Chronic Prostatitis (CP) is a very unpleasant condition. It is an inflammation of the prostate – a gland found near the bladder in men – that can cause burning sensations during urination, other urinary discomforts, or even lower back pain.
As CP can often mimic many of the symptoms related to prostate cancer, doctors are quick to look for it when the associated issues arise.
A diagnosis of this condition can mean a few different things. Depending on the appropriate factors, chronic prostatitis treatment can be effective at either decreasing symptoms or clearing up the condition entirely. Keep reading to learn more.
Chronic Prostatitis Treatment
There are two types of chronic prostatitis. Treatment varies depending on the type you have, which is determined by the cause of the condition in the first place:
Chronic Bacterial Prostatitis
Chronic bacterial prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate caused by a bacterial infection that can stem from a variety of scenarios (e.g. a bladder infection).
Treatment for this type of infection is treated fairly simply with long-term antibiotic treatment. Depending on several factors, you may be put on a regiment lasting several months.
There is a good chance of recovery with antibiotics. About 3 in 4 patients see their infection wiped out completely.
Chronic Prostatitis
This is a much less straight forward version of the condition. Unlike the bacterial version, the causes of this type of CP are unknown and can vary from patient to patient.
It is commonly thought that it can result from things like sexually transmitted diseases, immune system responses, urine blockages, or excessive uric acid in the urine.
Because causes are often unknown, treatment is more difficult. Your doctor will likely look to treat the symptoms rather than the underlying condition. And again those can vary based on the symptoms you might be presenting. Common treatments include:
- Anti-inflammatory medications
- Muscle relaxers or other pain killers
- Heat therapies
- Prostatic massage
The Process
The chronic prostatitis treatment process will begin first with a diagnosis of which type of CP you’re suffering from. After the digital prostate exam, ultrasound, chronic prostatitis MRI, or one of a few related tests, a urinalysis can determine whether your CP is bacterial or not.
If it is determined that yours is not bacterial, your doctor will go over your list of symptoms in depth. With a clear understanding of what you’re dealing with, you and your doctor will develop a treatment plan.
If you’re suffering from significant related pain, those symptoms will be addressed in the plan. If your symptoms include painful frequent urination, your plan will be designed to limit inflammation to take the pressure off the bladder and urethra.
You may even be asked to change your diet to limit acidic or spicy food.
Treatment Is a Journey
Chronic prostatitis treatment is not always straightforward. Yours will likely change as you and your doctor work together to find the right combination of treatments to address your specific needs. Be patient and honest in these sessions to expedite the process.
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