While many of us don’t always think about our bladder health until it’s of urgency, this month serves as a reminder to take notice of your bladder health before it becomes an issue, as November is Bladder Health Month.
The bladder is a hollow organ, similar to that of a balloon, that stores urine. Urine contains waste and extra fluid left over after the body takes what’s needed from what we eat and drink.
As a person ages, the elastic bladder tissue can change and become less flexible, thus not being able to hold as much urine. The bladder wall and pelvic floor muscles may also weaken, making it harder to fully empty the bladder. These types of changes in the bladder can lead to greater problems if not treated, like urinary incontinence, overactive bladder, and urinary retention.
Some signs of a bladder problem, may include the following:
Inability to hold urine or leaking urine
Needing to urinate more frequently or urgently
Cloudy urine
Blood in the urine (if you smoke this may be a sign of cancer)
Pain or burning before, during, or after urinating
Trouble starting urinating or having a weak stream while urinating
Trouble emptying the bladder fully
Treatment for bladder problems may include simple changes to your daily routine or lifestyle, exercises, medications, surgery, or a combination of these.
While we can’t control everything that affects the bladder, we can take some simple steps on our own to help keep it as healthy as possible.
Use the bathroom when needed. Holding urine in your bladder for long periods of time can weaken your bladder muscles and make a bladder infection more likely to occur.
Don’t rush and be in a relaxed position while urinating. Taking your time and relaxing the muscles around the bladder will make it easier to empty the bladder fully. Women, hovering over the toilet seat may make it harder for the bladder to relax, so it’s best to sit on the toilet seat when using the bathroom.
Do pelvic floor muscle exercises. Doing daily exercises can strengthen the pelvic floor muscles, which can help keep urine from leaking when a person may sneeze, cough, lift, laugh, bounce or move in a jaunting manner. These exercises may also assist in strengthening the muscles that help empty the bladder and reduce the chances of infection.
Watch what you eat and drink. Some foods, such as spicy foods, citrus fruits, and tomato-based foods, can irritate the bladder and cause potential problems. Also, try to limit alcohol and caffeinated drinks (coffee, tea, and soda), as they can heighten bladder activity and increase existent problems as well.
Drink plenty of water. Strive to drink 6 to 8 cups of water to keep your body hydrated and to help keep the bladder and other organs functioning properly.
Quit smoking. Bladder problems are more common amongst people who smoke and can increase the risk for bladder cancer.
Many bladder conditions can be handled through simple lifestyle changes, but if you experience any unusual symptoms with your bladder health for extended periods of time, talk to your health care provider to see what treatment may be best for you.
The urology services offered through Touchette Regional Hospital are comprehensive in nature and can help if you are experiencing urologic conditions that cause you discomfort such as painful urination, poor bladder control, or even pain in the groin area. Learn more about our urology services, by visiting: https://touchette.org/archview-medical-specialists/urology.
