News Flash: These 4 Things Are Damaging Your Bladder Health

The bladder is an organ most people think little of unless they need to empty it. This hollow organ is responsible for holding urine waste until it can be eliminated from the body. Most people know bladder health is important, which means drinking healthy amounts of water to prevent inflammation. In addition to the proper water consumption and healthy diet, there are steps individuals can take to protect their bladder health.

Unfortunately, a person's everyday activities can be damaging to their bladder and could lead to infections and inflammation. Many people do things every single day that are harming the health of their bladder and they do not even realize it. In addition to health issues, some of these things can lead to bladder incontinence, which causes embarrassing leakage and accidents. With bladder health being more important than most people realize, it is crucial individuals do all they can to learn about the things they can avoid to protect their bladder.

1 - Holding Urine

Most everyone has had to hold their pee at some point or another. Whether a person is driving on a trip looking for a bathroom or trying to sleep as long as possible, holding urine can be damaging. When urine is allowed to sit in the bladder for long periods, there is an increased risk of bacteria being allowed to grow, which often leads to urinary tract infections. The average healthy bladder holds about two cups and urinating on a regular basis relieves bladder discomfort. The more bladder infections a person suffers in their life, the greater the potential damage to this organ.

2 - Sitting for Long Periods

Those who sit for the biggest part of their day could find themselves dealing with bladder and urinary tract issues over time. Those who sit more than five hours a day are at an increased risk for developing issues with incomplete bladder emptying, increased urgency, incontinence, and a weakened urine stream. Sitting for long periods of a time also leads to people holding their bladder for longer, because they do not feel the signals coming from the brain as strongly. It is wise for individuals to get up and walk around every hour. A brisk walk and some stretching can help to protect bladder health and function.

3 - Hovering Over the Toilet  

Many people are disgusted by public toilets and some even find their own toilet to be a throne of disgrace. While it might seem utterly disgusting to sit down on a public toilet, hovering is not the answer. Hovering over a toilet does not allow a person to relax their pelvic floor muscles, which are the muscles responsible for controlling the flow of urine. When the pelvic floor muscles are relaxed, the urine flow begins. When someone is hovering over a toilet, their pelvic floor muscles are tensed and this will make it practically impossible for them to be able to fully empty their bladder. Weakened pelvic floor muscles can also lead to incontinence issues.

4 - Going Just In Case

This is a bad habit that is often blamed on moms. Most everyone has had their mom encourage them to go pee right before a long trip. Everyone is guilty of attempting to empty their bladder before it is necessary. While individuals might think they are doing a good thing, this can actually cause problems in the way the bladder informs the brain it is time to urinate. People who go to pee when they do not have to are improperly training their bladder and could end up suffering from increased urgency and incontinence. It is better to wait until the bladder is full before going to the bathroom. Excessively going to the bathroom to pee multiple times a day is only going to lead to bladder health issues that can become difficult to overcome.