The prostate as an independent organ was first described in the anatomical studies of an ancient Greek physician practicing around 350 BC.At that time, however, doctors did not pay much attention and the works of this doctor were practically not preserved, so the gland was later rediscovered by the Venetian doctor Nicola Massa.In 1838, Verdes gave the first accurate morphological description of the pathology of the prostate gland, which over time was completed by the brilliant minds of his time.By the way, until the beginning of the 20th century, the existence of chronic prostatitis was not recognized at all by many general practitioners and psychoanalysts, who called it "anal-rectal psychosis".Fortunately, modern medicine has learned not only to diagnose at the right time, but also to treat this serious disease very successfully.But what exactly is prostatitis?
General characteristics
Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland, a special male organ located just below the bladder.Its job is to produce prostate secretion, an important component of sperm.In addition, the gland closes the exit from the urinary canal during erection.
Inflammation, as you can guess, can be caused by a number of reasons.Due to the fact that the prostate gland is directly connected to the urinary tract, the most common reason for the development of prostatitis is the entry of infectious agents into the gland.Everyone knows that the human body contains a large number of symbiotic bacteria that are part of its normal microflora.However, once such bacteria leave their colony and enter other tissues, they turn from an ally into a source of trouble, causing strong inflammatory reactions.Enterobacteriaceae (the most famous representatives of which are Proteus), Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococci, all of them penetrate the gland in different ways.The most obvious route is the urethra, but since the prostate gland is connected to a network of large vessels, blood and lymph can act as a means of transport for bacteria.
There is another group of pathogens, called "atypical" in the medical community, since these agents are found much less often.This includes, for example, fungal infections - many have probably heard of the fungus Candida, which affects internal tissues and causes the disease "candidiasis".Typically, fungal spores penetrate the internal organs when the human immune system is severely weakened - which, in harsh climates and the constant overload of the body caused by a busy work schedule and lack of sleep, is not at all unusual for modern people.Prostatitis can also be viral in nature.Human papillomavirus, cytomegalovirus, herpes virus and even influenza virus (!) can cause inflammation of the prostate gland and a whole cascade of complications that tire an already weakened body.
In addition, prostatitis is also caused by non-bacterial pathogens.We are talking, first of all, about purulent formations in the body: particles of pus break off from the total mass and enter the tissues with the bloodstream.Sometimes the blood itself, without foreign agents, can cause an inflammatory reaction.If a man leads a mostly sedentary lifestyle and neglects physical exercise, the blood in the gland stagnates and causes blockage of the blood vessels.And finally, the last (but not least) reason is long-term sexual abstinence and promiscuity.In the first case, iron is degraded due to the fact that in the absence of need, the body supplies it with less and less blood, therefore the cells begin to starve.In the second case, all the blame falls on the shoulders of the partner, who can serve as a carrier of some types of urinary tract infections. Symptoms of prostatitis are difficult to confuse with something else.The main symptom is a sharp, acute, less often pressing pain during urination and ejaculation.This is enhanced by pain in the lower back, perineum, scrotum and back.Due to the increase in the size of the gland, it often blocks the urethra, and therefore the process of urination becomes difficult.In the case of a bacterial infection, green and yellow discharge from the duct itself can often be observed, and in some cases hemospermia develops - the appearance of blood in the semen.
What are the risks of prostatitis?
From all of the above, it is not difficult to conclude that inflammation of the prostate gland results in a number of problems.The most common result of advanced prostatitis is impotence and infertility, since the disruption of the prostate gland leads to a sharp decrease in the production of hormones responsible for sexual desire.The reaction to an infection is rarely localized to the gland alone;usually the focus of inflammation also covers the neighboring tissues.Therefore, prostatitis is followed by vesiculitis, pyelonephritis, cystitis, urethritis and other lesions of the genitourinary system.If the cause of prostatitis is a fungal, bacterial or viral infection, you can easily infect your sexual partner.Sexually transmitted agents can cause infectious diseases of the genitourinary system in women.In addition, infection in the blood can simply cause blood poisoning and lead to extensive damage to the body.
You've probably heard the phrase "prostate adenoma" on radio and TV commercials.Adenoma is a tumor of the gland, which over time, increasing in size, not only provokes inflammation and can become malignant, but simply compresses the genitourinary tract.Why is this so important?It's not just painful, extremely difficult urination and complete erectile dysfunction.The compressed organ receives less and less blood, as a result of which the tissues first shrink and then die completely, which leads to the appearance of a wide focus of necrosis.This form of prostatitis can no longer be treated.
How to treat prostatitis
First of all, you must firmly remember one simple truth: only a qualified doctor can help cure prostatitis.Not a healing grandmother and burdock decoction, not tantric practices and not willow bark compresses.Such a disease also does not go away by itself: the longer the patient delays treatment, the more problems he will face and the more expensive the treatment will be.Many men do not understand modern pharmacology and have a preconceived fear that the doctor will prescribe a mountain of drugs that will not only be useless, but also cause significant damage to their wallet and health.There is no need to fear: instead of a handful of pills, you will most likely be prescribed a single drug for a very reasonable price.
5 interesting facts about prostatitis
Here are some sad facts about the "main male disease" of our time: - Healthy food is the key to success: with the right diet, you can not only strengthen the immune system, but also slow down the inflammatory enlargement of the prostate.— Every third man in the world suffers from one form or another of prostatitis.— By the way, prostatitis is not a "disease of the elderly": some of its forms can develop at a fairly young age (20-25 years).— Massage of the prostate is recommended in most cases, but massage alone can only cure congestive prostatitis.Sometimes massage is strictly contraindicated.— Prostatitis can be asymptomatic for a long time, but it will definitely appear during a sharp decrease in immunity, for example during illness, during hypothermia, etc.