Understanding Prostatitis Pain And Treatment
When the male prostate gland becomes infected or inflamed, urinating can become frequent and painful. Known as prostatitis pain, it's estimated that nearly half of all men will experience it sometime during their life. There are four different types of prostatitis. If neglected, this condition can eventually lead to serious health concerns. Fortunately, there are treatment options available. Below, we'll describe the different types of prostatitis and options for treatment. Types Of Prostatitis The National Institutes of Health has defined 4 different categories of prostatitis. The first category is called acute bacterial prostatitis. It's less common than the other types but requires immediate medical attention to prevent other health issues from emerging. A man suffering from Category 1 prostatitis will have symptoms similar to a fever as well as lower back and genital pain. The second category is referred to as chronic bacterial prostatitis. This is usually marked by a persistent infection causing the prostate gland to become inflamed. The same symptoms in Category 1 are prevalent in Category 2 along with the possible presence of blood in the semen and abdominal pain. Category 3 is known as nonbacterial prostatitis. The symptoms of this type of prostatitis are not caused by bacteria and can disappear and return without warning. Some experts believe that viruses and other harmful organisms are responsible. Though the cause is unknown, this type of prostatitis is much more common than that caused by bacteria. Finally, Category 4 is called asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis. There are no evident symptoms with this type of prostatitis. It's typically identified by the presence of cells in the semen that fight infections. The cause is unknown but thought to be associated with bacteria. Treatment Options Acute bacterial prostatitis is nearly always treated with broad-spectrum antibiotics. When antibiotics that kill bacteria are used for Category 1 prostatitis, the symptoms usually go away quickly. The infection and inflammation of the prostate disappears, as well. For chronic bacterial prostatitis, oral antibiotics such as sulfamethoxazole and trimethoprim are given to the patient for up to 3 months. If a fungus is responsible for the inflammation, special medications may be used. Antibiotics have not proven to be effective with nonbacterial prostatitis. Instead, this type of prostatitis is often treated with steroids and other drugs, including alpha-blockers. These drugs help relax the muscles and make urinating easier and less painful. Category 4 (asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis) is generally not treated for long. Doctors may prescribe antibiotics initially, but in most cases, the antibiotics have proven ineffective. Dealing With Prostatitis Pain If you (or someone you know) is experiencing pain during urination or ejaculation, consult your doctor immediately. If the issue is related to Category 1 or 2 prostatitis, a quick resolution can help prevent serious health problems in the future. Most of the treatment options involve taking antibiotics or medications for relief from the pain. In severe cases, surgical removal of the prostate gland may be considered. Hoever, consulting with your doctor is the first step.
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