Your Urine Doesn’t Actually Need To Be Clear
There’s a widespread belief that, ideally, your urine should be perfectly clear at all times a sign that you’re well-hydrated. In reality, however, having totally clear urine may be a sign that you’re actually drinking too much water.
“Generally, if someone is well-hydrated, the urine is going to be on the clear side, and if they’re less hydrated it will be darker,” Brucker says. “But it’s a myth that you should always be super well-hydrated and peeing clear. For most people, I just say, ‘Drink when you’re thirsty.'”
Doctors generally recommend that your urine is either a “pale straw” or transparent yellow color, although it’s not a huge deal if it’s a bit darker or lighter . Other colors like pink, red, orange, or green could be a sign of a kidney or liver disorder, or could just be the result of food coloring in something you ate.
Mistake #: Not Drinking Enough Water
Many urinary complaints are related to poor hydration. Generally speaking, if your urine is clear or very light, thats a sign you are drinking the right amount of water. If your urine is dark yellow or amber, thats usually a sign of dehydration.
Odor, an off color, and the sense of burning while voiding are other signs that might indicate you are not properly hydrated. Not drinking enough water can contribute to UTIs and kidney stones. Concentrated urine can irritate the lining of the bladder, making it more sensitive. It is also more likely to form kidney or bladder stones.
Many patients ask if drinking alternative fluids will suffice, but many beverages contain high sugar concentrations or caffeine, which can have other health effects, says Dr. Brito, noting these might make overactive bladder symptoms worse. Water is the safest option to maintain hydration and keep your kidneys and bladder healthy.
There are some conditions that can make your urine appear more concentrated even if you are well-hydrated, such as liver problems or hematuria. So, if you are drinking enough water but have dark-colored urine, odor, or burning, its worth a trip to a urologist, who can evaluate your symptoms more closely.
The ability to urinate freely and without difficulty is taken for granted by most people, says Dr. Brito. So, next time you have to go, follow the above advice for better urinary health.
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How Is It Diagnosed
Your doctor will do a physical exam. He or she will ask what kinds of fluids you drink and how much. Your doctor will also want to know how often you urinate, how much, and if you leak. It may help to write down these things in a bladder diary for 3 or 4 days before you see your doctor.
Your doctor probably will also do a few tests, such as:
- A pelvic exam if you are a woman.
- A rectal exam if you are a man.
You may have more tests if your doctor thinks your symptoms could be caused by other problems, such as diabetes or prostate disease.
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Practice Healthy Hygiene Habits
Preventing UTIs starts with practicing a few good bathroom and hygiene habits.
First, its important not to hold your urine for too long. This can lead to a buildup of bacteria, resulting in infection.
Peeing after sexual intercourse can also of UTIs by preventing the spread of bacteria.
Additionally, those who are prone to UTIs should avoid using spermicide, as it has been linked to an increase in UTIs.
Finally, when using the toilet especially if you have a female urethra make sure you wipe front to back. Wiping from back to front can to the urinary tract and is associated with an increased risk of UTIs.
Benefits of healthy hygiene for UTI
Urinating frequently and after sexual intercourse can reduce the risk of UTI. Careful wiping when you use the toilet may also help decrease the risk of UTI.
Several natural supplements may decrease the risk of developing a UTI.
Here are a few supplements that have been studied and are all available in capsule form:
- D-Mannose.D-Mannose is a type of sugar that is found in cranberries. Research suggests its effective in treating UTIs and preventing recurrence.
- Cranberry extract. Like cranberry juice, cranberry extract works by preventing bacteria from adhering to the urinary tract.
- Garlic extract. shows garlic and garlic extract to have antimicrobial properties, so they it may be able to block the growth of bacteria to prevent UTIs.
What Is Small Bladder Capacity And What Is Normal Bladder Capacity
Small bladder capacity refers to a situation when the urinary bladder cannot store an adequate amount of urine in the bladder. Normally, urinary bladder can hold at least 300-500 mL of urine before a severe urge to urinate occurs. A moderate urge normally occurs after about 300 ml is in the bladder. When someone is in a situation where they cannot reach the bathroom easily, often bladder can store as much as 1 liter but with some obvious discomfort.
Patients who have a strong urge to urinate when the amount of urine in the bladder is significantly less than 300-500 mL are considered to have small bladder capacity. Men and women with small bladder capacity often have a sensation that they need to urinate as soon as the bladder fills, often with less than 100 mL of urine. They often have a strong urge to pee to the point that they cannot hold any longer when the bladder fills to 150-200 mL which is less than half of what the normal bladder capacity is .
Small bladder capacity in men is most often a result of an enlarged prostate.
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But Do Recognize When Youre Drinking Enough
While you should drink plenty of fluids to stay hydrated, drinking to excess can certainly affect your bladder control. How do you walk that fine line?
I tell my patients to look at their pee color. If its light yellow or clear, they dont need to drink more, W. Stuart Reynolds, MD, MPH, associate professor in the department of urology at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, tells SELF. If their urine is dark yellow or orange, they need to drink more.
Remember, hydration doesnt just come from your water bottle. Soups, juices, and even certain foods contribute to your daily fluid intake as well, which can help your goals feel more realistic.
What Do We Mean By Small Bladder
Firstly, lets clear up the confusion between having a small bladder and an overactive bladder. Anatomically, its highly unlikely anyone has a small bladder. Our internal organs dont tend to differ from one person to the next.
However, it is possible to have a functionally small bladder, which means your bladder, for any number of reasons, cant hold a lot of urine. Bladder muscles and/or the bladder sphincter muscles become overactive and as a result there is a constant need to void.
Thats why when some people say they have a small bladder, what theyre really suggesting is they have an overactive bladder.
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What Else Can Be Done
For many people with IC, changes in diet can also help control symptoms. To learn more, check out the information about IC and food sensitivities. There are also over-the-counter products and prescription medicines that may help control symptoms of urinary urgency and frequency .
Revised Tuesday, May 26th, 2015
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What Steps Can I Take At Home To Treat Urinary Incontinence
Your doctor or nurse may suggest some things you can do at home to help treat urinary incontinence. Some people do not think that such simple actions can treat urinary incontinence. But for many women, these steps make urinary incontinence go away entirely, or help leak less urine. These steps may include:
You can also buy pads or protective underwear while you take other steps to treat urinary incontinence. These are sold in many stores that also sell feminine hygiene products like tampons and pads.
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What Is The Main Cause Of Bladder Infection
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases , most bladder infections are caused by Escherichia coli . This type of bacteria is naturally present in the large intestines. An infection can occur when bacteria from the stool get onto the skin and enter the urethra.
Treatment To Improve Bladder Storage
Dysfunction of the urinary bladder during the storage phase of the micturition cycle can take the form of either involuntary contractions of the bladder , or a loss of receptive relaxation of the bladder wall leading to a progressive increase in pressure as the bladder fills .
Both overactivity and impaired bladder compliance can lead to symptoms, such as increased urinary frequency, urinary urgency and incontinence. In both conditions deterioration in renal function may occur due to an inability of the upper urinary tract to expel urine in the face of high pressures within the bladder. Patients may be deemed to be at high risk of renal deterioration either because their neurological condition is known to carry a high risk or as a result of the findings of urodynamic investigations. Conditions that are associated with a high risk of renal deterioration include spinal cord injury and while adverse urodynamic features include impaired bladder compliance and neurogenic detrusor overactivity in the face of an uncoordinated sphincter .
Incontinence and urinary frequency in patients with neurological disease also occur in the context of cognitive impairment as a result of difficulties with the interpretation of urinary tract sensations and a loss of the appreciation of the social context of micturition.
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How Common Are Urinary Tract Infections
Urinary tract infections are very common, occurring in 1 out of 5 women sometime in their lifetime. Though UTIs are common in women, they can also happen to men, older adults and children. One to 2% of children develop urinary tract infections. Each year, 8 million to 10 million visits to doctors are for urinary tract infections.
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How Do I Increase My Bladder Capacity
Problems with bladder capacity can come about due to several situations. A serious illness may negatively impact the normal function of the bladder, rendering the organ unable to hold the same amount of urine as in times past. Recent surgical procedures may temporarily lower the capacity of the bladder. There is even some evidence that emotional issues can impact the natural ability of the body to control bladder functions in what is considered a normal manner. Fortunately, there are ways to address each of these issues and restore a healthy bladder capacity.
One sign of a problem with bladder capacity is the need for frequent urination. For some reason, the bladder begins to sense the need to urinate long before it is full. When a doctor cannot identify any specific medical condition that is causing the decrease in capacity and control, the use of conditioning exercises can sometimes be helpful.
It should be noted that any exercises designed for use with bladders should only be undertaken under the advice and care of a trained medical professional. Further, the exercises should only be employed when the doctor is sure that there is no organic reason for the bladder capacity problem.
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What Are The Types And Symptoms Of Urinary Incontinence
Urinary incontinence can be short-term or long-lasting . Short-term incontinence is often caused by other health problems or treatments. This topic is about the different types of chronic urinary incontinence:
- Stress incontinence means that you leak urine when you sneeze, cough, laugh, lift something, change position, or do something that puts stress or strain on your bladder.
- Urge incontinence is an urge to urinate that’s so strong that you can’t make it to the toilet in time. It also happens when your bladder squeezes when it shouldn’t. This can happen even when you have only a small amount of urine in your bladder. Overactive bladder is a kind of urge incontinence. But not everyone with an overactive bladder leaks urine.
- Overflow incontinence means that you have the urge to urinate, but you can release only a small amount. Since your bladder doesn’t empty as it should, it then leaks urine later.
- Total incontinence means that you are always leaking urine. It happens when the sphincter muscle no longer works.
- Functional incontinence means that you can’t make it to the bathroom in time to urinate. This is usually because something got in your way or you were not able to walk there on your own.
A Pharmacist Can Help With Utis
You can ask a pharmacist about treatments for a UTI.
A pharmacist can:
- offer advice on things that can help you get better
- suggest the best painkiller to take
- tell you if you need to see a GP about your symptoms
Some pharmacies offer a UTI management service. They may be able to give antibiotics if theyre needed.
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Over The Following Weeks
Try to gradually increase the time between visits to the toilet. Each time you get the urge to go to the toilet, try to hold on for a few minutes longer.
If you wake up during the night with a strong desire to go to the toilet, it is reasonable to go and empty the bladder right away . As you improve by day, you will gain confidence to practice the programme at night.
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How To Kegel For Men And Women
Kegel exercises can help relieve your bladder weakness problems. Find out how to do them the right way.
Theres a safe and effective way to help improve bladder leakage. Its free, and you can do it at home. Its an exercise program, but its not like any exercise program youve done before, because youre exercising muscles you cant really feel. These exercises are called Kegel exercises, named after the doctor who created them. If done correctly, they just may help relieve those embarrassing leaks.
Here are four key points to keep in mind so you can do Kegels the right way and stay dry.
What am I exercising anyway?
Kegel exercises are designed to tone your pelvic floor muscles. Unlike your abdominal muscles or your biceps, you cant see these muscles. Theyre deep inside your pelvis, stretching from your spine to your pubic bone, and they keep your bladder, uterus and rectum in place. They also help control the opening and closing mechanisms within your urethra, the tube through which urine leaves your body.
How do I learn how to exercise my pelvic floor muscles?
Many doctors suggest that you use the stop technique. The next time you use the toilet, try to stop your urine stream. The muscles you tighten and squeeze in order to do this are your pelvic floor muscles. You may not be able to stop the flow entirely slowing the stream is okay, especially if you havent done Kegels before.
Do I tighten my stomach muscles while doing Kegels?
When should I do Kegels?
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What Is Oab And Who Gets It Your Browser Does Not Support Html5 Audio Playback You May Download The Audio File Directly Here
Overactive bladder is the name for a group of bladder symptoms. There are three main symptoms:
- A feeling that you have to go to the bathroom, urgently.
- Sometimes incontinence, which means that you leak urine with the gotta go feeling.
- Usually the need to go to the bathroom often , day and night.
With OAB, you feel that you need to empty your bladder even when its not full. This leads to the feeling that you need a bathroom quickly, right now. You cant control or ignore this feeling. If you gotta go eight or more times each day and night, or fear that urine will leak out before youre ready, you may have OAB.
OAB affects about 33 million Americans. Its not a normal part of aging. Its a health problem that can last for a long time if its not treated. Many older men and women struggle with OAB symptoms. Often people dont know about treatments that can help, or they dont ask for help.
Stress urinary incontinenceor SUI is a different bladder problem. People with SUI leak urine while sneezing, laughing or being active. It is not the same as that sudden gotta go feeling from OAB. To learn more about SUI, go to .
In this guide you will find clear information about how to manage OAB. Please ask for help, even if you feel embarrassed. Dont wait, because there are several treatments that work well for OAB. Your health care provider should be trained to talk with you and help you manage your symptoms without embarrassment.
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Anticholinergic Drugs For Overactive Bowel
This particular class of medication is used to control the muscle spasms that lead to overactive bladder. Anticholinergic drugs focus on blocking the nerve signals that typically trigger inopportune bladder contractions, reduce the frequency, and the severity of your urge to urinate.
There are several anticholinergic drugs to choose from and they all require a doctors prescription. Most people have very favourable reactions to anticholinergics, though there are a few possible side effects which may include dry mouth, constipation, increased heartbeat and/or drowsiness.
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