Prostatitis

Prostatitis is a painful condition characterized by the inflammation of the prostate gland and the areas around it. The prostate gland is a walnut-sized gland sited directly below the bladder in men. The purpose of the prostate gland is to secrete semen that nourishes and transports sperm.

Prostatitis impacts men of all age groups, although scientists have evidence that men in their 50’s or younger are also vulnerable to it. Likely there may be no cause of prostatitis, but you still , however, the cause is a bacterial infection, antibiotics may help get rid of it.

Some types of prostatitis persist for months or keep recurring.

Scientists have identified our types of prostatitis:

  1. Chronic prostatitis
  2. Acute bacterial prostatitis
  3. Chronic bacterial prostatitis
  4. Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis

In asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis, there are usually no signs or symptoms, so diagnosis is mostly fortuitous. This type of prostatitis does not need any treatment and gets away on its own.

Symptoms

Prostatitis signs and symptoms depend on the type and the cause, while generalized signs may include:

  • Pain or burning sensation when urinating
  • Dribbling urination or hesitant urination
  • Frequent night urination (nocturia)
  • Cloudy or foamy urine
  • Blood in the urine
  • Pain in the area between the scrotum and rectum (perineum)
  • Pain or discomfort of the penis or testicles
  • Painful ejaculation
  • Pain in the abdomen or lower back
  • Fever and chills
  • Infections of the urinary tract
  • Inflammation of the reproductive organs near the prostate
  • prostatic abscess—a pus-filled cavity in the prostate

When to see a doctor

If you have painful urination or ejaculation followed by intense pain in the pelvic area, make an appointment with your doctor. Prostatitis can be difficult to treat in the later stages and cause worsening infection or other health problems.

The symptoms of prostatitis can also lead to other serious health conditions, including cancers of the prostate.

Causes

The cause of prostatitis depends on the type.

Chronic prostatitis or chronic pelvic pain syndrome. The concrete cause of prostatitis is unknown, yet researchers believe it to be triggered by a microorganism. The cause may also relate to nerve damage in the pelvic area, the immune system’s response to a previous urinary tract infection, or chemical substances in the urine.

Acute and chronic bacterial prostatitis. A bacterial infection is likely the cause of this form of prostatitis. As the name suggests, acute prostatitis occurs for a concise time, while chronic bacterial prostatitis may occur due to bacteria traveling from the urethra to the prostate.

Risk factors

The following risk factors are responsible for the development of prostatitis:

  • Being in your 50’s or younger.
  • If you have had prostatitis before, you are likely at the risk.
  • Pelvic trauma due to an injury from bicycling or riding.
  • Men with nerve damage in the lower urinary tract due to surgery or trauma.
  • An infection in the bladder or the tube (urethra) that carries semen and urine to the penis.
  • Prostatitis can also occur due to a tube inserted into the urethra to drain the bladder.
  • HIV/AIDS.
  • A prostate biopsy may also put you at risk.
  • Psychological stress also elevates the risk of developing the condition.

Complications

  • Any bacterial infection in the bloodstream.
  • A pus-filled cavity in the prostate, medically called Prostatic abscess.
  • Sexual dysfunction.
  • Inflammation of reproductive organs near or around the prostate.

Diagnosis

Diagnosing prostatitis spots the root cause of the signs and determines the type of prostatitis you have.

The test begins with examining the medical history of the patient, followed by a physical examination which includes a digital rectal examination.

Advanced diagnostic tests might include:

  • Urine tests. Your healthcare team may analyze your urine to look for any signs of infection in the urine.
  • Blood tests. Blood tests also rule out the signs of infection and other prostate problems.
  • Imaging tests. Imaging tests include a CT scan, sonogram, etc. The CT scan of the urinary tract and prostate will give detailed information on the abnormality in the structure of both. A sonogram is the visual image produce by the ultrasound of the prostate.
  • Urodynamic tests. The tests examine how well the bladder and urethra store and release urine.
  • Biopsy. A biopsy is a procedure involving taking a small piece of prostate tissue for examination using a microscope.
  • Cystoscopy. Using a tubelike instrument, called a cystoscope, to look inside the urethra and bladder.
  • Post-prostatic massage. Rarely your doctor will massage the prostate and checks for any discharge.

Ayurvedic treatment for prostatitis

Apanavayu governs the function of elimination of the urine. So, if Apanavayu is vitiated or aggravated, problems in the urination can be experienced. Mootrakruchhra is the outcome of the imbalance of Apanakayu, which is mentioned in Ayurveda.

Ayurvedic treatment focuses on the detoxification of the body to remove any blockage in the urinary tract. The idea is to help the body get rid of waste substances to improvise urine flow mechanisms. By balancing Apanavayu with the help of diet and ayurvedic medicines made from herbs, the surgical procedure to treat prostatitis can be prevented.