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 to it and the works of this doctor were practically not preserved, so the gland was subsequently 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 supplemented 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 in time, but also to very successfully treat this serious disease.But what exactly is prostatitis?
General characteristic
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 semen.In addition, the gland closes the outlet of the urethra during an erection.
Inflammation, as you may have guessed, can be caused by a variety of reasons.Due to the fact that the prostate gland is directly connected to the urinary canal, 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 huge number of symbiotic bacteria that are part of its normal microflora.However, as soon as 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, they all penetrate the gland in very different ways.The most obvious route is the urethra, but given that the prostate gland is connected by a network of large vessels, blood and lymph can act as a transport medium for the bacteria.
There is another group of pathogens called in the medical community "atypicals" because these agents are much less common.This includes, for example, fungal infections - many have probably heard of the fungus Candida, which affects internal tissues and causes the disease "candidiasis".Usually, the spores of the fungus penetrate the internal organs when the human immune system is greatly weakened - which, in the conditions of a harsh climate and constant overstrain of the body caused by a busy work schedule and lack of sleep, is not at all unusual for modern people.Prostatitis can also have a viral nature.The human papilloma virus, cytomegalovirus, herpes virus and even the flu virus (!) can cause inflammation of the prostate gland and a whole cascade of complications that exhaust an already weakened organism.
In addition, prostatitis is also caused by non-bacterial pathogens.First of all, we are talking about purulent formations in the body: particles of pus are separated from the general mass and enter the tissues with the bloodstream.Sometimes the blood itself, without foreign agents, can cause an inflammatory reaction.If a person leads a mostly sedentary lifestyle and neglects physical exercise, the blood in the gland stagnates and causes blockage of the blood vessels.Finally, the last (but not least) cause 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, due to which the cells begin to die of starvation.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. The symptoms of prostatitis are difficult to confuse with anything else.The main symptom is a sharp, sharp, less often pressing pain during urination and ejaculation.This is compounded by pain in the lower back, perineum, scrotum and lower 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 case of bacterial infection, a greenish and yellowish discharge can often be observed from the canal itself, and in some cases hemospermia develops - the appearance of blood in the semen.
What are the dangers of prostatitis?
From everything said above, it is not difficult to conclude that inflammation of the prostate gland leads to a number of problems.The most common result of advanced prostatitis is impotence and infertility, because the destruction of the prostate gland leads to a sharp decrease in the production of hormones responsible for sexual desire.The reaction to infection is rarely localized to the gland alone;usually the focus of inflammation also covers adjacent 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 widespread damage to the body.
You've probably heard the phrase "prostate adenoma" on radio and television 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 about 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 an extensive 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 treat prostatitis.Not grandmother healer and burdock potions, not tantric practices and not willow bark compresses.Such a disease also does not disappear by itself: the longer the patient delays treatment, the more problems he 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 drugs that will not only be useless, but will also cause significant damage to their wallet and health.There is no room for fear: instead of a handful of pills, you will most likely be prescribed one medicine 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 the right diet, you can not only strengthen the immune system, but even slow down the inflammatory enlargement of the prostate.— Every third man in the world suffers from one or another form of prostatitis.— By the way, prostatitis is not a "disease of the elderly": some of its forms can develop at a fairly early age (20-25 years).— In most cases, prostate massage is prescribed, but massage alone can only cure stagnant prostatitis.Sometimes massage is strictly contraindicated.— Prostatitis can be asymptomatic for a long time, but it will definitely manifest itself with a sharp drop in immunity, for example, during an illness, during hypothermia, etc.