Prostatitis

Definition

Prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland often caused by bacterial infection. It can lead to urinary symptoms and pelvic pain.

5 Must Know Facts For Your Next Test

1. Prostatitis can be acute or chronic, with acute cases being more severe and sudden in onset.
2. Escherichia coli is the most common bacterial cause of prostatitis.
3. Symptoms include painful urination, difficulty urinating, and pelvic pain.
4. Chronic prostatitis may not always involve a bacterial infection but could be due to non-bacterial factors.
5. Diagnosis typically involves urine tests, prostate secretion analysis, and sometimes imaging studies.

Review Questions

• What are the two main types of prostatitis?
• Which bacterium is most commonly associated with prostatitis?
• What are some common symptoms of prostatitis?

Related terms

Urinary Tract Infection (UTI):

An infection that affects any part of the urinary system, including kidneys, bladder, or urethra.

Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): Non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate gland often seen in older men.

Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID): An infection of the female reproductive organs that can cause similar symptoms to prostatitis in males.