The prostate as an independent organ was first described in the anatomical studies of an ancient Greek physician who practiced around 350 BC.However, at that time doctors did not pay much attention to it 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 precise morphological description of prostate pathology, which over time was complemented by the brilliant minds of his time.By the way, until the beginning of the 20th century, many general practitioners and psychoanalysts did not recognize the existence of chronic prostatitis at all, calling it "anal-rectal psychosis."Fortunately, modern medicine has learned not only to timely diagnose, but also to treat this serious disease with great success.But what exactly is prostatitis?
General characteristics
Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate, a special male organ located just below the bladder.Its task is to produce prostate secretion, an important component of sperm.In addition, the gland closes the outlet of the urinary canal during an erection.
Inflammation, as you can imagine, can be caused by a variety of reasons.Due to the fact that the prostate is directly connected to the urinary canal, the most common cause of 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, as soon as these bacteria leave their colony and enter other tissues, they go from being an ally to becoming a source of problems, 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 many different ways.The most obvious route is the urethra, but since the prostate is connected to a network of large vessels, both 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 frequently.This includes, for example, fungal infections;Many have probably heard of the fungus Candida, which affects internal tissues and causes the disease "thrush."Normally, fungal spores penetrate internal organs when the human immune system is greatly weakened, which, in harsh climates and constant overstrains 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 the flu virus (!) can cause inflammation of the prostate and a whole cascade of complications that exhaust an already weakened organism.
Additionally, 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 along with the bloodstream.Sometimes, 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 blood vessels.And finally, the last (but not least) reason is promiscuity and long-term sexual abstinence.In the first case, iron is degraded because, due to the lack of need, the body supplies it with less and less blood, so the cells begin to starve.In the second case, all the blame falls on the partner, who may be a carrier of certain types of urinary tract infections. The symptoms of prostatitis are difficult to confuse with anything else.The main symptom is sharp, sharp and less often oppressive pain when urinating and ejaculating.This is reinforced by pain in the lower back, perineum, scrotum and lower back.Due to the enlargement of the gland, it often blocks the urethra and thus the process of urination becomes difficult.In the case of a bacterial infection, a greenish and yellowish discharge from the canal itself can often be observed, and in some cases hemospermia develops - the appearance of blood in the sperm.
What are the dangers of prostatitis?
From all of the above, it is not difficult to conclude that inflammation of the prostate causes a series of problems.The most common result of advanced prostatitis is impotence and infertility, since alteration of the prostate leads to a sharp decrease in the production of hormones responsible for sexual desire.The reaction to an infection is rarely localized solely to the gland;Usually, the focus of inflammation also covers 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.Additionally, a blood infection can simply cause blood poisoning and lead to widespread damage to the body.
You've probably heard the phrase “prostate adenoma” in radio and television advertisements.An adenoma is a tumor of the gland that, over time, increasing in size, not only causes inflammation and can become malignant, but simply compresses the genitourinary tract.Why is this so important?It's not just about painful urination, extreme difficulty urinating, and complete erectile dysfunction.The compressed organ receives less and less blood, as a result of which the tissues first shrink and then completely die, which leads to the appearance of an extensive focus of necrosis.This form of prostatitis can no longer be treated.
How to treat prostatitis
First of all, it is necessary to firmly remember a simple truth: only a qualified doctor can help cure prostatitis.Neither a healer grandmother nor burdock decoctions, nor tantric practices nor willow bark compresses.This disease does not go away on its own either: the longer the patient delays treatment, the more problems they will have to face and the more expensive the treatment will be.Many men do not understand modern pharmacology and are superstitiously afraid that the doctor will prescribe them a mountain of medications that will not only be useless, but will also cause significant damage to their wallet and health.There's no need to be afraid: instead of a handful of pills, you will most likely be prescribed a single medication at a very reasonable price.
5 interesting facts about prostatitis
Here are some sad facts about the "main male disease" of our time: - Healthy nutrition is the key to success: with a proper diet, you can not only strengthen the immune system, but also slow down the inflammatory enlargement of the prostate.— One in three men in the world suffers from one form or another of prostatitis.— By the way, prostatitis is not a “disease of old people”: some of its forms can develop at a fairly early age (20-25 years).— Prostate massage is prescribed 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 manifest itself during a sharp decrease in immunity, for example during illness, hypothermia, etc.