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Prostatitis is the inflammation of the male-only prostate gland. Although prostatitis is thought to be associated with prostate cancer, it is actually non-cancerous. Prostatitis may cause much swelling and pain, thus ensued by much distress. Prostatitis can bother a man’s daily living and badly affect his quality of life, therefore it is important to properly prevent and treat prostatitis.
Prostatitis is the inflammation of the prostate gland that only exists in the male reproductive system. Prostate is a walnut-shaped endocrine gland inferior to the urinary bladder and anterior to the rectum, with the urethra running through the centre of it. The prostate is an accessory gland producing alkaline and milky fluid as part of semen. Such prostatic secretion allows a longer lifespan of sperms and helps them travel further up in the female vagina and genital tract. Besides, the prostate gland also aids the switch between ejaculation and urination.
In the case of prostatitis, the prostate gland may be swollen to cause much pain. Occasionally, prostatitis may occlude part of the urinary tract, making urination difficult.
Prostatitis means the prostate gland is inflamed. Such inflammation can be caused by many reasons apart from infection. The professionals usually classify prostatitis into 4 major categories:
Regarding prostatitis, there are different sets of risk factors corresponding to chronic pelvic pain syndrome and bacterial prostatitis:
Depending on the causes and types of prostatitis, its signs and symptoms will be different. For asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis, there are no symptoms at all. For acute prostatitis, the signs and symptoms include:
For CPPS and chronic bacterial prostatitis, the signs and symptoms can last for more than 3 months as the following:
If prostatitis is not properly treated, severe or even fatal complications may occur, such as:
Prostatitis is assessed based on the signs and symptoms. To make the diagnosis and identify the category and cause of prostatitis, physical examination and the following tests are usually conducted by physicians:
Prostatitis is treated according to its type and severity. For asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis, treatment is often unnecessary since medical complications are usually rare.
However, for CPPS, management of symptoms and treatments are necessary. The signs and symptoms of chronic non-bacterial prostatitis can be treated according to the following 6 classes (acronym as UPOINT).
For bacterial prostatitis, it is usually treated with antibiotics.
Besides the medical treatments mentioned above, lifestyle modifications are also important to relieve the signs and symptoms of prostatitis:
This article was medically reviewed by Dr. Vera Chung 鍾楊醫生. Dr. Chung is a female urologist practicing at the Hong Kong Urology Clinic. She qualified in 2003 from the University of Hong Kong and was trained as a urologist in Queen Elizabeth Hospital and obtained the Fellowship of Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh in 2011. Dr. Chung was promoted to associate consultant in Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital in 2012. From 2013 to 2015 she has completed a two-year European Board of Urology (EBU) Fellowship in endourology and laparoscopy at Nuffield Department of Surgical Sciences, University of Oxford. In Oxford, Dr. Chung also consolidated her training in the management of continence and prolapse problems in the Department of Gynecology.
The rate to cure prostatitis depends on the type of prostatitis. If it is caused by bacterial infection, antibiotics will be the most effective and fastest way to eliminate prostatitis. For CPPS, it is a bit more complicated as each symptom is treated differently. Relieving psychological stress can speed up the rate to get rid of prostatitis caused by CPPS.
No, it doesn’t. Although there is no evidence showing that ejaculation can make prostatitis worse, however, some patients with prostatitis may experience painful feelings during sexual intercourse and ejaculation.
Yes, walking is good for prostatitis. Doing exercise can help improve the health of the prostate gland. It is a valid consideration for those with prostatitis, even low to moderate intensity exercises are beneficial to cure prostatitis.
This article was independently written by Healthy Matters. It is informative only and not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. It should not be relied upon for specific medical advice.
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