The compression or obstruction of the urethra due to benign prostatic hyperplasia leads to _ a. nonbacterial prostatitis b. prostatism c. bacterial prostatitis d. prostate cancer
The correct answer and explanation is:
Correct Answer: b. prostatism
Explanation:
Prostatism refers to a group of symptoms commonly associated with the compression or obstruction of the urethra due to an enlarged prostate gland. This condition is frequently caused by benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), a non-cancerous enlargement of the prostate that often occurs as men age.
In BPH, the prostate gland grows in size and begins to press against the urethra, which is the tube responsible for carrying urine from the bladder out of the body. This pressure creates a narrowing of the urethral passage, leading to various urinary symptoms collectively termed prostatism. These symptoms typically include:
- Difficulty starting urination
- Weak or interrupted urine stream
- Increased frequency of urination, especially at night (nocturia)
- A feeling of incomplete bladder emptying
- Urgency or hesitancy during urination
Prostatism does not indicate the presence of infection or cancer by itself. It simply describes the urinary difficulties that arise when the flow of urine is obstructed by the enlarged prostate. While prostatism is most commonly due to BPH, it can also occur in other prostate-related conditions that compress the urethra, although these are less frequent.
The other choices in the question do not directly result from urethral compression due to BPH. For example:
- Nonbacterial prostatitis is inflammation of the prostate not caused by bacteria and does not primarily result from urethral obstruction.
- Bacterial prostatitis is an infection of the prostate caused by bacteria and typically presents with fever, chills, and pain rather than just urinary flow problems.
- Prostate cancer may cause urethral compression in later stages, but prostatism due to BPH is far more common and usually not linked to malignancy.
In summary, prostatism is the correct term used to describe the symptoms that arise from urethral compression due to benign prostatic hyperplasia.