The term hyperplasia subsumes various forms of cell proliferation, which can happen in or on an organ, in muscles, skin or connective tissue. The reasons for cell growth can be of various natures. Hyperplasia is in contrast to hypertrophy, a stunted state of cells, and neoplasia, which specifically means benign or malignant tumor neoplasms.
What is hyperplasia?
In the case of hyperplasia of the female breast, mammography would be recommended after palpation. If necessary, a biopsy must be considered. See AbbreviationFinder for abbreviations related to Hyperplasia.
The definition of the term hyperplasia says that it is about increased cell growth at any point in the organism. Hyperplasia can be stimulated by functional stress, but it can also be caused by hormonal, bacterial, virological or drug-related connections.
It is interesting that the hyperplasia is often reversible. If you stop exercising or stop the hormonal stimulation, cell growth reverses. It can, but does not have to be a consequence of the disease.
Causes
The causes of hyperplasia are varied. This highly generalized term is used to describe any form of cell growth, regardless of the trigger. An exception is tumor growth, which in its benign and malignant form would be called neoplasia or neoplasm.
Hyperplasia is divided into different forms, which are referred to as adenomatous, angiolymphoid, focal epithelial, focal nodular hyperplasia or as polypoid, foveolar, lymphoid or glandular-cystic hyperplasia. In hyperplasia, the organ or cell section does not enlarge due to swelling of cells, but rather due to actual cell proliferation.
In the case of an enlargement of the thyroid or prostate, for example, the cause must be found because a disease may be the cause. Consequently, hyperplasia can certainly be caused by pathology. But warts, cysts and newly formed scar tissue are also referred to as hyperplasia and do not always have disease significance. Many forms of hyperplasia are considered harmless.
Symptoms, Ailments & Signs
Hyperplasia primarily manifests itself as 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 expressed by signs of jaundice, pain in the upper abdomen and non-specific itching of the skin on the arms and legs.
If the kidneys are affected, similar symptoms occur. Digestive problems and a strong feeling of discomfort are often added. Benign growths on the ovaries can cause unusual pain that has no specific cause. Some patients also experience abdominal bleeding and cramps.
In general, hyperplasia has a negative impact on the quality of life. Those affected feel increasingly tired and exhausted as the disease progresses, and the pain often has a negative effect on their mental state. If the hyperplasia is not treated, further complications can develop.
Many patients develop renal insufficiency or chronic hepatic dysfunction, both with serious sequelae and a further decrease in well-being. If the symptoms are caused by a [[[Malignant tumor|malignant tumor]], the hyperplasia can be fatal under certain circumstances.
Diagnosis & History
The diagnosis and course correspond to the differences in the respective hyperplasia. A single wart need not worry you. A cyst or fibroid develops, but can also regress. However, an enlarged gland or a thickened organ may require treatment.
Benign growths on the liver, the male prostate gland, the ovaries, the skin or the kidneys require an examination, as do all other hyperplasias that presumably have no harmless causes. As a first measure, a palpation finding, an inventory of patient observations and a sonography can provide information about what is happening inside the body. If necessary, other imaging measures or microscopic examinations should be considered, which may result in an operation.
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. Hyperplasia can also be caused by medication, alcohol abuse, obesity or contraceptives. 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 recommended after palpation. If necessary, a biopsy must be considered. Targeted muscle hyperplasia – the intentional muscle build-up through bodybuilding – does not require a diagnosis, unless this activity would become addictive or the muscle regeneration would impair the function of important organs. In each case, it must be examined whether the hyperplasia is in need of treatment or not.
Complications
Due to the hyperplasia, the affected person suffers from a strong proliferation of cells that goes beyond the usual level. In most cases, this propagation does not cause any problems, but in the long run it can lead to an enlargement of the orange. In any case, the enlargement of the organs has a negative effect on the patient’s quality of life and health.
This usually displaces or squeezes other organs, which can lead to complications. In most cases, these are the kidneys and the liver. In the worst case, the patient can suffer from renal insufficiency and is dependent on a donor organ or on dialysis. Everyday life is also made extremely difficult for those affected.
The liver can also be damaged by the hyperplasia. When the spleen enlarges, there is usually pain on the side. The treatment of hyperplasia is always causal and in most cases is not associated with complications. However, if it is a malignant tumor, in some cases no treatment can be given and the affected person dies prematurely.
When should you go to the doctor?
If warts or other skin changes develop, it is advisable to consult a doctor. Removing warts on your own responsibility can lead to complications. Therefore, they should be professionally examined and treated. If the warts or existing skin blemishes spread over the body or increase in size, consult a doctor.
Discoloration of the skin, swelling of the skin or ulcers should be presented to a doctor. If you feel generally ill, feel unwell or have any vague abnormalities, it is advisable to see a doctor. If there are digestive problems, functional disorders or a drop in performance, the symptoms need to be clarified.
In the event of a feeling of tightness in the body, changes in the menstrual cycle, sexual dysfunction or erection problems, an investigation to determine the causes should be initiated. If there is an unusual increase in weight or if the upper body increases in size for no apparent reason, a doctor is needed. Repeated abnormalities in going to the toilet must be medically examined.
If the amount of urine decreases or discoloration of the urine is noticed, the observations should be discussed with a doctor. If there is a loss of appetite or if the person concerned refuses to eat or drink, they need a doctor. There is a risk of undersupply of the organism and organ failure. Fever, inner restlessness, pain or cramps are indications that must be medically clarified.
Treatments & Therapy
The treatment of the hyperplasia must also be coordinated with the existing underlying disease or disorder. Some hyperplasia does not require treatment at all, but others do.
Endometriosis is hyperplasia in women that often causes pain. Like many other hyperplasias, it can also be treated with medication and surgery. Depending on the cause of the hyperplasia, the practitioner decides whether hormone administration or the opposite makes sense. Hyperplasia of the tonsils and adenoids is treated differently than hyperplasia caused by diabetes or another disease.
Regular to close follow-up checks are often sufficient to ensure that the hyperplasia is constantly under medical observation. Muscular hyperplasia caused by bodybuilding does not need to be observed if it does not have any health consequences. Hyperplasia in female, but also in male breast tissue requires medical clarification. It can be benign, but also malignant swellings and cell developments.
Outlook & Forecast
Hyperplasia generally has a favorable prognosis. The difficulty lies in determining the cause and in treating it. Since the triggers of the disease can be manifold, a good medical history is necessary. As soon as the causal triggers have been found, appropriate countermeasures can be initiated. The hyperplasia is basically reversible as long as no complications have arisen and no chronification has developed. If the diagnosis is made early and treatment is started in the early stages of the disease, freedom from symptoms can be achieved in most patients.
If the hyperplasia has contributed to an enlargement of the organs and caused damage to the organ tissue, the prospect of a cure is reduced. Therapy can alleviate the symptoms, but the likelihood of a full recovery decreases. In addition, functional disorders may necessitate an organ transplant or organ failure. In these cases, there is a potential threat to the life of the person concerned.
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 can be found in the administration of medication, this can have a significant negative impact on the overall prognosis. The treatment is then switched to relieving the symptoms, since freedom from symptoms is usually not possible.
Prevention
Depending on the cause, prevention of hyperplasia is only possible to a limited extent. It is based on a generally healthy lifestyle with sufficient exercise and a healthy diet. Family tendencies, viruses or hereditary diseases can trigger certain hyperplasia, such as warts. You would have little control over that. Other forms of hyperplasia result from acute or chronic disease, medication, or mechanical conditions. Here, too, the preventive influence would only be possible to a limited extent.
Aftercare
In the case of hyperplasia, the direct measures and options for aftercare are severely limited in most cases. The person concerned is primarily dependent on a quick diagnosis with subsequent treatment so that further complications or a worsening of the symptoms can be prevented. The earlier the hyperplasia is recognized and treated by a doctor, the better the further course of the disease is usually.
In most cases, this disease is treated by taking various medications. The person concerned should always follow the doctor’s instructions and follow them. If you have any questions or are unclear, you should always consult a doctor first. Furthermore, it is also important to ensure 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 relieve the symptoms. Furthermore, regular examinations of the internal organs are very important in order to detect damage at an early stage. The main thing to check is the kidneys. This disease may also reduce the life expectancy of those affected.
You can do that yourself
The most common form of hyperplasia is enlargement of the prostate in men. This occurs with age and leads to an increased need to urinate. There are a few tips for dealing with this type of complaint in everyday life.
Before going to bed, the affected person should avoid drinking a lot of liquids. This makes it easier to sleep during the night, since the person concerned does not feel a constant urge to urinate. In general, however, the person concerned should ensure that they drink enough liquid during the day . In addition, drinks with a dehydrating effect such as coffee and tea, as well as alcohol, should be avoided. They stimulate the body to produce urine. After urinating, the person concerned can also wait a moment and then immediately try to urinate again. This really helps to empty the bladder. Furthermore, the affected person should avoid diuretics if possible. Such drugs are diuretics. Drugs that affect the muscles of the bladder, such as antispasmodic drugs, should also be avoided.
Hyperplasia of the lining of the uterus, also known as endometriosis, requires consultation with a doctor. If necessary, he or she will carry out medical or surgical treatment. If the skin, liver or kidneys are affected by the hyperplasia, medical treatment is also required.
