Prostatitis and hemorrhoids are the most common diseases in men over 40. In addition, in some cases, both pathologies can develop in parallel, which greatly affects the quality of life of the person. Here you need to find out what these two diseases are and what symptoms are expressed in order to independently identify 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 form nodules when they expand.
The main cause of the development of the disease is a violation of the outflow of blood from the lower rectum. There are several reasons for this:
- sedentary lifestyle;
- Obesity;
- frequent constipation;
- excessive stress;
- Inflammation of the rectum.
In other words, blood goes to the hemorrhoidal area, but its outflow is impaired, causing it to overflow the veins that are expanding. The expansion of the veins causes a change in the tissue of the erectile tissue, which is located under the mucous membrane of the rectum. These sections swell and grow in size, forming what is known as hemorrhoids.
Nodes can be internal or external. External nodes are the result of the weakening of the sphincter muscles, causing the internal nodes to move and fall out of the anus. The number of internal or external formations in the rectum can be different, from one to several nodes. In addition, the more lumps there are, the more severe the symptoms of the disease.
Hemorrhoids are mostly 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 sore pain after defecation.
Symptoms are exacerbated by constipation - there is severe pain and stinging when passing poop. At the same time, mucus can be released from the rectum, which additionally irritates the mucous membrane and increases the burning sensation.
Pronounced hemorrhoids are manifested by inflammation of the nodes. This is accompanied by excruciating pain. The lumps are damaged during a bowel movement, so blood is found in the stool.
Over time, the erectile tissue of the rectum can become severely deformed, causing the nodes to fall out and literally need to be fixed in the anus with your fingers.
Basic concepts about prostatitis
Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate. This disease is infectious and non-infectious and can occur in both acute and chronic forms.
Looking at prostatitis and hemorrhoids at the same time, one should pay special attention to the non-infectious chronic inflammatory process in the prostate. This disease is often called congestive prostatitis.
The essence of the problem lies in the violation of the trophism of the prostate. Trophism is understood to mean the microcirculation of the blood and the lymphatic drainage. A deterioration in these processes leads to the following changes:
- the secret of the prostate stagnates;
- the organ swells;
- the secret in the prostate becomes thicker;
- the inflammatory process develops.
The result of a violation of the trophism is a swollen and enlarged prostate, which compresses the surrounding tissues and organs (the bladder neck, 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;
- Obesity;
- Bad habits;
- unbalanced diet.
As a rule, men over 40 years of age in particular are confronted with this disease.
Doctors often call congestive prostatitis "the office worker’s disease", emphasizing the connection between the violation of prostate atrophism and a sedentary lifestyle.
The symptoms of the disease are as follows:
- frequent use of the toilet;
- Pain in the perineum, rectum, bladder;
- Weakening of the urine stream when urinating;
- Feeling of a constantly full bladder;
- Ejaculation disorders;
- Deterioration in potency.
Ejaculation disorders are manifested either by rapid ejaculation with short-term stimulation of the penis or the inability to achieve orgasm during sexual intercourse. The first is associated with an increase in the prostate tone, the second - with a violation of the contractility of the organ.
What do prostatitis and hemorrhoids have in common?
The link between prostatitis and hemorrhoids is obvious - common causes of development. And in one and another case, 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 a violation of the trophism, and hemorrhoids are caused by a violation of the 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, which means they spend most of their time sitting down. In the conditions of modern life, few people find enough time for active recreation and sports and spend most of the day sitting down. The result is poor blood flow to the pelvis and lower extremities. If a man has problems with his leg veins at the same time, problems with the pelvic organs are only a matter of time. Varicose veins are also usually 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 to do with it? This is precisely the case when both diseases are associated and the development of congestive prostatitis is accompanied by an expansion of the hemorrhoidal veins. A bad sex life negatively affects the functioning of the prostate. As a result, congestion develops and symptoms of prostatitis appear. An enlarged prostate presses on surrounding tissue, including blood vessels, and disrupts normal blood flow in that area. As a result, the rate of blood flow to the veins of the rectum changes, venous congestion gradually develops, the veins expand, and hemorrhoids are formed. Of course, this process takes many years, but if nothing is done, prostatitis eventually leads to hemorrhoids.
The same thing happens with obesity. The trophism of the pelvic organs is violated, and then either prostatitis or hemorrhoids develop. If the man did not respond in any way to the presence of one of these diseases, then over time, expect the second to develop.
The negative effects of bad habits should be considered separately. The most common addictions are smoking and alcohol abuse. Nicotine has a negative effect on blood vessels and increases their tone. As a result, they narrow, which has a negative effect on blood flow. Another factor is the interruption in the transport of oxygen to the tissues during prolonged smoking. The consequence, in turn, is poor blood flow to the pelvic organs and the lower extremities, which leads to congestion, prostatitis or hemorrhoids.
Alcohol abuse has a negative effect on the functioning of the nervous and cardiovascular systems. An increase in blood pressure, which is the cause of a circulatory disorder, is often found. Smoking and systematic use of alcohol are therefore a direct route to the development of prostatitis and hemorrhoids.
As a rule, one of these diseases develops under the influence of several factors at the same time. Over time, the congestion spreads to all organs of the pelvis and leads to the development of a second disease.
After figuring out whether hemorrhoids are linked to prostatitis, you should know that both diseases can develop in parallel. Having two such diagnoses makes treatment difficult, so you should seek medical attention immediately.
Treatment of hemorrhoids and prostatitis
If both diseases get worse, they need to be treated at the same time. In general, the treatments for these two diseases overlap somewhat, so taking medication can stop the exacerbation.
In the treatment of prostatitis, tablets and rectal suppositories are used. For the treatment of hemorrhoids, rectal suppositories are also used, therapy is supplemented with microclysters.
Suppositories
Mild anti-inflammatory drugs are preferred. They simultaneously stop inflammation in the prostate and reduce the manifestations of hemorrhoids.
In addition, methyluracil suppositories can be recommended to improve local metabolic processes and strengthen immunity. Suppositories with ichthyol in the composition are often prescribed as an anti-inflammatory agent.
Microclysters used to relieve inflammation
Microclysters are used both to stop the inflammatory response and as a bowel preparation prior to the administration of rectal suppositories. At home, enemas are made with decoctions of anti-inflammatory herbs - chamomile, St. John's wort, calendula.
Physiotherapy and exercise therapy
Physiotherapy is prescribed only after acute symptoms have been relieved. It is said to improve blood flow to the pelvic organs and reduce the frequency of exacerbations. Electrical stimulation, magnetic therapy, and laser therapy are used in the treatment of prostatitis.
Since access to the prostate is via the rectum, such interventions 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. Movement stimulates the local blood circulation and lymphatic drainage. They can be done in the clinic or at home. In addition, it is useful for men to do sports, swimming, yoga, running at a moderate pace are shown.
Prostate massage for hemorrhoids
Prostate massage is the best means of treating congestive prostatitis, which is strictly contraindicated in the presence of inflammation of the hemorrhoids against the background of an exacerbation of hemorrhoids. The flow of procedures must be postponed until the inflammation in the nodule has stopped. Failure to do so could damage the hemorrhoid during massage, causing profuse bleeding and causing the inflammatory process to spread or even infection of the area.
Precautions
Prevention of hemorrhoids and prostatitis is aimed at increasing the duration of remission and reducing the frequency of exacerbations. Precautions:
- balanced nutrition;
- Prevention of constipation;
- Strengthening the immune system;
- To do sports;
- regular sex life;
- Rejection of bad habits.
It is important to shape your diet so that it does not cause constipation. Constipation is one of the main factors in making hemorrhoids and prostatitis worse because it impairs blood flow. When defecating, hard feces injure the rectum and hemorrhoids, aggravating it and irritating the prostate, which is covered by a thin septum. Your doctor may also prescribe special medications, such as glycerin suppositories, to help prevent constipation.