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Prostate stones are crystals located in the glandular tissue or excretory ducts of the prostate. Pathological inclusions come in different shapes and sizes. They have a different composition - inorganic salts of calcium, uric or oxalic acid, protein, phosphates, lime, epithelial cells of the ducts of the gland and prostatic secretion. We will analyze structural changes, diagnostic methods, symptoms and methods of treating pathology in this article.
The risk group for the disease can be quite extensive. Prostate stones are most often formed in men:
In men, the secret of the prostate can change its composition throughout life. The process of stone formation starts if there is a significant change in the natural ratio of components in the prostatic juice. For example, citric acid prevents the formation of crystals. But if it is not enough, and the secret in the prostate stagnates, then amyloid bodies accumulate calcium. These are the reasons for the formation of calcifications (calcium stones).
Oxalaturia (excess oxalic acid) pushes the male body to form oxalates, uraturia (excess uric acid) - urates. Phosphate prostate stones are formed due to excess phosphoric acid.
Persistent sluggish inflammatory processes in the prostate are the second most common cause of the formation of a pathological condition. The wise universe rewarded the man's body with an amazing ability - to protect the inflamed tissues of the prostate gland with a capsule. Such a distinction creates a "sarcophagus" that prevents the spread of infection, reduces intoxication, and improves the functioning of the glandular tissue of the suffering organ. The stone often saves a man, especially in the case of the formation of small-sized inclusions.
The reflux of urine into the prostate gland (urethroprostatic reflux) is another source that can lead to the development of the disease. With this form of organ damage, the distal ducts of the prostate suffer. A fairly rare cause of prostate stones is an extrapulmonary form of tuberculosis. Petrificates are able to concentrate calcium. Most often they are formed as a result of hypothermia of the body.
Chronic prostatitis with stones has its own characteristics. Stones in the prostate are from 0.2 to 2.5 cm in diameter. Their number varies from a single calculus to several tens of inclusions. The shape is most often spherical, elongated or rounded. Calculi in the prostate gland are divided into sensitive and insensitive to x-ray diagnostics.
They can have organic and inorganic composition. According to the mechanism of formation, prostate stones are endogenous and exogenous. True inclusions of the prostate gland are formed directly in the male gland, false - migrate from the urea, kidneys, ureters.
The symptomatic picture of small calculi in the prostate gland often wears blurred symptoms. Pronounced symptoms appear only if the prostate stones have reached a large size or infection has occurred. A man most often experiences a triad of symptoms:
Provocateurs of pain are cycling, increased physical activity, urination or sexual intercourse. As the stones grow in the prostate, potency suffers, other erectile dysfunctions join. Increased pain in the area of the bladder. These and other symptoms can reduce male libido, which will only exacerbate the process of stone formation in the prostate.
The diagnosis of prostate stones begins with a physical examination of the patient, palpation of his genitals and a careful history taking. Next, the urologist resorts to a transverse digital examination. This study helps to identify an increase in the organ, its consistency and other parameters of the prostate gland. But this procedure brings little diagnostic benefit, because ultrasound is indicated. Ultrasound diagnostics is carried out through the abdominal cavity or through the rectum.
It is important to remember that ultrasound diagnostics has its own characteristics.Small structures of increased acoustic density, located in the region of the ejaculatory ducts, the seminal tubercle, as well as along the urethra, are observed and considered as echographic signs of the norm.
Less commonly, MRI, CT, excretory urography are prescribed. Very rarely, the choice is stopped on x-rays, because there are x-ray-negative prostate stones. Examination of the urethra using endoscopic techniques will help to identify calculi localized in the area of the mouth of the ducts of the male gland.
For accurate verification of the diagnosis of "stones in the prostate", laboratory diagnostics are indicated. Blood is taken from the patient for a general analysis, and a general urinalysis is performed in dynamics. In some clinical cases, a spermogram, analysis of prostatic secretion, bakposev, determination of the sensitivity of the flora to antibiotics, etc. are shown.
If you find stones in the prostate - this is not a sentence. Treatment is prescribed based on the state of health and age of the patient, the degree of damage to the prostate gland. Small inclusions do not need therapy. But if the stones manifest themselves as severe symptoms or are the cause of prostatitis, then complex treatment is prescribed.
National treatment begins only after a medical consultation. Self-treatment is prohibited!
Treatment with Folk remedies for this disease has been practiced for several centuries. Here are some recipes if you need to get rid of stones and make their removal a painless process:
Take a spoonful of chopped birch bark, pour it with a glass of boiling water, let the potion brew. After straining, place the liquid in the refrigerator. At one time, one tablespoon of infusion is enough, mixed in equal amounts with lemon juice and honey. Take three times a day, preferably before meals.
Cystone will help dissolve the stones. The drug is taken 2 tablets in the morning and evening. How much time to treat the disease, the doctor determines. To do without surgery, drugs are additionally prescribed that accelerate the dissolution of calculi and are able to actively remove salts. These medications include:
Prostate stones should be treated under strict medical supervision. The doctor adjusts the list of prescribing drugs and the duration of the course of treatment. This is important to achieve a stable remission.
Laser removal or crushing of stones in the prostate is an effective procedure that can quickly and painlessly remove stones using laser technology. The procedure lasts from 20 to 60 minutes, painless, does not require anesthesia. But this indicator depends on the equipment, the reputation of the clinic and many other factors.
If "calculous prostatitis" is diagnosed, physiotherapeutic procedures (massage, magnetic and/or ultrasonic remote lithotripsy) are prescribed by a doctor. Self-medication is prohibited. It is fraught with severe disorders of the prostate gland.
Surgeries to remove prostate stones are performed through transurethral access (through the urethra). In this way, stones located in the prostatic part of the urethra can be easily removed. Resection of the gland through the abdominal cavity is a more traumatic way to remove pathological inclusions, therefore the method is rarely used. Surgery is prescribed after all methods of conservative therapy have not given the expected effect. Surgical intervention is carried out in a hospital, hospitalization lasts at least 7 days. The postoperative period, subject to high-quality anesthesia, is easily tolerated by patients.
For men planning to have children, the consequences of prostate stones are often associated with infertility. Stones in the prostate have a detrimental effect on spermatozoa, causing inability to conceive. Sluggish ejaculation, chronic inflammation in the kidneys, in the bladder - these are the most common complications of stone formation in the prostate gland.
If the treatment was carried out incorrectly or did not bring therapeutic remission, then Chronic prostatitis with stones is difficult, complicated by purulent pathologies.
An abscess of the prostate is often formed. Purulent fusion of glandular tissue can lead to the formation of cancer, the formation of painful ejaculation, and persistent dysfunction of the prostate. Acute thrombosis, when a blockage of blood lines is formed, is considered one of the most serious consequences of prostate stones.
The postoperative period is rarely complicated by the addition of bacteriological agents. With endoscopic intervention, the risk of infection is even lower.
I found out about calcifications in the prostate by chance, when I was suspected of chronic sluggish prostatitis. After consultation with a urologist, a treatment regimen was selected, but it did not bring the desired effect. The calculus increased in size, new small inclusions appeared. That is why I had stones removed from my prostate. The operation was successful. If stones are found in the prostate gland, this is not a sentence, but an excuse to take care of your health.
Maxim Vladimirovich, 62 years old
The main preventive measure that prevents the development of stones in the prostate is maintaining a healthy lifestyle. It is important to make regular physical activity, to prevent prolonged sexual abstinence. Hardening is a powerful stimulant of the immune system and the work of all internal organs. Therefore, hardening procedures should become the norm of life, and not an episodic process.
Regular intimate intercourse, especially with a regular sexual partner, will lead to regular emptying of the prostate ducts. This will minimize the risk of stagnation in the affected organ. The more regular the emptying of the male gland, the less opportunity for the formation of areas with increased echogenicity.
If stones have formed in the prostate, then reconsider your diet. A diet for prostate stones should not contain an excess of fatty, fried foods. In your diet, increase the percentage of vegetables, seasonal fruits and herbs. So you can improve your sexual performance. Additionally, give up bad habits. Alcohol, smoking, drug use are detrimental factors that provoke calcific prostatitis.
Men over 45 are shown preventive examinations by a urologist. This will allow timely diagnosis and treatment of pathological changes in the genitals and urological organs. Try to limit nervous stress, avoid cold and any kind of bacterial infections.
Stones in the prostate are a pathology of the male genital area. It is characterized by the deposition of salts in the body. It is usually diagnosed at the age of over 45-50 years. Pathology is manifested by pain in the prostate gland. For treatment, a complex of medicines, folk remedies, surgery or laser therapy are prescribed.
The most common cause of the formation of pathology is the prolonged course of chronic prostatitis. Other diseases that contribute to the appearance of stones in the prostate gland:
Factors affecting the development of this pathology of the prostate:
At the age of 50, men often have metabolic processes disrupted, and vascular function worsens. This may be a precursor to stagnation of blood in the pelvis, incomplete removal of excess substances from the body. As a result, deposits accumulate in the pancreas, which turn into stones.
Deposits are formed in the organ itself or in the prostatic part of the urethra. They consist of pancreatic duct cells and accumulated salts. Stones come in various types and are classified according to their chemical structure and method of formation.
Varieties of stones composition:
By appearance:
The most dangerous is the course of Chronic prostatitis with stones consisting of calcium salts. They are the hardest among other types of stones and often damage the prostate gland and its ducts. Calcium stones require the use of surgical intervention, as they are not amenable to drug treatment.
Initially, the disease manifests itself with signs similar to the course of prostatitis. The man at the same time feels pain in the groin. Their intensity increases with physical activity, during intimacy and direct ejaculation.Further symptoms develop:
The presence of stones in the prostate often provokes the development of chronic inflammation. Outwardly, this is manifested by swelling of the inguinal region. On palpation, compacted areas of the prostate can be detected. Pressing on them hurts a man.
Before diagnosing, the patient should visit a urologist or surgeon for an initial medical examination. During its implementation, the symptoms of the disease, the presence of factors predisposing to the occurrence of stones are determined. After questioning and palpation of the penis, scrotum and pancreas by rectal insertion of the fingers, the man is given referrals for tests.
Laboratory diagnosis of the prostate condition:
As an instrumental diagnosis, ultrasound is the most common. It allows you to assess the condition of the prostate, its ducts, urethra. With the help of ultrasound, the size, type and number of stones are determined. If this method is not informative, CT or MRI is prescribed. The latter gives the most accurate information about the pathology, but is rarely used for diagnosis due to the high cost.
If stones are found in the prostate, the type of treatment is determined by the results of the studies. Additionally, concomitant diseases of the genital organs, the age of the man, the presence of contraindications to a particular type of therapy are taken into account. Pathology is treated by several methods:
Urologist: prostate massage during calculous prostatitis is prohibited. This is fraught with injuries to the tissues of the organ and its ducts.
To increase the effectiveness of treatment, several types of therapies are usually used simultaneously. Medication is often prescribed before surgery or laser treatment. This helps reduce the size of the stones, making them easier to remove completely. Traditional medicine is used instead of drugs as an adjunct to any of the prostate treatments or a means to speed up the recovery process after surgery.
Treatment with folk remedies is considered the safest method of eliminating pathology. The main disadvantage is the duration of the onset of the effect. In order to reduce the stones, it is necessary to take the medicine for several months. Complete removal of stones from the prostate can last from a year or more.
The most effective recipes:
Before using any folk remedy, a doctor's consultation is required. Exceeding the recommended dosage may contribute to the active movement of stones. As a result, the ducts of the prostate gland may be injured.
The use of drugs is necessary to reduce inflammation, reduce the size of stones, accelerate their dissolution and withdrawal. A complex of medicines is used to treat the prostate gland.
Antibacterial agents - Erythromycin, Norfloxacin, Vibramycin are used in the form of tablets or injections. Reduce inflammation in the prostate. Most relevant in the presence of infection in the genital tract. They are taken in a course of 7-14 days.
Alpha-blockers - Tamsulosin, Doxazosin, Omnix. Relax the muscle tissue of the urethral canal, which allows less painful and faster removal of stones. The course of admission is 1-3 months.
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs - Diclofenac, Ibuprofen, Meloxicam. Used in the form of tablets or ointments. Necessary to reduce the focus of inflammation, relieve pain symptoms. They are usually prescribed for several days to relieve acute symptoms.
Anspasmodics - No-shpa, Drotaverin, Baralgin. Contribute to the expansion of the ducts of the prostate gland, normalize local blood circulation. Therapeutic course - 10-14 days.
Plant-based medicines - Cyston, Afala, Flavia. They have disinfectant and antibacterial properties. They help dissolve stones, relieve inflammation, improve local blood circulation. Duration of treatment - 2-6 months.
Conservative therapy allows you to treat pathology without surgery and the use of a laser. However, this is only effective for small stones.
This method is considered non-invasive and consists in the effect of a laser on stones. Lithotripsy lasts up to half an hour. The device for its implementation is immersed in the rectum or urethra. Local anesthetics are used to relieve discomfort. Under the action of the apparatus, stones are crushed to the state of sand.
Medications are prescribed to prevent the recurrence of this pathology of the prostate. For this, diuretics are used. They help to remove sand from the prostate gland in 3-6 days.
Laser stone removal is considered one of the most effective ways to eliminate pathology. It is distinguished by the rare occurrence of relapses, the absence of a rehabilitation period
Indications for surgery to remove prostate stones:
An additional diagnosis of the body is required before the operation. A man must pass biochemical blood and urine tests, undergo a blood group and Rh factor test, exclude the presence of HIV, syphilis, hepatitis.
There are two surgical methods to remove stones. The course of the operation differs in the amount of removal of prostate tissue.
Prostatectomy - removal of the entire organ, nearby lymph nodes and affected tissues. It is prescribed for extensive damage to the prostate gland, the presence of large stones. After the intervention, there is a chance to restore erectile function.
Resection of the prostate - is prescribed if it is possible to save part of the pancreas. During the operation, only the affected prostate tissue and stones need to be removed. Sometimes, after resection, small accumulations of sand remain, which are eliminated with the help of medicines.
The likelihood of developing negative health effects increases with the detection of large calculi, extensive damage to the prostate gland, and the elderly age of a man. Possible complications:
Consequences can be avoided by following all the doctor's recommendations, timely diagnosis of the disease. The risk of their development is higher in the presence of other diseases from the field of urology.
After I had stones removed from my prostate with a laser, the process of urination returned to normal. To remove the remnants of stones and sand, I drank diuretic drugs for two weeks. All symptoms of the disease disappeared within a week after treatment.
A diet for prostate stones should be followed during any type of treatment. A man needs to give up fatty, spicy, smoked, salty, spices, alcohol. The menu should consist of light soups and cereals, boiled lean meats, vegetable stews. This will help alleviate the symptoms of pancreatic pathology and speed up the healing process. When the diet is abandoned, the pain during urination increases.
Urologist: it is important for the patient to observe the drinking regimen. Drinking at least 2 liters of water a day speeds up the process of cleaning the prostate from salt deposits.
To prevent the formation of stones, a man needs to lead a healthy lifestyle. To do this, you need to eat a balanced diet, exercise regularly, organize a good rest, and take daily walks. An active sex life is also important. Every year it is necessary to visit a urologist or surgeon, after 45 years it is recommended to consult a doctor even in the absence of complaints every six months.
The process of formation of stones in the prostate is called prostatolithiasis (from the ancient Greek word "lithos" - a stone). Prostatic stones, according to statistics, are found in 20% of healthy men and in 35-40% of men with prostatitis.
Stones can form in the cavities, ducts, or parenchyma of the prostate. Most often they are multiple. Prostatic stones are divided into true (formed in the gland itself) and false (consist of salt crystals that have fallen from the urethra).
True stones appear in the gland as a complication of chronic prostatitis.They include:
False prostatic stones may consist of salts of phosphoric (phosphate), urinary (urate) and oxalic (oxalate) acids.
The tactics of treating patients depend on the type of stones and their location. The formation of stones in the prostate contribute to errors in nutrition, irregular sex life, sedentary lifestyle, urinary tract infections.
True stones are more difficult to treat because calcium salts are sparingly soluble. In some cases, it is possible to get rid of false stones by changing the rhythm of life and nutrition.
Prostatolithiasis is often asymptomatic, so many men learn about it by chance: during a preventive oncological examination or a plain radiograph of the pelvic organs. In patients with chronic inflammation of the prostate for a long time, the clinical symptoms of stone formation in it are often hidden behind signs of prostatitis.
The tissues around prostatic stones are in a state of chronic inflammation. The presence of stones in the prostate is dangerous by trauma and infection of the tissues of the organ, impaired blood circulation in it, and difficulty in the outflow of secretions.
Diagnosis of prostatolithiasis is based on the results of a rectal digital examination of the prostate. On palpation, elastic, mobile formations are determined in the thickness of the gland. If several stones are located next to each other, crepitus is felt on palpation due to the friction of the stones between themselves.
Stones in the prostate gland are detected during plain radiography. These calculi are defined as shadows located behind or above the pubic joint. Calculi are also clearly visible during ultrasound examination using a transrectal probe.
Treatment of prostatolithiasis is aimed at dissolving stones, crushing them, followed by removal of fragments from the gland through the ducts or surgical removal of the stone with part of the damaged organ. Treatment may be conservative or surgical. In some cases, when stones are localized in the prostate parenchyma, but do not manifest themselves clinically, patients are only recommended to follow up in dynamics.
When stones are localized in the cavities or ducts of the prostate, their parts after crushing can leave the gland naturally - through the ducts. In this case, conservative treatment is indicated. Since stone formation is a long process and is accompanied by reactive inflammation of the gland tissues, its conservative treatment includes the same measures as for the treatment of chronic prostatitis.
Conservative treatment of prostatolithiasis is to prescribe:
With the early detection of calculi in the tissues of the prostate, effective treatment is possible with non-surgical methods, including with the help of folk remedies. Folk remedies have contraindications and side effects that can complicate the course of the disease, so you should consult a urologist before starting such treatment.
If small stones are found in the prostate, treatment with folk remedies at the initial stage can be very effective. A prerequisite for such therapy is the patency of the ducts of the gland.
The most common among folk remedies for stones in the prostate are remedies based on medicinal plants. Traditional medicine for stones in the prostate recommends taking funds prepared from:
Plentiful drinking of rosehip decoction, linden tea or other diuretic medicinal herbs helps to wash out salts and small stones from the prostate. The liquefaction of the prostatic secretion and the removal of inflammation in the prostate gland is facilitated by taking linseed oil, daily eating green onions, drinking juices from radishes, currants, nettles, mountain ash.
To prepare a rosehip decoction, 2 tbsp. chopped rhizome is poured with boiling water, boiled for 5 minutes, then wrapped and infused until cool. Strained infusion is taken three times a day for 70 ml.
You need to prepare the infusion in this way: chop the whole parsley (roots, stem, leaves), add 1 tbsp. raw materials in a thermos, pour a glass of boiling water, leave for 8 hours, strain. To dissolve stones, take 50 ml of infusion at least 3 times a day.
For the preparation of birch infusion, take 1 tbsp. crushed bark or birch buds, pour a glass of boiling water, wrap, insist, filter. Ready birch infusion is mixed with lemon juice and water in equal proportions and drunk in 1 tbsp. 3 times a day.
If there are indications, the patient can be crushed stones in the prostate using a non-invasive hardware method - laser therapy. Surgical intervention for prostatolithiasis is used in the case of the formation of an abscess (abscess), with severe pain caused by calculi, or with severe dysfunction of the gland.
What will be the treatment of prostolitosis, the doctor should determine based on the patient's complaints, objective symptoms, the results of a rectal examination, ultrasound and x-ray studies, laboratory tests. The key to successful treatment of calculi in the prostate is their early detection. The smaller the stones, the more effective their conservative treatment will be.