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Inflammation of The Prostate What do doctors call this condition? Prostatitis What is this condition? Inflammation of the prostate gland may be sudden and acute or chronic. Acute inflammation most often is caused by a specific kind of bacteria and is easy to recognize and treat. But, if the inflammation is chronic, the cause is less easy to recognize. As many as 35% of men over age 50 have chronic inflammation of the prostate gland. It's the most common cause of repeated urinary tract infection in men. Both conditions can usually be cured with antibiotics in a few weeks. What causes it? About 80% of men with bacterial inflammation of the prostate are infected by Escherichia coli. The rest are infected by other bacteria such as Klebsiella, Enterobacter, Proteus, Pseudomonas, Streptococcus, or Staphylococcus. These bacteria typically spread to the prostate in the bloodstream or by moving up from the urethra, from the rectum, or in a backup of infected bladder urine in the prostate ducts. Less commonly, the bacteria are spread by sexual intercourse or medical procedures such as cystoscopy or catheterization. Chronic inflammation is usually caused by a bacterial invasion from the urethra. What are its symptoms? The person with an acute inflammation of the prostate gland gets fever, chills, low back pain, muscle pain, fullness in the groin, and joint pain. Urination is frequent and urgent, and he may have painful urination or obstruction. His urine may appear cloudy. By inserting a finger in the rectum, the doctor can feel that the prostate is tender, hardened, swollen, firm, and warm. If this condition is chronic, some men may be asymptomatic. Others will have the symptoms described above, bur to a lesser degree. Urinary tract infection is a common complication. Some men have painful ejaculation, blood in the sperm, persistent urethral discharge, and sexual dysfunction. How is it diagnosed? The doctor will use a urine culture to identify the bacteria and can feel the swelling through the man's rectum. To be sure, the doctor uses a four-stage specimen - three samples taken as the person urinates and then one secretion pressed from the prostate gland. A significantly increased bacteria count in the prostatic specimen confirms inflammation of the prostate. How is it treated? The doctor will start drug therapy with an antibiotic, usually Bactrim, given orally. If it kills the bacteria, the drug will be continued for about 30 days. If there is a likelihood of blood poisoning, the doctor may give Bactrim intravenously along with Amcill, until sensitivity test results are known. If the drug is working, intravenous therapy continues for 48 hours to 1 week; then the person takes an oral form of the prescribed drug for 30 more days. In chronic inflammation caused by E. coli, Bactrim is usually given for at least 6 weeks. While he is recovering, the person will need bed rest and liquids. He may be given pain relievers, something to cool his fever, sitz baths, and stool softeners. If he has chronic inflammation of the prostate with symptoms, regular massage of the prostate is most effective and regular ejaculation may help promote drainage of prostatic secretions. In some cases where drug therapy is unsuccessful, the doctor may recommend surgery to remove all infected tissue. However, this procedure is usually not performed on young adults because it may cause ejaculation problems and sterility. Removing the prostate is curative, but may cause impotence and incontinence.
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Mary Harkness has been writing and giving talks about various diseases and ailments with their causes and symptoms. For more information visit authors site at www.diseasesblog.org
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