Our bladder is an incredibly essential organ that works 24/7. Usually, it works so well that most of us do not give it, or its health, a second thought, but we should!
It is vital to consider the bladder’s crucial role in maintaining our overall health. Since bladder health changes over time—just like the rest of our body—it is incredibly important to stay informed and take care of your bladder’s health in the best ways possible to avoid bladder issues.
What Is The Bladder’s Role?
The bladder is located in the lower abdomen and is held in place by the pelvic floor. It is a sac-like organ that can contract and expand depending on its contents. The bladder’s function is to store the body’s urine until it becomes full and gets the signal to release it through the urethra.
On average, a human bladder can hold 16 oz or 2 cups of urine; however, many people might feel the urge to go to the bathroom when it’s about a quarter full. Remember, however, urge is not an absolute signal that it is time to go.
Why Is Bladder Health Important?
The bladder is responsible for some key functions. By storing and removing urine from your body, the bladder essentially filters and gets rid of excess fluid and waste from the bloodstream.
If your bladder is unhealthy, it will not be able to function well. This will lead to excess fluid and toxin buildup in the body. Moreover, an unhealthy bladder might become a permanent home for bacteria, and as a result, you could have bladder issues such as :
- Urinary incontinence
- Urinary urgency
- Frequent Urination
- Nocturia
- Urinary tract infections
How Can You Keep Your Bladder Healthy?
In order to keep your bladder healthy over the long term, it’s important to adopt some healthy habits and practices. Here are a few that are easy to incorporate:
- Drink lots of water
- Try not to hold in urine for too long—over 4 hours. This will help to keep your bladder muscles strong and will also keep you away from bladder infections
- For women, it is best to be in a relaxed position when urinating, sit whenever possible—do not hover over the toilet seat.
- Always try to empty the bladder fully when you go
- Always urinate after sex
- Exercise regularly
- Eat a healthy diet and try to increase your fruit and vegetable intake; cut back on salt and artificial sugar
- Limit caffeine and alcohol intake
- Look into pelvic floor exercises using either a health coach who specializes in pelvic health or pelvic physical therapy
If you’d like to learn about ways to improve poor bladder habits or about bladder issues in women and how to navigate them, reach out to us at The Pelvic Coach.
We are offering a free presentation on bladder health, with tips on what you can do today to reduce your bladder leaks. Go to thepelviccoach.com/free to educate yourself on urinary incontinence.
