The term hyperplasia subsumes various forms of cell proliferation that can happen in or on an organ, muscle, skin, or connective tissue alike. The reasons for cell growth can be of various natures. Hyperplasia contrasts with hypertrophy, a stunting of cells, and neoplasia, referring specifically to benign or malignant turmor neoplasms.
What is hyperplasia?
The definition of hyperplasia states that it involves increased cell growth anywhere in the organism. Hyperplasia can be stimulated by a functional stress, but it can also result from hormonal, bacterial, virologic, or drug-related conditions. It is interesting to note that hyperplasia is often reversible. If one stops exercising or stops hormonal stimulation, the cell growth revises. It may or may not be a consequence of disease.
Causes
There are many causes of hyperplasia. One uses this highly generalized term to refer to any form of cell growth, regardless of the trigger. The exception is tumor growth, which in its benign and malignant forms has been termed neoplasia or neoplasm. Hyperplasia is differentiated into various forms, for example, adenomatous, angiolymphoid, focal epithelial, focal nodular hyperplasia or polypous, foveolar, lymphoid or glandular-cystic hyperplasia. The organ or cell section enlarges in hyperplasia not by swelling of cells, but by actual proliferation of cells. In the case of enlargement of, for example, the thyroid or prostate gland, the cause must be found because a disease may underlie it. Consequently, hyperplasia may well be pathological. However, warts, cysts and newly formed scar tissue are also referred to as hyperplasia and then do not always have pathological value. Many forms of hyperplasia are considered harmless.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
Hyperplasia is primarily manifested by an enlargement of organs and tissues. These changes can manifest themselves through various symptoms and complaints, always depending on which parts of the body are affected. Growths on the liver are sometimes manifested by signs of jaundice, pain in the upper abdomen, and nonspecific skin itching on the arms and legs. If the kidneys are affected, similar complaints occur. Frequently, digestive complaints and a strong feeling of malaise are also present. Benign growths on the ovaries may be manifested by unusual pain that cannot be attributed to any specific cause. Some patients also experience bleeding and cramping in the abdomen. Basically, hyperplasia has a negative impact on the quality of life. As the disease progresses, those affected feel increasingly tired and weary, and the pain often also has a negative effect on their psychological state. If the hyperplasia is not treated, further complications can develop. Many patients develop renal insufficiency or chronic liver dysfunction, both of which are associated with serious secondary symptoms and a further decline in well-being. If a [[[malignant tumor|malignant tumor]] underlies the symptoms, the hyperplasia may be fatal.
Diagnosis and course
Diagnosis and course correspond to the variability of each hyperplasia. A single wart need not worry one. A cyst or fibroid will develop, but may also regress. An enlarged gland or a thickened organ, however, may already require treatment. Benign growths on the liver, the male prostate, the ovaries, the skin or the kidney require examination, as do all other hyperplasias that probably do not have harmless causes. As an initial measure, palpation, an inventory of patient observations, and sonography can provide information about what is happening inside the body. If necessary, other imaging measures or microscopic examinations should be considered, in which consequence an operation may also be pending. Hyperplasia of the adrenal gland can occur as a result of diabetes or other diseases. The course then depends on the underlying disease that caused the hyperplasia.Likewise, medications, alcohol abuse, obesity, or contraceptives may result in hyperplasia. Diagnosis and course depend on the medical history and the suspected trigger of the hyperplasia. In the case of hyperplasia of the female breast, mammography would be advised after palpation. A biopsy may need to be considered. Targeted muscle hyperplasia – the intentional building of muscle through bodybuilding – does not require a diagnosis unless this activity would become addictive or the new muscle formation would interfere with the function of important organs. In each case, it is necessary to investigate whether or not the hyperplasia requires treatment.
Complications
As a result of hyperplasia, the affected person suffers from a severe proliferation of cells beyond the usual level. In most cases, this proliferation remains without symptoms, but in the long run it can lead to an enlargement of the orange. In any case, the enlargement of the organs negatively affects the quality of life and health of the patient. As a rule, other organs are displaced or squeezed as a result, which can lead to complications. In most cases, these are the kidneys and the liver. In the worst case, the patient may suffer from renal insufficiency and be dependent on a donor organ or dialysis. Daily life also becomes extremely difficult for the affected person. Furthermore, the liver can also be damaged by the hyperplasia. When the spleen is enlarged, there is usually pain on the side. Treatment of hyperplasia always takes place causally and in most cases is not associated with complications. However, if it is a malignant tumor, in some cases treatment can no longer be given and the affected person dies prematurely in the process.
When should you go to the doctor?
If warts or other skin changes develop, it is recommended to consult a doctor. Removing warts on your own can lead to complications. Therefore, they should be professionally examined and treated. If the warts or existing skin blemishes spread on the body or increase in size, a doctor should be consulted. Discoloration of the skin, swelling of the skin or ulcers should be presented to a doctor. In case of a general feeling of illness, malaise or diffuse abnormalities, a doctor should be consulted. If there are digestive problems, dysfunctions or a drop in performance level, a clarification of the complaints is necessary. If there is a feeling of tightness in the body, changes in the monthly cycle, sexual dysfunction or erection problems, an examination should be initiated to investigate the cause. If there is unusual weight gain or if the upper body increases in circumference for seemingly no reason, a physician is needed. Repeated abnormalities of toileting need to be medically investigated. If the amount of urine decreases or if discoloration of the urine is noticed, the observations should be discussed with a medical professional. If a loss of appetite develops or the affected person refuses food or fluid intake, he or she needs a physician. There is a risk of an undersupply of the organism as well as organ failure. Fever, an inner restlessness, pain or cramps are indications that must be medically clarified.
Treatments and therapy
Treatment of hyperplasia must also be in coordination with the existing underlying disease or disorder. Some hyperplasia does not require treatment at all, but others do. Endometriosis is a hyperplasia in women that often causes pain. Like many other hyperplasias, it can be treated with medication and surgery. Whether hormone administration or the opposite is appropriate is decided by the practitioner depending on the cause of the hyperplasia. Hyperplasia of the palatine and pharyngeal tonsils is treated differently than hyperplasia caused by diabetes or another disease. Often, regular to close monitoring is sufficient so that the hyperplasia is under constant medical observation. Muscular hyperplasia due to bodybuilding does not require observation, as long as it does not cause any health consequences. Hyperplasia in the female, but also in the male breast tissue requires medical clarification. It can be benign, but also malignant swellings and cell developments.
Outlook and prognosis
Hyperplasia generally has a favorable prognosis.The difficulty lies in identifying the cause and treating it. Since the triggers of the disease can be manifold, a good medical history is necessary. Once the causative triggers have been found, appropriate countermeasures can be initiated. Hyperplasia is generally reversible as long as no complications have developed and no chronicity has developed. If the diagnosis is made early and treatment is started in the early stages of the disease, freedom from symptoms is achieved in most patients. If the hyperplasia has contributed to enlargement of the organs and caused damage to the organ tissue, the prospect of recovery worsens. Therapy may provide relief from symptoms, but the likelihood of complete recovery decreases. In addition, dysfunction may result in the need for organ transplantation or organ failure may occur. In these cases, there is a potential threat to the life of the affected person. If the patient suffers from other diseases or has a weak immune system, this also has an unfavorable effect on the prognosis. If the cause of the hyperplasia is found in the administration of medication, this can have a significant negative impact on the overall prognosis. Treatment is then switched to symptom relief, as freedom from symptoms is usually not possible.
Prevention
Prevention of hyperplasia is limited, depending on the causative agent. It lies in a generally healthy lifestyle with sufficient exercise and a healthy diet. Familial tendencies, viruses, or hereditary diseases can trigger certain hyperplasias, such as warts. There would be little influence on this. Other forms of hyperplasia result from acute or chronic disease, medications, or mechanical conditions. Again, preventive influence would be limited.
Aftercare
In most cases of hyperplasia, direct measures and options for aftercare are severely limited. Here, the affected person is primarily dependent on a rapid diagnosis with subsequent treatment so that further complications or a worsening of the symptoms can be prevented. The earlier the hyperplasia is detected and treated by a physician, the better the further course of the disease usually is. In most cases, this disease is treated by taking various medications. The affected person should always follow the doctor’s instructions and comply with them. In case of questions or uncertainties, a doctor should always be consulted first. Furthermore, attention should be paid to the correct dosage and regular intake of the medication in order to properly alleviate the symptoms. However, in many cases, the underlying disease responsible for the hyperplasia must first be cured in order to permanently alleviate the symptoms. Furthermore, regular examinations of the internal organs are also very important in order to detect damage at an early stage. Especially the kidneys have to be checked. Possibly, the life expectancy of the affected person is also reduced by this disease.
What you can do yourself
The most common form of hyperplasia is enlargement of the prostate gland in men. This occurs with age and leads to an increased urge to urinate. To cope with this type of complaint in everyday life, there are some tips. Before going to bed, the affected person should avoid drinking a lot of fluids. This makes it easier to sleep during the night, as the person concerned does not feel a constant urge to urinate. In general, however, the affected person should make sure to take in enough fluids during the day. In addition, the intake of beverages with a dehydrating effect such as coffee and tea, but also alcohol, should be avoided. They stimulate the body to produce urine. After urinating, the affected person can additionally wait for a moment and then directly try to urinate again. This helps to really empty the bladder. Furthermore, the affected person should avoid dehydrating medications, if possible. Such drugs are diuretics. Also, medications that affect the muscles of the bladder such as antispasmodic medications should be avoided. In case of hyperplasia of the endometrium, also called endometriosis, a doctor must be consulted. If necessary, he or she will treat the condition with medication or surgery.If the skin, liver, or kidney is affected by the hyperplasia, medical treatment is also required.