Newsroom | Community Health
Office Visit: Don’t Hold Back When It Comes to Your Bladder Health
Nov. 8, 2023
While it may not be common conversation at the water cooler, the health of your bladder plays an important role in your overall health.
The bladder joins the kidneys, ureter, urethra and other organs to form the urinary system. The bladder helps eliminate waste from the body, regulate blood volume and blood pressure, control levels of electrolytes and metabolites and regulate blood pH.
Without a well-functioning bladder, toxic substances stay in the body and can cause a urinary tract infection. It is estimated more than 50% of all women will experience at least one UTI in their lifetime.
November is bladder health month. Here are some ways to help maintain a healthy bladder, according to the National Institute on Aging:
- Drink enough fluids, especially water — How much water you need may vary but try to drink enough fluids so that you need to urinate every few hours. The color of healthy urine is light yellow or the color of straw.
- Watch what you eat — Some people find that certain foods, such as spicy foods, make bladder problems worse. Adjusting your diet may help.
Todd Hoffman, M.D.
- Use the bathroom when needed — Take the time to fully empty your bladder. If urine stays in the bladder for too long, it can make a bladder infection more likely.
- Wear cotton underwear and loose-fitting clothing — Tight-fitting pants and nylon underwear can trap moisture and help bacteria grow.
- Do pelvic floor exercises — Daily exercises can strengthen your muscles and may help avoid infections.
Make sure to make time for your health during this upcoming holiday season. You’ll be glad you did.
Let’s make it a good month!
Todd Hoffman, M.D., C.P.E., is chief medical officer of Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Oklahoma, a division of Health Care Service Corp., a Mutual Legal Reserve Company.