Prostate hyperplasia: degrees, treatment

Prostate hyperplasia is a common disease that is often encountered by men of mature and old age. Despite the fact that the proliferation of tissues is benign, it brings a lot of discomfort to the patient's life.

Of course, many people are interested in additional information. Why does this disease develop? What symptoms should I look for? Is benign prostatic hyperplasia dangerous? What treatments do doctors offer? Many men ask such questions to the doctor.

General information about the disease

In fact, tens of thousands of the stronger sex face such a problem as prostatic hyperplasia. What does a similar diagnosis mean? Hyperplasia, which is also known as "prostate adenoma," is a benign neoplasm that appears due to too much proliferation of the structures of the prostate gland.

As you know, the prostate is located under the bladder, around the posterior urethra. Normally, this organ does not interfere with the processes of outflow of urine. But when the prostate begins to grow, it squeezes the tube of the urinary canal, as a result of which the fluid flow is disturbed, which is fraught with very dangerous complications.

The main causes of the development of the disease

According to statistics, approximately 80-90% of men in a certain period of life face such a problem as hyperplasia. In most cases, an enlarged prostate develops with age, so many doctors tend to believe that pathology is the result of the body's natural aging.

The fact is that after 40 years, the man’s body begins to change. For example, there is a decrease in the amount of synthesized androgens (testosterone), as well as an increase in estrogen levels. It is these processes that can lead to pathological growth of the structures of the prostate gland.

Risk factors include hypodynamia (lack or insufficient amount of physical activity), inflammatory and infectious diseases, a weakened immune system, malnutrition - in such situations, the likelihood of developing complications against the background of hyperplasia (for example, the formation of stones) is increased.

Genetic predisposition and even nationality matter. According to information collected during statistical studies, this disease is diagnosed much less frequently in Asians.

What are the symptoms of an ailment?

Before considering methods of treating benign prostatic hyperplasia, you need to study the main symptoms of the pathology:

• In the initial stages, only slight difficulties with urination are observed. The liquid stream becomes sluggish, periodically interrupted.
• Increased nightly urges. A man wakes up several times a night in order to go to the toilet.
• As the prostate gland enlarges, there is a feeling that the bladder is not completely empty.
• A new symptom also appears - false desires, in which a man can not be emptied.
• At later stages of the development of the disease, imperative urges may appear in which the patient cannot control the urination process or restrain himself. In this case, the volume of urine decreases. On the other hand, she begins to excrete in small portions throughout the day without the appearance of urges.
• During urination, a man needs to make an effort, for example, to strain the abdominal wall in order to create additional pressure.
• Often, hyperplasia is associated with sexual disorders, in particular, erectile dysfunction.

Prostate hyperplasia: degrees of development

Of course, the symptoms of the disease directly depend on the stage of its development. To date, there are three main stages:

• The first degree (compensated) is the initial stage. Some external symptoms are practically absent. The urine stream becomes a little lethargic, and patients often wake up at night due to the urge to urinate. At this stage, the bladder is still completely empty.
• The second degree (subcompensated) is accompanied by more pronounced symptoms. The prostate enlarges and begins to squeeze the urinary canal, as a result of which the bladder never completely empties. Urine is excreted in small portions, but urge to urinate is more frequent, especially at night.
• The third degree (decompensated) is characterized by a significant increase in the volume of the bubble as a result of the accumulation of a large amount of liquid in it. Urine begins to drop out. Patients complain of constant pain, suffer from inflammatory lesions of various organs of the genital and excretory systems.

Forms and varieties of hyperplasia

The disease can develop in different ways. Two forms are distinguished depending on the degree of involvement of the organ in the process and the nature of the course.

• Diffuse prostatic hyperplasia is accompanied by a uniform increase in organ volume.
• The nodular form is accompanied by the formation of one or multiple nodules in various parts of the organ. Such nodules can increase in size. During palpation in the tissues of the prostate, you can feel hard seals.

It is worth paying attention to the location of pathological processes:

• As you know, the prostate gland consists of glandular and muscle structures, as well as the stroma, which forms connective tissue cords, dividing the organ into separate lobules. Prostate stromal hyperplasia is characterized by uncontrolled growth of stromal components. It is worth noting that a similar form of pathology is rare.
• More often in men, the so-called glandular-stromal prostatic hyperplasia is diagnosed. Such a pathology is accompanied by an increase in the size of both stromal elements and functional glandular cells. Hyperplasia in this case develops diffusely (evenly covers all parts of the prostate gland).
• Accordingly, glandular hyperplasia of the prostate gland is characterized by an increase in glandular cells. As a rule, the pathological process is nodal in nature.

What complications can ailment cause?

According to reviews, the treatment of prostatic hyperplasia most often ends successfully, especially if the disease is diagnosed at the initial stage. However, in most cases, patients consult a doctor at a later stage of development, complaining of severe symptoms. In such cases, there is a likelihood of complications:

• As already mentioned, the prostate is located around the urethra. An increase in the size of this organ leads to a narrowing of the channel, as a result of which the passage of urine is disturbed (sometimes there is a sharp urinary retention).
• Prostate hyperplasia is often associated with various inflammatory diseases, which, again, is associated with impaired urine outflow. Patients are diagnosed with inflammatory pathologies of the bladder, kidneys and some other organs.
• Against the background of the disease, the risk of stone formation in the kidneys and bladder increases.
• Due to the accumulation of fluid in the bladder, the walls of the organ stretch and become weak, which leads to the development of diverticulosis. In addition, the muscle tissue of the bladder is gradually replaced by connective structures - the walls of the organ lose their ability to stretch. Accumulation of urine in this case can lead to rupture of the bladder.
• The list of possible complications includes varicose veins that collect blood from the bladder neck.
• There is a risk of developing renal failure (in the most severe cases, in the absence of timely assistance).

That is why prostatic hyperplasia can in no case be ignored. The patient needs treatment, and immediately.

Diagnostic measures

Only a doctor can make a similar diagnosis. Hyperplasia of the prostate is accompanied by very characteristic symptoms. Having noticed any violations, you need to urgently consult a doctor. Of course, to begin with, a full examination is needed.

• As a rule, information about the symptoms is enough for the doctor to suspect the presence of prostatic hyperplasia.
• Mandatory is a general and biochemical blood test. During the study, it is important to determine the level of prostatic antigen and sex hormones in the blood.
• A urinalysis is also performed (makes it possible to determine the presence of inflammation of the urinary system).
• Informative is a rectal examination of the prostate gland. During palpation, the doctor can determine the size and study the structure of the organ, identify the presence of inclusions and other pathological formations.
• Uroflowmetry is performed (during the study, the doctor studies the nature and speed of urine output).
• Ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs, as well as fluoroscopy. Such procedures make it possible to determine the presence of stones, cysts, tumors, constrictions and other pathological changes.

Prostate hyperplasia: how to treat

After diagnosis, the doctor will draw up an effective treatment regimen. How to treat prostatic hyperplasia? In the initial stages, medication will be effective.

• First of all, alpha-1-adrenergic blockers are used, in particular, drugs that contain tamsulosin, doxazosin, and terazosin. Such funds provide relaxation of the smooth muscles of the prostate and the bladder (more precisely, its neck). This helps to normalize fluid outflow and prevent further urethra obstruction.
• 5-alpha reductase blockers are also effective (substances such as permixon, finasteride and dutasteride are most often used). These drugs inhibit the formation of dihydrotestosterone, which can partially reduce the size of the prostate gland.
• If there are complications, then symptomatic therapy is performed. For example, with cystitis, pyelonephritis and other inflammatory diseases, antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, antihistamines and antipyretics, analgesics are introduced into the treatment regimen.
• Patients are advised to change their lifestyle. Physical activity and regular Kegel exercises will positively affect the condition of the body. Such measures help activate blood flow in the pelvic organs and, accordingly, establish trophic organs of the reproductive system.
• It is very important to give up smoking, drinking alcohol and other bad habits.

Surgical intervention

According to statistics, doctors recommend surgery to many patients. The operation is performed if the following indications are available:

• rapid enlargement of the prostate gland;
• lack of effect of conservative therapy;
• the presence in the prostate tissues of foci of malignant degeneration of cells;
• the presence of severe complications (e.g., stones in the bladder, etc.).

To date, there are many procedures that allow you to remove pathologically altered tissues of the prostate gland.

The gold standard is laser transurethral removal of the affected areas of the organ. In this case, special surgical instruments, together with the DVR, are inserted through the urethra. Thus, it is possible to avoid injuries and reduce the risk of infections. After the procedure, the patient practically does not require special rehabilitation. The procedure is sometimes the only possible option, because the majority of patients with hyperplasia are elderly men, whose body may not cope with the consequences of abdominal surgery.

Nevertheless, transurethral removal is not always possible, especially if there is too much neoplasm in the prostate. In addition, during the procedure, the doctor is not always able to remove all pathologically changed cells - a high probability of relapse in the future. Sometimes it is impossible to do without a full abdominal operation.

Nutrition rules

Treatment for prostatic hyperplasia includes a proper diet. Recommendations about the diet are quite simple.

• Food should be easily and quickly absorbed, not irritate the wall of the digestive tract, saturate the body with nutrients, minerals and vitamins. The diet should include vegetables and fruits, dried fruits, vegetable oils, fish, seafood, eggs, cereals (the only exception is semolina), kefir and dairy products, honey, berries, pumpkin, green tea.
• It is allowed to eat dietary varieties of meat (chicken, rabbit, veal). Better to cook them for a couple (you can bake).
• Fractional nutrition is recommended - you need to eat often, but in small portions.
• There are also prohibited foods: fried, fatty and spicy dishes, legumes, carbonated drinks, alcohol, canned goods, offal, sweets and pastries, strong coffee and chocolate, rich broths, fatty meat soups.

Traditional medicine

Alternative treatment of prostatic hyperplasia is possible. Experienced healers can share a lot of effective recipes:

• Fresh parsley juice is considered effective. It is recommended to take two teaspoons before meals. Repeat the procedure three times a day.
• Good results give microclysters. In the liquid you need to add 3-5 drops of sea buckthorn or fir oil. The course of therapy consists of 25-30 procedures, after which you need to take a break for 2-3 months. Before starting enemas, you need to consult a doctor.
• By the way, fir and sea buckthorn oil can be used in the form of rectal suppositories - they help relieve inflammation and improve blood circulation.
• Some folk healers recommend propolis extract. 30-40 drops of a 10% solution of this agent should be diluted in 50 ml of water. You need to drink the medicine about thirty minutes before meals three times a day.

Of course, the use of home medicines is possible only with the permission of a doctor. Decoctions and infusions can only be used as adjuvants - they cannot replace full-fledged drug therapy.

Preventive actions

Benign prostatic hyperplasia responds well to therapy. However, it is much easier to try to avoid the development of such an ailment. For prevention, doctors recommend that men follow some simple rules:

• Proper nutrition is crucial. The diet should contain fruits, vegetables, dairy products, fish. But too fatty and spicy dishes, sweets and soda should be avoided. By the way, proper nutrition will help prevent the development of constipation and its associated complications.
• Doctors recommend drinking about 2-2.5 liters of fluid per day. Too much water will put extra stress on the kidneys. At the same time, an insufficient amount of drinking is fraught with dehydration, metabolic disorders.
• Hypodynamia also refers to risk factors. Hiking, swimming, walking, running - all this positively affects the state of the body, in particular, the functioning of the pelvic organs.
• It is worth trying to avoid psycho-emotional stress, as they entail hormonal disruptions. If you can’t avoid stressful situations, you need to try to maintain emotional calm (this helps breathing exercises, regular yoga).
• Regular sex life will positively affect the state of reproductive organs. Both prolonged abstinence and increased sexual activity can be harmful.

Of course, you should not avoid regular preventive examinations. If violations occur, you should immediately contact a specialist. Hyperplasia is much easier to treat in the initial stages.