Dealing with Prostatitis

Dealing with Prostatitis

Prostatitis refers to inflammatory conditions of your prostate gland. It may cause painful urination or ejaculation. See your doctor right away if you experience irritation. Delaying treatment may result in serious complications.

Prostate infections may irritate the prostate and cause inflammation and swelling of the gland. Prostate infections occur most often in men aged 30-50 years but can occur in older men. Statistics vary; some researchers suggest that about 30%–50% of males get prostatitis, while others suggest about 5%–10% are affected. Unfortunately, many people equate the terms prostate infection and prostatitis, but prostate infections comprise only two of the four major classifications of the term "prostatitis," and infectious types comprise only 5%-10% of the total number of prostatitis diagnosed patients.

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) describes different types of prostatitis:

· Acute bacterial prostatitis – A sudden onset of bacterial symptoms

· Chronic bacterial prostatitis – Ongoing bacterial symptoms

· Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis - No pain or discomfort but infection present

· Chronic Prostatitis/chronic Pelvic pain Syndrome (CPPS) – Nonbacterial

The symptoms for acute and chronic prostatitis are similar, and without prompt treatment they may become quite serious very quickly. Consult your doctor immediately.

Symptoms

Acute bacterial prostatitis

· Increased urinary frequency and urgency during day and night

· Fever, chills, nausea and vomiting

· Pain in the lower abdomen, lower back, pelvis and genital area

· Blood in urine

· Pain with ejaculation

· Pain with bowel movement

· Pain or burning sensation when urinating

Chronic bacterial prostatitis

· Frequent and urgent need to urinate

· Burning sensation or pain during urination

· Recurring bladder infections

· Periodic low-grade fever

Chronic bacterial prostatitis may exist for several years without producing any symptoms. When symptoms do appear, they are similar to acute bacterial prostatitis, but are less severe and can fluctuate in intensity.

Chronic nonbacterial prostatitis (CPPS)

· Urinary and genital area pain

· Burning sensation or pain during urination

· Painful ejaculation

· Diminished urine flow

Non-bacterial prostatitis refers to prostate inflammation that cannot be contributed to bacterial infections.

The various prostatitis symptoms, such as prostate inflammation and prostate infections are very similar to other prostate problems including enlarged prostate and prostate cancer and may also be associated with other medical conditions. It is urgent that you report any urinary or prostate symptoms to your doctor for an appropriate diagnosis and treatment. Your doctor will perform tests on your prostate to determine the cause of your symptoms and any needed prostate care. These tests will most likely include a PSA count (prostate-specific antigen test), a DRE (digital rectal exam), urinalysis and the analysis of prostate fluids.

Your doctor may also perform additional tests to determine if there are abnormalities or other health concerns that may be the underlying cause for prostate infection, such as kidney and bladder stones or other urinary obstruction. Chronic urinary tract infections can be a risk factor for developing prostatitis as the bacteria within the bladder or kidneys can move into the prostate. Other risk factors include urethral catheterization, diabetes mellitus, multiple partners or a suppressed immune system. Treatment often depends on the cause, though sometimes the specific cause of prostate symptoms cannot be determined.

A prostatitis treatment often includes many weeks of antibiotics and other measures used to treat and control the symptoms associated with an inflamed prostate and prostate infection. Prostate herbs can be an excellent addition to your medical regimen and can aid in prostate infection treatment, prostate cancer prevention and reduce your PSA levels.

Prostate problems are a common part of growing older for many men. You can, however, take a very comprehensive formula that includes Saw Palmetto, Zinc, Lycopene, Beta-Sitosterol, Pygeum Africanum and Stinging Nettle, a total of over 30+ ingredients; a very comprehensive formula; Prostate Health Essentials (click here to view). Prostate Health Essentials contains 30+ natural ingredients shown to support prostate health.

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