What to do when the prostate is enlarged

Causes of an enlarged prostate and how to treat it

At birth, the prostate gland is very small. It increases throughout life. The first surge of its growth occurs in adolescence in boys up to seventeen years of age. Testosterone begins to be produced intensively, and iron also grows under its influence. Then the process stops and starts again after 40-45 years, but is already associated with a change in the hormonal background in a man, with the onset of male menopause. And during this period, she can deliver a lot of trouble. According to experts, by the age of 90, almost the entire male population suffers from the symptoms that an enlarged prostate causes. Its normal state should not exceed 26 cubic meters. see But sometimes the prostate enlargement occurs almost 2 times.

Before starting treatment, it is necessary to find out the reasons for its appearance. To do this, you should contact a specialist. And although prostate enlargement brings a lot of unpleasant moments, men do not like to deal with such delicate issues with the doctor.

Enlarged prostate: causes

Increase, delivering a lot of pain, making it difficult to urinate and even causing infertility, the body can for three main reasons:

• for prostate cancer;
• for prostate adenoma or benign hyperplasia;
• with prostatitis, which occurs as a result of inflammatory processes.

Oncological disease manifests itself mainly in men of a very mature age and is the most common disease in this period. The most unpleasant thing is that it is almost impossible to diagnose a cancerous tumor at first, it does not make itself felt with any special symptoms that would be different from other inflammatory reactions in the prostate. That is why for every member of the stronger sex, especially if he is already over 40, it is very important and simply necessary to be examined by a doctor at least once a year. Only he can diagnose and establish a diagnosis. But if this is done on time, then the chances of defeating the disease increase significantly.

Prostate enlargement in cancer occurs very slowly, without any particular symptoms. And if they are, then this is frequent urination, frequent urges, pain during this process. Everything, as during prostate adenoma. And only a few years later, when metastases already appear, and the cancerous tumor begins to grow outward, severe pain appears, which is accompanied by hematuria and cachexia.

Prostate enlargement in prostate adenoma

This is a benign neoplasm, which is a nodule that begins to rapidly increase in size, causing an active enlargement of the prostate. Experts have not yet established the exact causes of the disease, but they believe that this is due to the menopause in men, when there is a decrease in androgen synthesis in the blood. The body begins to lose control over the functioning and normal growth of prostate cells.

The organ is located immediately below the bladder. Growing, increasing in size, it begins to put pressure on him, which causes serious problems with urination. And this is happening on the rise. At first, a man just has to tighten his abdominal muscles a little to go to the toilet, then the urine stream becomes thinner, the process drags on, it becomes difficult. Over time:

• pain when urinating gets worse;
• urinary incontinence occurs, droplets of it often stain linen;
• ejaculation becomes painful;
• blood and mucus appear in the urine;
• over time, this leads to acute urinary retention and the occurrence of acute infectious diseases of the genitourinary system.

Enlarged prostate: causes of prostatitis

Prostatitis is an infectious disease caused by pathogenic microorganisms that enter the body through the genitourinary system. There are many reasons:

• hypothermia;
• sedentary lifestyle, smoking, alcohol, poor nutrition;
• congestion in the pelvic organs and penis;
• decrease in the protective functions of the body,
• venereal diseases, frequent change of sexual partners;
• long-term abstinence.

It is characterized by acute and chronic forms. The first one is characterized by more pronounced symptoms, but the second one takes a long time and quite unexpectedly can go into the stage of exacerbation.Main features:

• problems with urination, the appearance of pain, pain, burning of the urethra;
• it hurts to go to the toilet, the urge becomes more and more painful and frequent;
• constant feeling of fullness of the bladder, even if you have just emptied it;
• sexual dysfunction, decreased erection and libido;
• pain in the groin, scrotum, testicles;
• Increase in overall body temperature.

Enlarged prostate: treatment

What to do with an enlarged prostate and how to reduce the size of the prostate can only be determined by a specialist based on the diagnostic data of the examination. It depends on the final diagnosis, the individual characteristics of the patient, his age.

Treatment of an enlarged prostate in oncology

Therapeutic measures depend primarily on the stage and presence of metastases. The methods can be used in combination or separately and are divided into surgical, radiation and drug.

Surgical intervention is performed in the case when there are still no metastases. In this case, the patient can even count on a complete recovery and the absence of relapses. Less often, operations are performed in order to alleviate the patient's condition.

Radiotherapy does not give a 100% guarantee that the disease will not return. But with its help, for some time, you can stop the growth of the tumor and reduce the development of metastases to neighboring organs.

Taking hormonal drugs is primarily aimed at reducing the production of male sex hormones, due to which the enlargement of the prostate stops. The main unpleasant symptoms of the disease also stop for a while.

In some cases, the doctor may prescribe brachytherapy, when radioactive iodine is injected into the tissues. In this case, only the prostate gland is irradiated, and the surrounding organs are not exposed to radiation.

Treatment of prostatic hyperplasia

Before starting treatment of an adenoma, a specialist must exclude the presence of a malignant formation. To do this, he identifies the causes of prostate enlargement:

• will appoint a mandatory rectal examination;
• gather anamnesis;
• perform a TRUS of the prostate;
• will refer you to a mandatory blood test to determine the level of PSA

Surgery is the most effective, but also the most dangerous method of treatment. Its consequences are especially unpleasant, which can be expressed in a weakening of potency and erection, urinary incontinence, narrowing of the urethra. But in most cases, these symptoms do not appear.

Contraindications for surgery:

• severe chronic diseases of the lungs, cardiovascular system and kidneys;
• presence of cirrhosis of the liver;
• diabetes disease;
• serious disorders associated with the state of the nervous system, psychological disorders.

Surgical intervention is prescribed if:

• treatment with drugs, including antibiotics, did not bring results;
• more than 50 ml of urinary fluid remains in the bladder after a bowel movement;
• appreciable changes in the functioning of the kidneys and urinary tract began.

Therapeutic measures for prostatitis

• taking antibiotics and pain medications;
• prescription of anti-inflammatory drugs and immunomodulators;
• physiotherapy and reflexology;
• application of traditional medicine recipes, medicinal herbs and plants.

But the patient must necessarily try to cope with the symptoms of the disease on his own. This means that he must change his habits and lifestyle, play sports, swim and run. Be sure to review the diet, eat foods rich in zinc, vitamins A, E. Lead a regular intimate life with one partner, and have sex as often as possible. You need to do everything that the doctor advises to minimize the risk of relapses, especially in the case of a chronic form of the disease.

At present, doctors widely use the possibilities of herbal medicine in the complex treatment of prostate enlargement. There are a lot of them on the shelves of pharmacies. The effectiveness and speed of action depends primarily on the amount of phytosterols in the composition. The drugs quickly relieve inflammation, reduce swelling and size of the organ, stop the growth of atypical cells, and reduce the synthesis of prostaglandin. But they should be taken simultaneously with other drugs and only as directed by a specialist.

Also useful:

• Antineoplastic and antimicrobial drugs;
• homeopathic remedies.

It is clear that an enlarged prostate can occur for many reasons and cause many diseases. Sometimes it is even associated with a risk to life. Therefore, self-medication is unacceptable.

Enlarged prostate: causes and treatment

An enlarged prostate is often detected when examined by a doctor during a medical examination. A change in size most often occurs as a result of an inflammatory process. As a result of this phenomenon, the patient may develop prostatitis. It is impossible to establish the cause of the increase in tissue size on its own. Therefore, you should immediately consult a doctor if symptoms of the disease are detected.

What is the prostate

The prostate is a small gland. It is shaped like a chestnut. The gland is located under the bladder and in front of the rectum: on top of the urethra. The prostate is one of the main components of the male reproductive system. The gland performs many functions, one of which is the creation of sperm.

In some diseases, the prostate can change its size. If you experience such a symptom, you should definitely visit a doctor. An enlarged prostate needs immediate treatment.

For starters, it is recommended to undergo a thorough examination and establish the cause of the development of the disease. Only a qualified specialist is able to correctly diagnose and prescribe adequate therapy.

What you need to know about an enlarged prostate

An enlarged prostate indicates the presence of certain pathologies in the body. When a boy is just born, his prostate gland is tiny. During puberty, testosterone production increases in young people. As a result, the prostate enlarges. Fully iron begins to function at the age of 17.

In the subsequent period of 20 years, the growth of the prostate slows down significantly. Iron does not cause problems. It is worth noting that an enlarged prostate occurs only in 10% of men who are 30 years old.

The growth of the prostate gland does not stop there. The second surge occurs at age 40. More than 50% of men suffer from an enlarged prostate by the age of 60, and 90% by the age of 80.

Code needs treatment

During puberty, the growth of the gland is considered normal and this process proceeds evenly and without symptoms. However, the prostate, enlarged after 40 years, needs therapy. When such a phenomenon occurs, the urethra is the first to suffer. It is strongly compressed, which leads to some difficulty in emptying the bladder. Doctors ascribed the name "benign hyperplasia" to this condition. The second name of such a pathology is prostate adenoma.

In most cases, hyperplasia begins to progress. As a result of this, the man ceases to completely empty his bladder, as the urethra is compressed more strongly. The problems don't end there. It should be noted that the development of this pathology often leads to thickening of the walls of the bladder itself. Timely diagnosis and therapy can get rid of hyperplasia in the early stages.

Symptoms of pathology

The enlarged prostate can be very disturbing for a man. The main symptom of pathology is difficulty in the process of urination. This symptom of disorders occurs in almost all patients who have encountered such a problem.

Symptoms of the disease can be mild. After all, the pressure of the enlarged prostate gland can be compensated to some extent by the muscles of the bladder itself. An enlarged prostate usually presses on the urethra. This may be indicated by an interrupted or compressed urine stream. In addition to these symptoms, the patient may experience:

• discomfort arising from incomplete emptying of the bladder;
• urine in some cases continues to drip even after urination;
• Difficulty urinating.

The severity of these symptoms depends on whether the enlarged prostate bothers you. Treatment also depends on these indicators.

Other features

If the prostate is enlarged by 2 times, then the fluid collected in the bladder can cause irritation. Symptoms of the disease in this case will be different:

• pain during urination;
• incontinence - loss of control over the process of urination;
• frequent urge to urinate, especially at night;
• A sense of urgency that goes along with the urge to urinate.

Enlarged prostate: causes

Treatment of a disease begins with determining the cause of its development. Therefore, it is worth going through a thorough examination. Among the main reasons for the development of pathology are:

• Prostate growth stimulates an increase in estrogen production and a decrease in testosterone production.
• The prostate produces a substance - dihydrotestosterone, which neutralizes testosterone. With age, the synthesis of DHT in the body does not decrease.But the production of testosterone is reduced. As a result, the prostate cells are stimulated.
• Genetic predisposition. The growth of prostate cells can be programmed in adulthood.
• Prostate cancer.
• A variety of infectious diseases accompanied by an inflammatory process.

Basic therapies

What to do if the prostate is enlarged? How to treat such a pathology? And these questions can only be answered by a specialist in a narrow profile. At the moment, there are several main areas: surgical, medical treatment and observational. The choice of the method of therapy depends on which factor influenced the stimulation of the growth of gland cells, as well as on how much the tissues increased in size.

It is simply impossible to choose the right method on your own. Only a doctor can do this. Do not try to independently identify the cause of the development of pathology. Self-medication in this case can cause the development of serious complications.

Observer Method

This type of treatment for an enlarged prostate is chosen if:

• The patient has mild signs of pathology that do not cause severe discomfort.
• If the patient does not want to identify the cause of the disease for a long time and take medications and experience their side effects.
• If the number of symptoms is significantly reduced after lifestyle changes.

What to do while waiting

If the observation method is chosen, then the patient should reduce the amount of fluid consumed during the day. For two hours before going to bed, you can not drink anything.

It is necessary to completely exclude the use of alcoholic beverages. When visiting the toilet, you must completely empty your bladder. Before taking any diuretic drug, you should carefully study its side effects. Do not take medicines without consulting a specialist. Uncontrolled treatment of the symptoms of the disease can aggravate the situation.

Drug treatment

If a man's prostate is enlarged and the method of observation has not brought proper results, then drug therapy is prescribed. This method is justified if:

• observing the patient did not help;
• there is a risk of developing serious complications;
• No changes have occurred since the lifestyle change.

Features of drug therapy

If the method of observation is not suitable and the patient does not improve, then the doctor may prescribe medication. They should only be taken as directed. Do not exceed the dosage allowed by the doctor. The required amount of drugs is determined after establishing the cause of prostate enlargement and examination. When prescribing, the specialist also takes into account the symptoms described by the patient. For therapy can be prescribed:

Hormones; alpha blockers; phytopreparations; antimicrobial agents; homeopathic preparations; polyene antibiotics; anticancer and antiparkinsonian drugs. Treatment with herbal remedies Even in ancient times, various herbs tried to overcome prostate enlargement. At the moment, therapy of this kind offers many collections of medicinal plants, which mainly include extracts.

The effectiveness of such products depends on how much they contain phytosterols. Such drugs can reduce the production of prostaglandin in the prostate, relieve the inflammatory process, completely stop or slow down the active growth of tissue cells. Such drugs are taken only as directed by a doctor.

Hormones

Hormonal drugs allow you to normalize the process of active growth of prostate tissues. With the development of pathology, estrogens and androgens are of particular importance. The latter block the synthesis of testosterone. They can also affect the androgenic effect on the damage to the prostate or hypothalamus-pituitary gland.

Hormonal drugs can not only normalize urination, but also reduce prostate tissue in size. However, the use of such drugs has recently been limited, since such formulations have many side effects. It is especially worth highlighting such disorders as a decrease in impotence and sexual desire. It is not recommended to take any hormones on your own.

Surgical intervention

The doctor may prescribe surgery if the patient has an enlarged prostate. The causes of the development of the disease may be hidden in the formation of tumors. It is worth noting that not so long ago, this method of therapy was considered the most effective. However, more modern drugs have appeared, and surgical interventions for an enlarged prostate are rarely resorted to. Most often, the operation is performed in cases where there are factors that aggravate the patient's condition, or drug therapy has not helped.Surgery is performed if:

Bleeding from the urethra began; there were serious problems with the process of urination; there are stones in the bladder; acute urinary retention appeared; incomplete emptying of the bladder; medical treatment was ineffective; Complications appeared - a violation of the kidneys, an inflammatory process, and so on. Features of surgical intervention The operation, which is performed with an enlarged prostate, is an effective and radical method of therapy, but at the same time quite dangerous. This is the development of undesirable consequences after surgery. The patient may experience problems with potency, as well as uncontrolled leakage of fluid from the bladder and narrowing of the urethra. It is not recommended to perform the operation if the patient has:

• diabetes mellitus;
• severe diseases of the kidneys, lungs, heart;
• mental disorders;
• cirrhosis of the liver.

The most common way to treat an enlarged prostate through surgery is transurethral surgery and prostatectomy. In the first case, the removal of the gland is carried out through the urethra, and in the second - by cutting the abdominal wall.

If left untreated

What if the prostate is enlarged? What to do if such a pathology occurs? If the cause of the development of the disease is not identified in time, complications may appear. First of all, the bladder will not empty completely. It will gradually accumulate fluid, which, ultimately, will lead to the growth of microorganisms and the development of an infectious disease. Often, under such circumstances, stones are formed.

In this case, the vessels located on the inner surface will be subject to regular damage. This can lead to blood in the urine. A similar symptom may occur due to stretching of the tissues of the bladder. If at this stage the man does not consult a doctor, the disease will progress. As a result, urine will begin to flow back to the kidneys, which will further lead to their insufficiency.

It is for this reason that it is worth paying attention to even minor symptoms. If prostate adenoma is enlarged and the disease is not treated, then irreversible consequences may begin.

Final

If the prostate is enlarged, then you should immediately visit a doctor. In the absence of adequate treatment, the pathology will continue to develop, which will eventually lead to irreversible consequences. Do not put off visiting the clinic. Timely treatment will help to avoid the development of prostate cancer.

Prostate enlargement with age and in young men: causes and consequences

What can an enlarged prostate indicate? According to doctors, an increase in the size and volume of the prostate may be the result of a number of dangerous pathologies of the genitourinary system.

The prostate gland can enlarge due to acute or chronic prostatitis, prostate adenoma/cancer/cyst, prostate abscess. Also, an increase in the size of the glandular organ is often observed during the period of male menopause and in people leading an unhealthy lifestyle.

In case of an enlarged prostate, it is recommended to consult a urologist for appropriate treatment. Let us consider in more detail the causes and symptoms of prostate enlargement, and also find out how this phenomenon can be leveled.

Causes of prostate enlargement

The prostate gland is an unpaired glandular organ. It is located under the bladder. The prostate consists of two glands, between which is the so-called groove. Part of the urethra (urethra) also passes through the pancreas.

What are the causes and consequences of prostate enlargement? Let's start with the reasons, of which there are a huge number. Certain diseases, bad habits, hypothermia, etc. can provoke an increase in the size of the prostate gland.

So, the main reasons are:

Predisposing factors include poor ecology, hereditary predisposition, harmful working conditions, the presence of other diseases of the genitourinary system.

How to recognize an enlarged prostate?

When the size of the prostate gland increases, the patient has certain signs. The severity of symptoms directly depends on the root cause of pathological changes and the age of the patient.

The first characteristic symptom is pain in the perineum. The intensity of pain sensations can vary. If the pancreas increases due to congestion, menopause or bad habits, pain may appear periodically and then disappear without a trace.

In more serious pathologies, the patient has pain in the perineum almost constantly. Moreover, pain sensations can irradiate ("give") to the lower back, anus, penis and testicles.

• Erectile dysfunction.Libido may also decrease and premature ejaculation may appear.
• Dysuric disorders. Manifestations of an enlarged prostate can be frequent urge to urinate, a feeling of incomplete emptying of the bladder, intermittent jet syndrome, pain during urination. Also, the patient may complain of itching and burning in the urethra.
• The appearance of blood in the urine / semen.
• Weakness, body aches, fever.
• Urinary incontinence (in rare cases).
• Purulent, mucous, cheesy discharge from the urethra. Occur only with infectious, fungal or bacterial prostatitis.

Differential diagnosis will help to identify the root cause of prostate enlargement.

Diagnostic measures

If you experience dysuric disorders and other symptoms of prostate enlargement, you should immediately seek medical help. A urologist treats diseases of the genitourinary system.

First, the doctor conducts an oral survey, clarifies the patient's complaints, studies the anamnesis data. Then a physical digital examination of the prostate is performed. With palpation, the physician will be able to examine the structure, size and shape of the prostate.

The diagnostics, of course, does not end there. The following examinations are mandatory:

If cancer is suspected, a biopsy and MRI of the prostate may be additionally prescribed.

How to reduce the size of the prostate?

What to do with an enlarged prostate? The principle of treatment is selected by the doctor. The doctor takes into account the root cause of pathological changes. Therapy can be performed conservatively or surgically.

There are a number of general recommendations. Regardless of the underlying cause, patients are encouraged to move more and eat a balanced diet. Also, a prerequisite for recovery is the rejection of bad habits - drug addiction, smoking and alcoholism.

The principles of treatment are as follows:

• Prostatitis. With inflammation of the pancreas, conservative therapy is indicated. The patient will need to take a number of medications - antibiotics, alpha-1-blockers, NSAIDs, herbal remedies, bioregulatory peptides. prostate massage and physiotherapy are also recommended for prostatitis.
• Male menopause. It is impossible to get rid of it, and there is no need for it. But if a patient has a severe androgen deficiency, testosterone-based hormonal preparations may be prescribed.
• Prostate cyst. If the cystic formation is small, does not fester and does not bring discomfort, the patient is shown dynamic observation by doctors. Remove the cyst only if it increases in size or brings a lot of discomfort.
• Prostate abscess. Treatment is exclusively surgical. After surgery, the patient is prescribed antibiotics.
• Stagnation. The prostate can grow due to the fact that a man has impaired blood circulation in the pelvis. To level this phenomenon is very simple - you need to move more, get rid of excess weight, have sex more often, attend prostate massage sessions.
• Prostate adenoma. BPH is treated conservatively or surgically. If the tumor is small, then the patient will need to take alpha-1-blockers, herbal remedies, and 5-alpha reductase inhibitors. When the tumor is large in size, surgical treatment is prescribed. Adenoma can be removed with a laser, cryosurgery, needle ablation, prostatectomy.
• Prostate cancer. It is treated with an operation during which the neoplasm and the prostate are removed. Additionally, chemotherapy may be prescribed.

As you can see, absolutely any root cause of prostate enlargement can be eliminated. The main thing is not to hesitate and seek medical help in a timely manner.

Complications and prevention

What will happen if you do not get rid of prostate diseases in a timely manner? Negligent attitude to this problem is fraught with many complications. The most dangerous consequences of pancreatic cancer. If the patient does not treat cancer in a timely manner, then metastases may appear. In this case, even death is possible.

Also, the consequences of untimely treatment of prostate diseases are impotence, prostate fibrosis, acute urinary retention, renal failure, urolithiasis, calculous prostatitis, cystitis, urethritis, pyelonephritis.

As for the prevention of pancreatic diseases, doctors give the following recommendations:

It is also recommended to undergo preventive examinations from doctors from time to time.

Patients over 45 years of age should have a blood test for PSA and ultrasound of the prostate gland at least once every 3-4 months. If diseases are detected in the early stages, they will be much easier to cure.