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 this doctor's works were practically not preserved, so the gland was later rediscovered by the Venetian doctor Nicola Massa.In 1838, Verdes gave the first accurate morphological description of prostate pathology, which over time was supplemented by the brilliant minds of his time.In fact, 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.Furthermore, the gland closes the exit from the urinary canal during 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 reason for 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 allies to sources of problems, causing strong inflammatory reactions.Enterobacteriaceae (whose most famous representatives are Proteus), Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococci, all penetrate the gland in many different ways.The most obvious route is the urethra, but because the prostate 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 overload on the body caused by a busy work schedule and lack of sleep, is not uncommon for modern people.Prostatitis can also be viral in nature.Human papillomavirus, cytomegalovirus, herpes virus and even the flu virus (!) can cause prostate inflammation and a whole cascade of complications that exhaust an already weakened body.
Furthermore, prostatitis is also caused by non-bacterial pathogens.We are talking, first of all, about purulent formations in the body: particles of pus break away 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 mainly sedentary lifestyle and neglects physical exercise, the blood in the gland stagnates and causes blockage of the blood vessels.And finally, the last (but not least) reason is long-term sexual abstinence and promiscuity.In the first case, iron is degraded because, in the absence of need, the body supplies it with less and less blood, which is why the cells begin to starve.In the second case, all the blame falls on the partner, who can serve as a carrier of certain types of urinary infections. The symptoms of prostatitis are difficult to confuse with anything else.The main symptom is a sharp, sharp, less frequent pain during urination and ejaculation.This is reinforced 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 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 prostate inflammation results in several problems.The most common result of advanced prostatitis is impotence and infertility, as prostate rupture leads to a marked decrease in the production of hormones responsible for sexual desire.The reaction to an infection is rarely localized to the gland alone;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.Furthermore, blood infection can simply cause blood poisoning and cause widespread damage to the body.
You've probably heard the phrase “prostate adenoma” in radio and TV ads.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 painful and 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 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 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.This disease also does not disappear 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 medications that will not only be useless, but will also cause significant harm to their wallet and health.There is no need to be afraid: instead of a handful of pills, you will probably be prescribed a single medication for a very reasonable price.
5 interesting facts about prostatitis
Here are some sad facts about the “main male disease” of our time: - A healthy diet 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 the elderly”: some of its forms can develop at a very young age (20-25 years).— Prostate massage is prescribed in most cases, but massage alone can cure congestive prostatitis.Sometimes massage is strictly contraindicated.— Prostatitis can be asymptomatic for a long time, but it will certainly reveal itself during a sharp decrease in immunity, for example, during an illness, during hypothermia, etc.