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Chronic Non-Bacterial Prostatitis

 

 

What is Chronic Non-Bacterial Prostatitis?

Chronic nonbacterial prostatitis or Inflammatory Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome is the inflammation of the prostate not due to bacterial infection. It refers to a condition affecting patients who present symptoms of prostatitis without a positive result after urine culture or expressed prostate secretion (EPS) culture. Currently, the National Institute of Health refers to Chronic Non-Bacterial Prostatitis as Category IIIa Prostatitis or Chronic Prostatitis/Chronic Pelvic Pain Syndrome (CP/CPPS).

 

Anatomy and Function of Chronic Non-Bacterial Prostatitis

The prostate is part of the male reproductive system. It is a walnut-sized and shaped gland located below the bladder and in front of the rectum and surrounds the urethra (a tube-like structure that carries urine form the bladder out through the penis).

In this syndrome, men have the symptoms of prostate infection but do not have any evidence of a bacterial infection. Some researchers argue that the organism chlamydia is responsible, but this is very controversial. The symptoms are probably caused by spasms of the sphincter muscles of the bladder and the pelvic floor. This may also increase the pressure in the urethra, which forces urine down into the prostate.

 

Causes of Chronic Non-Bacterial Prostatitis

Unfortunately, little is known about what causes chronic nonbacterial prostatitis or inflammatory chronic pelvic pain syndrome. However, health professionals believe the possible causes include:

• Blocked urine flow
• Abnormal movement of urine and prostate secretions into the prostate
• Microorganisms that may infect the prostate (if they are present, they usually are not detectable in the
urine)
• The immune system attacking the prostate (autoimmune disease)
• Chemicals normally found in the urine, such as uric acid, which may get into the prostate and cause
irritation
• Abnormal nerve or muscle function

 

Diagnosis of Chronic Non-Bacterial Prostatitis

A physical exam is not usually enough to make the diagnosis. But, often it reveals that the anal sphincter, prostate, and groin muscles are tight.

A diagnosis of Nonbacterial Prostatitis usually is made after repeated unsuccessful attempts to treat what is presumed to be bacterial prostatitis. Although microscopic examination of prostate massage specimens may show increased numbers of white blood cells, ultimately, no definite source of infection can be identified. Urine and prostatic fluid routinely fail to show the presence of any infecting organisms. Often the diagnosis is made only after various unsuccessful drug treatments, numerous doctors' visits and considerable expense.

Occasionally, doctors will diagnose patients whose Nonbacterial Prostatitis develops from a lack of sexual activity. This so-called "congestive prostatitis" is thought to be the result of a lack of ejaculation. When semen stays too long in the prostate and causes inflammation.

A converse diagnosis of "exhaustive prostatitis" or "overuse prostatitis" may be made in men whose Nonbacterial Protatitis symptoms appear to be caused by excessive ejaculation. In both cases, a sexual history is essential to accurate diagnosis, and modification of sexual activity usually is prescribed.

 

Symptoms of Chronic Non-Bacterial Prostatitis

The syndrome usually affects men between 18 and 50 years old. Its symptoms are the most common urologic problem in men younger than 50 years and the third most common urologic problem in older men. Recent studies using the NIH Chronic Prostatitis Symptom Index (NIH-CPSI) found the prevalence of prostatitis symptoms to be approximately 10% in a population of men aged 20-74 years. The symptoms may be constant, or they may come and go.

The common symptoms associated with Chronic Nonbacterial Prostatitis include:

• Frequent urge to urinate (especially at night)
• Pain or burning sensation during urination
• Difficulty urinating
• Decreased urine stream and caliber
• Pain or vague discomfort during or after ejaculation.
• Pain with bowel movements
• Blood in the urine
• Blood in the semen

Pain or discomfort in:

• Perineal
• Suprapubic
• Scrotal
• Low back
• Urethral
• Tip of penis
 

How to Address the Symptoms of Chronic Non-Bacterial Prostatitis

Chronic Non-Bacterial Prostatitis usually cannot be cured, but it can be managed. These include:

Traditional Treatments :

• Muscle relaxants and alpha-blockers may be used if muscle spasms are causing pain or problems urinating.
• Massaging the prostate 3 to 4 times a week may help relieve symptoms.
• Counseling, biofeedback, acupuncture or relaxation techniques may help reduce stress that is contributing to the pain.
• Microwave therapy (transurethral thermotherapy) may be used to heat the prostate in an attempt to end the inflammation. Higher settings can be used to destroy the part of the prostate that is causing pain. 
• This is similar to treatment for Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH).
• Warm baths may provide some relief of the perineal and lower back pain associated with prostatitis.

Nutrition:

• Eat whole, fresh, unrefined, and unprocessed foods. Include fruits, vegetables, whole grains, soy, beans, seeds, nuts, olive oil, and cold-water fish (salmon, tuna, sardines, halibut, and mackerel). Eating organic food helps reduce exposure to pesticides, herbicides, and hormones.
• Avoid sugar, dairy products, refined foods, fried foods, junk foods, and caffeine.
• Eliminate food sensitivities. Use an elimination and challenge diet to determine food sensitivities.
• Drink 1/2 of your body weight in ounces of water daily (e.g., if you weigh 150 lbs., drink 75 oz. of water daily).

Principal Proposed Natural Method to Address the Symptoms of Chronic Non-Bacterial Prostatitis by Promoting Prostate Health:

Quercetin belongs to a class of water-soluble plant coloring agents called bioflavonoids, which have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Bioflavonoids have been investigated for a wide variety of medical uses.

A study published in 1999 suggests that Quercetin may be helpful for addressing the symptoms of Chronic Non-Bacterial Prostatitis by promoting prostate health. In this double-blind trial, 30 men with fairly severe Chronic Non-Bacterial Prostatitis were given either Quercetin (500 mg twice daily) or placebo for a month. The results showed that participants given Quercetin improved to a significantly greater extent than those in the placebo group. The greatest gains were seen in reduction of pain.

 

Chronic Non-Bacterial Prostatitis Facts

• Many patients respond to treatment while others are not relieved despite multiple treatment attempts.
• Symptoms often recur after treatment and may eventually not be treatable.
• Unresolved symptoms of Nonbacterial Prostatitis may cause significant changes in lifestyle and emotional well-being related to sexual and urinary problems.
• Once symptoms are gone there is no need for further monitoring. The man should contact a healthcare provider if symptoms persist or return.

 

Resources for Chronic Non-Bacterial Prostatitis

National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disorders
Office of Communications and Public Liaison
Building 31, Room 9A04
Center Drive, MSC 2560
Bethesda, MD 20892-2560
Phone: (301) 496-3583
Fax: (301) 496-7422
http://www.niddk.nih.gov/

American Foundation for Urologic Disease
1000 Corporate Blvd., Suite 410
Linthicum, MD 21090
Phone: (410) 689-3990
Toll-Free: (800) 828-7866
Fax: (410) 689-3998
http://www.auafoundation.org/

Prostatitis Foundation
1063 30th St. Box 8 Smithshire, IL 61478
Toll-Free: (888) 891-4200 Fax: (309) 325-7184
http://www.prostatitis.org/

www.ChronicProstatitis.com
http://www.ChronicProstatitis.com/