LESSON 1
DISEASES/DISORDERS OF THE GENITALIA
Section I. DISEASES/DISORDERS OF THE MALE GENITALIA
1-1.
INTRODUCTION
Diseases and disorders of the genitalia can be dangerous. Such problems are
generally agreeable to therapy if the diagnosis can be established. In your later work,
you may be assessing and treating these types of diseases and disorders almost on a
daily basis.
Figure 1-1. Male genitalia.
1-2.
PROSTATITIS
The condition prostatitis is an inflammation of the prostate gland. Prostatitis can
be divided into two main categories: (1) acute and chronic bacterial prostatitis and (2)
nonbacterial prostatitis. The incidence of prostatitis increases with age.
a. Etiology. Bacterial prostatitis is either acute or chronic and is usually caused
by gram-negative organisms such as these: Escherichia coli (most common),
Enterobacter, Serratia, Klebsiella, and Pseudomonas. The causative bacterial may
reach the prostate gland from the blood stream or from the urethra. Prostatitis is
commonly associated with urethritis or an infection of the lower genitourinary tract (an
infection such as gonorrhea). Systemic dehydration can play an important part in
decreased urinary output. This decreased urinary out put allows microorganisms in the
genitourinary tract to multiply.
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1-2