Bladder health: Why it’s a big deal and how to improve it

The bladder’s job is unglamorous but important. The organ is a holding tank for urine, which contains waste and other substances your body doesn’t need, and helps it leave the body. Prioritizing bladder health can help ensure this unsung organ keeps working for years to come.

There’s no better time to start making healthy choices for your bladder than November, which is Bladder Health Month. In 2016, the American Urological Association, Urology Care Foundation and Bladder Health Alliance established Bladder Health Month to raise awareness of the importance of a healthy bladder. This year, you can join in by making lifestyle changes to improve your bladder health and talking to your West Jefferson Medical Center primary care provider about urinary symptoms.

Bladder health spoilers

A variety of conditions can negatively affect bladder health. Common bladder problems include:

• Bladder cancer. Men have a higher risk for this disease than women. In fact, bladder cancer is the fourth most frequently diagnosed cancer among men, according to the American Cancer Society.
• Overactive bladder. A sudden, involuntary urge to urinate is the main symptom of overactive bladder. Some people with overactive bladder may leak urine when the sudden need to urinate hits.
• Urinary incontinence. Do you experience urine leaking every now and then? It may be a sign of urinary incontinence, which is when urine leaks due to a sudden urge to urinate or from exercising, laughing or other activities.
• Urinary tract infection (UTI). UTIs occur when bacteria or other germs enter the urinary tract. When they infect the bladder, UTIs are known as cystitis. A chronic bladder condition called interstitial cystitis can develop from a UTI. UTIs are far more common in women. This is partly because women have a shorter urethra than men, making it easier for germs to reach the bladder.

Signs to speak up about

It’s worth telling your West Jefferson Medical Center primary care provider if you have any of these symptoms:

• Bloody or cloudy urine
• Difficulty starting a urine stream
• Frequent or urgent urination
• Frequent need to urinate at night
• Inability to empty the bladder
• Leaking urine
• Pain with urination
• Urine that smells bad
• Weak urine stream

If your primary care provider thinks you need to see a specialist, they’ll refer you to a West Jefferson Medical Center urologist for help improving your bladder health.

What you can do to promote bladder health

You can’t always prevent bladder problems, but you can take steps to reduce your risk. Follow these tips to keep your bladder healthy:

• Eat and drink for bladder health. Bananas, nuts, eggs, green beans, potatoes, butternut squash, fish, chicken and turkey are good for or won’t bother your bladder. On the other hand, alcohol, coffee, and spicy and acidic foods can trigger incontinence.
• Don’t hold it in. Urinate when you need to instead of holding urine, which can wear out your bladder muscles.
• Give your bladder muscles a workout. Healthy pelvic floor muscles are an important part of bladder health. You can strengthen these muscles by performing pelvic floor exercises, which are also known as Kegel exercises.
• Go all the way. When you urinate, empty your bladder completely. Not doing so can increase your risk for a bladder infection, according to the Urology Care Foundation.
• Kick the habit. Quitting smoking is a boon to your bladder health because smoking is a risk factor for bladder cancer.
• Stay hydrated. Drinking enough water—the Urology Care Foundation recommends six to eight cups daily, although individual needs vary—can help you maintain a healthy bladder.

Need help overcoming a bladder condition? Find out how urology services at West Jefferson Medical Center can help and schedule an appointment with a urologist.