Prostatitis

The inflammation and swelling of the prostate gland which is a walnut-sized gland located directly below the bladder in men is called prostatitis.

This is the gland that produces semen that transports sperm.

Prostatitis can be painful and you will have difficulty in urination, you can also have pain in the pelvic area, groin and sometimes you will have flu-like symptoms.

This is mostly common in men who are 50 years or younger.

This condition can be caused by bacterial infection.

Prostatitis may come gradually or suddenly, some will last s for moths and some may recur.

Signs and symptoms of prostatitis include:

• burning sensation or pain when urinating;
• urgent need to urinate;
• difficulty in urinating;
• pain in the abdomen,
• frequent urination,
• pain in the penis or testicles,
• pain in the perineum,
• flu-like symptoms,
• and painful orgasms.

Consult your doctor if you are having pain in your pelvic area and you are having difficulty urinating.

Bacteria are the common cause of prostatitis.

The treatment for this is antibiotic but if the bacteria cannot be eliminated by the antibiotics because they are hiding in the prostate.

This condition may be difficult to treat or may recur which is called chronic bacterial prostatitis.

Other causes of prostatitis are: nervous and immune system disorders, and injury to the prostate are.

Consult your family doctor and he may refer you to an urologist who specializes in urinary tract and sexual disorders to receive a diagnosis of prostatitis.

Some of the questions that you can ask your doctor include

• What is causing my symptoms?
• What kind of tests do I need?
• What type of treatments do I need?
• Are there any other options?

Make a list of all the symptoms that you are having and also the medications and supplements that you are taking.

Your doctor will also ask you questions such as

• When did you start having symptoms?
• How severe are they?
• Are they occasional or continuous?
• Have you had this in the past?
• Have you recently injured your groin area?

Your doctor will first conduct a physical exam and a digital rectal examination (DRE). Some of the possible tests that he may conduct:

• blood culture – if he suspects signs of infection in your blood;
• urine tests – to check for infection;
• bladder tests or urodynamic tests – to check how well you can empty your bladder.

The types of prostatitis are:

• acute bacterial prostatitis – can cause chills, fever and vomiting, and common strains of bacteria is often caused by this;
• chronic bacterial prostatitis – if the bacteria is not eliminated by the antibiotics that you are taking;
• chronic abacteria prostatitis – or chronic pelvic pain syndrome, sometimes cause of this cannot be determine but sometimes it is due to bacteria;
• asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis – does not have signs and symptoms.

The treatments of prostatitis depending on the underlying cause are:

• antibiotics – this will depend on what bacteria that you have. You may take it as oral antibiotics for 4 to 6 weeks but if it is chronic you may need longer treatment or intravenous,
• alpha blockers – this may reduce the symptoms and will help relax the bladder muscle and neck,
• anti-inflammatory agents – NSAIDs,
• prostate massage – to provide relief by using a lubricated gloved finger,
• other treatments – heat therapy and certain drugs but still under research.

You might prevent prostatitis by:

• practicing good hygiene like keeping your penis clean;
• drink lots of fluids for regular urination;
• consult your doctor right away if you have possible UTI.

Some of the alternative remedies for prostatitis include:

• biofeedback – you will be taught to control certain body functions such as relaxing your muscles and to manage pain caused by prostatitis;
• acupuncture – by the use of thin needles to certain pints in your body;
• herbal remedies and supplements – there is still no evidence about this but some men are taking cernilton and quercetin, supplements are minerals and vitamins such as selenium, zinc and vitamins D and E.

Lifestyle modifications are necessary in order to manage the symptoms of prostatitis.

To lessen the symptoms, try some of these tips;

• soak in warm bath and limit your caffeine, alcohol and acidic or spicy foods,
• avoid wearing padded shorts or bicycling,
• avoid prolonged sitting or you can sit in a pillow to ease the pressure on the prostate.

There are several risks and complications associated with prostatitis.

The risk factors of prostatitis are:

• if you had this before;
• being middle aged man or young;
• if you had a pelvic trauma;
• if you had an infection in the bladder or the urethra;
• if you do not drink lots of fluids;
• if you had HIV/AIDS,
• if you had used a urinary catheter;
• if you had unprotected sexual intercourse;
• if you are stress;
• if you have certain inherited traits.

Complications of prostatitis are:

• bacteremia or infection of the blood;
• inflammation of epididymitis;
• semen abnormalities and infertility;
• elevated PSA levels;
• if you have prostatic abscess.

Elevated prostate-specific antigen or PSA can be caused by prostatitis. The screening of this is used to screen prostate cancer because cancerous cells produce more PSA but there is no enough evidence that prostatitis may lead to prostate cancer.