Post Date December, 03 2023
The prostate is a male specific organ, a gland associated with reproductive and endocrine functions that surrounds the outer circumference of the posterior urethra. Prostate fluid secreted by the prostate accounts for about one-third of the amount of semen and is an important component of semen. Prostatitis is one of the common diseases in adult men. According to data, about 50% of men will be affected by prostatitis at some point in their lives. Although it is not a direct life-threatening disease, it seriously affects the quality of life of patients. At the same time, its large patient population and high medical costs have caused a huge economic burden to society and families, making patients, doctors, and social health departments very "troublesome.".
According to the Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Treatment of Prostatitis of the Urology Branch of the Chinese Medical Association (2008 Edition), prostatitis is divided into four types: acute bacterial prostatitis; Chronic bacterial prostatitis (accounting for about 5% to 8% of chronic prostatitis); Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome (the most common type of prostatitis, accounting for more than 90% of chronic prostatitis); Asymptomatic prostatitis. With the improvement of people's requirements for quality of life, prostatitis is receiving more and more attention. However, due to the lack of professional knowledge, there are many misconceptions about prostatitis, leading to the misguided process of seeking medical advice. The following is to introduce some common knowledge about prostatitis for patients and their families to refer to during the diagnosis and treatment of prostatitis.
1. Acute bacterial prostatitis
The incidence rate of acute bacterial prostatitis is very low, but it is a serious infection. Prostatitis is mainly caused by the spread of bacteria through blood when infection occurs in other parts of the body (such as periodontitis, furuncles, perianal infection, especially in patients with diabetes and other serious chronic diseases with decreased physical resistance). Some sexually transmitted diseases (such as gonorrhea) can also cause acute prostatitis, which can also be caused by the direct spread of infection from adjacent organs. The causes of the prostate itself, such as congestion, cold, perineal injury, can also become an inducing factor for acute bacterial prostatitis. Patients with acute bacterial prostatitis typically experience sudden symptoms such as fever, chills, fatigue, perineal pain, urgency to urinate, pain in urination, and frequent urination. In this case, patients should seek medical treatment in the urology department of a regular hospital. Generally, through symptomatic treatment, enhanced nutrition, appropriate rest, and large doses of antibiotics, most patients can recover quickly. If an abscess develops, surgical treatment is required.
2. Chronic bacterial prostatitis
"Most chronic bacterial prostatitis is transformed from acute bacterial prostatitis, but clinically, not all patients with chronic bacterial prostatitis have an acute attack process. Lower urinary tract obstruction and causes of prostate congestion can cause this disease.".
A small number of patients with chronic bacterial prostatitis do not have any discomfort, but bacterial growth is present in urine and/or prostate fluid. Most patients with chronic bacterial prostatitis have discomfort such as frequent urination, urgency of urination, and difficulty urinating. In addition, they may also have pain and acid distension in the perineum and lumbosacral region. A small number of patients have symptoms such as decreased sexual function and neurasthenia. Generally speaking, patients with chronic bacterial prostatitis can be improved or cured through anti-inflammatory treatment, while physical therapy, such as hyperthermia and microwave, also has a certain effect. Elderly patients can be treated with surgical methods.
3. Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome
Patients with this type of prostatitis all exhibit the clinical characteristics of chronic bacterial prostatitis, typically characterized by fatigue, poor sleep, perineal discomfort, lumbosacral pain, frequent urination, painful urination, incomplete urination, difficulty urinating, and a small amount of milky white or thin clear liquid (prostate fluid) flowing out of the urethra (especially after defecation). Some patients have symptoms such as headache, inattention, anxiety, low libido, and even decreased sexual function. When attention is diverted, the above symptoms can be alleviated to varying degrees.
Due to the improvement of detection technology, sometimes mycoplasma or chlamydia can be detected in the prostate fluid of such patients, but about half of the patients have neither bacteria nor mycoplasma or chlamydia detected in the prostate fluid. The pathogenesis of this type of prostatitis is unknown and the etiology is very complex. Most scholars believe that the main cause of this type of prostatitis may be a combination of pathogen infection, inflammation, and abnormal pelvic floor neuromuscular activity.
"The treatment of this type of prostatitis is the most difficult. The patient has a long medical history, which can last for months or years. It occurs repeatedly or persists, making the patient very painful.". Patients with chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome need to first establish confidence in themselves, paying attention to the disease and not being overly concerned, as autonomic nervous dysfunction accounts for a large proportion of the symptoms of this disease, and excessive attention can lead to worsening symptoms. The treatment of such patients generally requires a regular lifestyle, avoiding spicy food, avoiding cold and prolonged pressure, and appropriate physical activity. They can take some antibiotics that are effective against Mycoplasma and/or Chlamydia, take oral symptomatic drugs, and take traditional Chinese medicine for conditioning. If necessary, they can receive physical therapy. These treatments can alleviate symptoms for some patients.
