Illness sends King Charles III to hospital

King Charles III's prostate enlargement usually occurs in middle-aged men, due to hormones or previous health problems.

King Charles will be admitted to hospital next week for treatment of an enlarged prostate, Buckingham Palace said. The king's condition is benign and requires a "medical procedure to correct it."

The prostate gland 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, benign prostatic hyperplasia is a benign growth of a tissue entity, resulting in an enlarged prostate that can cause obstruction of the lower urinary tract, which is called an obstructive tumor.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia affects about 50% of men by age 50. The likelihood of developing the condition increases with age.

Symptoms of an enlarged prostate include nocturia, frequent urination, and inability to completely empty the bladder after urination. Less common symptoms include urinary tract infections, urinary retention, and blood in the urine.

These symptoms tend to get worse over time. The size of the prostate does not always determine the severity of symptoms.

The cause of prostate enlargement is unclear, but hormones and growth factors may contribute to men's susceptibility to the condition, according to Professor Amin Herati, director of the Department of Male Infertility and Men's Health at Johns Hopkins Hospital.

King Charles III attends the Royal Christmas service at St. Mary Magdalene Church. Photo: Reuters — King Charles III attends the Royal Christmas service at St. Mary Magdalene Church. Photo: *Reuters*

Some other health problems that also lead to prostate enlargement are urinary tract infections, prostatitis, urethral stricture, bladder or kidney stones, 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 contribute to benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Doctors usually diagnose prostate enlargement through clinical examination, medical history, and medication history. Patients are assigned to do tests such as urinalysis, blood tests, antigen tests, and rectal ultrasound.

Treatment options include lifestyle changes, increased exercise, medications, and surgery, says Kevin Wymer, MD, an endocrinologist at the Mayo Clinic.

“Sometimes, you don’t need to do anything. If the enlargement isn’t causing symptoms or dysfunction, you just need to monitor it,” says Dr. Wymer.

The two types of drugs commonly used to treat the condition are alpha-blockers and 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors. Alpha-blockers relax the muscles of the prostate gland. 5-alpha-reductase inhibitors help reduce the size of the prostate gland.

In severe cases or those who do not tolerate medication side effects well, surgery may be recommended. This procedure varies from patient to patient, based on prostate size, age, and health status.

Benign prostatic hyperplasia can lead to complications such as urinary retention, urinary tract infections, bladder damage, or kidney damage.

Thuc Linh (According to Washington Post, Mayo Clinic )

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