Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate that affects young men. This inflammation is the cause of 2 million visits each year in France. Causes of different forms, learn the essentials on this male disorder.
Representing 9% of consultations in urology and 1% of visits to the GP, the prostatitis is far from rare.
Inflammation of the prostate
Unlike other diseases of the prostate, prostatitis frequently affect young men. It can be assumed that this characteristic is that they have more frequent sex with multiple partners, but nothing is really proved and we can not scientifically explain it.
Behind the term “prostatitis” hiding essentially two main types of disease:
* The acute prostatitis, caused mostly by an attack bacteria, which causes high fever and signs of urinary tract;
* The chronic prostatitis, the cause of recurrent pelvic pain and more diffuse. It can be bacterial or non bacterial.
Each of these forms presents causes, symptoms and treatments, we détaille Dr Patrick Coloby of Rene Dubos Hospital (Pontoise).
Acute prostatitis, an infection that should not be overlooked
Like cystitis in women, the acute prostatitis reflect most often a bacterial infection, the most frequent intestinal bacteria. But the frequency of these infections is less important for men because the urethra in humans is longer than in women. Certain sexual practices (anal sex) and acquired or congenital abnormalities of the urinary tract (narrowing or obstruction of the urethra, bladder anomaly ,…), maneuvers instrumental urological (prostate biopsy, fibroscopy, sondage urinaire ) can promote these prostatitis.
“The symptoms are the same as for a flu syndrome, associated with signs of urinary tract: a major fever (39 ° C) with chills, accompanied by pain or burning with urination, desires more frequent, causing even a pain in the perineum, “says Dr. Patrick Coloby.
In addition to these symptoms, diagnosis based on palpation of the prostate is a painful and possibly the presence of urine disorders. Additional tests may seek to identify the bacteria involved (cytobactériologique examination of urine – ECBU – … urethral samples).
The lack of treatment may lead to complications that should not be overlooked. According to Dr. Coloby, “is a medical emergency as it is the infection of a tissue. If we do not quickly on exposure to complications, an abscess of the prostate, or sepsis. The treatment relies primarily on antibiotics for 3 or 4 weeks. “After the treatment of infectious episode, it is useful to review the research supporting a cause such as a congenital or acquired abnormalities of the urinary tract, thus preventing or reducing the risk recidivism, “says Dr. Coloby.
Chronic prostatitis remains mysterious
The symptoms of chronic prostatitis are less specific perineal discomfort or pain, which radiates in grants or in the yard. These are all signs that may distress the patient. According to Dr. Coloby, “Before the establishment of such pelvic pain, the first question is whether it is a chronic bacterial prostatitis or a chronic non-bacterial prostatitis. To find out, we samples of semen and urine, or prostatic secretions after prostatic massage.
The treatment of chronic bacterial prostatitis is the use of antibiotics for 8 weeks after which a cure can be obtained. But if no seed is detected, the ignition remains partly mysterious. One suspects generally poor coordination between the bladder and urinary sphincter or muscle of the urethra, the influence of stress on the muscle tone
It is important in both cases, taking the time to talk with the doctor to try to determine together what are the factors (urinary factors, food, sexual, influence of stress, sports, including cycling) in triggering the pain. Prescribing alpha-blockers (Dysalfa ®, Hytrin ®, Xatral ® for example) that allow an improvement in voiding sometimes gives good results in cases of inflammation. The anti-inflammatory and analgesic relief, therapies against stress have proved to give good results. Each patient’s treatment, and long talk with the urologist.
Faced with such inflammation of the prostate, it is customary to remove alcoholic beverages (especially beer), soft drinks, spicy foods, tea or coffee and avoid the practice of cycling.