Prostatitis, like any other disease, presents with certain symptoms. Importers it is important for a man to know exactly the first signs because they are a signal to visit a doctor and further examination. We will talk about how different forms of prostate gland inflammation are manifested and first aid measures.
Briefly about prostate and prostatitis
The prostate gland of an adult male is a glandular organ, which consists of two lobules and a capsule, as well as adjacent prostatic ureters. The prostate performs 3 functions at the same time:- Regulates sperm density by producing prostate fluid and diluting ejaculate with it.
- Blocks the urethra at the time of orgasm.
- Participates in the production of certain hormones, or controls their level in the body.
If a man's reproductive system fails, the first signs will be associated with these prostate functions.
As a result of the invasion of pathogenic microflora in the prostate or after its damage, hypothermia, as well as stagnant processes, inflammation begins. In this case, blood microcirculation is disturbed, lymph flow, venous blood and prostate secretion deteriorate. This leads to the development of edema and an increase in gland size. As a result, the tissues are congested, the man has a severe sensation in the perineum or a slight aching pain in the lower abdomen - the first sign of imminent prostatitis.
The clinical picture will depend mainly on the form of the inflammatory process and the reasons that caused it.
Symptoms of Acute Bacterial Prostatitis
It is very difficult to miss the first symptoms of acute prostatitis - they appear suddenly and develop quickly. Often 2-4 days pass between the onset of the inflammatory process and the first sign.
In this case, the clinical picture will depend on the stage of the disease.
Acute catarrhal inflammation
The first sign of this type of prostatitis will be a feeling of heaviness in the perineal region as well as increased urination at night. Body temperature does not rise with this form because men often ignore existing problems or try to deal with them themselves, thus provoking the next stage.
Acute follicular inflammation
At this stage, the first signs of prostatitis will be more pronounced. Many men no longer risk self-medication, but go to the doctor. Complaints will be very different:
- Has a dull pain in the perineum, may radiate to the coccyx or anus.
- Urination is painful, the person has difficulty, which means that acute urinary retention may develop.
- Pain during bowel movements, due to which the man can not go to the toilet.
These are the first symptoms of acute follicular prostatitis, in addition to them can add a fever of up to 38 degrees, general depression of the body, weakness, lethargy. A man becomes irritable, libido decreases, erectile dysfunction may appear.
These symptoms persist, and in the absence of proper treatment, the next stage develops.
Acute parenchymal inflammation
The inflammatory process has already spread to the parenchymal tissues, so it is developing rapidly. The first thing a sick person will notice is an increase in body temperature to high values (from 39 ° C), chills, dry mouth. The pain will become strong, throbbing, can be felt both in the perineum and in the lower back, in the abdomen, genitals.
Urination will also change. A man will first notice a permanent flow, and then he will not be able to empty his bladder at all because of the severe pain. If you do not call an ambulance, there will be signs of indigestion - bloating, constipation, abdominal pain with different localization. Thick mucus is released from the anus.
You can understand that acute parenchymal prostatitis started with its characteristic feature: the pain subsides if you lie on your back and lift your legs up. This is a clear signal that medical attention is urgently needed.
The first signs of chronic prostatitis
Chronic prostatitis is a prolonged inflammation in the prostate gland, so the first signs start, more often, in acute form. However, a man occasionally expects periods of deterioration, and here you need to understand what symptoms they will be associated with. Most often, men complain of the following health problems:
- Burning around the glans penis, especially during ejaculation or urination;
- Mild pain in the perineum, may radiate to the pubis;
- Slight increase in body temperature.
With chronic prostatitis, erection problems inevitably begin, as does the ability to participate in conceiving a child. This is due to a deterioration of prostate functions, due to which the blood supply to the penis changes, and the quality of the sperm also deteriorates.
At the first signs of prostate deterioration, you should undergo a course of treatment. It is not recommended to use pills prescribed by a doctor earlier without a prior examination.
Clinical picture of the disease
Regardless of the form of the inflammatory process and the reasons that caused it, a man will have a noticeable triad of symptoms, with the only difference being the intensity of their onset. Prostatitis is always associated with impaired urination, pain, and erectile dysfunction.
Urine with prostate is excreted in drops or its current is interrupted. Sometimes the plane splashes and then it is problematic for a man to alleviate a small need while standing. The urge to urinate occurs most often at night, especially closer to morning. With prostate stones, urine may turn pink due to blood mixture.
With prostatitis, epithelial cells and other cells accumulate in the urethra, and bacteria can also multiply. This leads to a burning sensation that intensifies at the time of urination or ejaculation.
Pain cannot be avoided either. Depending on the severity of the pathological process, they may be:
- groaning;
- stupid;
- shooting (pulsing).
Their most common location is the perineal area, just below the testicles. Radiation to the coccyx, sacrum, pubis, penis is not excluded. Also, pain can occur in the anus, especially when pushing, because a man often encounters constipation.
As for body temperature, it rarely rises to 38 degrees. The exception is parenchymal and purulent prostatitis, in which this indicator can reach 40 degrees and be accompanied by chills, severe depression, and sometimes confusion. In such cases, the temperature with the prostate threatens the life of the patient.
First aid for prostate
Treatment of prostatitis is possible on an outpatient basis, if we are not talking about purulent processes. But even in this case, it can not be done without going to the doctor for referral for examination and choice of treatment tactics. However, the first signs of prostatitis can appear when a man is unable to call an ambulance, so you need to know some of the principles of first aid.
- When the temperature rises above 38 degrees, you can take an antipyretic.
- To ease the pain, it is best to lie on your back and lift your legs as high as possible (lean against a wall or furniture).
- For particularly severe pain, you may take an antispasmodic or place suppositories.
As soon as possible, you should see a doctor, while on hold you will need to indicate which medications you have taken and in what dosage.
Traditional methods can only be used after confirming the diagnosis and only with the permission of the attending physician.
How prostatitis manifests in tests
Prostatitis refers to diseases that have no natural symptoms on their own. For example, a burning sensation when urinating may be with the urethra, and pain in the lower abdomen - with appendicitis or cystitis. Therefore, the final diagnosis is not made in the patient's complaints, but in the results of laboratory tests of blood, urine, semen and prostate fluid. Colon examination data, TRUS and a number of other instrumental methods are also considered.
The following diagnostic features are characteristic of prostatitis:
- Presence of bacteria or fungi in urine and prostatic fluid.
- Presence of leukocyte cells in urine and blood tests.
- Decreased leukocyte count against the background of an increase in the number of leukocytes in prostate secretion;
- Blood in urine or semen;
- Reduction of erythrocyte sedimentation rate in blood tests.
- Palpation pain in the prostate, changes in its size and stability.
- Change in echogenicity, granulation, contour based on TRUS results.
Combining these signs with well-being complaints allows us to make an accurate diagnosis, which means that treatment will be prescribed correctly. The quality of life of the patient, the speed of his recovery and in some cases his life depends on it.
Conclusion
Knowing the first signs of prostatitis in men, you can navigate in time the changes in well-being and take action in advance. If the pain in the perineum started, the urine flow became less and the desire to urinate became more frequent - this is a reason to suspect inflammation in the prostate and a signal to see a doctor. It is better not to treat yourself in these cases.