What is Prostatitis?

Prostatitis is a very uncomfortable and painful condition in which the prostate gland, which is responsible for the production of semen along with other parts, swells up. The condition is age agnostic, which means it can occur at any age. Although, the risk increases between the ages of 30 to 50. 

Bacterial infection in the urinary tract can cause the condition.

The condition can occur chronically, which means that the symptoms could come and go over many months, or it could be acute where the symptoms come suddenly while being severe. Acute prostatitis is a potentially life-threatening condition, much more severe than the chronic condition.

Visit a urologist immediately if you have such symptoms like:

1. Severe pain around the penis, testicles, anus, lower abdomen or lower back
2. Painful defecating experience
3. Pain while urinating, frequent tendency to urinate or blood in the urine
4. Acute urinary retention (a condition that leads to the building up of urine in the bladder but not being able to release at all.)
5. Pain while ejaculating

The above are sure signs of acute prostatitis. Do make sure to visit a urologist immediately.

While the milder and chronic version of the condition could have symptoms ranging from a tender prostate on rectal examination to sexual problems like erectile dysfunction, pelvic pain after intercourse etc.

Chronic prostatitis can be cured by administering painkillers such as paracetamol or by medicines called alpha-blockers that help to relax the muscles in the prostate gland and help empty the bladder. The acute condition can be treated with a combination of antibiotics and painkillers.

Note: Prostatitis is not the same as prostate cancer. Nor, the infection can cause an increased chance of the cancer.

About prostate cancer

When the cells of the prostate gland malfunction, causing them to be immortal while being replicative, cancerous tumors or lumps of cells form in the organ.

It’s mostly seen in people above the age of 50. However, it could develop in people as young as 40 if they are chain smokers. Other than blood in the urine or difficulty in urinating, usually, the symptoms are not perceivable until quite later in the stages.

The earliest diagnosis can be made with testing of serum PSA. People who have a value of more than 4 surely have the disease. It’s important to note that for a person to visit a doctor, blood in the urine or difficulty in urinating is enough. Although the symptoms could occur in many types of conditions. 

Other detecting techniques for the cancer could be a digital rectal examination or an MRI of the prostate and bone scans. Although, definite diagnosis can only be made by a biopsy of the prostate.

In your modalities, PSMA PET CT scan can be found to be very effective in terms of identifying the spread of prostate cancer. A definitive diagnosis requires a biopsy of the prostate which is safe and does not cause any risk of spreading the disease. Prostate cancer is curable if detected early. Do annual serum PSA.