Prostatitis can affect potency or cause infertility.The success of the treatment largely depends on how quickly the treatment was started, so the man must independently pay attention to the first signs.Let's look at how prostatitis manifests itself in acute and chronic forms, and also provide information about clinical manifestations and symptoms.
Signs of acute and chronic prostatitis.
Acute prostatitis occurs most often in men of reproductive age who are sexually active.The first signs of the disease in this case appear unexpectedly, develop quickly and cannot go unnoticed.
With acute prostatitis, a man will feel:
- sharp, often stabbing, pain in the perineum;
- temperature increase to 39°C;
- pain when urinating.
When the disease occurs, the focus of the inflammatory process in the prostate gland is extensive, so nearby organs may be involved in the pathological process.For example, prostatitis can affect the condition of the rectum and cause painful bowel movements.
Chronic prostatitis is most often detected in men of retirement age.The disease can occur without any special symptoms.Sometimes patients complain to the doctor about burning or itching when urinating, or notice mucous or purulent discharge from the head of the penis.Pain in chronic prostatitis is absent or insignificant, and the temperature rises to 37 degrees.
Initial symptoms
Doctors identify a series of manifestations that are considered harbingers of the disease.They are the signal for a man to visit a doctor in the near future.The six symptoms listed below indicate a problem in the genitourinary system and are therefore combined into one group - dysuric syndrome:
- The urine is released in drops, the man makes an effort to do so.
- The jet is slow and the range does not exceed 20 cm.
- Splashing urine, splitting or involuntary interruption of the stream.
- Frequent need to go to the bathroom at night.
- Pain when urinating.
- Feeling of bladder not empty.
If there is only one symptom - prostatitis, then most likely we are not talking about it.However, if a man can notice two or three signs, this is a reason to consult a doctor.Most likely, an inflammatory process has begun in the prostate.
The doctor will make a more precise diagnosis after a digital rectal examination, TRUS and laboratory methods, which together constitute a complete examination.Based on the results of these measures, treatment is selected, therefore self-medication is strictly prohibited.
Problems with urination can also indicate prostate cancer, in which case the treatment tactics will be fundamentally different.
Certain manifestations do not always indicate prostatitis;They may indicate any other inflammatory process in the genitourinary system.However, when they appear, there is reason to be suspicious.Let's consider what a man will feel if he has inflammation in the prostate.
Urination disorders
A patient with acute prostatitis has difficulty urinating.Normally, a man can feel up to 15 urges to relieve himself per day, this is due to the drinking regimen.Average indicators are 4-5 times.However, with prostatitis the picture changes.A man may feel the need twice as often, but the volume of urine will not increase.This means that the kidneys function without problems, but the prostate compresses the walls of the bladder.
Constriction of the prostatic urethra causes stranguria.This is a pathological condition in which a man feels severe pain when urinating.It is also possible to develop ischuria (inability to go to the bathroom).
Temperature increase
The first sign of acute prostatitis will be an increase in temperature to febrile levels (38-39 degrees).This symptom is especially characteristic of purulent prostatitis and is a harbinger of septic shock.As the severe infectious process progresses, body temperature can drop to 35-36°C.
In some cases, this condition can be life-threatening.It is especially dangerous for men with DIC (disseminated intravascular coagulation) syndrome.
The appearance of blood in the urine.
This sign is most often detected during a urine test in the laboratory, and less often visually by the man himself.This is a dangerous manifestation of prostatitis, which is very difficult to combat.The cause of hematuria (the scientific name for the symptom) may be:
- location of the blood vessel in the area of the purulent inflammatory process;
- development of prostate cancer or adenoma;
- trauma to the urethra or prostate during the exam.
This manifestation is also possible with calculous prostatitis, when stones and sand damage the tissue of the gland.Fortunately for men, hematuria with prostatitis is very rare.
Groin pain syndrome
Acute prostatitis, as well as cases of chronic complications, can be accompanied by pain of a different nature, from moderate to intense.This is not the first sign of prostatitis, but it cannot be ignored.The following types of unpleasant sensations are distinguished:
- sharp, stabbing pains;
- sensations of pain or pressure;
- itching and burning (more often with chlamydial prostatitis).
In some cases, men may also experience pain in the anus.It intensifies during defecation, in a sitting position, and disappears if the man is at rest.
Laboratory signs of the disease.
It can be said that a man has developed prostatitis only after laboratory tests of blood and urine, as well as based on the results of ultrasound, CT, MRI and palpation.There are several known signs that indicate inflammation in an organ:
- the appearance of leukocytes in blood and urine;
- detection of pathogenic microflora in urine and prostate secretions;
- an increase in the number of leukocytes against the background of a decrease in the number of lecithin grains in the prostate juice;
- tenderness in the prostate area during digital rectal examination;
- an increase in the size of the gland on TRUS images, the presence of areas with increased echogenicity.
In addition, the presence of inflammation in the body can be judged by other parameters: an increase in ESR in blood tests, a change in the leukogram and the presence of immotile sperm in the ejaculate.
Various bacteria can be found in urine: Trichomonas, chlamydia, E. coli, etc.
Among the instrumental methods, in addition to TRUS, radiographic examination with contrast can be used.On images of the prostate in different projections, signs of inflammation will be clearly visible - areas with disorders of the tissue structure.
Conclusion
From a practical point of view, the following first signs of prostatitis are important for a man: problems with urination and pain in the perineum.If at the same time the temperature increases, we can talk about acute bacterial prostatitis.
In any case, it is necessary to make an appointment with a doctor, undergo an examination and only then start treatment.It is prohibited to choose your own therapy based solely on unpleasant symptoms.