but even a long sleep does not bring joy. With decreased efficiency, the body cannot resist infection. 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 obvious or hidden. It all depends on the individual characteristics of the body, the presence or absence of other chronic diseases, age and other important points. The first characteristic manifestations usually 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 edema in the genital area;
- feeling that the bladder is not completely emptied;
- problems with urine production;
- dull, aching pain in the lower abdomen;
- discomfort in the scrotum and lower back;
- general malaise;
- short-term temperature rise.
With prostatitis, the patient may have sleep and appetite problems, often constipation, alternating with diarrhea. The main symptoms of prostatitis, characteristic of the non-bacterial form, appear and disappear, become more pronounced or significantly weaken. With chronic inflammation of the prostate, the characteristic signs do not make themselves felt for a long time.
They can be so lethargic that a man shows no concern, attributing the deterioration in health to colds, stress, fatigue at work. According to statistics, almost a quarter of sufferers do not feel discomfort within a few months of the onset of the disease.
Acute infectious prostatitis, the symptoms of which become noticeable after a few days, manifests itself as a sharp rise in temperature, burning and pain in the urethra, a constant desire to visit the toilet. The patient experiences chills and fever. Possible stool problems. In the inflammatory process, the tissues loosen and are easily damaged. The patient stops going to the toilet, the stool is compressed and hardly passes through the rectum. In severe form, the development of hemorrhoids, the appearance of cracks in the rectum and other unpleasant consequences are possible.
A striking symptom of acute prostatitis is the appearance of traces of blood and pus in the urine. Urine becomes more cloudy, acquires an unpleasant odor. Urine comes out drop by drop or lingers 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 issue a referral to a urologist.
Prostadynia and its symptoms
Prostatodynia is a non-inflammatory form of prostatitis. It occurs in 30% of middle-aged men. The disease proceeds in a latent or acute form, with it there is a number 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 excessive exertion; blocking painkillers or using powerful medications can relieve an attack. Antibiotics do not help, since the inflammatory component is absent.
Prostatodynia is characterized by problems with urination. Between them:
- slow flow;
- loss of drip;
- 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 speedy 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 range of diseases, from the banal flu to rectal cancer.
A series of tests and an ultrasound examination to assess the condition of the prostate will help avoid mistakes and improper treatment.
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 even young people who lead an active lifestyle 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.