Bacterial Prostatitis Treatment

Bacterial prostatitis is a condition that can cause abdominal discomfort, and urinary symptoms such as a reduced urine flow. Treatment of this condition can sometimes be very simple and only take a few weeks, but in other cases treatment may go on for many months.

Identification

• Bacterial prostatitis is a bacterial infection of the male prostrate gland. The prostate gland is located near the urethra, and it regulates the flow of fluids during intercourse. Bacterial prostatitis is when bacteria such as E.coli, infects the prostate. While bacterial prostatitis can be the result of a sexually transmitted disease, it is also possible that the bacterial infection is the result of bacteria found in another part of the body and transferred to the prostate through the blood stream. Some of the common symptoms of bacterial prostatitis are uncontrollable tremors and a fever accompanied by chills. Bacterial prostatitis that can easily be treated and displays minor symptoms is known as acute bacterial prostatitis. Bacterial prostatitis that displays severe symptoms and is more difficult to treat is known as chronic bacterial prostatitis.
  Chronic bacterial prostatitis is commonly diagnosed when the patient does not respond to the treatments used for acute bacterial prostatitis. Some of the symptoms of chronic bacterial prostatitis include urinary tract infections which lead to abdominal pain and difficulty urinating. Other symptoms include pain in the pelvic region which is characterized by erectile dysfunction or pain during intercourse. Since these symptoms are chronic they remain for an extended period of time, usually three months or more, but they can raise or lower in intensity over that time.

Acute Bacterial Prostatitis

• One of the courses of treatment a doctor may take is to prescribe antibiotics such as Cipro to help reduce the inflammation. While the patient is waiting for the antibiotics to take effect, the doctor will also prescribe pain medication for any abdominal discomfort and they will also suggest bed rest and drinking plenty of fluids for the fever symptoms. If the symptoms are severe then the antibiotic treatment may begin in a hospital for a few days, and then continue at home with oral antibiotic medicine. This treatment usually takes four weeks to complete.

Alpha Blockers

• Since chronic bacterial prostatitis is a more severe version of bacterial prostititis, it can be more difficult to treat. Many of the treatments for chronic bacterial prostatitis center around easing the symptoms. One of these treatments is the use of medications known as alpha blockers. These are muscle relaxers that are effective at releasing the tension around the prostate and lowering the pain level. It is possible that the patient will experience side effects such as a decrease in blood pressure and severe headaches, which is why a doctor will closely monitor a patient on an alpha blocker regiment.

Prostatic Massage

• A prostatic massage is a therapy method that is set-up much like a rectal exam. The doctor massages the prostate using a medicated glove, and this is designed to reduce the inflammation on the prostate and reduce the symptoms. This form of treatment is still controversial, and many doctors disagree on how effective a prostatic massage is at relieving the symptoms of chronic bacterial prostatitis.

Bladder Infection

• In some cases the bladder is experiencing some sort of blockage that is putting pressure on the prostate and causing the symptoms of bacterial prostatitis. In cases such as this, the doctor will normally prescribe alpha-adrenergic blockers to help relieve the blockage and reduce the symptoms. Alpha-adrenergic blockers are medications such as Flomax, that are used to help relieve bladder conditions such as inflammation and blockage.