WEDNESDAY, May 31, 2023 (HealthDay News) — When most men take into consideration their prostate, it’s to fret about whether or not they have prostate cancer or not. But one other condition is way more common and many painful.

Prostatitis involves inflammation of the prostate gland and sometimes the areas around it. Not only is prostatitis highly treatable, however it is extremely prevalent amongst men. Based on the Prostate Cancer Foundation, it’s the leading explanation for urinary tract infections in men, leading to roughly 2 million doctor’s visits annually in america. In reality, it’s estimated that half of all men will experience prostatitis in some unspecified time in the future.

The U.S. National Center for Health Statistics further reveals that about 25% of men who seek medical attention for urological problems exhibit symptoms of prostatitis. Here, experts give the rundown on prostatitis, including its various types, causes, common symptoms and available treatments.

What’s prostatitis?

Prostatitis, a condition characterised by the inflammation of the prostate gland, is thought for its frequent and sometimes debilitating pain. Based on the Cleveland Clinic, it’s a fancy condition that may lead to numerous symptoms, including infection, inflammation and pain.

Two kinds of prostatitis are related to urinary tract infections (UTIs), while the remaining types may not have an infectious origin. Whatever the type, prostatitis is often recognized for the extreme pain its victims feel, which may significantly impact a person’s quality of life.

Sorts of prostatitis

Based on the U.S. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, there are 4 distinct kinds of prostatitis, each with its own characteristics:

Prostatitis causes

Based on the U.S. National Institutes of Health, the causes of prostatitis vary depending on the precise kind of the condition:

• Chronic prostatitis or chronic pelvic pain syndrome: The precise explanation for chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome stays unknown. It’s widely believed that a microorganism, not a bacterial infection, could also be accountable for triggering the condition.
• Acute and chronic bacterial prostatitis: Bacterial prostatitis is brought on by an infection within the prostate gland. The infection is believed to occur when bacteria travel from the urethra (the tube through which urine passes) into the prostate, resulting in inflammation and associated symptoms.

It’s vital to know that acute bacterial prostatitis could be brought on by various kinds of bacteria commonly related to urinary tract infections. Moreover, prostatitis may also result from infections transmitted through sexual contact.

Nevertheless, “you don’t have to avoid sex if you’ve got prostatitis. Typically, sex won’t worsen prostatitis. But some men who’ve prostatitis have pain with ejaculation,” Dr. Patricio Gargollo, a urologist with the Mayo Clinic, said in a recent article.

Prostatitis symptoms

Prostatitis has many symptoms that may significantly impact a person’s each day life and well-being, especially when left untreated. Listed here are some common symptoms related to prostatitis, based on Johns Hopkins Medicine:

• Frequent urination
• Dysuria (a burning or stinging sensation during urination, making it uncomfortable or painful)
• Reduced urine flow
• Rectal pain or pressure
• Fever and chills
• Lower back or pelvic pain
• Urethral discharge during bowel movements
• Erectile dysfunction or decreased sex drive
• Uncomfortable sensations within the rectal or genital area

Also, the symptoms of prostatitis can mimic those of other medical conditions or issues. Subsequently, in search of medical advice from a health care provider for an accurate diagnosis is vital.

Prostatitis treatment

The treatment for prostatitis is decided by age, overall health, medical history, the severity of the condition, individual tolerance for specific treatments, expected duration and patient preference. The precise kind of prostatitis also plays a big role in determining the suitable treatment. Listed here are some general treatment options for prostatitis, followed by specific treatments based on the differing types of prostatitis.

Treatment for prostatitis typically involves a mixture of approaches to alleviate symptoms, eliminate infection (if present), reduce inflammation and improve overall prostate health. These may include:

• Medications
• Alpha blockers
• Pain relievers
• Physical therapy

But more specifically, the kind of treatment advisable is often based on the differing types of prostatitis. Johns Hopkins Medicine indicates typical treatments for prostatitis as follows:

• Acute bacterial prostatitis: Hospitalization may require administering intravenous antibiotics and providing supportive care. Oral antibiotics are typically prescribed for a number of weeks after hospitalization, to wipe out the infection.
• Chronic bacterial prostatitis: Much like acute bacterial prostatitis, long-term antibiotic therapy is needed. This could range from several weeks to months to effectively treat persistent infection.
• Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: Treatment focuses on managing symptoms. It might include medications for pain relief, alpha blockers to loosen up the muscles, physical therapy and lifestyle modifications to ease symptoms.
• Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis: Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis generally doesn’t require treatment unless there are specific complications or underlying conditions.