Let’s face it; everyone tries to adhere to various preventive measures to maintain their body organs as healthy as possible. For instance, some people could quit smoking to keep their lungs healthy. Others may practice responsible drinking to avoid hurting their livers. And, of course, it makes sense that maintaining each organ in your body is essential. Yet just as it’s important to take care of your lungs and liver, it’s as crucial to pay equal attention to the health of your bladder.
The bladder is a sac-like organ between the hip bones in the pelvis. It is an essential part of the urinary system, which consists of the kidneys, urethra, and ureters. The urinary system performs a vital function in the body by filtering excess fluid and waste products from the bloodstream and eliminating them from the body, much like how regularly removing waste from home is necessary for its maintenance.
According to the American Cancer Society’s projections, there will be an estimated 82,290 new bladder cancer cases and roughly 16,710 bladder cancer fatalities in the U.S. for 2023. It’s relevant to note that while bladder cancer is less frequent in women, it is the fourth most prevalent cancer in men. Despite being the most common disease, bladder cancer is still vastly under-recognized in America. Also, do you know urinary incontinence affects about 13 million people in the United States?
Given these startling statistics, you may question what the best practices for maintaining a healthy bladder are. So, let’s have a look at six simple tips:
- Get in touch with your doctor
Are you facing unusual symptoms such as urine leakage, discomfort/pain in your pelvic area during, before, or after peeing, or perhaps having difficulty emptying your bladder? In that case, see a doctor immediately. Although we understand that you might feel uncomfortable sharing such symptoms. But the truth is, doctors won’t judge you. All of these issues are common to a healthcare professional. Besides, if you’re living in one of the most family-friendly places, sharing such issues won’t be an issue for you. Yes, we’re talking about Cookeville, Tennessee – known for its friendly and cooperative residents. One of the four cities of Putnam County, Cookeville has every city-like amenity one could ask for.
If you reside in Cookeville, TN, you’ll find a highly qualified urologist in Cookeville without much hassle. These professionals can accurately diagnose the problem and offer the best treatments and remedies possible.
2. Be sure to hydrate yourself
It is no secret that several body processes depend on water, but your bladder benefits most from it.
By consuming plenty of water, your body can break down and flush away potentially cancer-causing chemicals and substances more effectively. Regular water intake also promotes frequent urine, which reduces the amount of time that potentially hazardous cells spend inside the body.
Therefore, an ideal recommendation is that you should try to consume at least 6 to 8 glasses of water each day unless your physician suggests something different.
3. Employ appropriate bathroom practices
Good bathroom and hygiene practices are the best defense against a urinary tract infection or any other bladder-related problem.
Maintain cleanliness and dryness down there. But don’t clean too much. It would be best to avoid harsh soaps. Using loose-fitting underwear will let the fabric breathe, preventing moisture accumulation and the development of bacteria.
Other precautions include urinating after intercourse and wiping properly. Moreover, long-term holding can make your bladder muscles weaker. So don’t wait to urinate when you need to. Instead, as soon as the urge strikes, act on it. And be sure to take your time to empty your bladder. By not doing so, you run the risk of contracting an infection.
4. Give up smoking
Answer this. Are you aware that using tobacco when smoking or vaping increases your likelihood of developing bladder cancer? Compared to non-smokers, smokers have a two- to three-fold increased risk of being diagnosed with bladder cancer.
You may question what makes smoking more likely to cause bladder cancer. It is because the toxins in tobacco are expelled from your blood through your lungs and eventually end up as waste in your urine system. These substances may subsequently have an impact on the bladder lining. Cancer risk thus rises as a result of this. If developing cancer wasn’t enough of a worry, most smokers also experience urine incontinence due to the pressure their persistent cough causes on the bladder.
5. Consume healthy foods for your bladder
Some foods, including those with artificial sweeteners, sodas, citrus, alcohol, and spicy foods, can make bladder issues worse. Avoiding these meals and beverages may make you feel better if you are experiencing bladder issues.
You are already aware of the meals to stay away from. However, these are some meals that can help cleanse your bladder. Consuming foods that are high in fiber, low in acid, rich in antioxidants, and have a lot of water in them are the proper nutrients for maintaining the health of the urinary tract. Thus, your diet must include berries, cruciferous vegetables, fruits, whole grains, and lean protein.
Also, it’s crucial to consume adequate fiber to prevent constipation. Constipation puts pressure on the surrounding tissues and impairs healthy bladder function.
6. Engage in pelvic floor exercises
Your pelvic floor extends from the base of your spine to the area around your genitalia. Your bladder control muscles make up its structure.
Just like how lifting weights develops and strengthens your muscles, you must maintain the strength of your pelvic floor muscles. In other words, your body needs the muscles in your pelvic floor to keep the pee in your bladder. So, to prevent urine from escaping when you sneeze, cough, lift, or laugh, strengthen these muscles daily. For this purpose, Kegel exercises can help strengthen those muscles. It is recommendable for both sexes to do kegel exercises.
Kegels are simple to perform; all you have to do is repeatedly flex and release the pelvic muscles, particularly those that regulate the flow of pee. You can perform Kegel exercises while sitting at your desk or watching TV. However, feel free to consult a urologist if you’re unsure you’re performing the exercises correctly.
Final thoughts
Undoubtedly, everybody wants to have a healthy bladder. Since the bladder is a vital component of the urinary system, it retains urine waste produced by the kidneys while your body filters toxins and eliminates excess water. Therefore, maintaining a healthy bladder helps you stay healthy because it prevents toxins from accumulating inside your body. In other words, a fully-functioning and healthy bladder ensures that the pee is adequately stored and eliminated, lowering the risk of bladder-related issues or infections. Thus, in a nutshell, a healthy bladder contributes to less pain, fewer UTIs, and an overall better quality of life.