Fighting prostatitis is a complex and quite long process that does not allow self-medication. As this disease can lead to both pathologies of male reproductive function and serious malfunctions of other organs and systems, all measures to diagnose and determine the necessary treatment strategy should be performed exclusively by a urologist. How to treat prostatitis so that the disease recedes as quickly as possible and what is the set of therapeutic measures?
Diagnosis of prostatitis
Identifying the presence of prostatitis in a patient is usually not difficult for a urologist, and the main purpose of diagnostic procedures is to determine the cause and form of the disease. Some types of examinations can cause discomfort or pain in patients, but going through certain stages of clinical diagnosis is necessary in order for the attending physician to gather useful information:
- Primary rectal digital examination and collection of prostate secretion for analysis, which determines the nature of the disease (abacterial or infectious forms of prostatitis). If an infectious agent is found in the biological material, a test for susceptibility of the pathogenic microflora to antibiotics is performed in order to optimize the complex of subsequent therapeutic measures.
- Transabdominal or transrectal ultrasound. It is prescribed if necessary to clarify the characteristics of the condition of the prostate gland. Transabdominal ultrasound is performed through the anterior abdominal wall and does not cause discomfort to the patient. However, transrectal examination of the prostate (through the rectum) is, although moderately painful, but a more informative procedure, as it allows you to determine not only the parameters of the gland, but also its structural changes.
- Blood test for PSA. Excess in the blood at the normal level (4 ng / ml) of prostate-specific antigen may indicate the presence of pathological processes in the prostate gland. Determination of PSA parameters should be performed not only in the process of diagnosing prostatitis, but also during the treatment of the disease to assess the effectiveness of therapy.
The main therapeutic components and methods for the treatment of prostatitis
Acute prostatitis and exacerbation of the chronic form of this disease are treated according to similar schemes. Properly chosen, rational therapy involves complete recovery of the patient in the first case and leads to his recovery or long-term remission of the disease in the second. Only a urologist can decide how to treat prostatitis without harming the patient's health and with the maximum effect of the means and methods used, the patient's role in this process lies in his strict adherence to all prescriptions of the specialist.
Medical therapy
Drug treatment is the basis of any therapeutic effect on inflammation in the prostate gland. The choice of the necessary drugs is made by a urologist on the basis of data from laboratory tests and other preliminary tests. The focus of drug therapy includes:
- reducing the patient's level of pain;
- normalization of blood circulation in the prostate gland and neighboring organs;
- localization and destruction of the infectious agent;
- elimination of inflammatory reactions and congestion in the prostate;
- stabilizing the patient's immunity, sexual activity and general well-being
The optimal effectiveness of drug therapy is achieved through a combination of antibiotics, painkillers, anti-inflammatory and hormonal drugs, antidepressants, microclysters and suppositories in the wellness program.
Local therapy
Local restorative effect on the prostate gland and its inflamed areas is achieved through the use of different types of physiotherapy in the treatment program:
- ultrasonic phonophoresis;
- transrectal microwave hyperthermia;
- diadynamophoresis;
- laser therapy;
- prostate massage.
It should be noted that with its relative pain, massage is the most effective means of combating prostatitis. Thanks to such procedures, the stagnant secretion from the prostate gland is removed, which helps to improve the blood circulation of the affected tissues and increase the effectiveness of the drugs used by the patient. Massage is prescribed to the patient during periods of remission or relief of acute manifestations of the disease. During an exacerbation of prostatitis, procedures are excluded by the doctor from the list of therapeutic measures, as they can provoke the spread of infection.
Phytotherapy
Treatment with phytopreparations is prescribed to patients with prostatitis as part of complex therapy. The use of herbal health products is possible for a long time due to their harmless effects on the body and the low frequency of side effects. Phytotherapy can be performed by internal and (or) external use, in the form of juices, decoctions or infusions of St. John's wort, ginseng, calendula, periwinkle, burdock, nettle and other medicinal plants. In chronic prostatitis, the doctor may prescribe magnetic, phono- or electrophoresis of phytopreparations.
Drugs for the treatment of prostatitis
The course of use of drugs by patients is prescribed by their doctor individually. An antibiotic program has been developed taking into account the following specific criteria:
- the form of the disease;
- type of pathogen and antimicrobial activity of the drug;
- penetrating ability of the drug into the prostate tissue;
- no contraindications to taking the drug;
- method of administration of the drug;
- possible side effects
According to the indicators of effectiveness in the treatment of chronic and acute prostatitis, there are three main groups of antibacterial agents:
- Fluoroquinolones. Drugs from this group have a broad spectrum of action and have the ability to accumulate in the tissues of the prostate gland in high concentrations; at the same time, resistance of pathogenic bacteria to the active agent does not develop. The "disadvantage" of fluoroquinolones lies in their possible negative effects on the central nervous system and the likelihood of allergic reactions in patients.
- Tetracyclines. These drugs are most effective against atypical pathogens, but are not active enough against Escherichia coli and staphylococci and are completely ineffective against Pseudomonas aeruginosa.
- Macrolides. Preparations from the group of macrolides easily penetrate and actively accumulate in the tissues of the gland, but because they are low-toxic and effective in destroying gram-positive bacteria, they are ineffective in suppressing gram-negative bacteria.
In the first days of taking the prescribed antibacterial drugs, the patient diagnosed with prostatitis should visit his doctor regularly. Such a measure is necessary for the urologist to monitor the effectiveness of antibiotics. If after three days of treatment the specialist does not notice visible improvements in the patient's condition, he replaces the main drug. When prescribing antibiotics, the physician should take into account the patient's experience of taking such drugs to exclude re-prescribing a drug from the same group.
In addition to antibacterial and analgesic drugs, a patient with prostatitis may be prescribed hormone therapy and (or) alpha-blockers:
- Hormone therapy. The condition and function of the prostate are directly dependent on the amount of androgens and estrogens in the male body. The use of hormonal drugs in the treatment of prostatitis allows you to shift the balance of "female" and "male" hormones in a given direction. Since such drugs help to reduce the glandular tissue of the prostate, we can talk about the indirect role of antiandrogens in the recovery of a patient with prostatitis.
- Alpha blockers. The reception of such means refers to the method of pathogenetic therapy; its purpose is to relieve the general symptoms of inflammation of the prostate. The use of alpha-blockers is especially effective for urinary problems. By eliminating the spasms of the sphincter, the walls of the ureter, the smooth muscles of the bladder, as well as the prostate gland itself, prevents stagnation or reflux of prostate secretion and eliminates swelling from the inflamed organ.
Regardless of the purpose and specifics of the use of drugs, the reception of any drug should be carried out exclusively on the prescription of a doctor and under his supervision. Self-medication can lead to a complication of the disease or make subsequent therapy ineffective in the clinic.
Immunocorrection is the key to successful treatment
The whole complex of medical procedures for chronic or acute prostatitis must be accompanied by immunocorrective measures (regular visits to an immunologist, normalization of lifestyle, intake of vitamins, immunomodulators, etc. ). The high immune status of the body contributes to the rapid recovery of the patient or prolongation of the remission phase in the chronic form of the disease.
Timely visits to a specialist in case of symptoms characteristic of the disease, strict adherence to medical recommendations in case of diagnosis of prostatitis, prevention of recurrence of existing disease and outright rejection of self-medication in favor of professional intervention by a urologist will allow you to avoid prolonged treatment andside effects of a serious illness.