Prostatitis
Prostatitis is the general term for inflammation of the prostate gland. There are 2 types of prostatitis. Acute prostatitis, which is associated with a bacterial infection and non-bacterial or chronic prostatitis which is not associated with an infection. Chronic prostatitis is the much more common type. Prostatitis can happen at any age, is not contagious and is usually easily treated.
Symptoms:
There are 2 types of prostatitis, with different symptoms for each:
Acute bacterial prostatitis: sudden onset of fevers, chills, urgency of urination, frequency of urination, incomplete emptying of the bladder or complete retention, low back pain, rectal discomfort, penile/testicular/perineal pain, and painful sex and ejaculation. In general, this feels like getting the flu but also involving your urinary organs.
Chronic non-bacterial prostatitis: general pelvic discomfort, perineal discomfort, blood in semen, low back pain, painful ejaculation, urgency of urination, frequency of urination, slow stream, dribbling, pain with urination and erectile dysfunction. In general, this type of prostatitis has more mild symptoms than acute prostatitis.
Risk Factors:
- Previous history of prostatitis
- Urinary tract infection
- Dehydration
- Urinary retention/Incomplete emptying
- Having a urinary catheter
- Constipation
- Sitting for long periods- we see it in people who have desk jobs, truck drivers, motorcycle/bike riders
- Dietary stimulants/irritants
Evaluation and diagnosis:
Dr. Shaba will perform a history and physical. For chronic prostatitis, it usually can be diagnosed with a history and negative urine test. For acute prostatitis, a positive urine test and sometimes imaging studies such as CT scan or ultrasound may be used to rule out other causes of infection.
Treatment:
The treatment depends on what type of prostatitis you have.
In acute prostatitis, you need to treat the infection with an antibiotic but also may include bladder drainage or even hospitalization depending on the severity. Your doctor can make those recommendations based on the testing you have done.In chronic prostatitis, it generally involves as combination of medication, lifestyle changes, and sometimes surgical intervention. Sometimes pelvic floor physical therapy can help as well.
For more information please visit: https://www.urologyhealth.org/urology-a-z/p/prostatitis-(infection-of-the-prostate)
