Prostatitis

Prostatitis is characterized as the inflammation of the prostate gland. It is most commonly associated with a bacterial infection but evidence of infection is not always found in the prostate. Prostatitis can affect men of any age and is the most common urological disorder in men over the age of 50.

SYMPTOMS

There are two types of prostatitis; acute bacterial prostatitis (ABP) and chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP). The symptoms for each are as follows:

• Acute bacterial prostatitis: sudden onset of - chills; fever; frequent urination; incomplete voiding; joint pain; lower back pain; pain in penis, testicles and perineum; painful ejaculation
• Chronic bacterial prostatitis: blood in semen; discomfort in genital area; fever; lower back pain; painful ejaculation; recurring urinary tract infection

TREATMENT

The treatment of prostatitis is determined by the type of underlining cause of prostatitis; acute bacterial prostatitis or chronic bacterial prostatitis.

• Medications: uses antibiotics administered intravenously followed by oral antibiotics to destroy the bacteria
• Surgery: is the removal of part of the prostate for patients who experience chronic pain and serious complications.
• Transurethral resection of the prostate (TURP): uses an instrument called a resectoscope which is inserted in to the penis through the urethra. The obstructing tissue is removed using the electrical loop and then irrigating fluids carry the tissue to the bladder.