Aqua

Prepared by: dr. Yolin Marlisa, M.Gizi (PDGMI-Jaya)

Prostate is a gland organ that can only be found within men’s bodies. It works to produce milk-like thin fluid that contains citric and phosphatase acids, both of which are added to sperm-containing cements during ejaculations. Prostate disorders include inflammations (prostatitis), both acute and chronic, enlargement (hyperplasia) and cancer.

Prostatitis

Accute prostatitis symptomps include high fever which sometimes come with shivering, lower back pain, stiffness or muscle pain (mialgia) or joint pain. There is also discomfort during urination such as pain, burning and even difficult urination.

Meanwhhile, chronic prostatitis varies more than the accute one, ranging from urinary disorders to merely pain in lower waist.  In order to be certain, seek doctor’s advices and if necessary, ask for a lab test.

Prostate Enlargement (Hyperplasia)

Besides prostatitis, another possible disorder is prostate enlargement, otherwise known as prostate hypertrophy (or hyperplasia prostate, to be exact). Prostate hyperplasia is caused by changes in hormonal balance due to aging. Because the enlargement process runs slowly, the effects of the changes do not occur instantly.  The symptoms are urinary disorders such as restrained, discontinuous, incontinent and slow-paced urinations as well as a sense of dissatisfaction after urinating. Hyperplasia patients also experience increased urination frequency, frequent urinary during nighttime, overly strong urge to urinate, and discomfort (pain or burning sensation) while urinating.

Prostate Cancer

Prostate cancer is one of the main death-causing cancers in men. The disease has begun to be widely found among men age 50 years and above. The occurrence of prostate cancer was affected by hormones. Early-stage prostate cancer does not have distinguished symptoms. Most patients are not aware of the disease until they experience urinary discomfort. By the time, the cancer has reached a higher stage.

The Role of Water in Prostate Disorders

Water or body fluid is the main part of our bodies, which is also the media of every reaction within the cells. Generally, water has various functions in the body’s vital processes, such as:

1. Working as a solvent and conveyances. In this case, water serves to dissolve materials required by the body such as nutrients, oxygen, and hormones. In addition, water also transports the substances to the entire body cells in need and later takes the excessive metabolite out of the body. 
2. Acting as a lubricant, especially in synovial joints.
3. Controlling body temperature, especially during fever in which the body’s water needs increase.
4. Protecting body organs from collisions.

Our bodies will always try to keep the balance of the fluid, which is defined as the balance between the amount of fluid intake (from drinking water or food) and outtake (from urination, defecation, perspiration and respiration). Thus, it is highly recommended to consume 2-2.5 liters of water per day in order to get balanced amount of fluid in the body.

Adequate water consumption will help the body metabolize substances within the cells, including hormones, keep body temperature at a normal level, and improve the immune system to protect it from prostatitis. Balanced diet and healthy lifestyle are also expected to avoid the formation of free radicals that may trigger the growth of abnormal cells, which include prostate cancer.