The prostate as an independent organ was first described in the anatomical studies of an ancient Greek physician who practiced 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 that the gland was subsequently re-discovered by the Venetian physician 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 at all recognized by many general practitioners and psychoanalysts, who called it “anal-rectal psychosis.”Fortunately, modern medicine has learned not only to diagnose in a timely manner, but also to very successfully treat this serious disease.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 task 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 might guess, 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 symbiont 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 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 given that the prostate gland is connected to a network of large vessels, both blood and lymph can act as a transport medium 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 Candida fungus, which affects internal tissues and causes the disease “candidiasis.”Typically, fungal spores penetrate internal organs when the human immune system is severely weakened - which, in harsh climates and constant overstrain of the body caused by a busy work schedule and lack of sleep, is not at all uncommon for modern people.Prostatitis can also be of a viral nature.Human papillomavirus, cytomegalovirus, herpes virus and even influenza virus (!) can cause inflammation of the prostate gland and a whole cascade of complications that exhaust 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 blood vessels.And finally, the last (but not least important) reason is long-term sexual abstinence and promiscuity.In the first case, the iron degrades due to the fact that, in the absence of necessity, the body supplies it with less and less blood, which is why the cells begin to die from hunger.In the second case, all the blame falls on the shoulders of the partner, who can serve as a carrier of certain types of urinary tract infections. The 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 reinforced by pain in the lower back, perineum, scrotum and lower back.Due to the increase in size of the gland, it often blocks the urethra, and therefore the process of urination becomes difficult.In the case of a bacterial infection, 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 gland results in a number of problems.The most common outcome of advanced prostatitis is impotence and infertility, since disruption of the prostate gland entails a sharp decrease in the production of hormones responsible for sexual desire.The reaction to an infection is rarely localized only in 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.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” in radio and TV advertisements.An adenoma is a tumor of the gland, which, over time, increasing in size, not only provokes inflammation and can develop into 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 altogether, 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 need to firmly remember one simple truth: only a qualified doctor can help cure prostatitis.Not a healer grandmother and burdock decoctions, not tantric practices and not willow bark compresses.Such a disease also does not go away on its own: 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 need to be afraid: instead of a handful of pills, you will most likely be prescribed one single medicine for 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 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 young 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 reveal itself during a sharp decrease in immunity, for example during illness, during hypothermia, etc.