There are different stages of prostatitis. They differ from each other in clinical symptoms and features of the course. The most effective is the treatment of the initial stage of the development of inflammation of the prostate gland. At this stage, the disease does not have time to greatly affect the functioning of the genitourinary system. The later a man with prostate goes to the doctor for help, the less his chances for a full recovery.
What is prostatitis?
Prostatitis is an inflammatory process that has appeared in the prostate gland. More than half of the elderly male population is personally familiar with this disease. Doctors distinguish several forms of the disease, each of which proceeds in its own way. When making a diagnosis, urologists specify the type of prostatitis a patient has. The inflammation can be bacterial or non-bacterial. Both pathologies negatively affect the functioning of the gland and neighboring organs.
The pathological process has 2 types of flow:
- spicy;
- Chronic.
The initial symptoms of acute prostatitis appear in the first days of the disease. Their severity increases if a man does not try to cope with the inflammation. The chronic course is characterized by the absence of visible symptoms of the disease. Therefore, this form of prostatitis is usually detected during a routine examination by a urologist.
Acute prostatitis, even in the initial stage, gives vivid symptoms, while chronic prostatitis does not appear for a long time.
Stages of chronic disease
Chronic prostatitis is divided into several stages, which follow each other if a man does not try to fight the disease. It can be latent for several years. In this case, the pathology worsens periodically. Remission and relapse of the disease gradually replace each other.
It depends only on the actions of the patient how long he will treat the disease, at which stage he will be able to reach and if he will be able to recover completely.
1 stage
The initial stage of the prostate is considered the safest for health. This is why doctors recommend starting treatment at this stage. But the difficulty lies in the fact that at first the disease does not cause much concern. A man does not always even know that he is sick. If for a number of reasons the patient cannot overcome the pathological process in the prostate gland, he will go to a more difficult stage. And so it will continue until the causative agent of the infection is stopped by the therapy.
Prostatitis of the first degree is characterized by such symptoms that will be mild:
- Body temperature rises to 38 degrees. After some time, it can rise to the mark of 40 degrees;
- Strong pains are felt in the area of the hip joints;
- There is discomfort during bowel movements;
- The member becomes slower;
- In the process of urination, you may notice mucus that has no color;
- Pain appears during urination;
- The urethra becomes narrower, so you have to strain to empty the bladder;
- At night, frequent urges to go to the toilet begin to bother;
- Sexual intercourse becomes shorter.
All these signs are a good reason to visit a specialist. They will bother a man for up to 3 years. It is during this time that the course of the first stage of the disease is usually observed.
The symptoms of prostate inflammation come and go, as the disease appears in waves at this stage. It will seem to a man that the disease has gone away, but after a while it betrays itself again.
Very often, patients do not complete the initial stage of inflammation in the prostate gland. Because of this, the disease becomes chronic. It is very difficult to deal with this form of pathology. Treatment will take a long time and require large sums of money to be invested. At the same time, there is no guarantee that the disease will recede after the end of the therapeutic course.
A urologist can detect the initial stage of prostatitis in a patient if he undergoes a series of diagnostic procedures. The disease is detected through such studies:
- Palpation of the rectum;
- Collection of secretions and semen;
- General analysis of urine and blood;
- Sperm analysis;
- Ultrasound of the prostate.
Analysis of the research results will allow the specialist to determine the disease and its cause. If the prostatitis turns out to be infectious, then the man will be offered to drink antibiotics and other drugs that help restore the affected prostate tissue and normalize its performance. A non-infectious form of inflammation also needs drug therapy. Such treatment will be based on immunomodulating drugs, dietary supplements and rectal suppositories with anti-inflammatory action.
If the initial stage of the disease continues in a non-severe form, then the patient is also prescribed physiotherapy along with a diet.
In an early stage, inflammation of the prostate responds well to treatment.
2 phases
Prostatitis of the second degree is accompanied by a temporary weakening of symptoms. Many men perceive this condition as healing. They postpone visits to the doctor or do not pay due attention to therapy. But a decrease in the inflammatory process with such a diagnosis is a bad sign. As the first stage of the disease continued, there was an increase in the size of the prostate due to the active division of its cells. As a result, scars form on the walls. Blood vessel breaks lead to interruption of blood supply to the prostate gland.
The second stage of prostatitis is usually accompanied by the following symptoms:
- Violation of biological rhythms;
- Nervousness;
- Pain during urination;
- Heart failure;
- Worsening of sciatica;
- Disappearance of orgasm;
- Lack of sexual desire.
At this stage of prostatitis in men, it is difficult to accurately determine the specific localization of the pain syndrome. Initially, the pain is felt in the location of the prostate. As it spreads to all areas of the small pelvis.
Patients with stage 2 prostatitis are recommended to take immunostimulating drugs and follow physiotherapy procedures. So that the situation does not become more complicated, they should avoid hypothermia, give up bad habits and normalize food.
It is very important to have a healthy lifestyle
3 stages
The third stage of the development of inflammation in the prostate gland brings more problems. In this case, a man is diagnosed with a chronic form of prostatitis. At this stage, there is a serious change in the prostate tissue. They begin to die quickly. The wounds formed in the previous stages squeeze the bladder tightly. This provokes the development of urinary retention, which is an extremely dangerous complication.
Prostatitis in 3 degrees of development leads to the appearance of pathological changes in the kidneys and bladder. The danger lies in the fact that they are irreversible. At this stage, men often complain of sciatica.
The last stage of the development of the disease has the following symptoms:
- Frequent urge to urinate;
- Strong pains during urination;
- Weak flow of urine;
- Cut in the kidney region;
- Lack of sensation of complete emptying of the bladder after going to the toilet.
The last stage of chronic prostatitis is considered the most dangerous. At this stage, the dying cells are replaced by connective tissue. This change leads to a reduction in the size of the prostate gland and a narrowing of the urinary tract. Due to the fact that the system does not work properly, a man develops cystic formations. He also develops impotence.
Given that in the last stages of the disease its symptoms are very pronounced, the patient's life is very complicated. Constant pain follows him day and night. Very often, for the first time, men turn to a urologist precisely because of such obvious symptoms of prostatitis. But, since at this moment irreversible processes have occurred in the gland, doctors do not guarantee the removal of the pathology even if the patient meets all their requirements. It is difficult for them to predict how inflammation will behave at a certain stage of development.
If the case is severe and antibiotics do not bring significant relief, then the patient is referred for surgery to remove part or all of the prostate gland.
In stage 3, the pain becomes severe and the changes in the organs become irreversible.
Stages of acute illness
It is with acute inflammation in the glandular organ that prostatitis begins. It gradually escalates. The prostate gland is affected by an infection that develops safely in it with a weakened immune system. Chronic prostatitis is observed in those who could not cope with the acute form of the pathology. In this case, the man will not feel special symptoms of the disease until he is in the acute phase.
Inflammation of the prostate, which is caused by an infectious agent, appears in the first days of the disease. Therefore, this form of pathology is diagnosed earlier than chronic. Acute prostatitis is characterized by slightly different stages of development. Doctors distinguish 4 degrees of the disease, which follow each other.
catarrhal stage
At this stage, the inflammatory process in the prostate begins. It spreads in the ductal tissues of the lobules of the glands. There is swelling of the prostate, which continues to progress. At this stage, the man has no purulent discharge, which may indicate an infection in the gland. He will be bothered by other symptoms:
- Frequent desire to go to the toilet;
- Painful urination;
- General weakness in the body;
- Changeable psycho-emotional state;
- apathetic mood;
- Nervousness.
Another distinguishing feature of acute prostatitis in the 1st stage of development is an enlargement of the prostate gland. Although this symptom is also characteristic of the chronic course of the pathology. The doctor will be able to notice this feature when palpating the problem area. Special analyzes allow to confirm the fears of a specialist. He must necessarily refer the patient to send the secretion of the prostate to study its composition. With prostatitis, an increased number of leukocytes will be found in the fluid. Also in the sample, the doctor will detect impurities of pus and mucus.
Treatment of the catarrhal phase of acute prostatitis consists of taking a group of drugs that suppress inflammation and reduce the severity of the main symptoms of the disease.
Massage with such a course of pathology is strictly prohibited, like many other similar physiotherapeutic procedures.
On average, the treatment of the initial stage of acute inflammation of the prostate gland lasts about 2 weeks. During this time, the patient is completely cured of the disease. The positive result of the therapy is due to the fact that it started before the moment when the pathology had not yet managed to lead to the development of irreversible processes in the organs of the genitourinary system.
Follicular phase
With the development of this stage of prostatitis, swelling spreads to the follicles and excretory ducts of the prostate. Its structures begin to compress neighboring tissues, which causes serious suffocation. The symptoms of the disease intensify and become more pronounced and visible. In this condition, men complain of the following signs of the disease:
- Body temperature rises to 38 degrees and does not fall;
- apathetic mood;
- The appearance of pain in the hip area;
- The spread of pain in the genitals, anal area and hip joint;
- painful urination;
- Pain in the head of the penis;
- Defection becomes more difficult;
- Excretion of a minimal amount of urine.
When investigating the problem area, you may discover an asymmetric growth of the prostate tissue. When examining the results of a urinalysis, the doctor will discover the presence of an excessive amount of pus and white blood cells in the sample.
It is very important to begin urgent treatment of the follicular phase of acute prostatitis, otherwise a malignant process may develop in the structures of the glandular organ.
If therapy is ignored, there is a risk of developing cancer
Parenchymal phase
Prostate tissue is subject to constant damage. Due to this, a large number of small pustules are formed in them. The urinary tract is further compressed. As a result, there is an acute retention of urine. Other symptoms of the parenchymal stage are the following conditions:
- Painful defecation;
- Increase in body temperature up to 39 degrees or more;
- Constant feeling of intense thirst;
- Loss of appetite;
- severe weakness;
- Chronic fatigue;
- Difficulty urinating;
- Severe pain in the pelvis, anus and lower back;
- Bloating and constipation.
Abnormal mucus impurities begin to appear in the feces as inflammation affects the intestines. The gland becomes quite large, and its contours are unclear.
Stage of abscess formation
This stage of acute prostatitis is accompanied by a number of painful symptoms that prevent a man from leading a full life. They are more pronounced than in the initial stage of the development of the inflammatory process. At this stage, small pustules merge into a whole formation. Purulent masses quickly accumulate inside it. When it gets too big, it explodes. As a result, the accumulated pus comes out through the urethra. In the abscess stage, the patient suffers from the following symptoms:
- serious illness;
- Increase in body temperature up to 40 degrees;
- Passivity to any action;
- Intense pain in the anus and genitals;
- Difficulty in defecation and urination.
If a man in this condition is not given adequate treatment, he may die. It is very important to eliminate the abscess so that the patient feels better. Only then will the main signs of the disease begin to disappear.
Complications
The sooner the treatment of prostatitis is started, the less damage the inflammatory process will bring to the body. That is why it is better to deal with the disease at an early stage. But not all men adhere to this recommendation, as many hope that the disease will go away by itself. Because of this, the disease progresses and leads to the development of unpleasant complications. Neglecting the help of a specialist, a person faces the following consequences of untreated prostatitis:
- The appearance of various inflammatory processes in the organs of the genitourinary system;
- Decreased sexual desire;
- Psychological disorders;
- Sterility;
- Impotence.
It is not unusual for men who have had prostatitis to have a normal erection. Because of this, the patient's sexual activity is significantly reduced. In some cases, the lack of ejaculation is considered a complication. A man's penis can drop significantly. If such deviations are detected, it is necessary to visit a specialist to find out the nature of the violation and find ways to get rid of it.
Remember that the inflammatory process can actively spread to neighboring tissues and organs. That is why, against the background of prostatitis, men also develop cystitis and urethritis. These diseases lead to a violation of the flow of urine. The occurrence of chronic incontinence is not excluded.
Impotence is perceived by men as one of the most serious complications of acute or chronic prostatitis. With such a deviation, the ability to excite disappears. This is due to inflammation, which interferes with the process of tissue nutrition. Edema does not allow the cavernous bodies to be completely filled with blood. Medicine has learned to treat this complication with long-term drug therapy. However, not all patients who have completed such a course are satisfied with the result.
It is prostatitis that is called the main cause of the development of infertility of the 1st degree. In this case, it is considered a variant of the disease, in which the composition of the seminal fluid changes. The secretion changes its acidity and viscosity level. All these deviations are revealed during the study of the sperm sample, which is submitted for analysis.
With the problem of infertility, men should contact an andrologist. This will help you choose the best treatment.
If the prostatitis is severe, then it will lead to the occurrence of infertility of the second degree. This condition is not suitable for therapeutic treatment.
A man's psycho-emotional state suffers greatly due to prostate inflammation. Frequent failures in the intimate sphere make him worry. Against this background, depression appears, which further worsens the general condition of the patient.
More than 30% of patients diagnosed with prostatitis face psycho-emotional experiences. A psychologist helps them restore male libido, which was reduced due to stress.
Impotence and infertility are common complications of the disease
Remission of chronic prostatitis
If the treatment of prostatitis is started, the patient can achieve its remission. This is the name of the condition in which a significant weakening of the symptoms of the disease or their complete disappearance is observed. Prostatitis in remission is fixed in most patients who have completed a full course of treatment. This period varies from person to person. If a man does not adhere to the recommendations of a doctor, then after a while there will be an aggravation of inflammation of the prostate. And then the patient will have to be treated again.
kind
Remission with prostatitis can be complete or incomplete. In the first case, after a complete therapy, the man stops being bothered by absolutely all the symptoms of the pathology. He forgets them for a long time. Incomplete remission usually lasts no more than 3 months. During this time, the patient may complain of minor symptoms that characterize prostatitis. For example, many continue to experience painful urination and discomfort in the pelvic area.
Duration
Even experienced doctors sometimes find it very difficult to predict how long remission will last for a particular person who has been treated for prostatitis. This indicator is individual. The duration of this period directly depends on a number of factors:
- The causative agent of the disease;
- General condition of the body;
- Quality of treatment;
- Severity of the disease;
- Stage of the disease.
Also, it is taken into account how conscientiously the patient follows the attending physician's recommendations, which are related to the prevention of prostatitis recurrence.
If a man meets all the requirements of a specialist and carefully takes care of his health, then his remission can last several decades. Sometimes the disease goes away completely.
prediction
If a patient who had to undergo treatment for chronic prostatitis begins to lead a correct lifestyle, will take control tests and visit his doctor regularly, as well as take medication to prevent the recurrence of prostate inflammation, then he will have a favorable recovery. prognosis. In this case, the disease can never bother a person again.
If a man still gets prostatitis, he should immediately start therapy. For this you need to contact a specialist. A complete examination of the genitourinary system will help the urologist choose the right treatment that will stop the disease and eliminate the complications that have arisen.