Prostatitis and hemorrhoids are the most common diseases in men over 40. In addition, in some cases, both pathologies can develop in parallel, which significantly impairs the quality of human life. Here you need to find out what these two diseases are and what symptoms are manifested, so that you can identify the problem yourself and consult a specialist in a timely manner.
What are hemorrhoids: characteristics and symptoms
Hemorrhoids are varicose veins in the rectum. These veins are called hemorrhoids and form nodules when they dilate.
The main reason for the development of the disease is a violation of blood flow from the lower part of the rectum. This is due to various reasons:
- sedentary way of life;
- Overweight;
- frequent constipation;
- overload;
- inflammation of the rectum.
In other words, the blood invades the area of the hemorrhoids, but its outflow is disrupted, so it overflows the veins, which dilate. Due to the dilation of the veins, there is a change in the tissue of the corpora cavernosa located below the lining of the rectum. These areas swell and increase in size, forming so-called hemorrhoids.
The nodes can be internal or external. The external nodes are the result of weakening of the sphincter muscles, due to which the internal nodes are displaced and fall out of the anus. The number of internal or external formations in the rectum can vary from one to several nodes. In addition, the more nodes, the more severe the symptoms of the disease.
Hemorrhoids are most often 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 swelling of the tissues of the lower rectum;
- periodic itching in the anus;
- burning and painful pain after stool.
Symptoms worsen with constipation - there is severe pain and tingling when passing stool. At the same time, mucus may separate from the rectum, which further irritates the mucous membranes, increasing the burning sensation.
Severe hemorrhoids are manifested by inflammation of the nodes. This is accompanied by unbearable pain. The nodes are damaged during bowel movements, so blood is found in the stool.
Over time, the cavernous bodies of the rectum can be severely deformed, as a result of which the nodes fall out and they must literally be fixed in the anus with your fingers.
Basic concepts of prostatitis
Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland. This disease is infectious and non-infectious in nature, it can manifest itself in acute and chronic forms.
If we consider both prostatitis and hemorrhoids, special attention should be paid to the non-infectious chronic 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. Trophic means microcirculation of blood and lymph outflow. The deterioration of these processes leads to the following changes:
- the secretion of the prostate gland stagnates;
- the body swells;
- the secretion in the prostate thickens;
- the inflammatory process develops.
The result of trophic disorders is a swollen and enlarged prostate, which compresses the surrounding tissues and organs (bladder neck, lower urethra), resulting in the development of vivid symptoms of prostatitis.
The main causes of congestive prostatitis are:
- sedentary way of life;
- lack of regular sex;
- Overweight;
- bad habits;
- unbalanced diet.
As a rule, this disease mainly affects men over 40 years of age.
Doctors often call congestive prostatitis "the disease of the office worker, " emphasizing the link between prostate trophic disorders and sedentary lifestyles.
The symptoms of the disease are as follows:
- frequent desire to use the toilet;
- soreness in the perineum, rectum, bladder;
- weakening of the urine stream when urinating;
- feeling of constantly full bladder;
- ejaculation disorders;
- deterioration of potency.
Ejaculatory disorders are manifested either by rapid ejaculation with short-term stimulation of the penis, or by the inability to reach orgasm during intercourse. The first is associated with increased prostate tone, the second - with a violation of the contractility of the organ.
What connects prostatitis and hemorrhoids?
The link between prostatitis and hemorrhoids is obvious - common causes of development. In both cases, the disease develops as a result of impaired blood circulation and lymph flow. In this case, prostatitis causes thickening of the juice in the prostate due to trophic disorders, and hemorrhoids are caused by impaired venous blood flow 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, that is, they spend most of their time sitting. In modern life, few people find enough time for active recreation and sports, and spend most of the day sitting. The result is poor circulation in the pelvis and lower extremities. If at the same time the man has problems with the veins of the legs, the problems with the pelvic organs are only a matter of time. As a rule, varicose veins are also found in the age group of people at risk of developing prostatitis.
It seems that the lack of regular sex should only affect the prostate, but what do hemorrhoids have in common? This is exactly the case when both diseases are related and the development of congestive prostatitis leads to dilation of hemorrhoidal veins. Poor sex life has a negative effect on the functioning of the prostate gland. As a result, congestion develops and symptoms of prostatitis appear. The enlarged prostate compresses the surrounding tissues, including blood vessels, which interferes with normal blood flow in this area. As a result, the rate of blood flow to the veins of the rectum changes, venous stasis gradually develops, the veins dilate and hemorrhoids form. Of course, this process lasts for many years, but if nothing is done, prostatitis will eventually lead to hemorrhoids.
The same thing happens with obesity. Pelvic trophism is impaired and then prostatitis or hemorrhoids develop. If the man does 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 should 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 speed of blood flow. Another factor is the disruption of oxygen transport to the tissues during prolonged smoking. The result is again poor blood 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. Thus, smoking and systemic alcohol consumption is a shortcut 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, congestion spreads to all organs of the pelvis, causing the development of a second disease.
Once you know if hemorrhoids are associated with prostatitis, you should know that both diseases can develop in parallel. Having two such 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 somewhat, so taking medication will be able to stop the exacerbation.
Tablets and rectal suppositories are used to treat prostatitis. Rectal suppositories are also used to treat hemorrhoids, the therapy is supplemented with microenemas.
Suppositories
Preference is given to mild anti-inflammatory drugs. They simultaneously stop the inflammation in the prostate and reduce the manifestations of hemorrhoids.
In addition, methyluracil suppositories may be recommended to improve local metabolic processes and strengthen immunity. Suppositories with ichthyol in the composition are often prescribed as an anti-inflammatory agent.
Microenemas to relieve inflammation
Microenemas are used both to stop the inflammatory reaction and to prepare the bowel before administering rectal suppositories. At home, enemas are made with decoctions of anti-inflammatory herbs - chamomile, St. John's wort, calendula.
Physiotherapy and therapeutic exercise
Physiotherapy is prescribed only after the relief of acute symptoms. It aims to improve blood circulation in the pelvic organs and can reduce the frequency of exacerbations. Electrostimulation, magnetic therapy and laser therapy are used to treat prostatitis.
Because access to the prostate is through the rectum, such procedures have a positive effect on the health of the anus.
Healing therapy is prescribed to all men who face stagnant processes in the pelvic organs. Exercise stimulates local blood circulation and lymphatic drainage. They can be performed in the clinic or at home. In addition, it is useful for men to do sports, swimming, yoga, running at a moderate pace.
Prostate massage for hemorrhoids
Prostate massage is the best remedy for congestive prostatitis, which is strictly contraindicated in inflammation of hemorrhoids against the background of exacerbation of hemorrhoids. The course of procedures will have to be postponed until the inflammation in the nodes stops. Otherwise, hemorrhoids can be damaged during the massage, which leads to heavy bleeding and can cause the spread of the inflammatory process or even infection at the site.
Precautions
Prevention of hemorrhoids and prostatitis is aimed at increasing the period of remission and reducing the frequency of exacerbations. Precautions:
- balanced diet;
- prevention of constipation;
- strengthening the immune system;
- I play sports;
- 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 in exacerbating hemorrhoids and prostatitis, as it impairs blood circulation. During defecation, hard stools injure the rectum and hemorrhoids, causing exacerbations and irritating the prostate, which is hidden by a thin barrier. To prevent constipation, your doctor may also recommend special medicines, such as glycerin suppositories.