Symptoms of prostatitis can be detected a few days after the onset of the disease. Depending on the age, the 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 successful treatment, absence of complications and relapses.
Risk group
Inflammation of the prostate in men is diagnosed more and more often. The essence of the disease is simple. The gland, which is normally very small, enlarges dramatically, compresses the urinary tract and the seminal ducts, causing problems with passing urine and normal ejaculation. There are many reasons for the appearance of the disease. The following patients are at risk:
- middle age and older;
- overweight and obesity;
- smokers and alcohol abusers;
- who had diseases of the urogenital area (urethritis, cystitis, orchitis, balanitis, balanoposthitis, pyelonephritis);
- irregular sex life;
- practicing abstinence as a primary means of contraception;
- undergoing treatment with powerful 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 more and more common in young active 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 occurs more often 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, gonococci, pale spirochete, trichomonas, chlamydia. In some cases, bacteria enter the urethra from the rectum. This happens with insufficient hygiene of the genitals. In the absence of adequate 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, attacks become more frequent and last longer.
The beginning of the disease: how to determine it
The first symptoms of prostatitis are easily confused with manifestations of other diseases. That is why patients do not rush to consult a doctor, taking painkillers or antipyretics themselves. A sign that should alert you is going to the toilet too often. The man begins to notice that a little urine is released, it becomes dark in color or becomes almost transparent. Gradually, the process of passing urine becomes painful, itching and burning are felt in the urethra, the external genitalia are irritated and reddened.
Another characteristic manifestation is a constant feeling of bladder fullness. The enlarged gland presses on the ureter, urine is released drop by drop or flows out spontaneously. Perhaps nocturnal incontinence and pus, ichor or mucus may be released from the urethra.
Violations of sexual function are observed almost simultaneously. An enlarged prostate blocks the flow of testosterone, the man notices 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 aggressiveness or depressed, depressed mood are possible.
Fatigue is very common. An active person gets tired quickly, feels sleepy, but even a long sleep does not bring cheerfulness. Reduced efficiency, the body cannot resist infections. As a result, even a simple cold ends with complications that further worsen the patient's condition.
Signs and manifestations
Symptoms of prostatitis in men can be overt or hidden. Everything 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 appear a few days or weeks after the onset of the disease. They include:
- repeated false urge to urinate;
- pain in the urethra during and after urination;
- local swelling in the genital area;
- a feeling that the bladder is not completely emptied;
- problems with passing urine;
- dull pain in the lower abdomen;
- discomfort in the scrotum and lower back;
- general malaise;
- short-term increase in temperature.
With prostatitis, the patient may have problems with sleep and appetite, 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 are not felt for a long time.
They can be so lethargic that a person 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 experience discomfort within a few months after the onset of the disease.
Acute infectious prostatitis, the symptoms of which become noticeable after a few days, manifests itself as a sharp increase in temperature, burning and pain in the urethra, a constant desire to visit the toilet. The patient experiences chills and fever. Possible stool problems. During the inflammatory process, tissues loosen and are easily damaged. The patient postpones going to the toilet, stools are compressed and difficult to pass through the rectum. In a 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 cloudy, acquires an unpleasant smell. Urine comes out drop by drop or is retained 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.
Prostatodynia and its symptoms
Prostatodynia is a non-inflammatory form of prostatitis. It occurs in 30% of middle-aged and older men. The disease occurs in latent or acute form, with it there is a set of signs characteristic 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, pain, throbbing. It can be located in the perineum, extend to the lower back, legs, lower abdomen, scrotum or penis. Pain occurs at rest or during overexertion; pain-relieving blocks or the use of powerful drugs can relieve the attack. Antibiotics do not help because the inflammatory component is absent.
Prostatodynia is characterized by problems with urination. Between them:
- slow flow;
- drip leakage;
- incomplete emptying of the bladder;
- frequent false calls;
- dysuria (complete lack of urine).
How is a diagnosis made?
With prostatitis of any nature, the main thing is not to delay treatment for a long time. Only a urologist can 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, urination problems 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, the general deterioration of well-being is characteristic of a whole list of diseases, from the banal flu to rectal cancer.
A series of tests and an ultrasound examination to assess the state of the prostate will help to avoid mistakes and incorrect 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, the disease was thought to be characteristic of older men, but today quite a few young people who lead an active lifestyle also suffer from this disease. Once you find the characteristic symptoms, you should immediately consult a doctor who will make a diagnosis and choose the right treatment.