What is Acute Prostatitis?
Posted by Healthfitline
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Monday, November 12, 2012
What is Acute Prostatitis? Acute Prostatitis is a sudden inflammation of the prostate gland. Prostate gland is found directly below the bladder (walnut-sized) with its primary function been to produce fluid that forms a part of the seminal fluid. Prostatitis can be caused by various infectious agents such as; bacteria, fungi and mycoplasma. E-coli is responsible for 60% of acute bacterial prostatitis (ABP) cases. Other medical conditions like urethral stricture and BPH may also cause prostatitis.
There are two types of bacterial prostatitis; Acute Bacterial Prostatitis and Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis.
Acute Prostatitis Symptoms
The following are signs and symptoms of an acute bacterial prostatitis;
- Sudden onset of fever and chills
- Perineal, rectal or back pain
- Pain during urination
- Feeling of an urgency
- Increase in urinary frequency
- Excessive urination at night (nocturia).
Other infectious agents like fungi (not bacteria) usually causes the following signs and symptoms;
- Urgency and increase in frequency
- Perineal discomfort
- Pain during or after an ejaculation.
- Pain during urination (due to prostatodynia - pain in the prostate gland).
In chronic prostatitis, the symptoms are usually milder in comparison to an acute prostatitis but patients do suffer from frequent urinary tract infection.
Prostatitis Complications
The most common complications associated with prostatitis include; urinary retention, swelling of the prostate gland, bacteremia, epididymitis and pyelonephritis (the inflammation of the upper urinary tract and kidney).
Prostatitis Diagnosis
If an individual is suspected of suffering from an acute prostatitis, culture of the prostate gland fluid is performed together with urinalysis. In some instances, a histologic examination of the prostate tissue may also be ordered.
To locate the source of the infection, a segmental urine collection is usually done. The patient is advised to void and the first 10 - 15 ml of urine is collected in a separate container (urethra urine). Immediately after and making sure the flow is not interrupted, a second urine specimen (50-75ml) is collected (bladder urine).
Incase the individual is not suffering from an acute prostatitis, a prostate massage is performed by a physician and a third culture is collected (prostatic fluid) for further analysis.
Prostatitis Treatment
The major goal of acute prostatitis treament it to halt the progression of the infection and to avoid the complications. Depending on the causative agent, a broad spectrum of antibiotics is usually given. Intravenous administration of the antibiotics may be necessary for optimal serum levels. Pain relievers are also given and patient is put under bed rest to decrease the discomfort.
Other forms of treatment used may include; Antispasmodic drugs (to treat pain and spasms), stool softener (to relieve constipation and decrease pain caused by straining during a bowel movements) and non pharmacology interventions like use of sitz bath (to decrease pain and spasm in the lower part of the body).
Despite the fact that, chronic prostatitis is much harder to treat. However, the same kind of treatement is applied, a muscle relaxant together wilth a low dose of antibiotics may be prescribed as a continuous therapy. The patient is also taught about UTI (urinary tract infection) and how to recognize the symptoms since individuals with chronic prostatitis are prone to frequent UTI infections. Patients with chronic prostatitis are treated as outpatients.
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