Prostatitis, like any other disease, manifests itself with certain symptoms. It is important for a man to know exactly the first signs, because they are a signal for visiting a doctor and further examination. We will talk about how different forms of inflammation of the prostate gland 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, which consists of two lobules and a capsule, as well as the adjacent prostatic urethra. The prostate performs 3 functions at once:
- Regulates semen density by producing prostatic juice and diluting the 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 functions of the prostate.
As a result of the invasion of pathogenic microflora into the prostate or after its injury, hypothermia, as well as stagnant processes, inflammation begins. In this case, blood microcirculation is disturbed, the outflow of lymph, venous blood and prostate secretion worsens. This leads to the development of edema and an increase in gland size. As a result, the tissues are compressed, the man has a feeling of heaviness in the perineum or a slight, 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 abruptly and develop rapidly. 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. The body temperature does not rise with this form, because men often ignore existing problems or try to deal with them on their own, thereby 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. The complaints will be very different:
- There is a dull pain in the perineum, can radiate to the coccyx or anus.
- Urination is painful, the man has difficulty, which means that acute urinary retention may develop.
- Pain during bowel movements, due to which the man cannot go to the toilet.
These are the first symptoms of follicular acute prostatitis, further to them may be added a fever 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 tissue, therefore it is developing rapidly. The first thing that a sick man will notice is an increase in body temperature to high values (from 39 ° C), chills, dry mouth. The pain will become severe, 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 an intermittent stream, and then he will not be able to empty his 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 different localization. Fetid mucus is discharged from anus.
You can understand that parenchymal acute prostatitis has begun by its characteristic feature: the pain subsides if you lie on your back and raise 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 begin, most often, in the acute form. However, a man from time to time expect periods of exacerbation, and here you need to understand what symptoms they will be accompanied by. Most often, men complain about 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, problems with erection inevitably begin, as well as the ability to participate in the conception of a child. This is due to the deterioration of the functions of the prostate, due to which the blood supply to the penis changes, and the quality of sperm also deteriorates.
At the first signs of exacerbation of prostatitis, you need to undergo a course of treatment. It is not recommended to use pills prescribed by a doctor earlier without a preliminary examination.
The 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 stream is intermittent. Sometimes the jet is sprayed and then it is problematic for a man to relieve a small need while standing. The urge to urinate occurs more often at night, especially closer to the morning. With stones in the prostate, urine may turn 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 at the time of 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 region, just below the testicles. Irradiation to the coccyx, sacrum, pubis, penis is not excluded. Also, pain can occur in the anus, especially during pushing, because a man often encounters constipation.
As for body temperature, it rarely rises to 38 degrees. An 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 patient's life.
First aid for prostatitis
Treatment of prostatitis is also possible on an outpatient basis, if we are not talking about purulent processes. But even in this case, one cannot do without going to the doctor for referral for examination and the choice of treatment tactics. However, the first signs of prostatitis may 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 reduce pain, it is good to lie on your back and raise your legs as high as possible (lean against the wall or furniture).
- For especially severe pain, you can drink an antispasmodic or insert suppositories.
As soon as possible, you need to see a doctor, while at the reception you will need to say which medications you have taken and in what dosage.
Traditional methods can be used only after confirming the diagnosis and only with the permission of the attending physician.
How prostatitis manifests itself in analyzes
Prostatitis refers to diseases that do not have symptoms inherent only to them. For example, a burning sensation when urinating can be with urethritis, and pain in the lower abdomen can be with appendicitis or cystitis. Therefore, the final diagnosis is not made on the patient's complaints, but on the results of laboratory tests of blood, urine, semen and prostatic juice. The data of rectal examination, TRUS and a number of other instrumental methods are also taken into account.
The following diagnostic features are characteristic of prostatitis:
- Presence of bacteria or fungi in urine and prostatic fluid.
- The presence of leukocyte cells in urine and blood tests.
- Decrease in the number of leukocyte grains against the background of an increase in the number of leukocytes in the secretion of the prostate;
- Blood in urine or semen;
- Reduction of erythrocyte sedimentation rate in blood tests.
- Soreness to palpation in the prostate, changes in its size and consistency.
- Change in echogenicity, graininess, contour based on TRUS results.
The combination of these signs with complaints about well-being allows us to make an accurate diagnosis, which means that the 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 this.
Conclusion
Knowing the first signs of prostatitis in men, you can navigate the changes in well-being in time and take action in advance. If pain in the perineum began, the urine stream became scarce, and the urge 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 self-medicate in these cases.