Prostatitis and hemorrhoids are the most common diseases in men over 40 years of age. In addition, in some cases, both pathologies can develop in parallel, greatly damaging the quality of human life. Here you need to find out what these two diseases are and what symptoms are manifested in order to be able to independently recognize the problem and consult a specialist in a timely manner.
What are hemorrhoids: characteristics and symptoms?
Hemorrhoids are enlarged veins in the rectum. These veins are called hemorrhoids and they form nodules when they expand.
The main cause of the development of the disease is a violation of blood flow from the lower part of the rectum. This is due to several reasons:
- sedentary lifestyle;
- overweight;
- frequent constipation;
- excessive load;
- Inflammation of the rectum.
In other words, the blood rushes into the hemorrhoidal area, but its outflow is affected, so it overflows the veins, which expand. Due to the expansion of the veins, there is a change in the tissue of the corpora cavernosa located under the mucous membrane of the rectum. These sections swell and increase in size, forming so-called hemorrhoids.
Nodes can be internal or external. The external nodes are the result of a weakening of the sphincter muscles, so the internal nodes are displaced and fall outside the anus. The number of internal or external formations in the rectum can be different, from one to several nodes. Also, the more nodes, the more severe the symptoms of the disease.
Hemorrhoids are usually chronic, with periodic exacerbations.
The disease develops slowly, the symptoms remain invisible for a long time, which explains the main problem of hemorrhoids - late diagnosis. In the initial stage, the symptoms are mild:
- slight edema of the tissues of the lower rectum;
- periodic itching in the anus;
- burning and aching pain after defecation.
Symptoms are aggravated by constipation: there is severe pain and stinging when passing stool. At the same time, mucus can be released from the rectum, further irritating the mucous membrane and increasing the burning sensation.
Pronounced hemorrhoids are manifested by swollen glands. This is accompanied by excruciating pain. The nodes are damaged during bowel movements, so blood is found in the stool.
Over time, the corpora cavernosa of the rectum can become seriously deformed, as a result, the nodes fall out and literally have to be fixed in the anus with the fingers.
Prostatitis Basics
Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland. This disease is infectious and non-infectious in nature, it can occur acutely and chronically.
If we simultaneously consider prostatitis and hemorrhoids, attention should be paid specifically to the chronic non-infectious inflammatory process in the prostate gland. This disease is often called congestive prostatitis.
The essence of the problem lies in the violation of the trophism of the prostate gland. Trophism is understood to be blood microcirculation and lymphatic flow. The deterioration of these processes leads to the following changes:
- the secret of the prostate gland stagnates;
- the organ swells;
- the secret of the prostate thickens;
- The inflammatory process develops.
The result of a violation of trophism is an inflamed and enlarged prostate, compressing the surrounding tissues and organs (the neck of the bladder, the lower part of the urethra), as a result of which vivid symptoms of prostatitis develop.
The main causes of congestive prostatitis are:
- sedentary lifestyle;
- lack of regular sex;
- overweight;
- bad habits;
- unbalanced diet.
As a general rule, mainly men over 40 years of age face this disease.
Doctors often call congestive prostatitis "the office worker's disease", thus emphasizing the connection between the violation of the trophism of the prostate and a sedentary lifestyle.
Symptoms of the disease are as follows:
- frequent need to use the bathroom;
- pain in the perineum, rectum, bladder;
- weakening of the flow of urine when urinating;
- feeling of a constantly full bladder;
- ejaculation disorders;
- deterioration of potency.
Ejaculation disorders are manifested by rapid ejaculation with short-term stimulation of the penis or by the inability to achieve orgasm during intercourse. The first is associated with an increase in the tone of the prostate, the second - with a violation of the contractility of the organ.
What connects prostatitis and hemorrhoids?
The connection between prostatitis and hemorrhoids is obvious: common causes of development. And in both cases, the disease develops as a result of impaired blood circulation and lymphatic flow. In this case, prostatitis causes a thickening of the juice in the prostate due to a violation of trophism, and hemorrhoids are caused by a violation of the venous flow of blood from the rectum.
The following reasons lead to such violations:
- sedentary lifestyle (sedentary work);
- lack of regular sex;
- obesity;
- bad habits.
Most modern people work in offices, meaning they spend most of their time sitting. In the conditions of modern life, few people can find enough time for active recreation and sports, and most of the day is spent in a sitting position. The result is poor circulation in the pelvis and lower extremities. If at the same time a man has problems with the veins of the legs, then the problems with the pelvic organs are only a matter of time. As a general rule, varicose veins are also found in the age group of people at risk of developing prostatitis.
It would seem that the lack of regular sex should only affect the prostate, but what do hemorrhoids have to do with this? This is exactly the case when both diseases are associated and the development of congestive prostatitis leads to the expansion of the hemorrhoidal veins. A bad sex life negatively affects the functioning of the prostate gland. As a result, congestion develops and symptoms of prostatitis appear. An enlarged prostate presses on surrounding tissues, including blood vessels, interfering with normal blood flow to that area. As a result, the speed of blood flow to the veins of the rectum changes, venous stasis develops gradually, the veins expand, and hemorrhoids form. Of course, this process spans many years, but if nothing is done, prostatitis will eventually result in hemorrhoids.
The same goes for obesity. The trophism of the pelvic organs is violated, and then prostatitis or hemorrhoids develop. If the man did not react in any way to the presence of one of these diseases, the development of the second should be expected over time.
The negative impact of bad habits must be considered separately. The most common addictions are smoking and alcohol abuse. Nicotine has a negative effect on blood vessels, increasing their tone. As a result, they narrow, which negatively affects the rate of blood flow. Another factor is the disruption of oxygen transport to the tissues during prolonged smoking. The result again becomes poor circulation in the pelvic organs and lower extremities, leading to congestion, prostatitis, or hemorrhoids.
Alcohol abuse negatively affects the functioning of the nervous and cardiovascular systems. An increase in blood pressure is often observed, which is the cause of impaired blood flow. Therefore, smoking and systematic consumption of alcohol is a direct path to the development of prostatitis and hemorrhoids.
As a rule, one of these diseases develops under the influence of several factors at once. Over time, the congestion spreads to all the organs of the pelvis and causes the development of a second disease.
Once you have found out if hemorrhoids are associated with prostatitis, you should know that both diseases can develop in parallel. The presence of two of these diagnoses complicates treatment, so you should see a doctor immediately.
Treatment of hemorrhoids and prostatitis.
If both diseases have worsened, they will need to be treated at the same time. In general, the treatment of these two diseases overlaps a little, so that the intake of drugs will be able to stop the exacerbation.
In the treatment of prostatitis, rectal tablets and suppositories are used. For the treatment of hemorrhoids, rectal suppositories are also used, therapy is supplemented with microclysters.
Suppositories
Preference is given to mild anti-inflammatory drugs. At the same time, they stop the inflammation of the prostate and reduce the manifestations of hemorrhoids.
Also, methyluracil suppositories can be recommended to enhance local metabolic processes and strengthen immunity. Suppositories with ichthyol in the composition are often prescribed as an anti-inflammatory agent.
Microclysters to relieve inflammation.
Microclysters are used both to stop the inflammatory reaction and as a bowel preparation before the administration of rectal suppositories. At home, enemas are made with decoctions of anti-inflammatory herbs: chamomile, St. John's wort, calendula.
Physical therapy and exercise therapy.
Physiotherapy is prescribed only after relief of acute symptoms. It aims to improve blood circulation in the pelvic organs and can reduce the frequency of exacerbations. In the treatment of prostatitis, electrostimulation, magnetotherapy and laser therapy are used.
Since access to the prostate is through the rectum, such procedures have a positive effect on the health of the anus.
Exercise therapy is prescribed to all men who are faced with stagnant processes in the pelvic organs. Exercise stimulates local circulation and lymphatic drainage. They can be done in the clinic or at home. In addition, it is useful for men to go in for sports, swimming, yoga, running at a moderate pace.
Prostate massage for hemorrhoids
Prostate massage is the best remedy for the treatment of congestive prostatitis, which is strictly contraindicated for inflammation of hemorrhoids against the background of exacerbation of hemorrhoids. The course of the procedures should be postponed until the swelling in the nodes stops. Otherwise, during the massage, the hemorrhoid can be damaged, which leads to profuse bleeding and can lead to the spread of the inflammatory process or even infection of the site.
Precautionary measures
Prevention of hemorrhoids and prostatitis is aimed at increasing the period of remission and reducing the frequency of exacerbations. Precautionary measures:
- balance diet;
- prevention of constipation;
- strengthen the immune system;
- do sport;
- regular sex life;
- rejection of bad habits.
It is important to structure the diet in such a way as to avoid the development of constipation. Constipation is one of the main factors of exacerbation of hemorrhoids and prostatitis, as it impairs blood circulation. During bowel movements, hard stools injure the rectum and hemorrhoids, causing an exacerbation and irritating the prostate, which is hidden by a thin septum. To prevent constipation, your doctor may also recommend special medications, such as glycerin suppositories.