Calculous prostatitis is a disease in which stone inclusions (or stones) form in the ducts of the prostate gland. This happens as a result of chronic prostatitis. Stones appear from lime salts, phosphates and prostate secretions. Patients of different age categories face the problem: 30-40 years old (due to chronic prostatitis), 40-60 years old (due to prostate adenoma), after 60 years old (due to decreased intimate function).
There are exogenous and endogenous types of stones. The composition of exogenous stones can be compared to stones found in the urinary tract. They can arise from prostatic adenomas and chronic inflammation and are most commonly found in the distal parts of the prostate. The patient can live with endogenous stones for many years, because they do not cause discomfort and even more so pain. Their cause is congestive prostatitis. Symptoms and treatment of calculous prostatitis require professional attention.
Causes of calculous prostatitis
Chronic calculous prostatitis provokes inflammation and swelling in the prostate gland. Benign prostatic hyperplasia, refraining from intimate contacts or their irregularity, as well as insufficient physical activity lead to improper emptying of the prostate gland. If an infection of the genital system is observed together with these factors, the nature of prostate secretion will gradually change.
The disease can also be caused by urethro-prostatic reflux, in which a small amount of urine enters the prostate ducts when urinating from the urethra. The salts in the urine gradually turn into stones. Urethral-prostatic reflux occurs as a result of urethral trauma, transurethral resection of the prostate gland, urethral stricture. Urine can enter the prostate after changes that occur during surgery on the genitals, the use of catheters, or the presence of stones in the kidneys or bladder. Stones are mainly urate, oxalate and phosphate.
Chronic calculous prostatitis can impair reproductive function.
Symptoms of calculous prostatitis
A sign of calculous prostatitis is pain in the lower abdomen, perineum, testicles, scrotum and scrotum. The diameter and number of stones directly affect the intensity of pain.
Often the pain is aggravated during and after sexual intercourse, after sitting on something hard, walking or vibrating. Aching pain may spread to the penis and scrotum.
Signals of calculous prostatitis can be the following phenomena:
- frequent urination;
- urinary incontinence;
- the appearance of a small amount of blood in the semen;
- anaphrodisia;
- erectile dysfunction.
A month after the appearance of the first symptoms, the patient may have a general condition disorder: weakness, decreased performance, depression, irritability and a slight increase in temperature.
Diagnosis of calculous prostatitis
When examining a patient, a specialist can only assume that the patient has a disease. Prostate ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging, and computed tomography help diagnose and confirm calculous prostatitis.
The next stage is a series of laboratory tests that determine the presence of stones in the prostate gland, as well as the presence and degree of the inflammatory process. The following tests are most often required:
- general urine test (confirmation is a large number of blood, leukocytes, proteins, epithelial cells);
- general blood test (increased ESR, increased number of leukocytes);
- spermogram (blood is recorded, movement and sperm count are reduced);
- determination of the prostate specific antigen level in order to detect oncological tumors;
- Examination of prostate secretions (amyloid bodies, more leukocytes and epithelium are noted).
Later, during the instrumental examination, certain signs make it possible to confirm the diagnosis:
- You can find out if there are stones directly in the prostate by conducting an ultrasound;
- Computed tomography of the prostate gland can help determine the location and size;
- Magnetic resonance imaging of the prostate gland can also provide information on the method of stone formation.
Treatment of calculous prostatitis
Treatment of calculous prostatitis is prescribed and carried out by a specialist, he uses surgical intervention or medicines.
The doctor usually chooses a treatment method for the treatment of calculous prostatitis, provided that the size of the stone does not exceed 4 mm. The patient receives anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics and drugs that normalize blood circulation orally and by injection. Herbal medicine is also used. When taking the drug, it is important to constantly monitor the attending physician.
Physiotherapy is effective, which in many cases helps the process of passing the stone. For example, magnetic therapy is successfully used, which significantly improves blood microcirculation and has an analgesic and calming effect. Ultrasound therapy is often prescribed, during the procedure the emitter is inserted into the skin through a special gel.
Good results are shown by electrophoresis of the drug, during which the drug is introduced to the surface of the skin or mucous membrane using an electric current. In this case, you should abandon the prostate massage procedure, in contrast to the treatment of chronic prostatitis, in which it is effectively used.
Relatively recently, low-frequency laser treatment of the prostate began to be used in combination with medication. During such therapy, the stones are gradually broken down and excreted in the urine.
For large stones, drug treatment does not bring results, surgical intervention is performed to treat calculous prostatitis. The surgeon removes the stones through an incision in the perineum or suprapubic area.
Calculous prostatitis is often accompanied by BPH. With this option, prostatectomy, adenomectomy or prostate TUR is chosen.
Prostatectomy refers to the removal of the prostate gland, which is performed under general anesthesia. The seminal vesicles are also removed during the operation. The operation may be in the abdominal area. In this case, the perineum or the front wall of the abdomen is excised. After removal, stitches are applied.
It is also possible to perform an operation using an endoscope by making several punctures in the abdominal cavity. In this case, rehabilitation is faster.
Adenomectomy is used for large adenomas. Admission is through the abdominal cavity. The operation can have a number of complications: bladder fistulas, infection of the genital organs, urinary incontinence, etc. Sh.
Transurethral resection of the prostate involves excision of the hyperplastic area of the prostate through the urethra using a resectocystoscope. This surgery is less likely to cause side effects and the recovery period is shorter.
Correct diet is important not only for prevention, but also for treatment of chronic calculous prostatitis. The diet is determined by the attending physician, based on various criteria and factors. Basically, meat, fish and mushroom broths, as well as sauces, spicy dishes, spices, garlic, onions, radishes are excluded from the daily diet. Limit consumption of legumes, white cabbage, whole milk and other foods that promote flatulence. The doctor recommends drinking a lot of fluids.
The earlier the patient consults a specialist, the more favorable the prognosis will be for the treatment of this disease. If calculous prostatitis is not treated, loss of reproductive function, erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, sclerosis or abscess of the prostate gland, and tissue damage near the stone are possible.
Prevention of calculous prostatitis
Prevention of this disease is relevant for men at any age and includes:
- preventive examinations, lack of self-treatment;
- Exclusion of nicotine from life and reasonable consumption of alcohol;
- maintaining age-appropriate sex life;
- prevention of genital infections;
- physical activity;
- Treatment of infectious diseases.