Prostatitis: Types, Symptoms and Causes - How to Prevent Prostate Inflammation

Prostatitis is swelling and inflammation of the prostate gland (a walnut-sized gland located between the bladder and the penis).

Prostatitis can come on suddenly and be severe or come and go over several months. Prostatitis can be caused by an infection, as well as various other causes and it often causes painful or difficult urination.  

Prostatitis: An inflammation of the prostate gland

Prostatitis: Types, Symptoms and Causes - How to Prevent Prostate Inflammation

Prostatitis: Prostate Inflammation

Prostatitis is an inflammation that occurs in the prostate gland, which is a nut-sized gland located under the bladder and considered part of the male reproductive system.

The prostate is one of the exocrine systems in the body, which works to secrete fluids for the external functions of the body.

One of the most important functions of which is the secretion of semen. The prostate secretes a milky substance that makes up about 20 to 30 percent of Semen (seminal fluid)

The prostate has special muscles that help propel this seminal fluid into the urethra during ejaculation.

It is assumed that its normal weight of the prostate gland ranges between 20-30 grams, while the weight of an enlarged prostate can reach approximately 100 grams.

Prostatitis (Inflammation in the prostate gland) can be caused by an infection, as well as various other causes.

It is worth noting that the size of the prostate gland increases with age, and this change is considered a natural part of the aging process in men.

A man may be exposed to Prostatitis (swelling and inflammation of the prostate gland), which can cause urination problems, as well as chills, fever, and sexual disorders, and the man is vulnerable to this at any age from late adolescence to old age.

Prostatitis is the most common prostate problem in men younger than 50 years old. It can be an acute disease or a chronic condition.

Types of Prostatitis

Prostatitis is defined and classified into 4 types and it includes:

Chronic prostatitis or chronic pelvic pain syndrome: most cases of prostatitis fall into this category, however, it is the least understood.

Chronic prostatitis can be described as inflammatory or non-inflammatory, depending on the presence or absence of anti-infection cells in the urine, semen, and prostate fluid. Often it is not possible to identify a specific cause. Symptoms can appear, disappear, or remain chronic.

Acute bacterial prostatitis: It is caused by a bacterial infection and usually starts suddenly and may include influenza-like symptoms. It is the least common of the four types of prostatitis.

Chronic bacterial prostatitis: It is described as a frequent bacterial infection in the prostate gland. Symptoms may be mild or the patient may not experience any symptoms, however, it may be difficult to treat successfully.

Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis: This condition is often diagnosed by chance while diagnosing infertility or prostate cancer.

People with this type of prostatitis will not complain of symptoms or discomfort but will have anti-infection cells present in the semen/prostate.

Symptoms of Prostatitis

Symptoms associated with prostatitis can vary depending on the underlying cause of prostatitis. Symptoms may appear slowly or quickly, they may improve quickly (depending on the cause and treatment available), or they may last for several months and may remain frequent (chronic prostatitis).

The speed and severity of onset of symptoms is usually more pronounced with acute bacterial prostatitis.

The following are signs and symptoms that may be present if you have prostatitis:

• Feeling an urgent need to urinate.
• Feeling of pain and burning when urinating, this is known as dysuria.
• Difficulty passing urine naturally, for example, a person may experience gradual urinary flow or incontinence.
• Frequent urination, especially at night.
• Blood in the urine, or urine may be impure in some cases.
• Feeling pain and discomfort in the penis and testicles.
• Feeling pain in the abdomen, thigh, and lower back.
• Feeling pain in the perineum, which is the area between the rectum and scrotum - which is part of the male reproductive system and holds the testicles -.
• Feeling pain during ejaculation.
• Infection with flu-like signs and symptoms, and this symptom is usually accompanied by bacterial prostatitis.

Causes of Prostatitis

Prostatitis can be caused by bacteria that leaks into the prostate gland from the urinary tract and from a direct extension or lymphatic spread from the rectum.

It can also be caused by many sexually transmitted organisms such as Neisseria, Chlamydia trachomatis, or HIV.

Other organisms responsible for the infection are the same most often found in urinary tract infections, such as Escherichia coli.

In many cases, especially in prostatitis, no specific cause of prostatitis can be found.

Risk Factors for Prostatitis

Here is a list of the most important factors that increase the risk of prostatitis:

• Exposure to prostatitis previously.
• Inflammation of the bladder or urethra.
• An injury in the pelvic area: such as an injury caused by riding a bike or horses.
• Having AIDs, caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).
• Undergoing Prostate biopsy
• Undergoing a urinary catheter, and the catheter is performed using a tube inserted into the urethra to drain the bladder.

How to Prevent Prostate Inflammation: Prevention of Prostatitis

Some lifestyle adjustments may contribute to preventing prostatitis, and here are the most important recommended changes:

Maintain a healthy sexual relationship: Maintaining a healthy sexual relationship is a focal point in controlling prostatitis, and frequent recurrent ejaculation is harmful to the prostate.

Follow a healthy diet: obesity is associated with prostatitis, so following a healthy diet and maintaining an ideal weight is crucial to preventing prostatitis.

Avoid sitting for long periods: It is very useful to have frequent breaks during the work period, especially for people who have office jobs.

It is worth noting that regular exercises help to improve blood circulation and prevent congestion.

Avoid substances that cause irritation to the prostate: it is advised to avoid drinking alcohol and quit smoking, in addition to limiting coffee, tea, and chocolate, and spicy and sour food, in addition to sour drinks such as lemon juice, raspberry juice, and more.

Drink plenty of fluids: It is advised to drink more fluids, to avoid urinary infections, which may increase the risk of developing prostatitis.

Prostatitis Treatment

Treatment for prostatitis depends on the underlying cause and type of prostatitis. Antibiotics are prescribed if the cause is a bacterial infection.

All forms of prostatitis require pain control if necessary, treatment, relief of complications and side effects, and they are closely monitored by a doctor. In some cases, some people with prostatitis may need hospital treatment.

Medications that contribute to the treatment of prostatitis may include:

Antibiotics: The doctor will determine the antibiotic and the duration of the treatment.

Anti-inflammatory medications: These can help control pain.

Alpha-blockers: By relaxing the muscle fibers around the bladder gland and prostate, alpha blockers may reduce urinary symptoms and help you empty the bladder.