Prostatitis is the term for disease, infection and inflammation of the prostate gland. Acute prostatitis is marked by frequent and painful urination, incomplete emptying of the bladder, chills, fever, pelvic pain, and visibly infected urine, according to the National Kidney and Urologic Diseases Information Clearinghouse. It is a potentially life-threatening condition. Though it can be treated, understanding the causes can help with prevention efforts.
Transferred Infection
One of the main causes of acute prostatitis is a transferred infection. The same bacteria that can cause bladder infections can also cause bacterial infections in the prostate gland. Infections can also be transferred through the bloodstream to the prostate. Thus, individuals experiencing a bladder infection or managing an infection of the blood should be monitoring their prostates for signs of acute prostatitis, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Sexually Transmitted Diseases
Acute prostatitis can be triggered when a sexually transmitted disease is acquired. The sexually transmitted disease that is the most likely to cause acute prostatitis is acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, or AIDS, since it interferes with the body's ability to fight off infections inflammation-causing bacteria, and other sympathetic illnesses. However, chlamydia, gonorrhea, trichomonas and ureaplasma urealyticum can also cause acute prostatitis, according to MedlinePlus.
Pressure on the Prostate
When the tissues around the prostate are swollen, it can lead to acute prostatitis, according to the Mayo Clinic. The pressure causes irritation within the prostate gland, triggering a chain of reactionary events that can result in acute prostatitis. MedlinePlus states that surgical procedures can also cause similar pressure on the prostate.
Psychological Stress
According to the Mayo Clinic, psychological stressors can contribute to acute prostatitis. These psychological stressors can change the balance of hormones and neurotransmitter activity in the body, shifting the functionality of the prostate gland. While under psychological stress, monitor your prostate performance to ensure you are properly attributing symptoms and watching for acute prostatitis.
Injury to the Prostate
A traumatic injury to the prostate gland or prostate area can lead to acute prostatitis. This can be the result of a bad fall or another kind of accident, such as a car accident. MedlinePlus states that when the area is damaged, there is a heightened risk that bacteria and microbes will invade the prostate gland, triggering a bout of acute prostatitis. Even after visible trauma has healed, bacteria that may not have been flushed from the prostate gland can still lead to flare-ups of prostatitis.
