Prostatitis, like any other disease, manifests itself with certain symptoms. It is important for the man to know exactly the first signs, because they are a signal for a medical consultation and further examination. We will talk about how the different forms of prostate inflammation and first aid manifest in the article.
Briefly about prostate and prostatitis
The prostate of an adult male is a glandular organ, consisting of two lobes and a capsule, as well as the adjacent prostate urethra. The prostate performs 3 functions at the same time:
- Regulates semen density, producing prostatic juice and diluting ejaculation with it.
- Blocks the urethra at 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 into the prostate or after its injury, hypothermia, as well as stagnation processes, inflammation begins. In this case, the blood microcirculation is disturbed, the flow of lymph, venous blood and prostate secretions worsen. 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 a mild and painful pain in the lower abdomen - the first sign of impending prostatitis.
The clinical picture will depend largely on the form of the inflammatory process and the reasons that caused it.
Symptoms of acute bacterial prostatitis
It is very difficult not to notice the first symptoms of acute prostatitis - they appear abruptly and develop quickly. Often 2-4 days pass between the start 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, as men often ignore existing problems or try to deal with them on their own, thereby triggering 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 a dull pain in the perineum that can radiate to the coccyx or anus.
- Urination is painful, the man has difficulty, which means that acute urinary retention may occur.
- Pain during bowel movements, due to which the man cannot go to the bathroom.
These are the first symptoms of acute follicular prostatitis, in addition to which a fever of up to 38 degrees, general body depression, weakness, lethargy can be added. A man is irritated, his libido decreases, erectile dysfunction may appear.
These symptoms persist and, in the absence of proper treatment, the next stage develops.
Acute inflammation of the parenchyma
The inflammatory process has already spread to the parenchymal tissue, so it is developing rapidly. The first thing a sick man will notice is an increase in body temperature to high values (39 ° C), chills, dry mouth. The pain will become severe, throbbing, it can be felt both in the perineum and in the lower back, abdomen, genitals.
Urination will also change. A man will first notice an intermittent flow and then will not be able to empty his bladder due to severe pain. If you don't call an ambulance, there will be signs of indigestion - bloating, constipation, abdominal pain from different locations. The fetid mucus is expelled from the anus.
You can understand that acute parenchyma prostatitis started with its characteristic: the pain lessens if you lie on your back and lift your legs. This is a clear sign that medical attention is urgently needed.
The first signs of chronic prostatitis
Chronic prostatitis is a prolonged inflammation of the prostate, so the first signs begin, more often, in the acute form. However, a man occasionally expects periods of exacerbation, and here you need to understand what symptoms they will be monitored for. Most of the time, men complain about the following health problems:
- Burning sensation around the penis glans, especially during ejaculation or urination;
- Mild pain in the perineum, may radiate to the pubis;
- Slight increase in body temperature.
In chronic prostatitis, erection problems inevitably begin, as does the ability to participate in a child's conception. This is due to a deterioration in the functions of the prostate, due to which the blood supply to the penis changes and the quality of the sperm also deteriorates.
At the first signs of exacerbation of prostatitis, you need to take a course of treatment. It is not recommended to use pills prescribed by a doctor before, without a preliminary examination.
The clinical picture of the disease
Regardless of the form of the inflammatory process and the reasons that caused it, man will have a noticeable triad of symptoms, with difference only in the intensity of its manifestation. Prostatitis is always accompanied by difficulty urinating, pain and erectile dysfunction.
Urine with prostatitis is excreted in drops or its flow is intermittent. Sometimes the jet is sprayed 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 around morning. With stones in the prostate, the urine may turn pink due to the mixture of blood.
In prostatitis, epithelial cells and other cells accumulate in the urethra, and bacteria can also multiply. This leads to a burning sensation that intensifies when urinating or ejaculating.
Pain cannot be avoided. Depending on the severity of the pathological process, they can be:
- whining;
- stupid;
- shooting (pulsating).
Its most common location is the perineal region, just below the testicles. Irradiation to the coccyx, sacrum, pubis and penis is not excluded. In addition, pain in the anus can occur, especially when pushing, because the man usually has 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, at times, confusion. In such cases, the temperature with prostatitis threatens the patient's life.
First aid for prostatitis
The 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 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 reduce the pain, it is good to lie on your back and raise your legs as high as possible (against the wall or furniture).
- For particularly severe pain, you can drink an antispasmodic or insert suppositories.
As soon as possible, you need to consult a doctor, while at the reception you must inform which medicines you took and in what dosage.
Traditional methods can be used only after confirmation of the diagnosis and only with the permission of the attending physician.
How prostatitis manifests itself in analyzes
Prostatitis refers to diseases that do not show symptoms inherent only to them. For example, a burning sensation when urinating can be with urethritis and pain in the lower abdomen - with appendicitis or cystitis. Therefore, the final diagnosis is not made by the patient's complaints, but by the results of laboratory tests of blood, urine, semen and prostatic juice. It also takes into account rectal exam data, TRUS and a number of other instrumental methods.
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 in the context of an increase in the number of leukocytes in prostate secretion;
- Blood in the urine or semen;
- Decreased erythrocyte sedimentation rate in blood tests.
- Pain on palpation in the prostate, change in size and consistency.
- Change in echogenicity, granulation, contour based on TRUS results.
The combination of these signs with complaints of well-being allows an accurate diagnosis to be made, 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 it.
Conclusion
Knowing the first signs of prostatitis in men, you can navigate changes in well-being over time and take action in advance. If pain in the perineum begins, the stream of urine will become scarce and the urge to urinate will become more frequent - this is a reason to suspect inflammation in the prostate and a sign to see a doctor. It is best not to self-medicate in these cases.