Spicy foods can irritate your bladder, which is just above your prostate. When your bladder becomes irritated, it can lead to prostate irritation and inflammation, such as prostatitis. Physicians typically advise patients with prostate medical conditions to avoid spicy foods, which might not affect every man, but if spicy food causes additional pain or irritation, eliminating it from your diet might help reduce pain until your prostate condition clears.
Prostate and Bladder
Your prostate is a walnut-shaped organ that lies just beneath your bladder. When your bladder becomes irritated by spicy foods or other irritants such as alcohol, it can become inflamed. The inflammation and swelling from your bladder can put pressure against your prostate. Bacterial infections, such as a urinary tract infection, can also affect your prostate.
Irritants
Aside from spicy foods and alcohol, other irritants can aggravate prostate conditions. Salt can irritate prostate conditions such as benign prostatic hypertrophy. Avoid cured meats, salty potato chips and canned soups. Citrus juices can also be irritating to the bladder due the acidic content. Caffeinated foods and beverages, such as chocolate bars and soda, are considered irritants to prostatitis.
Treatment
If you have a prostate condition, your doctor might prescribe antibiotics if bacteria caused an infection. For more severe cases or resistant strains of bacteria, your doctor might admit you at the hospital so that you can receive intravenous antibiotics. Over-the-counter pain reliever, such as ibuprofen, can help ease the pain and discomfort that you experience. Your doctor might also recommend a stool softener to avoid straining in the bathroom. If you feel the need to urinate, empty your bladder completely to avoid further irritation or infection. Warm baths might also help ease perineal pain and lower back pain. If you have developed a prostate condition due to a bladder or urinary tract infection, drink at least 64 oz. of fluid every day to help flush bacteria away from your bladder.
Warning
If your pain or symptoms worsen, and you're avoiding irritants such as spicy foods, alcohol, caffeine and salt, let your doctor know right away; this could be a sign that the infection is becoming worse. Call your caregiver if you begin to develop a fever. Seek immediate medical care if you are completely unable to urinate, your bladder is full and you experience pain.
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