Calculus prostatitis is a disease in which stony inclusions (or stones) form in the ducts of the prostate gland. It occurs as a result of chronic prostatitis. Stones appear from lime salts, phosphates, and prostate secretions. This problem is faced by patients of different age categories: 30 - 40 years (due to chronic prostatitis), 40 - 60 years (due to prostate adenoma), after 60 years (due to decreased intimate function).
There are exogenous and endogenous types of stones. The composition of exogenous stones can be compared to that found in the urinary tract. They can arise from prostate adenoma and chronic inflammation and are most often found in the distal part of the prostate. Patients can live with endogenous stones for many years, because they do not cause inconvenience, let alone pain. Their cause is congestive prostatitis. Symptoms and treatment of calculous prostatitis require professional attention.
The cause of prostatitis is calculus
Chronic calculous prostatitis causes inflammation and congestion in the prostate gland. Benign prostatic hyperplasia, abstinence from intercourse or its irregularity, as well as insufficient physical activity cause improper emptying of the prostate gland. If, in combination with these factors, an infection of the genitourinary tract is observed, the secretory properties of the prostate gradually undergo changes.
This disease can also be caused by urethro-prostatic reflux, where, when urinating from the urethra, a small amount of urine enters the prostate duct. The salt in the urine gradually turns into stones. Urethral-prostatic reflux occurs as a result of trauma to the urethra, as a result of transurethral resection of the prostate gland, narrowing of the urethra. Urine can enter the prostate after changes that occur during surgical intervention on the genitals, the use of catheters, or the presence of stones in the kidney or bladder. Stones are mainly urate, oxalate, and phosphate.
Chronic calculous prostatitis can affect reproductive function.
Symptoms of calculous prostatitis
Signs of calculous prostatitis are pain in the lower abdomen, perineum, testicles, sacrum, and scrotum. The diameter and number of stones directly affect the intensity of pain.
Often the pain becomes stronger during and after sexual intercourse, after sitting on something hard, while walking, or vibration. Excruciating pain can radiate to the penis and scrotum.
Signals of calculus prostatitis can be the following phenomena:
- frequent urination;
- urinary incontinence;
- the appearance of a small amount of blood in the semen;
- anaphrodisiac;
- erectile dysfunction.
A month after the first symptoms appear, the patient may experience a disturbance in his general condition: lethargy, decreased performance, depression, irritability, and a slight increase in temperature can be observed.
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 to detect and confirm the diagnosis of 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 the presence of blood, a large number of leukocytes, protein, epithelial cells);
- general blood test (increased ESR, increased number of leukocytes);
- spermogram (blood is observed, motility and number of sperm are reduced);
- determination of the level of prostate-specific antigen for the purpose of detecting oncological tumors;
- examination of prostate secretions (amyloid bodies, more leukocytes and epithelium noted).
Then, 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 doing an ultrasound;
- A CT scan of the prostate gland will help to know its location and determine its size;
- With magnetic resonance imaging of the prostate gland, it is also possible to obtain information about the method of stone formation.
Treatment of calculous prostatitis
Treatment of calculous prostatitis is prescribed and carried out by a specialist; he uses surgery or medicine.
Doctors usually choose medical methods in the treatment of calculous prostatitis, provided the stone size is not more than 4 mm. Patients take anti-inflammatory drugs, antibiotics, and drugs that normalize blood circulation orally and by injection. Herbal medicine is also used. During drug treatment, continuous monitoring by the attending physician is important.
Physiotherapy is effective, in many cases facilitating the process of stone passage. 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 transmitter comes into contact with the skin through a special gel.
Good results are shown by drug electrophoresis, where the drug is administered through the surface of the skin or mucous membrane using an electric current. In this case, you need to abandon the prostate massage procedure, in contrast to the treatment of chronic prostatitis, where it is used effectively.
Recently, in combination with drugs, the use of low-frequency laser treatment of the prostate has begun. When carrying out such therapy, the stones are gradually crushed and excreted in the urine.
For large stones, drug treatment does not bring results; surgical intervention is carried out to treat calculous prostatitis. The surgeon removes the stone through an incision in the perineal or suprapubic area.
Calculus prostatitis is often accompanied by BPH. With this option, prostatectomy, adenomectomy, or TUR of the prostate is chosen.
Prostatectomy refers to the removal of the prostate gland, which is performed under general anesthesia. During the operation, the seminal vesicles are also removed. Surgery may be abdominal. In this case, the perineum or anterior abdominal wall is dissected. After removal, sutures are used.
It is also possible to operate using an endoscope by making several punctures in the abdominal cavity. In this case, recovery is faster.
Adenomectomy is used for large adenomas. Access is through the abdominal cavity. The operation can have several complications: bladder fistula, infection of genitourinary organs, urinary incontinence, etc.
Transurethral resection of the prostate involves cutting the hyperplastic area of the prostate through the urethra using a resectocystoscope. This operation is less likely to cause side effects, and the recovery period is shorter.
A proper diet is important not only for prevention purposes, but also in the treatment of chronic calculous prostatitis. The diet is prescribed by the attending physician, based on various criteria and factors. Basically, meat, fish and mushroom soups, as well as sauces, spicy dishes, spices, garlic, onions, radishes, are excluded from the daily diet. Limit consumption of beans, white cabbage, whole milk, and other foods that promote bloating. Doctors recommend drinking plenty of fluids.
The sooner the patient consults a specialist, the better the prognosis for the treatment of this disease. If treatment for calculous prostatitis is not carried out, loss of reproductive function, erectile dysfunction, urinary incontinence, sclerosis or abscess of the prostate gland, and injury to tissues located near the stone are possible.
Prevention of calculous prostatitis
Prevention of this disease is relevant for men of any age and includes:
- preventive examinations, lack of self-medication;
- eliminate nicotine from life and reasonable use of alcohol;
- maintain an age-appropriate sex life;
- prevention of genital infections;
- physical activity;
- carry out the treatment of infectious diseases.