DISEASES

Prostatitis: Symptoms And Treatment

Author: Dr. Lee
Clicks:
Time: 2011/3/8 15:27:30

The prostate gland is part of a man's reproductive system. It makes some of the fluid for semen. The prostate is located just below the bladder and is about the size of a walnut. The urethra (the tube that carries urine away from the bladder) runs through it.

prostatitis is inflammation or infection of the prostate. It's the most common prostate problem in men younger than 50, but it can occur at any age. It can be painful and frustrating, but it does not lead to prostate cancer.

If you have symptoms that suggest
prostatitis, be sure to see your doctor. It can't always be cured, but treatment can often help you manage the symptoms and feel better.

What are the symptoms of prostatitis?

The urethra runs through the prostate gland. This means that inflammation of the prostate can cause problems with urination. Common symptoms of
prostatitis include:

Burning or pain during urination
Trouble starting the urine flow
Weak urine stream
A feeling that the bladder is not empty
Waking at night to urinate
Pain in the groin, genitals or low back, which can make it painful to ejaculate, have a bowel movement or even sit down
What are the types and causes of
prostatitis?
Two types of
prostatitis are caused by bacteria.

Acute bacterial
prostatitis is a rare but serious infection that requires emergency treatment. It strikes suddenly and causes fever and chills in addition to the common symptoms.
Chronic bacterial
prostatitis comes on more slowly and doesn't usually cause fever and chills. This type may come and go over time.
In about nine out of 10 cases, no clear cause can be found. This is called chronic
prostatitis/ chronic pelvic pain syndrome. Doctors think the causes may include organisms other than bacteria, pelvic nerve or muscle problems, or problems with the structure of the prostate, bladder or urethra. Others think it may be caused by a problem with the immune system.

How is it diagnosed?
A doctor will ask about your symptoms and do a digital rectal exam. For this test, the doctor puts a gloved finger into the rectum to feel whether the prostate is swollen.

A doctor will also do urine tests and blood tests. These can help identify what type of
prostatitis it is. They can also help rule out other things that could be causing the symptoms.

In some cases, a doctor may want to do an ultrasound or another type of imaging test. These tests are done to check the condition of the prostate, urethra and bladder.

How is prostatitis treated?

Prostatitis caused by bacteria is treated with antibiotics.

If you have an acute infection, you may take antibiotics for a few weeks. You might need to be treated in the hospital if you're very sick.


You may take antibiotics for several weeks or months if you have a chronic bacterial infection. If the infection doesn't clear up or it comes back, you may need to stay on a low dose of antibiotics.
Your doctor may start you on antibiotics even if your tests didn't show any bacteria. Antibiotics sometimes help men who have chronic pelvic pain syndrome.

Chronic pelvic pain syndrome can be hard to treat since the cause is not known. It may respond best to a combination of treatments. Medication, such as an alpha-blocker, may be prescribed for men who have trouble passing their urine.

Your doctor might also suggest that you try:

An over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) or naproxen (Aleve)
Sitting in a warm bath to relax your muscles
Drinking plenty of water
Avoiding alcohol, caffeine and spicy foods



YOU MAY INTERESTED