Diagnosis of prostatitis in men - what you need to know?

Inflammation of the prostate gland, unfortunately, is a very common disease, especially when it comes to middle-aged and middle-aged men. In the absence of therapy, the ailment can lead to a mass of complications. That is why the correct and timely diagnosis is so important. Prostatitis is often characterized by a sluggish course, and many patients ignore symptoms, thus refusing medical care. Is it possible to diagnose the disease at home? What procedures require the diagnosis of prostatitis in men? The answers to these questions will be useful to many representatives of the stronger sex.

Prostatitis: what is the disease?

Prostatitis is a disease that is accompanied by inflammation of the tissues of the prostate gland. This body produces a specific secret that, when mixed with sperm, ensures the viability and activity of spermatozoa. This is a very common problem, because according to statistics, 50% of men over 50 suffer from this ailment. Inflammation of this gland affects the work of the entire genitourinary system, causing violations of urination and problems with potency, secondary infectious diseases, etc.

The main causes of the development of the disease

Diagnosis and treatment of prostatitis are directly related to the causes of the disease, because of this factor depends largely on an effective scheme of therapy. In most cases, the cause of the inflammatory process is the penetration of pathogenic microorganisms into the gland tissue. Infection can be specific, for example, transmitted sexually (chlamydia, ureaplasma, gonococcus).

In the role of pathogens, opportunistic microorganisms, in particular, staphylococci, Escherichia coli, streptococci, can act. These bacteria are present in the body of each person, but are activated when the immune defense decreases. The risk factors in this case include the presence of chronic diseases, malnutrition, irregular sexual activity, a sedentary lifestyle.

Diagnosis of prostatitis in the home: what symptoms should I pay attention to?

With prostatitis, it is extremely important to notice symptoms in time and seek qualified help. What signs should I pay attention to?

• The inflammatory process is accompanied by an increase in the prostate gland, which begins to squeeze the urinary channels. As the disease develops, men have trouble urinating - the process is often accompanied by painfulness, and the urge to empty the bladder increases. In addition, urine becomes turbid, which can often be seen even with the naked eye.
• The second important symptom is problems with potency. Often patients suffer from erectile dysfunction. There is also premature ejaculation during intercourse.
• Some patients complain of pain in the groin, perineum and coccyx. Soreness can be worse during defecation. By the way, about 50% of men with prostatitis have no pain.

Noticing such worsening, it is necessary to immediately consult a doctor, since delay is fraught with dangerous consequences.

Correct collection of anamnesis

First, a primary diagnosis is carried out. Prostatitis is accompanied by a number of important signs, so the doctor collects all the necessary information about the presence of certain symptoms. For example, patients are asked about what disorders of the genitourinary system are present and how long they have appeared.

It is also important to know whether a man has any other diseases, and whether he has suffered from prostatitis in the past. The doctor is also interested in the presence of risk factors (what kind of lifestyle a person leads, whether he has a regular sexual partner, whether he uses protection during sex, etc.). By the way, today there is a special questionnaire with a list of questions that the patient can fill out on his own. After evaluating the answers, the doctor can determine the probability of prostatitis in a man.

Diagnosis of prostatitis: tests

After collecting anamnesis, the patient is assigned additional studies. After all, if you suspect a prostate inflammation, you need a thorough and comprehensive diagnosis. Prostatitis is an ailment that affects the work of the entire genitourinary system, so the doctor needs to get the results of the following tests:

• A general blood test demonstrates the presence of an inflammatory process in the body (the number of leukocytes is increased).
• A laboratory urine test is also important for diagnosis. With prostatitis, an increased number of erythrocytes, leukocytes and protein are found in urine samples. Sometimes bacteriological sowing is additionally carried out.
• Analysis of the sperm makes it possible to evaluate the functioning of the reproductive system. During laboratory studies, specialists pay attention to the physico-chemical properties of sperm, as well as the activity, mobility and concentration of spermatozoa. Such an analysis makes it possible to find out whether the male reproductive system has been harmed.
• A smear from the urethra is a rather unpleasant, but very informative study. The doctor introduces a special instrument with a narrow swab at the end of the inside of the penis (about 3-4 cm). The resulting cell samples are then sent to the laboratory. In this way it is possible to determine the presence of infection and even to establish its variety.

Rectal examination of the patient

What other procedures require diagnosis? Prostatitis is an indication for a rectal examination of the prostate. Before the procedure, the patient should hold a microclyster to cleanse the intestines. At palpation the doctor can note an increase in the size of the prostate, the presence of soreness, etc.

In addition, it is important to take samples of the secretion of the prostate for analysis. For this purpose, massage the prostate. As soon as the first portion of the secretion of the gland departs, the doctor makes a smear on the laboratory glass. It is worth noting that with inflammation of the prostate the procedure can be extremely unpleasant.

Prostate secretion analysis

The secret obtained during the massage is then sent to the laboratory for microscopic examination. After coloring the samples, the expert carefully examines them under high magnification. With prostatitis in secret, there is an increased number of white blood cells.

In addition, it is necessary to study the features of the microflora of the prostate gland. During the study, the specialist determines the presence of pathogenic microorganisms, their number and even sensitivity to these or other drugs.

Ultrasound examination of the prostate

Diagnosis of chronic prostatitis necessarily includes ultrasound examination of the gland. The procedure is fairly simple in carrying out. During the examination, the doctor can study the structure and density of the prostate, determine its size, see the presence of tumors, if any.

More informative is transrectal ultrasound, which is carried out by introducing a special sensor into the rectum. In this way, a specialist can determine the presence of suppuration and abscesses in the tissues of the prostate gland, check the state of the intestine and seminal vesicles.

Other diagnostic methods during diagnosis

As a rule, the above procedures are sufficient to not only diagnose, but also to determine the cause of the inflammatory process. But there are other methods of diagnosing prostatitis.

In some cases, patients are recommended to enroll in a computer or magnetic resonance imaging. This is the most accurate method of examination, since it allows to determine the size of the prostate gland, to reveal the presence of tumors and stones. True, this procedure is expensive.

Cystoscopy is an endoscopic procedure that allows the doctor to carefully examine the urinary canals, the inner surface of the bladder and the prostate gland. In the urethra, insert a thin probe with a small camera at the end, and the doctor can study the picture on a large screen. In the presence of indications simultaneously with cystoscopy, a biopsy is carried out-the collection of tissues, which are then sent for laboratory analysis. It is worth saying that this is not a standard event for acute prostatitis. A biopsy is indicated if there is a suspicion of a malignant neoplasm, which happens in chronic forms of inflammation and prostatic hypertrophy.

The main methods of treatment of prostatitis

Many members of the stronger sex are interested in questions about what prostatitis is. Symptoms, diagnosis, complications are, of course, important information. But it is worth considering the basic principles of treatment.

In acute inflammation, the patient is immediately prescribed antibiotics of a wide range of effects. In the scheme of therapy include drugs and alpha-blockers, which normalize the outflow of urine, improve blood supply to the pelvic organs.

Therapy with prostatitis is a long and complex process. In some cases, patients are prescribed prostate massage. It is believed that such a procedure helps improve blood supply to the pelvic organs, eliminate swelling and stagnant fluid. Nevertheless, massage can be performed only with chronic non-infectious prostatitis and only in a hospital - acute inflammation is an absolute contraindication.

Good results are provided by other methods of treatment, including laser and magnetic therapy, electrophonophoresis, electroneurostimulation. Patients are recommended proper nutrition, feasible physical activity and special therapeutic exercises to eliminate stagnant phenomena in the pelvic organs (for example, Kegel exercises).