BritishKing Charles III's prostate enlargement usually occurs in middle-aged men, due to hormones or previous health problems.
According to Buckingham Palace, next week, King Charles will be hospitalized for treatment of prostate enlargement. The king's condition is benign and requires a "medical procedure to correct it".
The prostate is part of the male reproductive system, about the size of a walnut, located below the bladder, surrounding the urethra (the tube that carries urine from the bladder and carries sperm out of the body).
According to the Mayo Clinic, prostatic hypertrophy is a benign proliferation of a tissue entity, resulting in an enlarged prostate that can cause obstruction of the lower urinary tract, which is then called an obstructive tumor.
Benign prostatic hyperplasia affects about 50% of men by age 50. The likelihood of developing the disease increases with age.
Symptoms of prostate enlargement include nocturia, frequent urination, and inability to completely empty the bladder after urinating. Less common manifestations include urinary tract infection, urinary retention, and hematuria.
These symptoms tend to get worse over time. The size of the prostate does not always determine the severity of symptoms.
According to Professor Amin Herati, director of the Department of Male Infertility and Men's Health at Johns Hopkins Hospital, the cause of prostate enlargement is unclear. However, hormones and growth factors may contribute to men's susceptibility to this disease.
King Charles III attends the Royal Christmas service at St. Mary Magdalene. Image: Reuters
Some other health problems that also lead to prostate enlargement are urinary tract infections, prostatitis, urethral strictures, bladder or kidney stones, and prostate or bladder cancer.
Aging and a family history of benign prostatic hyperplasia are also risk factors. Diseases such as obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and erectile dysfunction also cause benign prostate enlargement.
Doctors often diagnose prostate enlargement through clinical examination, medical history assessment, and medication history. Patients are prescribed tests such as urine analysis, blood tests, antigen tests, and rectal ultrasound.
According to Kevin Wymer, an endocrinologist at the Mayo Clinic, treatment options include lifestyle changes, increased physical activity, medications and surgery.
“Sometimes, you don't need to do anything. If the hypertrophy is not causing symptoms or dysfunction, you just need further monitoring,” says Dr. Wymer.
Two commonly used medications for the disease are alpha blockers and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors. Among them, alpha blockers relax the muscles of the prostate. 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors help reduce prostate size.
In cases of severe illness or not responding well to the side effects of medication, doctors may prescribe surgery. This procedure varies from patient to patient, based on prostate size, age, and health status.
Benign prostatic hypertrophy can lead to complications such as urine retention, urinary tract infections, bladder damage or kidney damage.
Thuc Linh (Follow Washington Post, Mayo Clinic)
