It is a gland of the male reproductive and urinary system that usually presents inflammation problems after the age of 50; symptoms and treatments

The prostate is usually one of the main issues of concern in men when they start adulthood, and one of the most frequent reasons for male medical consultation after the age of 40. It is a small gland the size of a walnut, located below the bladder that, when puberty begins, produces the seminal fluid that is part of the semen.

From the ages of 35 and 40, its size begins to grow and, although it is part of a natural process that often goes unnoticed, men should pay attention to it because it can cause health problems such as inflammation, infections, and prostate cancer. Adolfo Casabé, a urologist and consultant to the Argentine Society of Urology, explains: "The prostate grows as we age, since there are hormonal changes in the body related to testosterone and circulation in the pelvic area."

Why is the prostate inflamed?

As explained by Maximiliano López Silva (M.N. 123.648), a urologist and specialist in minimally invasive prostate therapy and urinary lithiasis at the Argentine Center of Urology and San Camilo Clinic, inflammation is the enlargement of the prostate which in medical terms is known as prostatic hyperplasia. benign. “It is a typical condition that appears over the years. Before it was said that it appeared normally after the age of 50, but now it manifests itself in younger men”, says the doctor.

Regarding why it happens, Dr. López Silva says that it is part of a hormonal process that is related to aging and andropause -a process in which men have a progressive decrease in their testosterone levels-. "When there are hormonal changes, inflammation appears," he emphasizes.

Another condition similar to this is prostatitis, which, like prostatic hyperplasia, is the result of an acute inflammatory process of the prostate. "The difference with hyperplasia is that prostatitis is asymptomatic and usually occurs in very young patients, for example, at 20 years of age."

Inflamed prostate symptoms:

According to specialists, the signs to take into account to detect if you suffer from this discomfort are:

• Difficulty urinating
• Burning or itching
• frequent urination

Waking up multiple times during the night to go to the bathroom

What to do once prostate inflammation is detected?

Once these symptoms are detected, a urologist should be consulted to rule out that the condition is malignant or requires surgical intervention. Dr. López Silva adds that from the age of 50 all men should have a prostate check -blood tests and rectal examination of the prostate to check for nodules- and especially those who have a family history of prostate cancer. prostate. "Control is essential because one of the problems with prostate cancer is that it is asymptomatic, that is, it does not cause symptoms until it is too late," he warns.

Detected in time, the risk of death from prostate cancer is usually low and its treatments include surgery, known as prostatectomy, and radiotherapy.

In addition, the doctor points out that there is nothing scientifically established regarding diet that improves inflammation, but it is known that there are substances and foods that work as irritants of this gland, such as: alcohol, coffee, sodas, and spicy foods.

The internet abounds with recipes for home remedies to "reduce inflammation of the prostate" without resorting to medications, such as taking a hot water bath for 20 minutes or applying heat to the testicular area. However, professionals point out that to date there is no scientific evidence that they are effective. "The heat can reduce the pain momentarily, but there is no medical support that it cures the inflammatory picture," warns López Silva.

According to the Harvard University School of Health, there are certain eating habits that you can start to incorporate into your daily routine to achieve, in the long term, a healthy prostate. Professionals indicate to take into account the following:

Eat at least five servings of fruits and vegetables every day

Choose whole wheat bread instead of white bread

Limit consumption of red meat, including beef, pork, lamb, and goat, and processed meats, such as bologna and sausage

Opt for healthy fats like olive oil, nuts and avocados; and limit consumption of saturated and partially hydrogenated fats (trans fats)

Avoid sugary drinks, such as sodas and fruit juices

Reduce salt intake and eat low-sodium foods by reading and comparing food labels