Asymptomatic Inflammatory Prostatitis

Asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis is a chronic inflammatory process that does not manifest itself, remaining unnoticed by the patient for a considerable length of time. It is most often discovered accidentally, in the context of investigations related to other pathologies. However, this does not mean that the disease is entirely safe for men. Some studies point to a possible link between a long-lasting inflammatory process and oncological diseases.

The penetration of pathogenic microflora into the prostate gland itself will not cause any inflammatory changes. And even most of the changes that do occur go unnoticed by the man, with healing happening spontaneously, without prolonged therapy. But in some cases, the inflammation takes on a chronic, persistent character, which is dangerous even without clinical symptoms. The following factors contribute to this:

• General hypothermia of the body, prolonged exposure to cold;
• Regular bowel disorders (constipation, diarrhea, or their alternation);
• Sedentary work, especially concerning office activities or constant driving;
• Irregular sexual contacts – both prolonged abstinence and excessive activity;
• Sedentary lifestyle – lack of regular physical activity;
• Other chronic inflammatory diseases in the body as a source of the infectious process;
• Recently transferred sexually transmitted infections or urological diseases;
• Any other factors that lead to a decrease in the body's defensive properties (frequent stress and fatigue, improper and insufficient nutrition, etc.).

These factors may facilitate the penetration of a large amount of microflora into the prostate gland, creating favorable conditions for its reproduction inside. Some of them also lead to worsened blood supply to the pelvic area, which promotes a reduction in the influx of immune cells into the gland.

Diagnosing this condition is quite challenging for doctors because the patient does not present any complaints and usually does not seek medical help. Deviations in the results of laboratory or instrumental procedures allow consideration of this disease:

• General urine analysis – leukocytes or single bacteria may be found in the urine;
• Analysis of prostate gland secretion – sometimes used when suspecting sexually transmitted infections;
• Digital rectal examination – touching an enlarged, inflamed prostate gland may cause discomfort in the patient, which should not be the case normally;
• Ultrasound examination – a fairly informative method that may be recommended for preventive purposes;
• Biopsy – asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis is often detected when the PSA level is elevated, which is a fairly reliable oncological marker of malignant processes in the prostate gland.

As the name suggests, there are no symptoms for asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis. Therefore, it is impossible to determine the presence or absence of the disease solely through interviews, history collection, and filling out special diagnostic tests.

The treatment of the disorder must be comprehensive, aimed at various components of pathogenesis. Only in this way can one get rid of the chronically progressing inflammation, despite its tendency to constant recurrence. However, it is known that treatment can be ineffective for some patients.

Traditional therapy methods include:

• Antibiotic therapy – narrow-spectrum agents are used when a pathogen is detected, and broad-spectrum ones are chosen if culturing is impossible;
• Alpha-blockers – used to relieve spastic manifestations, which can improve the secretion outflow from the prostate gland and increase blood flow to the gland;
• Prostate gland massage – helps eliminate secretion stagnation and improve blood supply to the affected area;
• Physiotherapy (electrotherapy, magnetotherapy, thermotherapy) – helps improve blood supply and lymphatic drainage, enhance metabolism in tissues, which favorably affects the resolution of the inflammatory process;
• Phytotherapy – the use of plant extracts and medicinal herbs during treatment, which are well suited for long-term use without having the same serious side effects as, for example, antibiotics;
• Diet therapy – to avoid stimulating the development of inflammation, it is necessary to exclude smoked, fried, canned, and overly salty foods from the diet;
• Elimination of harmful habits – abstaining from alcohol and smoking.

The treatment plan may vary depending on each specific case. When prescribing medications, the doctor considers the patient's age, the presence or absence of other chronic diseases, and medications currently or recently taken. Therefore, it is essential to consult with a specialist before taking any medications – only they can determine the presence or absence of contraindications for the patient.

Moreover, sometimes chronic inflammation can lead to oncological diseases – which is why preventive prostate gland examinations after the age of 40 are so important for all men.