General Bladder Health

2019-11-07 03:52:24

November is Bladder Health Month, a time dedicated to raising awareness about bladder conditions and generating support for those affected by these health issues. Learn more about your bladder health and how to keep your bladder healthy!

During this month, healthcare professionals are encouraged to focus efforts on connecting, educating, and empowering individuals across the country to learn the facts about bladder health conditions such as overactive and underactive bladder, interstitial cystitis, urinary tract infections, bladder cancer, urotrauma, neurogenic bladder and nocturia, and take an active role in managing their bladder health.

 

Did you know? Bladder Facts

  • The bladder is a hollow, balloon shaped organ, and is mostly made of muscle.
  • On average, the bladder holds about two cups of urine (about 16 ounces).
  • When the bladder is empty it looks like a deflated balloon. The shape of a bladder changes when it fills up.
  • Urine is produced in the kidneys. It flows through tubes called ureters into the bladder.
  • It's normal to go to the bathroom 4 to 8 times a day and no more than twice a night.
  • Women have shorter urethras than men and are more likely to get a bladder infection as bacteria from outside the body can get into the urinary system easier.
  • The bladder muscle helps you urinate by squeezing to force the urine out.

What is a Healthy Bladder?

 Many women can take a road trip, jump on a trampoline with their kids, go shopping or go for a morning run without thinking twice about their bladder. For others, though, this simply isn't the case. Some women have a condition doctors call "bladder on the brain" -- meaning they constantly keep aware of the nearest bathroom due to strong, uncontrollable urges to urinate. Such compulsions can even interrupt daily plans and tasks and cause the sufferer to continually think about preventing urine leakage, protecting clothing from wetness, and escaping the stigma of making frequent trips to the bathroom.

 First, a little background: The bladder's job is to hold urine until it is a good time to urinate. When our bladder is working normally, we can fully participate in our lives: go to school, go shopping, take car or plane trips, be physically active, or sit through a long movie without worrying about whether or not our bladder can do its job.

 For women, normal bladder activity means the ability to hold 10 to 16 ounces of liquid (think a standard-sized plastic water bottle or a "grande" Starbucks beverage) and using the restroom every 3 to 4 hours (no more than twice overnight). It's normal for this frequency to change depending on what we drink throughout the day, as healthy kidneys will create more urine with increased fluid intake. Certain beverages, like those with caffeine or artificial sweeteners, also can increase urine output.

 In a healthy bladder, the sensation to use the bathroom is not painful and can be put off until it is socially acceptable and convenient to urinate. Urination should not be painful for a healthy bladder, and urine leakage shouldn't occur.

 How can you maintain a healthy bladder?

Tips for Keeping Your Bladder Healthy: 

  • Drink plenty of water. Strive to drink 6 to 8 cups of water each day.
  • Cut down on the amount of caffeine and alcohol you drink - these may upset your bladder. Limit your intake of coffee, tea or cola as these can heighten bladder activity and lead to leakage.
  • Women should sit to go to the toilet – they should not hover over the toilet seat.
  • Take your time when on the toilet so that your bladder can empty - if you rush, and do not empty your bladder fully, over time, you could get a bladder infection.
  • Stay away from foods that bother the bladder. Some foods can worsen incontinence. Skip foods like chocolate (also a source of caffeine), as well as spicy or acidic foods like tomatoes and citrus fruits.
  • Keep your pelvic floor muscles strong with pelvic floor muscle training.
  • Stop smoking. It is of great value to stop smoking for your bladder health - using tobacco is a major cause of bladder cancer.

If you have bothersome bladder symptoms, talk to your health care provider. Often, people suffer from "bladder on the brain" for years before seeking treatment.

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