Your Bladder Matters

Bladder issues, such as incontinence or urinary tract infections, rank among the more private of ailments that not only give discomfort but are also uncomfortable to discuss with your primary care physician or urologist.

Many people won't even talk to their doctor about bladder health conditions because they are embarrassed – or don't know that these symptoms could indicate a health issue.

Well, November is Bladder Health Awareness Month, which encourages people to talk to their doctors about the health of this essential part of our urinary system. The bladder works with our kidneys to get rid of waste and excess water from the blood. When something goes awry with your bladder, you’ll notice it. That’s why it’s better to discuss with your doctor at the onset of issues rather than put it off due to embarrassment.

Bladder conditions include:

• Bladder stones
• Bladder cancer
• Incontinence
• Interstitial cystitis
• Overactive bladder
• Urinary tract infections

Bladder Health Awareness Month helps to break down stigmas associated with such bladder ailments, builds a supportive community for patients and their families, and emphasizes the importance of regular medical check-ups for early diagnosis. The month is also meant to help educate the public on things you can do to promote a healthy bladder, such as:

• Using the bathroom often and when needed, and until you empty your bladder
• Doing pelvic floor muscle (Kegel) exercises to strengthen muscles around the bladder to help hold urine in
• Urinating after sex (reduces the risk of infection)
• Keeping a healthy weight (overweight people tend to have a higher risk of leaking urine)
• Exercising regularly (physical activity can help prevent bladder problems and help maintain a healthy weight)
• Watching what you eat (certain foods can make bladder issues worse)
• Drinking enough fluids, especially water (your body should need to urinate every few hours)
• Limiting alcohol and caffeine (both can make bladder problems worse)
• Avoiding constipation (a full colon can put undue pressure on the bladder)
• Quitting smoking (bladder problems are more common among smokers)
• Knowing your medications (some drugs can cause leakage)

If you are experiencing leakage or pain in your bladder area, or urinating too little or too often, don’t try to deal with it discretely. Get professional expertise to determine your bladder’s health. You can start by taking a bladder health risk assessment here:

Assess Your Bladder Health

The assessment may suggest that you see a healthcare professional. Even if it doesn’t, if your unhealthy bladder conditions persist, schedule an appointment with your primary care provider.

The only thing embarrassing about bladder health is NOT seeing a healthcare professional – and experiencing worsening conditions as a result.