Prostate adenoma: symptoms, treatment, surgery, degree, diet

Prostate adenoma is a fairly common pathology that many men of mature and old age face. Despite the fact that the neoplasm is benign, if untreated, it can lead to a mass of complications.

Of course, men are interested in additional information. Why does pathology develop? What are the symptoms of the disease? What complications can neoplasm growth lead to? When is an operation needed to remove prostate adenoma? Answers to these questions are important to many readers.

General information about the disease

As you know, the prostate gland is an important part of the reproductive system. But with age, its structure changes. A small nodule is formed from glandular cells, which is constantly growing - this is how prostate adenoma is formed. The size of the prostate is gradually increasing. Since this organ goes around the urinary canal, hypertrophy of its tissues leads to disruption of the normal outflow of urine. A similar pathological process affects the structure and functioning of the kidneys, bladder and other elements of the urinary system.

It is worth noting that this is an incredibly common pathology. Most often, the disease is recorded in men aged 40 to 50 years. According to statistics, among patients aged 60 to 70 years, the prevalence of the disease is 65%. If we talk about the age category of men from 70 years and older, then this figure is much higher and amounts to about 80-90%.

It is worth noting immediately that the symptoms of prostate adenoma can be different. In some patients, the disease is accompanied by severe disorders up to the development of persistent forms of renal failure, while others practically do not notice any changes in their own condition. According to statistics, only 20% of sick men seek medical help.

The main reasons for the development

Unfortunately, the mechanisms of formation and further development of prostate adenoma are not completely known. It is proved that the growth hormones of such a neoplasm are directly affected by sex hormones - an ailment can be associated with various violations of the endocrine system. This explains why most often men over 50 face this problem.

In addition, specialists identify several risk factors, the presence / effect of which increases the chances of developing hypertrophy. Their list includes:

• adverse environmental conditions;
• hypothermia of the body;
• alcohol abuse
• smoking;
• atherosclerosis;
• stresses that are accompanied by fluctuations in the level of certain hormones;
• some diseases of the genitourinary system, including sexually transmitted diseases.

Adenoma of the prostate gland I degree

Of course, many men are interested in disorders that occur against the background of gland hypertrophy. Symptoms of prostate adenoma directly depend on the stage of development of the disease. If we are talking about hypertrophy of the first degree, then some pronounced signs may be completely absent. However, in most cases, some violations are still present.

First of all, urges to empty the bladder become more frequent - a man even wakes up 1-2 times at night. Despite the fact that the desire to relieve arises more often, the volume of urine excreted is much less. There may be a slight delay in urination, which is especially pronounced in the morning.

This stage is called the stage of compensation. The pathological process leads to hypertrophy of the muscles of the bladder. Thus, the body manages to maintain the normal functioning of the urinary system.

Adenoma of the second degree: features of the clinical picture

At the second stage, significant changes in the structure of the prostate can already be observed. Adenoma of the prostate gland continues to grow, which leads to a violation of the outflow of urine. Dystrophic changes in the walls of the bladder are observed. Even after emptying, urine remains in the bladder cavity - at first its volume does not exceed 100-200 ml, but gradually increases. During urination, the patient is forced to strain the abdominal muscles and diaphragm, as a result of which the pressure on the bladder only increases. Imperative urges appear periodically when the patient cannot restrain the process of urination.

Gradually, the urinary tract widens, the muscles of their walls lose elasticity. At the stage of subcompensation, the functioning of the kidneys is impaired. Thus, a chronic form of renal failure develops, as a result of which patients suffer from constant thirst and poor health. Frequent rises at night due to the urge to urinate affect the emotional state of a man - he becomes tired, weak, irritated, because he simply can not rest and recover.

Third degree of hypertrophy: disease symptoms

The decompensated stage is the most difficult. At this point, the bladder is distended and always full of urine. An organ can be palpated, and sometimes its contours can even be seen with the naked eye. Sometimes the upper edge of the bladder reaches the level of the navel.

The patient cannot be emptied even with intense abdominal tension. The urge to urinate becomes constant, but urine is excreted in small portions. Sometimes there are severe pains in the lower abdomen.

Gradually, the urge to empty decreases and a paradoxical urinary retention develops - the bubble is full, the urge is absent, and the liquid constantly drops out.

The upper urinary tract is greatly altered, dilated. Due to the violation of the outflow of urine, the renal parenchyma is damaged, the pressure in the cup and pelvis system rises - the kidney functions are seriously impaired. In such a situation, an operation to remove prostate adenoma is necessary.

Diagnostic measures

Noticing the alarming symptoms, you need to contact a specialist. Only a doctor knows how to treat prostate adenoma. The correct diagnosis is extremely important, because it is important not only to confirm the presence of hypertrophy, but also to determine the stage of development of the disease, the presence of certain complications, the degree of involvement of the kidneys in pathological processes.

• To begin with, of course, a general examination and consultation is carried out, during which the doctor collects information about the symptoms that concern the patient, examines the information from his medical record.
• A general and biochemical analysis of blood and urine is mandatory.
• Informative is a digital examination of the prostate gland. During the procedure, the doctor may notice an enlargement of the organ. In addition, a small amount of prostate secretion is taken for further research.
• The secretion of the prostate gland, as well as samples obtained through a smear from the urethra, are sent to the laboratory to check for the presence of certain pathogenic microorganisms - this test eliminates the likelihood of an infectious process.
• Also, the patient is offered to keep a diary of urination - this helps to evaluate the work of the bladder and kidneys.
• Mandatory is an ultrasound examination of the pelvic organs. During the procedure, the doctor can assess the size of the prostate gland, confirm the presence of neoplasms, see kidney and bladder stones (if any), estimate the amount of residual urine, and examine the urinary tract.
• Uroflowmetry is also performed. Using a special apparatus, the doctor measures the flow rate of urine, and also determines the time of urination.
• A prostate biopsy is also performed to determine the level of prostate-specific antigen. Such studies can detect malignant cells (if any).

Based on the data obtained, the doctor can draw up an adequate treatment regimen, determine whether the patient needs surgical intervention (removal of prostate adenoma).

Drug treatment

If we are talking about the early stages of the disease, then drug therapy may be effective. Treatment must be combined. In modern medicine, several main groups of drugs are used:

• 5-alpha reductase inhibitors can reduce the volume of the prostate gland. Of course, this is a long process - sometimes the therapy lasts more than six months. Effective drugs are those that contain components such as finasteride and dutasteride. These substances affect the functioning of the endocrine glands, help reduce the level of dihydrotestosterone (the activity of this hormone in one way or another affects the functioning and growth of the prostate).
• Alpha adrenoreceptor blockers are also used . Such substances as terazosin (present in the composition of the drug "Setazin") and tamsulosin (is the main active ingredient in Omnic tablets) are considered effective. Such drugs relieve spasm of smooth muscles in the tissues of the prostate gland and capsule, which helps to relieve pressure on the urethra. Thus, urine outflow can be at least partially normalized.
• If the patient suffers from impotence, then type 5 phosphodiesterase inhibitors are included in the treatment regimen.

Lifestyle Guidelines

Of course, taking medications alone is not enough to normalize the genitourinary system. Patients need to follow some medical recommendations.

• Diet for prostate adenoma is extremely important. It is very important to maintain a balanced diet, include fresh vegetables and fruits in the daily menu. But spices, spicy, fried and fatty dishes should be excluded. It is recommended to eat lean meat in boiled form (can also be cooked in the oven or steamed). Alcohol is also contraindicated, as well as any products that irritate the walls of the urinary tract.
• Exercise for prostate adenoma is also necessary. Special physiotherapy exercises (including Kegel exercises) help eliminate congestion in the pelvic organs, normalize blood circulation, strengthen muscles and ligaments of the pelvic floor. Exercising the muscles of the whole body helps maintain good physical fitness and fight obesity (excess weight creates additional pressure on the pelvic organs).
• Patients are also advised to limit the amount of liquid, fruit, and berries consumed in the evening. Before going to bed, be sure to empty the bladder. Compliance with such simple rules helps to reduce the number of night climbs - a man will have the opportunity to have a good rest.

Surgery for prostate adenoma

Unfortunately, conservative treatment does not always give the desired result. In most cases, patients require surgery. Prostate adenoma can be removed at any stage of the development of the disease. Today, surgery is one of the most effective means. There are several methods of surgical correction.

• Transurethral resection of the prostate. It involves the removal of hypertrophied tissues using special equipment through the urethra. With the help of an electric loop (using optical equipment), the doctor scrapes the overgrown areas of the prostate. This procedure is possible only if the size of the gland does not exceed 60-80 cm ³ . The operation of such a plan allows you to save sexual function. With regard to contraindications, the procedure is not carried out in the presence of infectious diseases, bleeding disorders, the general serious condition of the patient.
• Open adenomectomy is a full abdominal operation. Prostate adenoma succeeds through an abdominal incision. Such a procedure is indicated if more gentle interventions are not possible (for example, if the tumor is large). During surgery, the doctor can also remove stones from the urinary tract, restore the walls of the bladder, etc.
• There are safer, non-invasive techniques, such as laser correction. The use of such procedures, unfortunately, is possible only in the early stages of the development of the disease.

Of course, after surgery there should be a recovery period. There is a risk of complications, in particular inflammatory diseases, tissue infections, blood clots, etc. According to statistics, in most cases the operation is well tolerated by patients.

Possible complications

Properly designed therapy helps to cope with such a pathology as prostate adenoma. Doctors' reviews and statistical studies, however, indicate that sometimes the ailment leads to the development of dangerous complications.

• Abrupt prostatic hypertrophy sometimes leads to acute urinary retention. The patient cannot empty the bladder, even if it is as full as the prostate gland pinches the urinary tract. In such cases, bladder catheterization is required. Sometimes a bladder puncture or even emergency surgery is required.
• In the absence of treatment, the prostate continues to increase, which leads to a violation of the normal outflow of urine. This is fraught with the development of chronic forms of renal failure.
• The list of complications includes hematuria - blood impurities periodically appear in the patient's urine. An adenoma injury (for example, received during some kind of diagnostic manipulation) is often accompanied by intense bleeding.
• Pathology sometimes leads to varicose veins in the neck of the bladder. Thin walls of blood vessels are more prone to various injuries - rupture of a small vein is accompanied by severe bleeding. Sometimes a blood clot blocks the outflow of urine from the bladder - in this case, the patient needs an urgent operation.
• Stagnant urine sometimes leads to the formation of stones in the bladder.
• It is worth saying that stagnation significantly increases the risk of developing infectious diseases, as this creates ideal conditions for active reproduction of representatives of conditionally pathogenic microflora. Prostate adenoma is often complicated by prostatitis, urethritis, vesiculitis, epididymitis, orchitis, acute and chronic forms of pyelonephritis.

Effective traditional medicine

Treatment of prostate adenoma with folk remedies is possible. Experienced herbalists can offer a huge number of truly effective recipes.

• Inflammation, severe pain and burning can be removed with a decoction of caraway seeds and yarrow.
• With adenoma, a decoction of fresh parsley greens is recommended. You can improve the taste of the product with the help of honey and fresh lemon juice. It is believed that the decoction helps relieve swelling of the prostate gland and alleviate the patient's condition. Moreover, the medicine is used to dissolve and remove stones from the bladder and urethra.
• Many herbalists claim that even a decoction of chamomile and sprouted rye grains helps to cope even with severe pain. This medicine helps relieve swelling and inflammation of the prostate gland.
• Dandelion infusion can also be useful. This tool stimulates blood flow, eliminates congestion and, accordingly, improves the nutrition of the tissues of the prostate gland, saturates them with oxygen and useful substances.
• If prostatic hypertrophy is associated with the formation of stones in the bladder, it is recommended to take a decoction of grass and leaves of dioecious nettle (you can collect the plants yourself or purchase ready-made raw materials in a pharmacy). Flavonoids, which are present in the composition of this plant, gradually dissolve calcium formations and remove them from the body.
• Decoctions of sage grass and rose hips also have pronounced anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, such a medicine helps to strengthen the immune system, give energy, significantly improve the patient's condition.
• You can relieve inflammation with the help of a decoction of calendula. By the way, it is believed that the periodic use of this drug prevents the development of cancer.

Of course, it’s impossible to use such drugs without permission - you must always consult a doctor. It should be understood that herbal decoctions and tinctures can only be used as adjuvants, in no case can they replace drug therapy.

Preventive actions

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