PROSTATITIS

This is a common condition seen in males of all ages.
Prostatitis means infection of the prostrate. But in reality only a very small percentage of cases of prostatitis are due to infection.
Prostatitis can be clinically classified as

• Acute bacterial prostatitis
• Chronic bacterial prostatitis
• Chronic Non bacterial prostatitis / Chronic Pelvic pain Syndrome

Acute cases present like typical urinary tract infection with High grade fever, chills, nausea, vomiting and burning sensation while passing urine. urine culture might reveal the offending organism. But in Chronic Prostatitis the symptoms are very very mild and may persist for years before the patient seeks medical attention.Often urine culture is negative. The most common among the types of prostatitis is Chronic non bacterial prostatitis/ Chronic pelvic pain syndrome.The condition is marked by urinary and genital pain for at least pat three months. Patients have no bacteria in their urine, but may have other signs of inflammation.

Causes of Prostatitis:

1. Instrumentation of the urinary tract.
2. Rectal intercourse
3. Anatomically abnormal urinary tract
4. Recent urinary tract infection
5. Enlarged prostrate
   
6. Autoimmune diseases

Symptoms of prostatitis :

Feel like urinating often
Difficulty while passing urine
Pain while passing urine
Burning sensation while passing urine
Fever with chills
Pain in the external genitilia
Pain near testis
Lower abdominal pain
Reduced stream of urine
Painful ejaculation
Pain during sexual intercourse.

Diagnosis:

Complete clinical examination
Digital rectal examination
Ultrasonography
Urine culture
Culture of prostatic secretions
Urinary flow studies
Blood investigations (PSA -Prostrate Specific Antigen)

Treatment Modalities:

Antibiotics for a prolonged duration
Anti inflammatory drugs
Sitz Bath
Muscle relaxants
In unresponsive cases Surgical removal of prostrate.