The prostate as an independent organ was first described in the anatomical studies of an ancient Greek doctor who practiced around 350 BC.At that time, however, doctors did not pay much attention to it, and the works of this doctor have practically not survived, so much so that 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.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 timely diagnose, but also to 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 job 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 might imagine, 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 ingress of infectious agents into the gland.Everyone knows that the human body contains a huge 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 transform from allies to sources of problems, causing strong inflammatory reactions.Enterobacteriaceae (the most famous representatives of which 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 gland is connected to a network of large vessels, both blood and lymph can act as a means of transport for the 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 fungus Candida, which affects internal tissues and causes the disease “candidiasis”.Usually, fungal spores penetrate internal organs when the human immune system is severely weakened - which, in harsh climates and constant overloading 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 viral in nature.Human papillomavirus, cytomegalovirus, herpes virus and even the influenza virus (!) can cause inflammation of the prostate gland and a whole host 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 blood flow.Sometimes the blood itself, without foreign agents, can cause an inflammatory reaction.If a man leads a predominantly 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 sexual abstinence and long-term promiscuity.In the first case, iron degrades due to the fact that, 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 shoulders of the partner, who can act as a carrier of some types of urinary tract infections. The symptoms of prostatitis are difficult to confuse with something else.The main symptom is a sharp, sharp, less often urgent 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 case of bacterial infection, a greenish and yellowish discharge can often be observed from the canal itself and, in some cases, hemospermia develops, i.e. 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 causes a series of problems.The most common outcome of advanced prostatitis is impotence and infertility, since the rupture of the prostate gland leads to a sharp decrease in the production of hormones responsible for sexual desire.The reaction to an infection is rarely localized only to the gland;usually the focus of inflammation also covers nearby 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, infection in the blood can simply cause blood poisoning and cause widespread damage to the body.
You've probably heard the phrase "prostatic adenoma" in radio and television advertisements.An adenoma is a tumor of the gland which, over time, increasing in size, not only causes inflammation and can turn malignant, but simply compresses the genitourinary tract.Why is this so important?It's not just about 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 die altogether, which leads to the appearance of a large 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 grandmother healer and decoctions of burdock, not tantric practices and not willow bark compresses.Such a disease also does not disappear on its own: the longer the patient delays treatment, the more problems he will 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 harm to their wallet and health.There is no need to be afraid: instead of a handful of pills, you will most likely be prescribed a single medicine at 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 also slow down the inflammatory enlargement of the prostate.— One in three men 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 fairly young age (20-25 years).— In most cases, prostate massage is prescribed, but massage alone can only cure congestive prostatitis.Sometimes massage is strictly contraindicated.— Prostatitis can be asymptomatic for a long time, but it will certainly manifest itself during a sharp decrease in immunity, for example, during illness, during hypothermia, etc.