Bladder Health Month Tips

November helps serve as a helpful reminder to keep your bladder healthy before a problem occurs. Your bladder looks like a deflated balloon that expands as it fills with urine. The bladder can hold about 400-600 milliliters of urine depending on age. When it is full, the bladder is the size and shape of a pear.  

Here are some tips to keep your bladder healthy:

1. 4-8 trips to the bathroom daily are normal. Any more than this could point to a problem that should be addressed with a doctor.
2. Drink 6 to 8 cups of water daily
3. Coffee, tea, alcohol, and soda lead to increased bladder activity. Reduce consumption of these when possible.
4. Drink cranberry juice instead! Ingredients in the juice can keep bacteria from living in the urinary tract, preventing UTIs.
5. Make sure to take the time to completely empty your bladder when using the bathroom. If you don’t, this can lead to an infection.
6. Don’t smoke! Smoking increases the chance of bladder cancer among other cancers and conditions.

Some bladder issues throughout one’s life are a natural part of aging. Lowerurinary tract (LUTS) can cause trouble urinating, leaking urine, and more frequent urination. The most common issue in bladder health is bladder infections or UTI. This occurs when bacteria enter the bladder causing an infection. This will cause strong, sudden urination.

Bladder cancer is the 4^th most common cancer with 76,960 new cases estimated in 2016. The most common symptom of bladder cancer is blood in the urine. This usually leads to an early diagnosis and easier treatment.

If you have any concern regarding the health of your bladder seek the help of a professional. Dr. Justin H. McCarthy specializes in gastroenterology and other internal medicine. Mr. McCarthy is an affiliate of Covenant Medical Center and University of Medical Center. His office is located at 2424 50^th Street in Lubbock, Texas. The office is open from 8 am – 5 pm Monday through Thursday and 8 am – noon on Fridays. We are currently closed on weekends. To find out more about Dr. McCarthy’s services or to schedule an appointment call (806) 761-0722.