Sedentary lifestyle, stress linked to rising prostatitis cases in youngsters

Prostatitis refers to inflammation of the prostate gland and can lead to painful or difficult urination, as well as groin, pelvic or genital pain.

While prostatitis can occur in men of any age, younger men are increasingly affected. Dr Gurpremjit Singh, Consultant Urologist at Livasa Hospital, Hoshiarpur, says timely diagnosis and treatment are essential to prevent complications. He notes that sedentary lifestyles and high stress levels, especially among young men, are major contributing factors.

Prostatitis occurs in several forms: acute bacterial prostatitis, chronic bacterial prostatitis, chronic prostatitis (also known as chronic pelvic pain syndrome) and asymptomatic inflammatory prostatitis.

Common signs, symptoms

The most frequent symptoms of prostatitis include painful urination, frequent urination (especially at night), difficulty or straining while starting urination and discomfort in the pelvic region, groin, or lower abdomen.

Risk factors

Several factors can predispose men to prostatitis. These include urinary or reproductive tract infections, underlying diseases such as HIV/AIDS and medical procedures like urinary catheterisation or prostate biopsies. Chronic prostatitis, which accounts for 90-95% of all cases, is most prevalent among young men, particularly those leading inactive lifestyles or dealing with high stress. There is also an alarming rise in prostatitis cases being diagnosed in younger age groups.

Treatment approaches

In bacterial prostatitis, antibiotics are the primary line of treatment. For chronic prostatitis or chronic pelvic pain syndrome, treatment may involve medications to relieve pain and inflammation. Kegel exercises can help strengthen pelvic floor muscles, while stress management techniques may also be recommended.

For cases involving Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH), which often coexists with prostatitis, treatment options include hormone-suppressing drugs or medications to relax prostate muscles. In severe cases, surgery may be required to remove tissue obstructing the urethra. Less invasive options such as UroLift and water vapour (steam) therapy are also available, especially for patients at higher risk.

Modern procedures

UroLift is a newer, minimally invasive procedure that uses small implants to lift and hold the enlarged prostate tissue away from the urethra, relieving symptoms without removing tissue.

Recovery time is short, making it a desirable option for many patients. Water vapour therapy, or Rezum, uses steam to eliminate excess prostate tissue, improving urinary flow and reducing symptoms. Both procedures are considered safe, effective and suitable for patients with comorbidities or those at higher surgical risk.

Importance of prevention

Regular check-ups can help in early detection and treatment of prostate issues.

Dr Gurpremjit Singh advises men to adopt healthy habits including a balanced diet, daily physical activity, adequate hydration and effective stress management. Quitting smoking and limiting alcohol intake are also crucial preventive steps. Men should not hesitate to discuss prostate concerns with their doctors, especially after the age of 50 or earlier in case of a family history of prostate diseases.

Jalandhar