What is Prostatitis and is it Serious?

Prostatitis can be serious. “Several conditions can contribute to the signs & symptoms associated with this male condition, Prostatitis. You need to get immediate care if you are experiencing any of the following: an inability to urinate; painful or difficult urination accompanied by fever; blood in your urine; or severe discomfort or pain in the pelvic area or genitals. It’s important to get an accurate diagnosis & treatment as soon as possible” [1], so book an online or in-person consultation with a Pain Specialist right away”

The Low Down

The prostate gland is a reproductive organ which is found directly under a man’s bladder. Close to the size of a walnut, this gland has a number of functions. These include:

• Producing seminal fluid (an element of semen)
• Playing a role in generating hormones
• Helping to regulate the flow of urine [1].

“Prostate problems are common, especially in older men. The most common include an inflamed prostate, an enlarged prostate, & prostate cancer” [2]
And this is why it is crucial to arrange a consultation with a Pain Doctor right from the get-go. This will ensure an accurate diagnosis. Moreover, it will set your mind at ease, as you will be put on a Personalised Treatment Program, and be regularly monitored by the Pain Specialist.
Generally speaking, there are four types of prostatitis:
•Acute bacterial prostatitis: this concerns a bacterial infection in the prostate, which in the majority of cases, generates severe symptoms
•Chronic bacterial prostatitis: this refers to an ongoing or recurring bacterial infection that normally produces less severe symptoms than the aforementioned
•Chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain syndrome: this describes ongoing or recurring urinary tract and pelvic pain symptoms with no indication of infection
•Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis: this involves indications of an inflamed prostate without any symptoms [1]

What Symptoms Should I Look Out For?
Prostatitis has an extensive number if symptoms. These comprise:
Signs and symptoms of prostatitis can vary depending on the type of disorder. They may include:
•Dysuria (a burning or pain sensation when passing urine)
•Difficulty urinating, including hesitant urination or dribbling
•Nocturia (excessive urination, especially at night)
•An urgent need to pass urine
•Blood in the urine
•Cloudy urine
•Pain or discomfort in the testicles or penis
•Pain in the lower back, groin or abdomen
•Pain in the perineum (the region between the rectum and scrotum)
•Pain at the time of ejaculation
•Fever, chills, muscle aches, chills, fever, or symptoms similar to flu (with acute bacterial prostatitis) [1].

References

[1]. Mayo Clinic (2022). “Prostatitis.”
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/prostatitis/symptoms-causes/syc-20355766

[2]. Medical News Today (2023). “What is the prostate gland?”
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/319859