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 these doctors were practically not preserved, until the gland was later 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 on time, but also to treat this serious disease very successfully.But what exactly is prostatitis?
General characteristics
Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland, a typical male organ located just below the bladder.Its job is to produce prostate secretions, an important component of sperm.In addition, the gland closes the exit from the urinary tract during erection.
Inflammation, as you might imagine, can be caused by a variety of reasons.Due to the fact that the prostate gland is directly connected to the urinary tract, 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 symbiont bacteria that are part of its normal microflora.However, once those bacteria leave their colonies and enter other tissues, they turn from allies to troublemakers, causing a powerful inflammatory response.Enterobacteriaceae (the most famous representative is Proteus), Escherichia coli and Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Enterococci, all penetrate the gland in various ways.The most obvious route is the urethra, but since the prostate gland is connected to a network of large vessels, both blood and lymph can act as transport mediums for bacteria.
There is another group of pathogens, called "atypical" in the medical community, because these agents are found more rarely.These include, for example, fungal infections-maybe many have heard of the fungus Candida, which affects internal tissues and causes the disease "candidiasis."Usually, fungal spores penetrate the internal organs when the human immune system is very weak - which, in a harsh climate and constant excessive stress on the body due to a busy work schedule and lack of sleep, is not at all unusual for modern people.Prostatitis can also be viral.Human papillomavirus, cytomegalovirus, herpes virus and even influenza virus (!) can cause inflammation of the prostate gland and a whole host 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 the formation of purulence in the body: particles of pus break off from the total mass and enter the tissue with the bloodstream.Sometimes the blood itself, without a foreign agent, can cause an inflammatory reaction.If a man leads a mostly inactive 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 declines due to the fact that, if there is no need, the body supplies it with less and less blood, which is why the cells begin to die of starvation.In the second case, all the blame lies on the shoulders of the partner, who can serve as a carrier of certain types of urinary tract infection. Symptoms of prostatitis are difficult to confuse with something else.The main symptoms are sharp, acute pain, less frequent pressing during urination and ejaculation.This is reinforced by pain in the lower back, perineum, scrotum and lower back.Due to the increased size of the gland, it often blocks the urethra, and therefore the urination process becomes difficult.In the case of bacterial infection, greenish and yellowish discharge from the duct 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 the above, it is not difficult to conclude that inflammation of the prostate gland results in some problems.The most common result of advanced prostatitis is impotence and infertility, because the disorder of the prostate gland requires a sharp decrease in the production of hormones responsible for sexual desire.The reaction to the 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 only cause blood poisoning and lead to widespread damage to the body.
You may have heard the phrase "prostate adenoma" in radio and TV commercials.Adenoma is a tumor of the gland, which, over time, grows, not only causes inflammation and can develop into malignancy, but only compresses the genitourinary tract.Why is this so important?It's not just about pain, extreme difficulty urinating and complete erectile dysfunction.Compressed organs receive less and less blood, as a result of which the tissue first shrinks and then dies 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 remember one simple truth: only a qualified doctor can help cure prostatitis.Not healing grandmothers and burdock decoctions, not tantric practices and not willow bark compresses.This kind of disease will also not go away by itself: the longer the patient delays treatment, the more problems he has to face and the more expensive the treatment.Many men do not understand modern pharmacology and are superstitiously afraid that doctors will prescribe them a mountain of drugs that are not only useless, but will also cause significant damage to their wallets and health.Fear not: instead of a handful of pills, you will most likely be given one 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 also slow down the enlargement of prostate inflammation.— Every third man in the world suffers from one or another form of prostatitis.— By the way, prostatitis is not an "old man's disease": some of its forms can develop at a relatively young age (20-25 years).— Prostate massage is prescribed in most cases, but massage alone can only cure congestive prostatitis.Sometimes massage is strictly prohibited.— Prostatitis can be asymptomatic for a long time, but it will definitely reveal itself during a sudden decrease in immunity, for example during illness, during hypothermia, etc.