Prostatitis is the inflammation and swelling of the prostate gland. The prostate gland is a walnut-sized gland located under the urinary bladder in men. The job of the prostate gland is to produce semen- a fluid that carries and nourishes sperm.
Prostatitis can affect men of all ages, but most commonly, it affects those over the age of 50. It can occur due to various causes, but the most common one is a bacterial infection.
Prostatitis can be painful, causing painful urination and difficulty emptying the bladder. Moreover, when your bladder does not empty completely due to prostatitis, the chances of the urinary tract infection get raised. Therefore you must consult with a healthcare provider soon if you have any symptoms of prostatitis. To get an expert to advise, you can visit the andrologist in Karachi.
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What are the Symptoms of Prostatitis?
The signs and symptoms of prostatitis may vary depending upon the cause. It may include;
- Pain when you urinate
- Dysuria- a burning sensation when urinating
- Difficulty urinating, such as dribbling or hesitant urination
- A frequent urge to urinate,
- Nocturia- a frequent urge to urinate at night
- An urgency to urinate
- Cloudy appearance of urine
- Hematuria- Blood in the urine
- Pain in the abdomen
- Pain in the groin or lower back
- Pain in the perineum- an area between the scrotum and rectum (perineum)
- Pain or discomfort of the penis or testicles
- Painful ejaculation
- Chills
- Trouble peeing
- Bacterial prostatitis can cause flu-like signs and symptoms.
What are the Causes of Prostatitis?
Prostatitis can occur due to various reasons, but the most common cause of it is a bacterial infection. Bacteria from your urine can leak into the prostate, eventually causing bacterial prostatitis. To treat it, your healthcare provider will prescribe antibiotics. If left untreated, it can become difficult to treat.
The non-bacterial causes of prostatitis may include nerve damage due to surgery or any injury. In many cases of prostatitis, the exact cause is not known.
What are the Risk Factors for Prostatitis?
The chances for prostatitis are increased if;
- You have had a urinary tract infection
- Having a groin injury
- Having a history of the previous prostatitis
- Having an indwelling urinary catheter for a long time
- Undergoing a prostate biopsy
- Being young or middle-aged
- Getting a pelvic injury such as from horse riding or bicycling
What are the Complications of Prostatitis?
Prostatitis can lead to complications, such as;
- Bacteremia- a bacterial infection of the blood. Infection of any organ, if left untreated, can travel into blood, leading to further complications. Therefore you must take your antibiotics properly so that the infection resolves completely.
- Epididymitis- an inflammation of the epididymis, a coiled tube attached to the back of the testicle.
- Prostatic abscess- a pus-filled cavity occurs over the prostate.
- Chronic prostatitis can lead to abnormality in semen and eventually to infertility.
What is the Treatment for Prostatitis?
The treatment of prostatitis varies depending upon the causative agent. Most commonly, the treatment includes;
- Antibiotics- they help in killing bacteria. Prostatitis, if occurs due to bacterial growth, then you need to complete the antibiotic course. Make sure you take them properly. If you leave antibiotics in between or do not take them in the right dosage, it can lead to antibiotic resistance, making the condition difficult to treat.
- Alpha-blockers- these medications help relax the muscles of your bladder neck and the muscle fibers where the prostate joins the bladder. It can therefore help in easing difficulty urination.
- Analgesics- pain-relieving medications such as ibuprofen or naproxen can help in getting rid of the pain associated with prostatitis. If you have a complaint of difficulty urinating, you can visit an andrologist in Islamabad.
