Prostatic hyperplasia, or, as it is commonly called, prostate adenoma, is most often observed in men of advanced and senile age. This disease is quite common and is manifested by the appearance of a benign tumor, which begins to grow after some time.
An unpleasant consequence of this disease is the occurrence of problems with urination and the development of various complications, including inflammation of the genitourinary system and kidney failure.
Modern research methods allow for diagnosing prostate adenoma at an early stage and choosing the right approach for effective treatment of the disease.
Prostate adenoma
A prostate adenoma is an exclusively male disease, which is manifested by the formation of a benign tumor in the prostate. Initially, neoplasms are small nodules that tend to increase as the disease progresses.
As a result, the resulting neoplasm begins to put pressure on the urethra, leading to disruption of the urination process and, resulting in other complications.
Often this disease occurs in men over 60 years old, but in some cases, it can manifest itself at a younger age. A prostate adenoma is benign and can be treated at any stage.
Causes of hyperplasia
The main cause of prostate adenoma lies in the dysfunction of the testicles and the restructuring of the hormonal background of the body due to age-related changes that appear after 45 years.
The older a person becomes, the stronger the disturbances in testosterone support metabolism and the more estrogen becomes in the blood.
In addition to hormonal changes, several other factors can also affect the appearance of prostatic hyperplasia. These include:
- hereditary predisposition;
- passive way of life;
- smoking;
- excess weight.
The process of development of prostatic hyperplasia can occur for decades. Initially, the nodules are microscopic and grow very slowly, and symptoms may appear only if the nodules reach a significant size.
In the early stages, nodular hyperplasia can only be diagnosed with the help of ultrasound. It is important to remember that the earlier the disease is detected, the better the treatment prognosis.
Symptoms of prostate adenoma
The main danger of prostatic hyperplasia is the possibility of its asymptomatic course for a long time. Clearly expressed signs can appear only in the case of tumor growth.
Among the main clinical manifestations of prostate adenoma are the following:
- the occurrence of difficulty urinating;
- intermittent urination;
- inability to empty the bladder;
- the appearance of blood in the urine;
- stagnation of urine;
- lethargy of the jet;
- increased urge to urinate;
- pain when urinating;
- the formation of stones in the bladder.
It should also be noted that this disease’s manifestations are individual and depend on the size of the neoplasm and the severity of the disease.
3 stages of prostatic hyperplasia
Compensation. At this stage, problems with urination appear. Urine may be discharged in a sluggish stream; there will be increased urges, accompanied by difficulty at night.
The prostate gland during this period will be enlarged, and its boundaries will be clearly defined. The duration of this period can be about 3 years. At this stage, the disease is easily treatable with medication.
Subcompensation. The transition to this stage is possible in case of serious violations of the functioning of the bladder. At this stage, his release is much more difficult.
Manifestations can be expressed in the form of an increased urge to urinate and the involuntary release of cloudy urine (in some cases, accompanied by the appearance of blood impurities). At the sub-compensated stage of the disease, renal failure may develop.
Decompensation. The most dangerous stage of prostatic hyperplasia. At this stage, all symptoms become pronounced, and bladder distension and blood discharge appear.
The danger of this stage lies in the complete impossibility of the patient emptying the bladder, resulting in a risk of its rupture. In this case, the patient requires immediate hospitalization.
Diagnosis of prostate adenoma
Prostatic hyperplasia is easily treatable if detected early. To avoid the onset of this disease’s development, it is necessary to undergo a scheduled examination by a urologist at least once a year.
A weighty reason for a full range of diagnostics may be the appearance of complaints and the results of laboratory tests.
Primary diagnosis of hyperplasia is carried out immediately at the first medical appointment. The doctor finds out the symptoms and complaints of the patient, clarifies the nature of urination, and conducts a digital rectal examination of the adenoma to determine the prostate gland’s size and establish the organ’s soreness.
For a complete diagnosis of prostate adenoma, the following set of studies is prescribed:
- transrectal ultrasound;
- digital rectal examination;
- PSA blood test;
- uroflowmetry;
- general urinalysis.
In case of suspicion of the presence of stones in the bladder, X-ray examination methods may also be prescribed.
Treatment of prostatic hyperplasia
Thanks to modern diagnostic methods and timely diagnosis, the treatment of prostate adenoma in most cases is possible with the help of effectively selected medical methods. Starting treatment in grades 1 and 2 of the disease is only important. At the stage of decompensation (stage 3), drug treatment is replaced by surgery.
