chronic prostate infection

Chronic Prostate Infection

Chronic prostate infection can be seen in males aged between 35 to 55 years. Though mild in the initial stages, prostate infection can turn chronic due to improper diagnosis, treatment and ignorance regarding this condition.

The prostate gland is a small, walnut shaped gland that is found only in men. This gland is located beneath the urinary bladder. The prostate gland is part of the male reproductive system and the main function of prostate gland is to make semen, the male reproductive fluid. Chronic prostate infection which is also known as prostatitis is the inflammation of the prostate, which results in the swelling of the gland. Chronic prostate gland infection is of four types - chronic bacterial prostatitis, acute bacterial prostatitis, asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis and inflammatory chronic pain syndrome or chronic non-bacterial prostatitis, depending on the severity of the inflammation. This prostate health problem can be observed in men who are in the age group of 30 to 50 years. But it can also affect men of any age group. Chronic prostatitis can be caused due to bacterial inflammation of the tissues and lead to an enlarged prostate which can be painful. However, the exact cause of this medical condition is not yet known. Chronic Prostate Infection Causes Infection in the prostate can be caused due to various types of bacteria like E. coli, proteus and klebsiella, etc., which may result in the inflammation of the gland which may spread to other organs in the body.
  • Pressure on the prostate gland due to diseased tissues
  • Injury or trauma caused to the gland
  • Disorders of the nervous and immune systems
  • Psychological stress
  • Infections of the other organs which may spread to the gland
  • Infection in the urinary bladder
Prostate Infection Symptoms The symptoms of infection may vary according to the condition. The general signs of prostatitis are pain in the pelvic region, problems while urination and ejaculations, and overall discomfort. These symptoms may require prompt medical attention to avoid the condition from becoming severe:
  • Pain in the groin which may radiate to the abdomen and lower back
  • Nocturnal or frequent urination especially at night
  • Experiencing pain or burning sensation while passing urine
  • Vomiting induced nausea
  • High fever accompanied by chills
  • Pain during ejaculation, which may lead to erectile dysfunction
  • Discomfort and pain in the penis and testes
  • General bodily weakness and a feeling of lethargy
  • Pain in the perineum (the area between the rectum and penis)
  • Urgent need to urinate
  • Hesitant or dribbling urination
Prostatitis Treatment Prostatitis is very painful and can cause a lot of discomfort to the sufferer. There are many risk factors associated with this condition like dehydration, HIV infections, infection in the urethra and trauma. Before going in for treatment, the doctor may diagnose the condition with the help of some tests. These tests include a digital rectal exam, semen and urine test, urodynamic tests and cystoscopy, a process which involves the insertion of a small tube called cystoscope, fitted with a camera and light, into the bladder through the urethra. Treatment methods may include administering antibiotics if the prostate problem is caused due to bacterial infections. The doctor may also prescribe some pain killers like ibuprofen or aspirin to relieve the pain. There are also certain medications called alpha blockers (doxazosin and alfuzosin) which relieve muscle spasms and relax the muscle fibers and bladder. This drug also helps to relieve the pain during urination. Some other treatments for this medical condition include heat therapy and prostate massage to provide relief from the symptoms. There are also a few alternative medicines like acupuncture, to reduce pain and biofeedback, which includes techniques to control certain functions and responses of the body. Chronic prostate infection must be treated in time to prevent it from leading to prostate cancer, which is life-threatening condition. If the above symptoms are observed, it is advisable to consult a physician as soon as possible.

Похожие статьи