Men have the prostate gland under the bladder. About 20 gr. The prostate, which is in weight and the size of a walnut, is a gland belonging to the male reproductive system.
What is Benign Prostate Enlargement?
Prostate enlargement seen in men in advanced ages continues at different rates until the end of a person's life. it does. Prostate enlargement, the cause of which is not yet fully understood, occurs with the enlargement of the glands in the inner part of the prostate and causes the urethra located in the lower part of the bladder to narrow and become compressed.
Therefore, the person has to contract his bladder more to urinate. In the following periods, the person begins to be unable to empty his urine completely. Prostate enlargement is mostly benign. For this reason, it is defined as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) among the people. Benign prostatic hyperplasia is a condition that is more common with increasing age. In other words, benign prostate enlargement, which is seen in half of men in their 50s, is seen in approximately 90% of people aged 80 and over.
In this respect, it is also seen as a part of aging. Benign prostate enlargement, which is common in society, is treated not because the prostate enlarges, but because it reduces the quality of life of the person or poses a risk to the body. If the person consults a doctor with urinary symptoms, the patient should give a good anamnesis in order to avoid possible problems other than prostate. "What is benign prostatic hyperplasia?" It is necessary to answer the question.
In men, the prostate gland is located under the urinary bladder. About 20 gr. The prostate, which is in weight and the size of a walnut, is a gland belonging to the male reproductive system. Its main function is to form the liquid portion of semen. Due to its structure, the prostate surrounds the urethra (urinary tract) coming out of the bladder like a ring. When the person reaches approximately 45 years of age, differentiation begins in the prostate gland and this differentiation manifests itself as growth in the 50s. The rate of growth, which continues until the end of life, may vary periodically. Enlargement, especially the inner lining of the prostate It takes place in.
The prostate, which is the size of a walnut, can grow to the size of an orange over time. This growth is defined as benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Growth can be seen in almost every man. In other words, benign prostate enlargement, which is seen in 50% of men in their 50s, is seen in 90% of those aged 80 and over. Benign prostate enlargement is not a type of cancer and does not cause cancer. Prostate cancer, which is often confused, is a separate disease. However, benign prostate enlargement can be seen together with prostate cancer. As the prostate gland enlarges, it also compresses the surrounding urinary tract. Thus, it begins to restrict the flow of urine.
This situation, which causes strain on the bladder muscle, causes the bladder to become sensitive over time. Depending on the course of the disease and the degree of obstruction, a number of symptoms begin to appear in the person. In other words, the prostate, which enters the growth process around the age of 25, becomes noticeable when the person reaches the age of 50.
Benign prostatic enlargement, which rarely shows symptoms before the age of 40, becomes evident in the 50s and causes symptoms to be felt in half of the men. About 90% of 80-year-old men show signs of prostate enlargement, which reduces the person's quality of life.
What are Benign Prostate Enlargement Symptoms?
Benign prostatic hyperplasia symptoms, It causes different symptoms depending on the course of the disease and the degree of growth. Complaints due to prostate enlargement usually begin in the 50s and increase with advancing age. Complaints in prostate enlargement occur due to the narrowing of the urinary tract surrounding the prostate gland. The most common symptom in this condition, which restricts the exit of urine from the bladder, is a decrease in urine flow. Some of the common symptoms of benign prostate enlargement can be listed as follows:
- The need to urinate frequently,
- Weakening of the urine flow,
- Late onset of urine output ,
- Sudden need for urine,
- Infrequent urination,
- The need to strain while urinating,
- The need to urinate at night
- Feeling that the bladder cannot be fully emptied,
- Longer dripping after urination,
- Burning or pain when urinating,
- Frequent urinary tract infections,
- Blood in the urine,
- Creation of stones in the bladder.
Benevolent Prostate Enlargement What are the Causes?
The cause of prostate enlargement is not yet fully understood. Enlargement of the prostate are adenomas that form in the inner region of the prostate, also called the prostate nucleus. (benign nodules) With the enlargement of the nodules, the urethra and bladder remain under pressure. Thus, the person has problems with holding and emptying urine. Hormones are thought to be effective on the formation of benign prostate enlargement.
In addition to the testosterone hormone in men, the estrogen hormone found in women is also found in small amounts. With the advancing age, the testosterone hormone level decreases, while the estrogen hormone ratio increases. In limited studies, it has been seen that the hormone estrogen can lead to the growth of the prostate by triggering the development of some cells. In another study, it was observed that although the testosterone hormone level in men decreases with age, the level of DHT (dihydrotestosterone), the active form of testosterone, increases and accumulates in the prostate.
High DHT level is thought to trigger prostate enlargement. It has also been observed that there is no benign prostate enlargement in men without DHT production. However, these studies have not yet gained scientific clarity since they are based on limited data.
How to Diagnose Benign Prostate Enlargement?
Prostate enlargement, which is the main cause of urinary problems, causes a decrease in the quality of life of the person. After the person applies to the doctor with the symptoms of prostate enlargement, the physician first listens to the patient's history. The patient's complaints and medications are questioned. The physician then performs a physical examination and prostate examination. During the prostate examination, the physician examines the size of the prostate gland through the anus. The physician may request additional laboratory tests when deemed necessary.
The presence of a possible urinary tract infection is clarified with a urine sample. Prostate specific antigen (PSA) in the blood is also used to evaluate the presence of prostate cancer. It can be researched. In order to clarify the diagnosis of benign prostate, the measurement of how much urine is excreted from the body per second is made with a special device. The amount of urine remaining in the bladder after urination is measured. In addition, the physician may request ultrasonography or cystoscopy when necessary for diagnosis. Diagnosis is made after the tests are done.
How is Benign Prostatic Enlargement Treated?
Treatment options are evaluated for the diagnosis of benign prostatic hyperplasia. The main factor in determining the treatment method is the severity of the patient's complaints and the complications that develop due to prostate enlargement in the body. In the light of these data, the treatment is decided together with the patient. The treatment methods commonly used in the treatment of benign prostate begin as observing and waiting. Depending on the severity of the complaints, prostate enlargement can be treated with medication or surgical treatment methods.
If people with mild complaints are not disturbed by this situation or their quality of life is not affected, the person is observed before medical treatment is started. Conditions such as the increase in the complaints of the patient, who is called for control at certain periods, the frequency of urinary tract infection, the presence of stones in the bladder are investigated. In patients with moderate complaints, drug treatment is started. With drugs, the smooth muscles in the prostate and bladder neck are relaxed and the urine flow is relieved.
It is aimed to shrink the prostate with different group drugs. These drugs should be used for about 6 months. In cases where drug therapy is insufficient, surgical intervention is performed to remove the prostate tissue. The operation can be performed with open or closed method.
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