Prostatitis

The prostatitis is a common disease among men over 50 years. In the vast majority of cases it is an infection of bacterial origin, acute or chronic. Symptoms vary between patients, the most common being: pain when urinating, irregular urination, and discomfort when ejaculating.

It is estimated that about 5% of adults develop chronic prostatitis over time.

What is the prostate and its functions

The prostate is a gland found in the lower part of the bladder in men. It is about the size of a walnut. The urethra passes through the prostate, which connects the bladder to the outside through the penis.

The main function of the prostate is to produce semen . Inside the gland there are a series of cells that participate in the formation of seminal fluid, responsible for protecting and nourishing the sperm.

The three most common diseases of the prostate are.

• Prostatitis: it is the inflammation of the prostate tissue. The most common cause is a bacterial infection.
• Benign prostatic hyperplasia: from the age of 40, the central area of ​​the prostate gland begins to progressively increase in size. It is important to detect this pathology early to avoid possible complications in the long term.
• Prostate Cancer – This is the most common malignant tumor in men. An early diagnosis is essential to improve the prognosis and quality of life of patients.

What is prostatitis?

Prostatitis is a disease characterized by inflammation of the prostate , whose main functions are the production of semen and the transport of sperm.

The main symptoms of this disorder are pain and difficulty urinating . However, the symptoms vary greatly depending on the patient. In the most severe cases, signs include pain in the pelvic area.

Depending on the cause of the disease, symptoms appear suddenly or progressively.

Although prostatitis can occur in men of all ages, it is more common in those under the age of 50.

Acute prostatitis

The acute prostatitis is characterized in that the indicia appear abruptly. Any type of bacteria that can cause a urine infection can lead to acute bacterial prostatitis.

In general, the diagnosis is easier to determine than in the case of chronic prostatitis. Treatment in the vast majority of cases is simple: it basically consists of taking antibiotics.

Chronic prostatitis

When prostatitis does not respond to treatment and does not go away after three months, it becomes chronic . The disease also takes this name when it disappears and reappears after a certain time.

Causes of prostatitis

The most common cause of prostatitis is a bacterium or a group of bacteria. This happens when a certain bacteria that is present in the urine leaks into the prostate, thus giving rise to this disorder. In this case it is essential to take antibiotics. Otherwise, prostatitis could recur in the medium or long term.

Of course, the cause may also not be bacteria. In this case, the disease develops due to a certain abnormality in the bladder.

• Irritation: irritation may be due to a reflux of urine flowing into the prostate, or contact with chemicals.
• Pelvic floor: problems in the pelvic floor muscles can also be the cause of prostatitis.
• Stress : and, finally, high levels of stress that are maintained over time are another possible cause of the disease.

Prostatitis: risk factors

There are a number of risk factors that greatly increase the likelihood of prostatitis.

• Having previously suffered from this disease is a great risk factor since in many cases it tends to recur over time.
• Having an infection in the bladder or urethra also increases the risk of prostatitis.
• People with HIV , whose immune systems are weakened, are more likely to have bacteria present in their urine seeping into the prostate.
• Various infections that are transmitted through sexual contact increase the risk of having this disease, such as chlamydia. This is why safe sex is so important.

Symptoms of prostatitis

About the symptoms of prostatitis, the clinical picture varies greatly depending on the patient. However, there are a number of signs that occur in virtually all cases.

The earliest sign that appears is pain when urinating , accompanied by a burning and stinging sensation. In addition, many men have difficulty urinating. The frequent urge to urinate is another common symptom of this disease.

In many cases the urination is cloudy and smelly . This symptom appears in later stages of the disease and requires urgent medical attention.

Another frequent sign is pain in the abdomen or pelvic area. Some men also feel pain in the genital area. And finally, prostatitis also causes pain when ejaculating .

Flu-like symptoms

In the earliest stages of the disease, many men experience symptoms that are similar to those of the flu : chills , fever and fatigue for no apparent reason.

How is it diagnosed?

Given the symptoms described in the previous section, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible. An early diagnosis can be of great help to avoid complications in the medium and long term.

If the doctor suspects prostatitis, he will proceed with a rectal examination to check for any type of abnormality in the prostate. If there is an acute infection, the gland is larger than normal and is also very sensitive to pain.

To confirm the diagnosis, a number of additional tests may be performed.

• Urinalysis: A urinalysis can identify the presence of bacteria in urination.
• Semen culture: Bacterial prostatitis is characterized by the secretion of one or more bacteria in the semen.
• Ultrasound: certain symptoms of this disease, such as pelvic or abdominal pain, are also typical of other disorders. Thus, sometimes it is necessary to perform an ultrasound to check if the prostate has increased in size or there is any type of abnormality in it.

Treatment of prostatitis

If bacterial prostatitis is confirmed, the most common treatment is taking oral antibiotics . For those patients with severe symptoms, the doctor may choose to administer antibiotics intravenously.

To relieve symptoms of the disease, such as pain or stinging when urinating , alpha-blocker medications help relax the muscles in the pelvic area. There are also effective natural remedies to relax your muscles.

Home care

When a man suffers from prostatitis, he must carry out a series of care at home to speed up the healing process.

• Urination: it is important to urinate frequently and do it completely.
• Sitz baths : Warm sitz baths can be helpful in relieving pain. Natural plants such as chamomile, with anti-inflammatory properties, can be added to the water.
• Irritating substances: of course, it is important to avoid any type of substance that can irritate the bladder: alcohol, caffeinated drinks, citrus fruits and spicy foods.
• Hydration: and, lastly, hydration is key to promoting urination. Experts recommend drinking two liters of water daily.

Possible complications

This disease can cause a number of complications.

• Bacteremia: Bacteremia is a bacterial infection of the blood.
• Prostate abscess: it is known as a cavity with pus inside that develops in the prostate. If not treated properly and on time, the risk of serious infection is high.
• Sterility: although it is not a complication that occurs frequently, in severe cases of prostatitis, men can suffer sterility.
• Epididymitis: Epididymitis is a disease characterized by inflammation of the epididymis, a tubular structure close to the testicle. The most common cause of this disorder is a bacterial infection.
• Sepsis : One of the most serious complications of this disease is sepsis. This occurs when the bacteria that cause prostatitis spread into the bloodstream. It is a chronic situation that can put the patient’s life at risk.

Tips for taking care of the prostate

• Food: taking care of your diet is key to maintaining the health of the prostate, as well as the body as a whole. Fish is very beneficial due to its high content of Omega-3 fatty acids. Several studies have shown the positive effect of green tea consumption in the care of this gland thanks to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties .
• Tobacco: Smoking is an unhealthy habit. Therefore, it is advisable to avoid tobacco to reduce the risk of prostatitis.
• Physical exercise: having a large amount of fat, especially in the abdominal area, increases the risk of developing prostate cancer. Practicing physical exercise frequently helps to eliminate accumulated fat in the body.

Experts recommend having an annual prostate checkup starting at age 50. The objective is to detect any type of alteration early, thus improving the prognosis and quality of life of patients.

The prostatitis is a disease that in most cases is mild. The most relevant symptoms are three: localized pain in front of the rectum, discomfort in the scrotum and pain in the abdominal area.

Faced with any kind of indication that something is wrong, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible.