Prostatitis and hemorrhoids are the most common illnesses in men over 40. In addition, in some cases, the two pathologies can develop in parallel, greatly altering 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 independently recognize the problem and timely consult a specialist.
What is hemorrhoids: features and symptoms
Hemorrhoids are dilated veins in the rectum. These veins are called hemorrhoids and form nodules when they dilate.
The main cause of the development of the disease is a violation of the outflow of blood from the lower rectum. This is due to various reasons:
- sedentary lifestyle;
- overweight;
- frequent constipation;
- excessive load;
- inflammation of the rectum.
In other words, the blood rushes to the hemorrhoidal area, but its flow is impaired, so it overflows the veins, which dilate. Due to the expansion of the veins, there is a change in the tissue of the cavernous bodies located under the mucous membrane of the rectum. These sections swell and increase in size, forming what is called hemorrhoids.
Nodes can be internal or external. External nodes are the result of a weakening of the muscles of the sphincter, due to which the internal nodes are displaced and fall out of the anus. The number of internal or external formations in the rectum may be different, from one to several nodes. In addition, the more nodes there are, 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 is the main problem with hemorrhoids - late diagnosis. At the initial stage, the symptoms are mild:
- slight edema of the tissues of the lower rectum;
- periodic itching in the anus;
- burning, aching pain after a bowel movement.
Symptoms are made worse by constipation - there is severe pain and tingling when passing stool. At the same time, mucus can be released from the rectum, which further irritates the mucous membrane, increasing the burning sensation.
Pronounced hemorrhoids are manifested by inflammation of the lymph nodes. This is accompanied by excruciating pain. The lymph nodes are damaged during a bowel movement, so blood is found in the stool.
Over time, the corpora cavernosa in the rectum can become severely deformed, causing the nodes to fall out and literally have to be fixed in the anus with the fingers.
Basic concepts about prostatitis
Prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate. This disease is infectious and non-infectious in nature, can occur in acute and chronic form.
If one considers prostatitis and hemorrhoids simultaneously, special attention should be paid to the chronic non-infectious inflammatory process of 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 as blood microcirculation and lymphatic flow. The deterioration of these processes leads to the following changes:
- the secret of the prostate stagnates;
- the organ swells;
- the secret in the prostate thickens;
- the inflammatory process develops.
The result of a violation of trophism is a swollen and enlarged prostate, which compresses 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 rule, it is mainly men over 40 who are confronted with this disease.
Doctors often call congestive prostatitis "the disease of the office worker", thus emphasizing the connection between the violation of prostate trophism and a sedentary lifestyle.
Symptoms of the disease are as follows:
- frequent urge to go to the toilet;
- pain in the perineum, rectum, bladder;
- weakening of the urine stream when urinating;
- feeling of constantly full bladder;
- ejaculation disorders;
- deterioration of potency.
Ejaculation 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 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 link between prostatitis and hemorrhoids is obvious - common causes of development. And in either 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 trophism, and hemorrhoids are caused by a violation of the venous outflow 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, that is, 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 limbs. 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. Typically, 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 it? This is exactly the case when the two diseases are combined and the development of congestive prostatitis leads to the expansion of 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 puts pressure on surrounding tissue, including blood vessels, interfering with normal blood flow to that area. As a result, the blood flow to the veins in the rectum changes, venous stasis gradually develops, the veins dilate, and hemorrhoids are formed. Of course, this process spans many years, but if left unchecked, prostatitis will eventually lead to hemorrhoids.
The same thing happens with obesity. The trophism of the pelvic organs is violated, then prostatitis or hemorrhoids develop. If humans have not reacted in any way to the presence of one of these diseases, the development of the second is to 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 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 limbs, which leads to congestion, prostatitis or hemorrhoids.
Alcohol abuse negatively affects the functioning of the nervous and cardiovascular systems. An increase in blood pressure is often noted, which is the cause of impaired blood circulation. Thus, smoking and systematic alcohol consumption are 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 once. Over time, the congestion spreads to all organs in the pelvis, causing the development of a second disease.
After determining whether hemorrhoids are associated with prostatitis, you should know that the two 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 conditions have worsened, they will need to be treated at the same time. Usually there is some overlap in the treatment of these two conditions, so medication may stop the exacerbation.
In the treatment of prostatitis, rectal tablets and suppositories are used. For the treatment of hemorrhoids, rectal suppositories are also used, the treatment is supplemented with microclysters.
Suppositories
Preference is given to mild anti-inflammatory drugs. They simultaneously stop the inflammation of 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 to relieve inflammation
Microclysters are used both to stop the inflammatory reaction and as a bowel preparation before 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 relief of acute symptoms. It aims to improve blood circulation in the pelvic organs and may 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 for all men who are faced with stagnant processes in the pelvic organs. Exercise stimulates local circulation and lymphatic drainage. They can be performed in a clinic or at home. In addition, it is useful for men to play 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 the hemorrhoid against the background of exacerbation of hemorrhoids. The course of the procedures should be postponed until the inflammation in the nodes has stopped. Otherwise, during the massage, the hemorrhoid can be damaged, which leads to heavy bleeding and can cause the spread of the inflammatory process or even infection of the site.
Preventive measures
Prevention of hemorrhoids and prostatitis is aimed at increasing the period of remission and reducing the frequency of exacerbations. Preventive measures:
- Balanced diet;
- prevention of constipation;
- strengthen the immune system;
- 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 that exacerbate hemorrhoids and prostatitis because it impairs blood circulation. During a bowel movement, hard stools injure the rectum and hemorrhoids, causing exacerbation, and irritate the prostate, which is hidden by a thin septum. To prevent constipation, your doctor may also recommend special medications, such as glycerin suppositories.