Prostatitis, like any other disease, manifests itself with certain symptoms. It is important that the man knows the first signs exactly, because they are a signal for a visit to the doctor and further examination. We will discuss how different forms of prostate inflammation and first aid measures manifest themselves in the article.
Briefly about prostate and prostatitis
The prostate gland of an adult male is a glandular organ consisting of two lobules and a capsule, as well as the adjacent urethra of the prostate. The prostate performs 3 functions simultaneously:
- Regulates semen density by making prostate juice and diluting ejaculate with it.
- Blocks the urethra at orgasm time.
- 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 related to these prostate functions.
As a result of the invasion of pathogenic microflora in the prostate or after its injury, hypothermia, as well as stagnant processes, inflammation begins. In that case, the microcirculation of the blood is disturbed, the outflow of lymph, venous blood and prostate secretion worsens. This leads to the development of edema and an increase in the size of the gland. As a result, the tissues are compressed, the man has a feeling of heaviness in the perineum or mild aching pain in the lower abdomen - the first sign of impending prostatitis.
The clinical picture will largely depend 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 beginning 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 on their own, thus causing 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:
- There is pain in the perineum, it can radiate to the buttocks or anus.
- Urination is painful, the person has difficulty, which means that acute urinary retention can develop.
- Pain during the stool, due to which the man cannot go to the toilet.
These are the first symptoms of follicular acute prostatitis, further fever up to 38 degrees, general depression of the body, weakness, lethargy can be added. The man becomes irritable, libido decreases, erectile dysfunction may occur.
These symptoms persist, and in the absence of appropriate treatment, the next stage develops.
Acute inflammation of the parenchyma
The inflammatory process has already spread to the parenchymal tissue, so it develops rapidly. The first thing the patient will notice is a rise in body temperature to high values (from 39 ° C), chills, dry mouth. The pain will become strong, pulsating, it can be felt in the perineum and in the lower back, in the abdomen, genitals.
Urination will also change. The man will first notice the intermittent jet and then will not be able to empty the bladder at all due to severe pain. If you do not call an ambulance, there will be signs of indigestion - bloating, constipation, abdominal pain of various localizations. Fetid mucus is expelled from the anus.
You can understand that parenchymal acute prostatitis started with its characteristic feature: the pain subsides if you lie on your back and raise your legs. This is a clear signal that medical help is urgently needed.
The first signs of chronic prostatitis
Chronic prostatitis is a long-term inflammation of the prostate, so the first signs usually begin in an acute form. However, a man from time to time expects periods of deterioration and here you need to understand with what symptoms they will be accompanied. Men most often complain of the following health problems:
- Stinging 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 the deterioration of prostate function, which changes the blood flow to the penis, and the quality of sperm also deteriorates.
At the first signs of worsening prostatitis, you must undergo a course of treatment. The use of tablets previously prescribed by a doctor without prior examination is not recommended.
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 a difference only in the intensity of their manifestation. Prostatitis is always accompanied by impaired urination, pain and erectile dysfunction.
Urine with prostatitis is excreted in drops or its flow is interrupted. Sometimes the jet dissipates and then it is problematic for a man to reduce a small need while standing. The urge to urinate occurs more often at night, especially closer to the morning. With prostate stones, urine may become pink due to the admixture of blood.
With prostatitis, epithelial and other cells accumulate in the urethra, and bacteria can also multiply. This leads to a burning sensation that intensifies during urination or ejaculation.
Pain cannot be avoided. Depending on the severity of the pathological process, they can be:
- whining;
- stupid;
- shooting (pulsating).
Their most common localization is the perineal area, just below the testicles. Radiation to the backbone, sacrum, pubis, penis is not excluded. Also, pain can appear in the anus, especially during 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 prostatitis threatens the life of the patient.
First aid for prostatitis
Treatment of prostatitis is possible on an outpatient basis, if we do not talk about purulent processes. But even in this case, one cannot go without going to the doctor to be referred for an examination and to choose treatment tactics. However, the first signs of prostatitis can appear when a man cannot 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 relieve pain, it is good to lie on your back and raise your legs as much as possible (lean against a wall or furniture).
- For particularly severe pain, you can take an antispasmodic or insert suppositories.
As soon as possible, you must visit a doctor, while at the reception you will have to say which medications you have been taking and in what dose.
Traditional methods can be used only after confirmation of the diagnosis and only with the permission of the attending physician.
How prostatitis manifests in analyzes
Prostatitis refers to diseases that do not have their own symptoms. For example, the burning sensation when urinating may be with urethritis, and pain in the lower abdomen - with appendicitis or cystitis. Therefore, the final diagnosis is not made on the basis of the patient's complaints, but on the results of laboratory tests of blood, urine, semen and prostate juice. Data from rectal examination, TRUS and numerous other instrumental methods are also taken into account.
The following diagnostic features are characteristic of prostatitis:
- Presence of bacteria or fungi in urine and prostate fluid.
- Presence of leukocyte cells in urine and blood tests.
- Decreased number of leukocytes in the background increase in the number of leukocytes in prostate secretion;
- Blood in urine or semen;
- Decreased erythrocyte sedimentation rate in blood tests.
- Painful palpation pain in the prostate, changes in its size and consistency.
- Change in echogenicity, granularity, contour based on TRUS results.
The combination of these signs with well-being complaints allows for 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 move on to changes in well-being in time and take action in advance. If pain began in the perineum, a stream of urine became scarce, and the urge to urinate became more frequent - this is a reason to suspect inflammation of the prostate and a signal to visit a doctor. It is better not to engage in self-medication in these cases.