Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland. Prostatitis is the most common urological diagnosis in men younger than 50, and the third most common urological diagnosis in men over 50. Five percent of men between 20 and 40 will develop prostatitis. Prostatitis is diagnosed and treated by the Urology Division of Premier Medical Group.
Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland. Prostatitis is the most common urological diagnosis in men younger than 50, and the third most common urological diagnosis in men over 50. Five percent of men between 20 and 40 will develop prostatitis.
Causes for prostatitis include:
Some men experience no symptoms whatsoever, while others experience such immediate and extreme pain they need to seek emergency medical care. Symptoms of prostatitis may include:
In some cases, prostatitis can get better on its own, either because chronic prostate inflammation recedes or because the body is able to fight off a bacterial infection on its own. However, if you’re experiencing symptoms of prostatitis, even milder symptoms, it’s important that you see a doctor. An infection may start out as a mild nuisance but then worsen over time if your body is unable to fight off the infection for one reason or another. Neglected prostate infections can cause potentially serious complications.
It’s also important to see your doctor because many of the same symptoms may be an indication of a more serious disease such as a kidney infection or, in rare cases, cancer. That said, prostatitis itself is NOT associated with a higher risk of prostate cancer or testicular cancer.
Diagnosis of prostatitis begins with a complete medical history and physical examination. A thorough genital urinary exam is required including scrotal, perineal and rectal examination. The doctor performs a digital rectal exam (DRE) by inserting a gloved and lubricated finger into the patient’s rectum, just behind the prostate. The doctor can feel the prostate to see if it is swollen or tender in spots.
Other tests that can diagnose prostatitis include:
Bacterial prostatitis treatment and prevention
The bacterial forms of prostatitis are treated with antimicrobials. Acute prostatitis may require a short hospital stay so that fluids and antimicrobials can be given through an intravenous, or IV, tube. After the initial therapy, the patient will need to take antimicrobials for 2 to 4 weeks.
Chronic bacterial prostatitis requires a longer course of therapy. The doctor may prescribe a low dose of antimicrobials for 6 months to prevent recurrent infection. If a patient has trouble emptying his bladder, the doctor may recommend medicine or surgery to correct blockage.
Nonbacterial prostatitis treatment and prevention?
Antimicrobials will not help nonbacterial prostatitis. Each patient will have to work with his doctor to find the best treatment and prevention for nonbacterial prostatitis. Changing diet or taking warm baths may help. Maintain good personal hygiene. Be sure to drink plenty of water. Get plenty of exercise. Avoid sitting down for long periods of time, especially on unforgiving surfaces. Stop carrying a wallet in your back pocket. The doctor may also prescribe a medicine called an alpha blocker to relax the muscle tissue in the prostate. No single solution works for everyone with this condition.
While not currently presenting with symptoms, asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis could be a useful diagnosis to more quickly identify the cause if IBS pain and symptoms do eventually appear.