Under prostatitis, urologists understand the inflammatory process in the prostate gland that occurs for various reasons. The prostate belongs to the genitourinary system, surrounded by other organs and tissues, therefore the symptoms, especially in the early stages, do not allow to determine the 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 trauma to the tissue of the prostate gland 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 inflammation;
- 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 urethral opening.
At this stage, prostatitis can be confused with urethritis, so laboratory diagnosis is important.
As the inflammatory process progresses, other signs of the disease appear in the tissue of the prostate gland:
- the urge to urinate at night;
- pain in the perineum (may radiate to the head of the penis, anus, thigh and lower abdomen);
- erection absent or weak;
- pain during ejaculation;
- increase in body temperature to 37. 5-37. 8 °C.
In the case of a violation of the integrity of the prostate tissue or the area adjacent to the urethra, 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 conditional microflora. Microorganisms can live in the intestines or on the skin of a man, if hygiene rules are not followed, 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 sex. Infection may also occur with an incorrect prostate biopsy.
Once on the mucous membrane of the prostate, bacteria grow rapidly, colonies grow in just 2-3 days. The first signs of prostatitis in this case are:
- chills, fever, fever;
- pain in the perineum, lower back, or lower abdomen;
- violation of urination (pain, intermittent flow of urine, frequent urge).
If there is no treatment or the wrong therapy 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 with improper treatment for the acute course, as well as due to trauma to the bladder and illiterate catheterization. It is not excluded the situation when the inflammatory process in the adjacent organs passes to the prostate gland.
A man may overlook the first signs of chronic prostatitis - the symptoms of this form are characterized by mild severity, a period of remission is possible. You can suspect this disease with the following manifestations:
- problems with urination;
- dull pain, pain in the perineum;
- erectile problems.
Periods of aggravation alternate with calmness. A man may mistakenly think about healing and not visit a doctor. Such an attitude is dangerous - the inflammatory process develops, prostate tissue is regenerated 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 - with 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.
For acute bacterial prostatitis, the following signs are characteristic, revealed during examination and laboratory examination of urine and blood:
- body temperature in the anus is higher than the temperature in the armpit by 0. 5 ° C;
- 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 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. With severe pain, you can take painkillers, but this is an exception to the rule. It is better not to drink such pills, so as not to obscure the clinical picture and prevent the doctor from making the correct diagnosis. Antipyretics can be taken to combat high fever.
With a competent approach, first aid is provided at medical facilities. To do this, a man must contact a urologist at the 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 consumption 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, which can be said to be incurable;
- 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 a fatal outcome is 30-50%, and every hour of delay in medical treatment increases this value by 8%.
Add up
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 the results of blood and urine laboratory studies. Prostatitis can be life-threatening for men, so self-medication is unacceptable. If you delay a visit to the doctor, the disease can become chronic, which is very difficult to overcome.