Remember to Stay Hydrated!
When thinking about how to maintain urinary tract health, the most important thing to keep in mind is hydration! By drinking plenty of water, you can:
- Hydrate the bladder
- Dilute urine
- Flush out the bladder more efficiently
- Support kidney health
- Support overall well-being
What is the Urinary Tract Anyway?
You can think of the urinary tract as your body’s drainage system. It works by removing urine, which contains waste materials and additional fluids.
The urinary tract contains 2 kidneys, leading to 2 ureters which then lead to your bladder, and finally your urethra.
Your kidneys filter up to 150 quarts of blood every day to remove waste and help balance fluid levels. Most people will produce up to two quarts of urine per day.
From your kidneys, the waste material and additional fluids move through your ureters (small tubes connecting the kidneys to the bladder) to your bladder which holds 12 to 16 ounces of urine. Your brain receives a signal when it’s time to urinate, and then urination occurs through the urethra.
How to Maintain Urinary Tract Health
Whenever you feel the urge to urinate, visit the restroom. Holding it in can weaken your bladder muscles and make it harder to fully empty your bladder. Holding in your urine for a long time can lead to a buildup of bacteria and irritation in your bladder.
Maintain healthy regular bowel movements to remove waste materials naturally and normally.
Eat healthy fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and try to limit alcohol consumption.
Maintain proper hygiene – when using the bathroom after a bowel movement it is important to wipe from front to back especially for a woman. Wiping from back to front may bring bacteria in contact with the urethra which may lead to urinary tract issues.
Avoid foods and drinks which are high in sugar – high sugar intake may increase irritation to the bladder.
Avoid drinking too much coffee and soda, as they can irritate the bladder and urethra.
Consume 6 to 8 cups of water daily if possible. This may be beneficial to the wellness of your kidneys, bladder, and urethra.
You may need more or less water if:
- you have a health condition
- if you take certain medications
- if you do strenuous exercise or work
These may change your water needs, and this is something that you may want to talk to your doctor or health care practitioner about.
Stallop Formulas® offers a great variety of supplements for healthy urinary tract support. Here are several products that you may like:
† These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. This product is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.
