Hypertrophy can basically occur in all organs of the human body. However, this phenomenon does not always have to be visible externally when internal organs are affected.
What is hypertrophy?
The word hypertrophy is composed of two components. The syllable hyper means over or more, and the word trophein means to take in, to nourish. In hypertrophy there is the physiological, healthy and the pathological expression. In any case, hypertrophy is always based on an increase in volume of tissues. With hyperplasia, the organism reacts to a change in requirements or there are pathological conditions that stimulate forced cell growth. Under certain physiological conditions, hyperplasia can be simultaneously associated with tissue reduction. If the trigger for hyperplasia is absent, the increase in size returns to its original state.
Causes
Known causes of hyperplasia include increased stress on the entire organism or individual specific organs, as well as hormonal influences. Increased performance demands on the physique can cause hypertrophy, which is expressed, for example, in an increase in muscle mass or heart volume. Female breasts can also increase in size under certain conditions, such as when breastfeeding an infant. However, hypertrophies of organs, which are called pseudo- and compensatory hypertrophy, are not healthy.
Symptoms, complaints, and signs
The most important characteristic of hypertrophy is the increase in size of a particular organ due to enlargement of the corresponding tissue cells. This increase in size can be physiologic or pathologic. Pathological hypertrophies include right heart hypertrophy, left heart hypertrophy, individual forms of muscle hypertrophy, mammary hypertrophy or pyloric hypertrophy. In right ventricular hypertrophy, symptoms are usually nonspecific. There may be dizziness, palpitations, arrhythmias or chest pain. A so-called congested liver, edema and jugular venous congestion indicate decompensated right heart failure. The main symptom in left ventricular hypertrophy is dyspnea on exertion. This is accompanied by the symptoms of angina pectoris with chest pain and the risk of developing myocardial infarction. In addition, cardiac arrhythmias are common, as well as chronic heart failure. Muscle hypertrophy is characterized by an increase in externally visible muscle mass due to muscle training. However, there are also forms of so-called pseudohypertrophy, in which the skeletal muscle increases in size with a simultaneous loss of strength due to muscle wasting. Here, in certain diseases with muscle loss, the actual muscle mass is compensated for by an increase in fat and connective tissue. Mammary hypertrophy is an oversized female breast, which can lead to shoulder and back pain due to its mass. At the same time, it results in spinal deformity. Pyloric hypertrophy, in turn, is characterized by an enlargement of the ring muscles at the stomach outlet. This can result in constant vomiting, dehydration, weight loss, constipation, and life-threatening metabolic alkalosis.
Diagnosis and course
In compensatory hypertrophy, there is an additional increase in tissue on an organ, which becomes enlarged as a result. The cause of the hyperplasia is a loss of performance of another organ. Its function is taken over and hypertrophy is formed. A classic example is the enlargement of the heart valves when a heart defect is present. If there is a loss of function of a kidney, the remaining excretory organ enlarges to compensate for the deficit. Pseudohypertrophy is when growths manifest on individual organs. These growths do not improve the performance of the organ, but simply result in an increase in volume. These manifestations are usually easily visible visually and even palpable. As a rule, these growths characterized by hyperplasia do not perform any additional tasks. Depending on the localization of a hyperplasia, different diagnostic possibilities are given. In addition to the external and visual assessment, the “inward” looking devices are among the most important aids.In addition to ultrasound– and X-ray-based devices, magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography are appropriate. Hypertrophy can also be detected endoscopically.
Complications
In many cases, hypertrophy is detected late because there is no direct discomfort or visible change. In most cases, the tissue of an organ in the patient’s body enlarges. This enlargement can lead to various complications and complaints. If the hypertrophy occurs in the heart, a heart defect can occur, which in the worst case leads to death. If the kidney is affected by the hypertrophy, renal insufficiency can occur without treatment, so that the affected person is dependent on a transplant or dialysis. The affected person feels weak and generally ill. Usually, hypertrophy is discovered and diagnosed by chance. Complications do not occur during the treatment itself. In case of tumors, chemotherapy is used. If inflammation has occurred, it is fought with the help of antibiotics, with a relatively quick positive course of the disease. Complications only occur if the hypertrophy remains undetected for a long time and has a negative effect on certain organs. In this case, life expectancy may also be reduced.
When should you go to the doctor?
A doctor should be consulted as soon as the affected person has a general feeling of illness. The disease process of hypertrophy is gradual and is often not noticed until late. The complaints are usually diffuse and lead to a slow increase in discomfort over a long period of time. As soon as the affected person notices the changes in his health, a visit to the doctor is necessary. If the performance level continuously decreases, the affected person increasingly experiences a loss of his quality of life, or if he can no longer adequately fulfill the usual daily obligations, a check-up is advisable. In case of sleep disturbances, an inner restlessness or a general weakness, a doctor is needed. If there is an increase in body circumference despite sufficient exercise and a healthy diet, a visit to the doctor is advised. If a high-calorie diet is not consumed, an increase in body fullness is an indication of an existing disease that needs to be treated. If irregularities in digestion or urination begin, a doctor should be consulted. If there is pain, problems with kidney activity, or emotional abnormalities, consultation with a physician is recommended. If there is a change in the amount of urine or an increased need for fluids, a doctor’s visit is needed. If there is a fever, pressure in the chest, circulation problems or breathing problems, a doctor should investigate and treat the symptoms. Without medical attention, life-threatening situations may result.
Treatment and therapy
Treatment of hypertrophy depends on several factors. These are, in the case of hypertrophy, its location, the type of tissue cells, and the extent. Not all hypertrophies are limited to the heart; they can also affect the bones. Special drugs are usually used to treat the abnormal hyperplasia, which may involve stagnation of growth and slow regression. A variety of hypertrophies can be influenced by the use of hormones or nuclear medicine with radiation or chemotherapy. The administration of antibiotics is also not completely out of the question in the case of hypertrophy. This measure has proven effective, for example, in the treatment of prostatic hypertrophy caused by a benign tumor. Hypertrophy of the salivary glands can be reduced by the release of synthetically produced saliva in combination with appropriate drugs. If hyperplasia of the skin occurs, characterized by cosmetically disturbing skin expansions, surgical procedures are planned to remove these excesses.
Prevention
In itself, hyperplasia can hardly be prevented, because most tissue increases arise from diseases. Because hyperplasias can also be malignant components, cancer prevention is useful. These prophylactics are also recommended for hyperplasia in the breasts in the form of breast cancer. If inflammatory processes occur that do not resolve on their own, sound medical therapy should be performed to prevent hyperplasia.Healthy hyperplasia such as obesity, an increase in breast tissue during breastfeeding or an increase in the size of the heart or muscle areas does not need to be prevented up to a certain extent. This hypertrophy is regulated independently by the healthy organism.
Aftercare
Hypertrophy requires aftercare, which should prevent further discomfort and enable a positive course. In the post-treatment phase, regular medical examinations are necessary. When taking prescribed medications, patients must ensure that they use and dose them correctly. They receive the basis for this from their doctor. If they have any problems or specific questions, they should also always consult their physician. In principle, it is important that patients do not overload their hearts. Physical exertion should therefore be avoided if possible. The physician will explain exactly which activities are still permitted and where changes in previous habits must take place. In the phase of regular examinations, the doctor monitors the heart rhythm and advises the patient about further options. Sometimes an operation is necessary, as a result of which the symptoms should decrease significantly. After this procedure, the patient needs a lot of rest and should refrain from strenuous activities for a longer period of time. The recovery period is followed by everyday life with self-help measures. Gentle endurance exercise and sufficient relaxation gradually improve the patient’s state of health. Suitable activities include moderate Nordic walking, cycling and swimming.
What you can do yourself
In the case of hypertrophy, unfortunately, there are no special self-help options available to the affected person. In any case, this disease must be treated by a doctor to avoid premature death of the patient or further complications. In most cases, medication is used to limit the symptoms of the disease. However, the disease can also occur in the context of side effects of other therapies, so that direct treatment is not possible here. In the case of skin discomfort, caring ointments or creams can be used in the first instance, although most sufferers rely on surgical intervention to alleviate this discomfort completely. The formation of scars can also be avoided by early treatment and adequate care. In many cases, discussions with other affected people or with a psychologist can also help with hypertrophy, as many affected people suffer from depression or other psychological complaints. Of course, conversations with one’s partner or with one’s own family are also suitable for this purpose. Above all, the support of the closest people can have a positive effect on the course of the disease and on the patient’s condition.
