Now that 2022 is right around the corner, many people are thinking about ways they can improve their overall health in the new year. There are several simple, realistic resolutions you can set to boost bladder health. Every change you make, no matter how small, has the potential to make a big difference!
Drink Enough Water
This one may seem obvious, but drinking plenty of water is absolutely essential if you want to improve your bladder health. You should be drinking around six to eight glasses of water each day. Staying properly hydrated helps flush harmful bacteria out of your system, preventing infections and kidney stones.
Limit Certain Beverages
Cut back on alcoholic beverages, carbonated drinks and caffeine. This includes tea, coffee, soda and seltzer water. These drinks can irritate your bladder and cause you to urinate more than usual. You should also avoid drinks with artificial sweeteners.
Exercise Regularly
Getting plenty of exercise is important for a variety of reasons, including maintaining good bladder health. Exercising also helps you stay at a healthy weight. Being overweight leads to a higher risk for certain bladder problems, including urinary incontinence.
Eat Healthy Foods
You should eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and protein. Avoid indulging in potential bladder irritants like chocolate, spicy foods and acidic foods.
Do Kegel Exercises
Kegel exercises strengthen your pelvic floor muscles, and they can be very beneficial if you suffer from urinary incontinence.
Quit Smoking
Nicotine irritates the bladder, and smoking puts you at an elevated risk for developing bladder cancer and several other types of cancer. Coughing caused by smoking can also create problems with urinary incontinence.
At Arkansas Urology, we’re here for you. Our patients’ health has been and will always be our top priority! Do you need to schedule an appointment? Contact us today to schedule one, or book your appointment online.
