Prostate adenoma is a male disease that is a benign tumor of the prostate gland. Most often diagnosed in adulthood after 40 years. The main reason for the appearance of a neoplasm is a hormonal imbalance - a decrease in the level of male hormones in the body and an increase in female. The first symptoms of prostate adenoma occur almost immediately, so you do not need to postpone a visit to the doctor. Pathology is easily cured in the early stages.
How prostate adenoma differs from prostatitis
First of all, it should be noted that we are talking about two completely different diseases. The key difference between them is this: prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate gland, and adenoma is a tumor, a neoplasm. Thus, the difference can be traced not only in the symptoms of prostate adenoma and chronic prostatitis, but also in the very essence of pathologies, their etiology.
Prostatitis, regardless of whether it is chronic or acute, occurs due to injuries of the perineum, frequent hypothermia, infection of the body. Adenoma is a consequence of hormonal disorders in the male body, and the prevailing opinion that prostate adenoma is the result of untreated prostatitis is fundamentally wrong.
Despite the similarity of the clinical picture, one can still find a significant difference in the symptoms of prostatitis and prostate adenoma in men. It lies in the fact that with prostate adenoma, patients do not experience such pains, pains and burning sensations as with prostatitis. However, most of the symptoms of these ailments are almost identical. This is about:
- potency disorders;
- frequent urination;
- sluggish stream of urine;
- sensation of incomplete emptying of the bladder.
In addition, complications in the absence of treatment for these diseases will also differ. Ignoring the symptoms of prostatitis threatens with the transition of the disease to a chronic form and worsening of well-being, the development of infertility, sexual impotence and cancer. Symptoms of prostate adenoma without proper therapy can be aggravated by hematuria, the formation of stones in the bladder and urinary retention, which is a direct indication for emergency surgery.
Signs of the first stage
In order to get an idea of the symptoms of prostate adenoma, it would be more expedient to describe the course of the disease in stages, each of which corresponds to a specific symptom complex.
The initial stage of this disease is often called the "prognostic stage", which is characterized by frequent urination at night. A man has to get into the toilet almost every 1.5-2 hours, on average 5-6 times per night. The patient cannot but notice that the stream of urine has become sluggish, and the act of urination is difficult. To cope, he now has to strain.
As the disease progresses, periodic episodes of urinary incontinence in a dream as a result of deformation of the internal and voluntary relaxation of the nearby sphincters are not ruled out. Despite the difficulty of urination, the residual fluid in the bladder does not remain due to the compensatory functions of the detrusor. However, against the background of the development of the disease, the muscular walls of the bladder weaken, which provokes the transition of the disease to the next stage. The duration of the first stage is individual, with a favorable course of the disease, it can reach 10-12 years. Otherwise, the pathology can go through both stages in a couple of years, or even less.
What are the symptoms of prostate adenoma in the second stage
At this stage, the disease manifests itself more intensely:
- the urine stream becomes sheer, can be interrupted by drops;
- to empty the bladder, the patient is forced to push for a long time, and this is fraught with the formation of an inguinal hernia or prolapse of the rectum;
- the process of urination becomes painful due to inflammation of the mucous membrane of the bladder.
In the second stage, the symptoms and signs of prostate adenoma can be explained by the development of hypertrophy and thinning of the detrusor muscle tissue. Those fragments of the walls of the bladder that are free of muscle fibers are stretched and form peculiar bags - diverticula, which as a result will contain residual urine. At first, its amount will be about 100-200 ml, but later it will reach 300-500 ml, and sometimes more, depending on the height and weight of the patient.
Hypertrophic walls of the organ fold “harmonica”, preventing the full flow of urine into the bladder from the kidneys and ureters. As soon as the urine begins to stagnate in the upper urinary tract, a number of complications join the disease, including the development of urolithiasis, pyelonephritis.
The slightest hypothermia, catarrhal disease, untimely visits to the toilet and other factors can lead to exacerbation of symptoms of prostate adenoma. Treatment of the disease in the second stage involves not only taking medications or the help of surgeons, but also preventing overvoltage and stressful situations. It is especially important for the patient to follow a diet and refuse to drink alcohol, which can provoke a complete urinary retention. Otherwise, the symptoms of prostate adenoma will be joined by:
- excruciating urges and pain in the perineum;
- sensation of pressure in the suprapubic region and lower back.
When independent emptying of the bladder becomes impossible, the patient is excreted in the hospital with a catheter. In some patients, urination is restored after catheterization. At the same time, the detrusor's contractility is almost completely lost, and the risk of urinary tract infection increases. If you start treatment for prostate adenoma in men in time, the symptoms described above can be avoided, as well as the transition to the second stage. Meanwhile, the second stage inevitably passes into the third.
Manifestations of the disease in the third stage
At this stage of the disease, the contractility of the bladder drops to almost zero, and the volume of residual urine can increase to one and a half liters. A strongly stretched natural reservoir for collecting fluid in the body becomes noticeable even from the outside - its contours resemble a spherical tumor, the upper borders of which reach the navel line, and sometimes even higher. The sensitivity of the organ suffers, but patients mistakenly think that relief has come.
Over time, controlled urination completely disappears, and urine begins to spontaneously stand out from an overflowing bladder. At the last stage of prostate adenoma, patients are not able to do without an urinal. A number of complications join the course of the disease due to developing kidney and excretory dysfunction, as well as constipation, loss of appetite, nausea, weakness, constantly tormenting thirst and dry mouth. The patient smells bad of urine, nitrogenous slags, other symptoms appear. In men with prostate adenoma, treatment implies constant control of body temperature - its increase is quite natural for stagnant phenomena that contribute to exacerbation of infection.
What medications are suitable for treatment
None of the drugs can be used alone. The therapeutic program should only be a qualified specialist, taking into account the stage of the disease, the age of the patient, the severity of symptoms. For treatment of prostate adenomas in men, drugs are selected from two main groups - alpha-blockers and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors.
The most effective in the treatment of benign prostate tumors are:
- Prazosin. The drug has a beneficial effect on the muscles of the bladder and prostate, increasing the flow rate of urine. Due to the properties of the active components, alpha-adrenergic receptors are blocked directly in the neck of the bladder. Unlike other drugs from the group of alpha-blockers, Prazosin has a minimum of side effects and contraindications.
- Omnic. This tool is also from a number of alpha-blockers. Its advantage is a minimal effect on blood pressure.
- Proscar. A drug from a number of 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors. Its main task is to prevent the conversion of testosterone to dihydrotestosterone. After a course of treatment with Proscar, the symptoms of prostate adenoma become less noticeable in patients, and the tumor itself is significantly reduced in size.
- Avodart. Often this tool is used in combination with previous alpha-blockers. The drug contributes to the outflow of urine, thereby improving the well-being of the patient.
It is necessary to consult with a urologist and carefully read the leaflet annotation before taking medications to treat prostate adenoma. According to reviews, the symptoms in men quickly disappear if taken correctly, in accordance with the instructions. Among the side effects that occur during the use of these drugs, it is worth noting a headache, redness of the skin, upset gastrointestinal tract, intense secretion of mucus from the nose.
Natural remedies
In addition to the traditional treatment for symptoms of prostate adenoma in men, the use of alternative recipes may be justified. Unlike medicines, natural compounds have practically no side effects and are easily tolerated by the body. Do not self-medicate - it is better to entrust the choice of medicine to a professional. The doctor will advise the patient a suitable composition, taking into account the individual characteristics of his body and the severity of symptoms. Treatment of prostate adenoma in men with folk remedies helps to inhibit tumor growth and inhibits the progression of clinical signs of the disease. The most popular recipes are:
- Infusion of birch leaves and onions. For cooking, you need 2 tbsp. l dried raw materials - green onions and foliage. The mixture is poured with two glasses of boiling water and the remedy is infused for an hour. You need to drink the medicine half a glass three times a day for a month.
- Boiled beets. Root vegetables are placed in a pan and poured with water, which should completely cover the vegetables. The pot is placed on the stove. Beets should be cooked for at least 4-5 hours. Then, the finished root vegetables need to be cleaned and twisted into a meat grinder, squeeze the gruel through gauze, and add a tablespoon of honey in the juice obtained. Drink a few sips throughout the day. The duration of therapy is 30 days.
- Linseed oil. If for a month regularly use the product for 1-2 tsp. on an empty stomach, after a couple of weeks the symptoms of prostate adenoma will become less pronounced.
- Decoction of walnut leaves. For cooking, use dried hazelnut foliage. One handful of crushed raw materials will require half a liter of water. The mixture is set on fire and brought to a boil. A decoction of walnut leaves has a bitter aftertaste, therefore, before drinking, it is allowed to slightly sweeten the drink with buckwheat honey.
Whatever the nature of the symptoms of prostate adenoma, treatment with folk remedies helps to alleviate them. It is impossible to use natural remedies in the treatment of a benign tumor of the prostate if the patient has an allergic reaction to the active ingredients. The choice in favor of drug treatment of prostate adenoma in men, whose symptoms are still mild, is usually made in the first stage of the disease. At the same time, surgical intervention is considered a more effective and radical method of treatment, which is often the only appropriate one available.
Surgery for prostate adenoma
To date, surgical treatment of prostatic hyperplasia can be carried out using one of the following methods:
- Adenomectomy - removal of the tumor. This type of intervention has a minimum of contraindications. An adenomectomy is performed if the mass of the neoplasm reaches 40 g, and the volume of urine that remains in the bladder is at least 150 ml. A direct indication for the removal of adenoma are complications caused by an increase in the tumor.
- Transurethral resection. Belongs to the category of "bloodless" operations with symptoms of prostate adenoma in men. Treatment is carried out without tissue injury, by penetrating the gland through the urethra. Transurethral resection is indicated in the absence of complications and a tumor whose mass does not exceed 60 g.
The operation is done in the department of urology or surgery. The choice of surgical procedure depends on many factors. However, in recent years, sparing treatment options are increasingly being used, thanks to which patients manage to recover quickly. These include laser surgical procedures. In the treatment of prostate adenoma, this method has several advantages:
- Penetration to the prostate gland occurs through the urethra, due to which the need to make cuts on the skin disappears by itself.
- During the operation, minimal blood loss occurs.
- After surgery, the patient does not have to leave the state of anesthesia and experience unpleasant symptoms and consequences of the operation in men associated with this moment in men. With prostate adenoma, they often resort to epidural anesthesia if the patient has no contraindications for this type of pain relief.
Large Adenoma Treatment
With a diagnosed benign tumor, the weight of which exceeds 200 g, laparoscopic surgery is recommended. To remove the tumor in this way, there is no need to make large incisions. To provide access to the prostate to the surgeon, a few punctures are enough. The recovery period lasts no more than a week, after which the patient is discharged. After another seven days, the man will be able to return to work and ordinary life.
Rehabilitation after surgery
Reviews of men who underwent surgical treatment of prostate adenoma are ambiguous. Some patients say with confidence that their health has improved, their pain has decreased, and the symptoms characteristic of prostate adenoma have disappeared. Treatment in men is not always successful, many face complications after surgery in the form of urinary incontinence and the development of impotence. At the same time, urologists note that a favorable outcome and a return to normal life is possible only if the rehabilitation period passes.
Compliance with the doctor's recommendations after surgery is of great importance for a full recovery. Despite the fact that for the first few days the man will be under the supervision of specialists, one should not deviate from medical prescriptions for the next several weeks.
The basic rules for men who have undergone surgery on the prostate gland:
- inadmissibility of physical exertion, sudden stress and active movements;
- intake of a sufficient amount of fluid;
- rejection of salted, fried and smoked foods;
- taking antibiotics to prevent infectious complications;
- refusal of alcoholic beverages;
- calm walks in the fresh air;
- rejection of intimacy during the first month after surgery.
What may be the consequences of the operation
Even if the surgery to remove the tumor is performed by a surgeon of the highest category, it is impossible to completely eliminate the likelihood of developing complications. The risk of dangerous consequences is especially high with the intervention to remove large adenomas. The most common problems that men have to face in the early postoperative period are:
- bleeding
- infectious and inflammatory lesions;
- development of vein thrombosis of the lower extremities, pulmonary arteries.
The negative consequences of the operation can occur within the pelvic organs and some time after the operation. Complications of the late recovery period include stricture of the urethra against the background of proliferation of fibro-connective tissue, as well as sclerosis of the walls of the bladder and sexual impotence.
Be that as it may, and to a greater extent the blame for the likelihood of complications lies with the men themselves, who rarely visit a urologist in adulthood. 40 . , , , . – .