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Definition of Prostatitis

Prostatitis is a disease of the prostate gland that typically affects young and middle-aged men. Physicians detect prostatitis using a symptom questionnaire, digital rectal exam, cystoscopy, urodynamic tests and other diagnostic tests.

  1. Significance

    • Inflamation of the prostate accounts for nearly 25 percent of doctor's office visits by young and middle-aged men for urinary and genital problems, according to Medicine Net.

    Types

    • The four types of prostatitis are acute bacterial prostatitis, chronic bacterial prostatitis, chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain and asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis.

    Symptoms

    • Prostatitis symptoms include pain and burning upon urination; abdomen, groin and lower back pain; and painful ejaculation.

    Causes

    • Bacteria normally cause acute and chronic bacterial prostatitis, while possible causes of chronic prostatitis/chronic pelvic pain include infection, psychological stress, and immune system and nervous system disorders. There is no known cause for asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis.

    Prevention

    • Depending on the type of prostatitis, a physician may treat the condition with antibiotics, alpha- blockers, pain relievers and prostatic massage.

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