Prostatitis
Prostatitis refers to an inflammatory or irritative condition of the prostate gland. The categorization of the prostatitis syndromes is based on the acuity or chronicity of symptoms, the presence or absence of white blood cells in the urine, and the presence or absence of positive urine cultures. Prostatitis can be classified as acute prostatitis, chronic bacterial prostatitis, inflammatory chronic prostatitis/pelvic pain syndrome, noninflammatory chronic prostatitis/pelvic pain syndrome, or asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis. Acute prostatitis is generally a straightforward diagnosis; however, the chronic prostatitis syndromes are more difficult to define.
Acute prostatitis almost always is caused by the entrance of microorganisms from the urethra into the prostate. Patients with acute prostatitis usually have symptoms of spiking fever, chills, muscle pain, burning with urination, pelvic or perineal pain, and cloudy urine. Diagnosis is made by patient, physical examination, and urine culture results. Treatment involves use of antimicrobials to eradicate the infection. Some patients with acute prostatitis require hospitalization for antibiotic therapy, particularly if they demonstrate signs of sepsis.
Chronic prostatitis can occur as a complication of acute prostatitis. It can, however, also occur without any recognized antecedent infection. Diagnosis should be suspected in the man who complains of burning with urination and urinary frequency without signs/symptoms of acute prostatitis and in the man with recurrent urinary tract infections who does not catheterize his bladder. Diagnosis of chronic prostatitis is made be analyzing specimens obtained following prostatic massage. A prolonged course (6 to 12 weeks) of antibiotics is usually recommended for treatment.
| Service Name | Appointment |
|---|---|
| Urology - Adult | |
| General Urology | A. Alfred Taubman Health Care Center | 734-936-7030 |
| Livonia Center for Specialty Care | 734-936-7030 |
| Ypsilanti Health Center | 734-936-7030 |
