Why Do I Pee So Much?
How much is too much in terms of using your bladder? It is normal and healthy to pee several times a day. A lot of us don’t know how to maintain a healthy bladder. It is important to know the role the bladder plays in your health, why it’s crucial, the different drinks and foods that are good for bladder health and what to avoid.
Role
The bladder is like your belly - a pouch-shaped expandable organ. When signalled, the muscles of your bladder will release your urine through a tube to carry the urine out of your body. The bladder can increase from two inches to six depending on how much liquid fills it. The organ is essential because it filters extra fluids and wastes from your bloodstream.
Drinks that are good for your bladder
- Water
- Cranberry Juice
- Kohli tea: an extract from a subtropical plant that has antioxidant benefits.
- Pear or apple juice: best diluted with water
- Caffeine-free fruit and herbal teas: Ginseng can stimulate the bladder, increasing urgency and frequency of urination
- Lemon water: rich in Vitamin C and a powerful antioxidant that alkalizes your body
Foods Good for your urinary system:
- Pears
- Bananas
- Winter Squash
- Green beans
- Potatoes
- Whole grains
- Lean proteins
- Nuts
- Breads
- Eggs
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI)
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) can cause temporary incontinence episodes due to bacteria. The bacteria invade the bladder and weaken the urethra muscles – the urethra is the tube that carries urine from your body. UTIs affect everyone a little differently. You may suffer from the following symptoms:
- Burning with urination
- Increased frequency of urination without passing much urine
- Increased urination urgency
- Bloody urine
- Cloudy urine
- Discoloured urine – tea or cola-like
- Strong urine odour
- Pelvic pain in women
- Rectal pain in men
UTI’s caused by sexual activity have commonly been referring to Honeymoon Disease which is basically cystitis which is a form of UTI. Symptoms are the same as above. To help prevent this type of UTI empty your bladder after having sex.
UTI’s can affect your kidneys. These can potentially be life threatening as the bacteria moves from your kidneys to your blood stream. This can cause dangerously low blood pressure, shock, and death.
Treatment
Treating a UTI will vary depending on the cause. Generally, a form of antibiotic will be involved to treat the bacteria. A common type of UTI is cystitis. This occurs when there is inflammation of the bladder due to an infection. You can now speak to your pharmacist about options for treating UTIs without a script for medication.
Prevention is the best option when it comes to UTIs. As soon as your symptoms present themselves, there are some self-help treatments that may resolve cystitis in a few days.
- Drink plenty of water
- Rest
- Use a urinary alkaliniser e.g. Ural
- Avoid acidic food or drinks
- Take pain relief like paracetamol to reduce the pain
OUR PICKS
An antibacterial that supresses bacteria in the urine that causes UTIs, Uramet can be used short or long-term and can be taken every day to help prevent reoccurrence of UTIs.
Effectively assisting in bladder control, Urox strengthens and tones the muscles of the bladder wall, pelvic floor, and sphincter, supporting the connective tissue surrounding the area.
Did you Know? A woman’s urethra is a lot shorter than a man’s, making it easier for bacteria to reach the bladder.
Fact: Diabetes can cause damage to the nerves surrounding your bladder that help with bladder control.