Prostatitis is a condition that involves inflammation of the prostate gland. It is a very common health concern and accounts for up to a quarter of all medical office visits relating to the genital and urinary systems. The prostate is a small organ about the size of a walnut that is situated below the bladder and surrounds the urethra.

Types of Prostatitis

There are four types of prostatitis that typically affect young and middle-age men.
• Acute bacterial prostatitis is the least common type. It often causes chills, fever, pain in the lower back and genital area, body aches, burning or painful urination, and the frequent and urgent need to urinate.
• Chronic bacterial prostatitis is also relatively uncommon. This condition is a combination of acute prostatitis and a defect in the prostate, which then becomes the site of persistent bacterial infection.
• The most common and, incidentally least understood, form of the condition is nonbacterial prostatitis. It is a chronic, painful condition and symptoms disappear and return without cause or warning. This form of prostatitis can be associated with other diseases, such as Reiter syndrome.
• Prostatodynia is similar to nonbacterial prostatitis with regard to symptoms and age of patients. However, there are no objective findings, such as the presence of infection-fighting cells, in the urine of men who suffer from prostatodynia.

Treatment Options

Changes in diet have been shown to minimize the occurrence and effects of prostatitis. Avoiding substances that irritate the bladder, such as alcohol, caffeinated food and beverages, citrus juices and hot or spicy foods is recommended for men suffering from the condition. Hot sitz baths, regular sexual activity, prostatitic massage and an increase in fluid intake are also remedies associated with inflammation of the prostate.

Many men also find relief through the use of antibiotics as well as herbal treatments. Ingredients that are common in prostatitis treatment supplements are quercetin, saw palmetto, nettle root and DHEA.