Prostate Health » LUTS

Prostatitis – Risks, Symptoms, Diagnosis

admin — Tue, 25 Aug 2009 15:13:43 +0000

Although any man can develop prostatitis at any age, there are some conditions that put a man at greater risk for developing this condition.

Learn more about these conditions that may put a man at greater risk.

Recent bladder, urinary tract, or other infection elsewhere in the body

Injury or trauma to the perineum (the area between the scrotum and the anus)

Abnormal urinary tract

Enlarged prostate

Rectal intercourse

Recent procedure involving the insertion of a urinary catheter or cystoscope

What are the symptoms of prostatitis?

The following are the most common, general symptoms of prostatitis. However, each individual may experience symptoms differently. Symptoms may include: urinary frequency and/or urgency, burning or stinging sensation during urination, painful urination, reduced stream volume during urination, rectal pain and/or pressure, fever and chills (usually present with an acute infection only), lower back and/or pelvic pain, discharge through the urethra during bowel movements, sexual dysfunction and/or loss of libido (sex drive), throbbing sensations in the rectal and/or genital area

The symptoms of prostatitis may resemble other medical conditions or problems. Always consult your physician for a diagnosis.

How is prostatitis diagnosed?

The most effective treatment for prostatitis depends heavily upon an accurate diagnosis. In addition to a complete medical history and physical examination, diagnostic procedures for prostatitis may include the following:

Urine culture, including triple-void urine specimen collection (Also called three-glass urine collection method.) – often used in collaboration with the prostate stripping procedure, the three-glass urine collection method involves collecting and evaluating the prostatic fluid and urine for the presence of white blood cells and bacteria.

Digital rectal examination (DRE) is a procedure in which the physician inserts a gloved finger into the rectum to examine the rectum and the prostate gland for signs of cancer.

Prostate stripping (Also called massaging.) is a procedure in which prostate fluid is collected for examination. This procedure is usually performed during a digital rectal examination (DRE) and involves the physician “stripping” the prostate gland to drain fluid into the urethra. This fluid is then examined under a microscope to detect the presence of inflammation and/or infection.

Cystoscopy (Also called cystourethroscopy) is an examination in which a scope, a flexible tube and viewing device, is inserted through the urethra to examine the bladder and urinary tract for structural abnormalities or obstructions, such as tumors or stones.

Once a diagnosis has been made your physician can go over all of the treatment options and together you can decide on the course of treatment that is right for you.

Prostatitis – A Correct Diagnosis

admin — Sat, 18 Jul 2009 16:05:41 +0000

Prostatitis isn’t a single condition but a group of disorders with related symptoms. Some forms of prostatitis are generally well understood. More common forms of prostatitis aren’t as well understood and are more difficult to diagnose and treat. Some medications help manage the symptoms, and new therapies are under investigation.

Learning general information can lead to a correct diagnosis.

The National Institutes of Health classification for prostatitis divides it into four categories, based on such factors as cause, typical course of the disease, immune system activity and symptoms. The four categories are:

Category 1: Acute bacterial prostatitis

Category 2: Chronic bacterial prostatitis

Category 3: Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain

Category 4: Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis

Common symptoms
Prostatitis symptoms vary depending on the type of prostatitis you have. In general, the symptoms are related to pain or discomfort in the pelvic region, problems with urination and problems with ejaculations. Signs and symptoms may include: pain or burning sensation when urinating; difficulty urinating, such as dribbling or hesitant urination; frequent urination, particularly at night Urgent need to urinate; pain in the abdomen, groin or lower back; pain in the area between the penis and rectum (perineum); pain or discomfort of the penis or testicles; painful ejaculations

Acute bacterial prostatitis
If you have acute bacterial prostatitis, you may have symptoms associated with the sudden onset of infection: high fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, and a general feeling of being unwell.

Chronic bacterial prostatitis: The key feature of chronic bacterial prostatitis is frequent urinary tract infections. Between episodes of these infections, a person with chronic bacterial prostatitis may have no symptoms, mild symptoms or severe symptoms.

Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain: The condition is generally considered chronic if the symptoms last for at least three months. For some men, the symptoms remain about the same over time, and for others the symptoms go through cycles of being more and less severe. Symptoms sometimes improve over time without treatment.

Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis: If you have asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis, you have no symptoms. Inflammation of the prostate gland is found only by chance when you’re undergoing tests for other conditions.

When to see a doctor: The symptoms of prostatitis are similar to many other diseases affecting the urinary tract and the male sexual organs. Many of these can have serious consequences if left untreated, and they usually affect your everyday life and general well-being. If you experience any pelvic pain, difficult or painful urination, or painful ejaculations, see your doctor to get an accurate diagnosis and prompt, appropriate treatment. There are notable differences in symptoms of the four categories.

A General Overview of Prostatitis

admin — Fri, 10 Jul 2009 01:02:07 +0000

Prostatitis describes a wide number of symptoms. Prostatitis can be as varied as the individuals who have it and can be a challenging condition to treat.

In a survey of the National Guard 39% were found to have experienced symptoms of prostatitis.

Patients with a previous episode of prostatitis were much more likely to experience subsequent episodes. In a nationwide review of data from outpatient physician visits, it was noted that 15 percent of men who saw a physician for genitourinary complaints were diagnosed with prostatitis. Every year, approximately 2 million physician visits include the diagnosis of prostatitis. Despite its widespread prevalence, prostatitis remains a poorly studied and little understood condition.

Prostatitis is not easily diagnosed or classified. Patients often present with varied and nonspecific symptoms. The physical examination is frequently not useful.

The two most commonly forms of treated prostatitis are acute and chronic bacterial.

Acute prostatitis can have rapid onset of symptoms. This usually responds very well to therapy. However, many physician treatments are only for 2 weeks and many treatment failures occur. Treatments are generally for 3-4 weeks or longer and can result in few recurrences. Patients respond well to most antibiotics primarily because the prostate is inflamed. Antibiotics that are usually used include: tetracycline, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, or a quinolone.

Chronic bacterial prostatitis can have an onset of symptoms that takes longer; weeks to months. Antibiotic treatment is limited by the lack of inflammation in the prostate. Many treatment failures occur and it is most likely due to lack of penetration of the antibiotic into the prostate. With treatment failures sometimes result in recurrent urinary tract infections. Long course antibiotics oftentimes are needed. The cure rate with antibiotics ranges from 33 to 71 percent depending of the study and the antibiotics used. Initially treatment with trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole should be considered for at least 3-4 weeks. Treatment failures can be treated with Norfloxacin for 28 days with a cure rate in one study of 64 percent.

The less common forms of prostatitis are chronic nonbacterial prostatitis, also known as chronic pelvic pain syndrome and asymptomatic prostatitis.

Treatment for chronic nonbacterial prostatitis can be challenging and very difficult. Failures are commonplace. Treatment is the same as with bacterial and can include sitz baths, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), avoiding intake of alcohol or spicy foods. Symptoms may be helped with anticholinergic drugs or alpha-blocking agents. Reassurance that their condition is neither infectious nor contagious and it is not known to cause prostatic cancer or other serious disorders can help with a patient’s mental attitude and sometimes counseling is prescribed or advised.

Treatment for asymptomatic prostatitis can include a 14-day treatment with antibiotics. Treatment is only recommended in patients with chronic asymptomatic prostatitis known to elevate PSA.

Prostate Health » LUTS

Prostatitis – Risks, Symptoms, Diagnosis

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