How Healthy Is Your Bladder?

Bladder Health Awareness Month: How Healthy Is Your Bladder?

Did you know that bladder cancer accounts for nearly 17,000 deaths in the U.S. annually? Bladder cancer also has one of the highest recurrence rates among men and women. Minor bladder issues can lead to more serious health concerns later in life if ignored. November is Bladder Health Awareness Month, a time to reflect on conditions affecting the bladder and how to prevent them. Below, Pegalis Law Group, LLC brainstorms tips to help you keep your bladder healthy this year and beyond.

What Is the Bladder? Why Is It Important to Your Health?

Your bladder is the balloon-shaped organ in your pelvis holding your urine. It works with your kidneys, ureters, and urethra to filter wastes and excess fluids from your bloodstream and push them out of your body. The bladder usually holds up to two cups (500 milliliters) of urine. Sensory nerves communicate with your body’s central nervous system, alerting it when your bladder is full and needs to release urine. People rarely think about or discuss their bladder health, but it’s essential. As you age, your bladder’s elastic tissue becomes less stretchy and can’t hold as much urine. Consequently, many may have to go to the bathroom more frequently. Bladder control problems are more common in women than men, affecting about 3-10% of men and 30-50% of women as they age.

What Are Some Common Bladder Issues & Their Symptoms?

Healthy urine is light yellow (the color of straw). Dark-colored or cloudy urine may indicate dehydration, while pink urine indicates the presence of blood. Urinary tract infections (UTIs), bladder cancer, urinary incontinence, and overactive bladder (OAB) are the most common bladder health-related issues. Painful, frequent, or irregular urination, an inability to hold urine, or trouble emptying your bladder can all be signs something is amiss. Bladder issues can be uncomfortable and disruptive to your daily routine, making working, sleeping, or socializing difficult. If ignored, bladder issues can lead to more severe ones. Talk to your doctor or get a bladder health screening if you’re ever unsure about your bladder health.

Five Tips for Maintaining a Healthy Bladder

The good news about bladder issues is that many may be prevented or alleviated through healthy lifestyle changes. Follow these five helpful tips to keep your bladder healthy:

• Drink Plenty of Water – More than half of your body is water. Healthy adults should drink at least two liters of water daily (the exact amount can vary based on age, weight, activity level, and where you live). Drinking lots of water helps ensure your bladder and urinary system remain functioning and healthy.
• Go With the Flow – Healthy adults should urinate every 3-4 hours. Holding in your urine can cause your bladder muscles to weaken over time and may result in a bladder infection. Try to relax and ensure you empty your bladder fully whenever urinating.  
• Maintain a Healthy Weight – Overweight individuals may be at a higher risk for infections, incontinence, and other issues. Regular physical exercise can help you prevent bladder and bowel problems, including leaking urine and constipation. Restricting your diet (limiting your sweets, caffeine, alcohol, carbonated drinks, spicy foods, and citrus fruits) can help you avoid many issues, including frequent urination.
• Wear Comfortable Clothing – Wearing tight clothing or underwear can trap moisture in the pelvic region, which allows bacteria to grow and can cause infections. Many suggest wearing cotton underwear because it’s a breathable material.
• Do Pelvic Floor Muscle Exercises – Kegel exercises help strengthen the muscles in your pelvic floor to prevent infections, frequent urination issues, and leaking urine when you sneeze, laugh, or cough. Ensure your pelvic floor muscles remain strong to hold urine better.

Focused on Creating Proactive Patients for 50+ Years

As a New York-based personal injury and medical malpractice law firm for 50+ years, Pegalis Law Group, LLC cares about creating proactive patients. Please visit our website and follow us on YouTube, Twitter, Facebook, and LinkedIn for more tips to keep you and your loved ones happy and healthy this year.