How does diabetes affect the prostate?

As men age, their bodies begin to lose hormonal balance. Specifically, testosterone levels decrease, while estrogen levels increase. As a result, the prostate gland grows abnormally large, leading to prostate enlargement. This condition is benign and not cancerous, according to the health website Healthline (USA).

Diabetes may increase the risk of prostate enlargement

Some people with the disease do not experience any significant symptoms. Meanwhile, many others experience symptoms such as dribbling, weak urine flow, urinary incontinence, nocturia or blood in the urine. If you already have an enlarged prostate and diabetes increases the risk of developing these urinary symptoms by more than 95%. In addition, some research evidence suggests that diabetes can increase the risk of prostate enlargement by up to 125%.

Several factors make diabetes an increased risk for BPH. One of the problems for diabetics is insulin resistance. This is a condition in which the body does not effectively use the insulin secreted by the pancreas. To move glucose from the blood into the cells, the body is forced to secrete more insulin, leading to increased insulin levels in the blood.

A study published in the journal Current Urology Reports found that high levels of insulin in the blood stimulate sympathetic nerve activity and increase smooth muscle tone in the prostate. This condition can cause the prostate to compress the urethra, causing difficulty urinating. This is a common symptom of prostate enlargement.

Not only that, insulin hormone has a similar structure to insulin-like growth factor (IGF) secreted by the liver. Therefore, insulin hormone has the ability to stimulate the growth and proliferation of prostate cells.

Experts say that to reduce the risk of prostate enlargement, men need to take measures to prevent the risk of type 2 diabetes as well as other metabolic diseases such as high blood pressure, high blood cholesterol levels, overweight or obesity, according to Healthline .

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/benh-tieu-duong-anh-huong-den-tuyen-tien-liet-the-nao-185240912162245301.htm