{"id":7262,"date":"2020-11-13T15:31:11","date_gmt":"2020-11-13T20:31:11","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/?p=7262"},"modified":"2025-02-06T17:36:12","modified_gmt":"2025-02-06T22:36:12","slug":"how-to-support-bladder-health","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/how-to-support-bladder-health\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Support Bladder Health"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>A topic that isn\u2019t very commonly discussed is bladder health, and it obviously impacts all of us. The National Institute on Aging (<a href=\"#references\">1<\/a>) states that every day, adults pass about 1.5 quarts of urine through the bladder and out of the body.<\/p>\n<p>As we get older our bladder changes, but bladder issues or medical problems can occur at any point in our life. Some we can control and others we can\u2019t, but what we can do is implement preventative measures and healthy habits to keep our bladder happy.<\/p>\n<h2>What is good for bladder health?<\/h2>\n<p>Different lifestyle modifications and behavior therapies can help to overcome the discomfort of bladder problems. Mayo Clinic (<a href=\"#references\">2<\/a>) states that certain medications, excess weight, and physical inactivity are contributing factors to bladder issues.<\/p>\n<p><strong>They recommend:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><em>Managing medications<\/em> \u2013 Have a chat with your doctor about drugs that may be contributing to bladder control problems.<\/li>\n<li><em>Maintain a healthy weight<\/em> \u2013 Excess weight can put pressure on your abdomen and your bladder; therefore, weight loss can help to reduce that strain.<\/li>\n<li><em>Stop smoking<\/em> \u2013 Smoking comes along with many negative side effects and can also cause more severe symptoms when it comes to bladder issues. Smokers also tend to have a chronic cough which can aggravate an overactive bladder.<\/li>\n<li><em>Incorporate physical activity <\/em>\u2013 Even low activity such as walking, biking, or swimming 30 minutes most days of the week can improve bladder control.<\/li>\n<li><em>Prevent constipation<\/em> \u2013 If you\u2019re straining during bowel movements frequently, you can actually damage your pelvic floor which can lead to bladder control issues.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>If you\u2019re dealing with bladder infections, staying hydrated is important. A 2018 study (<a href=\"#references\">3<\/a>) found that women who added 1.5 liters of water daily in addition to their regular intake of fluids were less likely to get a UTI (urinary tract infection).<\/p>\n<p>It\u2019s important to note that if you\u2019re in physical pain (from a urinary tract infection or other kind of bladder infection) \u2013 see a doctor right away.<\/p>\n<h3>What foods soothe the bladder?<\/h3>\n<p>Along with other lifestyle modifications, eating or drinking certain foods and beverages can make a difference with your bladder habits. Cleveland Clinic (<a href=\"#references\">4<\/a>) describes how our bladder collects the remaining waste that comes from what we eat and drink, and many of those choices can irritate our bladder. These irritants can make bladder conditions worse.<\/p>\n<p>Some common foods include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Alcoholic beverages<\/li>\n<li>Carbonated drinks<\/li>\n<li>Spicy foods<\/li>\n<li>Acidic fruits (oranges, grapefruits, lemons, limes, and fruit juices)<\/li>\n<li>Coffee and tea (even without caffeine)<\/li>\n<li>Tomato-based products<\/li>\n<li>Chocolate<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Cleveland Clinic continues to add that some people may show more irritation to said foods compared to others, which is why process of elimination is the best way to identify what is affecting you personally.<\/p>\n<p>To do this, they recommend:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Keep a food diary to track what foods seem irritating to your bladder.<\/li>\n<li>Remove the foods from your diet completely for a few days.<\/li>\n<li>Once symptoms subside, start to add those foods back in. Start with a small portion of one food and increase the amount over several days. If irritation returns after reintroduction, stop eating the food completely.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>There are also food options that will benefit your bladder.<\/p>\n<p><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive alignnone wp-image-7267\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/pears.jpg\" alt=\"Pears are a good food option to support bladder health.\" width=\"500\" height=\"500\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/pears.jpg 700w, https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/pears-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/pears-160x160.jpg 160w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 500px) 100vw, 500px\" \/><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.urologyhealth.org\/healthy-living\/care-blog\/10-foods-your-bladder-will-fall-in-love-with\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\">The Urology Care Foundation<\/a> (<a href=\"#references\">5<\/a>) lists 10 foods that are bladder friendly:<\/p>\n<ol>\n<li>Pears<\/li>\n<li>Bananas<\/li>\n<li>Green beans<\/li>\n<li>Winter squash<\/li>\n<li>Potatoes<\/li>\n<li>Lean protein (low-fat beef, chicken, pork, turkey, and fish)<\/li>\n<li>Whole grains (quinoa, rice, and oats)<\/li>\n<li>Breads<\/li>\n<li>Nuts<\/li>\n<li>Eggs<\/li>\n<\/ol>\n<h3>How do you cleanse your bladder?<\/h3>\n<p>Certain supplements can provide herbal support to your urinary tract, helping bladder performance and keeping things functioning normally and healthy. Natural Wellness carries <a href=\"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/products\/uricare-urinary-support\">UriCare<\/a>, which contains a blend of herbs that effectively support kidney and bladder performance.<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/products\/uricare-urinary-support\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"img-responsive alignnone wp-image-7268 size-medium\" src=\"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Uricare-300x300.jpg\" alt=\"UriCare effectively supports your normal kidney and bladder performance.\" width=\"300\" height=\"300\" srcset=\"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Uricare-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Uricare-160x160.jpg 160w, https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/11\/Uricare.jpg 580w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p>This blend contains the following key ingredients:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><strong>Didymocarpus<\/strong> \u2013 Kidney stones are hard deposits made up of various minerals and salts which is formed in your kidneys. These stones can affect any part of your urinary tract, including your bladder. (<a href=\"#references\">6<\/a>) A 2016 systematic review (<a href=\"#references\">7<\/a>) found that didymocarpus combined with other herbal agents helped induce total clearance and reduced the size of kidney stones in participants.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Saxifraga Ligulata<\/strong> \u2013 This is another herb that has been recognized as plant that helps dissolve kidney stones, according to a 2013 article (<a href=\"#references\">8<\/a>). The name itself is Latin for \u201cstone breaker.\u201d Beyond that role, it also can be used as an anti-bacterial, anti-viral, anti-inflammatory, and antioxidant.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Prickly Chaff Flower<\/strong> \u2013 According to a 2018 review published in the <em>International Journal of Chemical and Biochemical Sciences<\/em> (<a href=\"#references\">9<\/a>) chaff flower has been used in various medicinal ways for thousands of years. That\u2019s because the essential oil that is extracted from the leaves possess anti-cancer, anti-microbial, diuretic, hepatoprotective, antioxidant, and anti-inflammatory properties.<\/li>\n<li><strong>Indian Madder<\/strong> \u2013 This herb was used in traditional European medicine for inflammation of the urinary tract and has strong antioxidant properties. It also helps to prevent and manage kidney stones, according to a 2018 review (<a href=\"#references\">10<\/a>).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>What are common bladder problems?<\/h3>\n<p>There are many conditions that can affect your bladder.<\/p>\n<p>Medline Plus (<a href=\"#references\">11<\/a>) states that most common ones include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Cystitis \u2013 inflammation of bladder typically caused by infection<\/li>\n<li>Urinary incontinence \u2013 loss of bladder control<\/li>\n<li>Overactive bladder \u2013 frequent urination or leaking urine<\/li>\n<li>Interstitial cystitis \u2013 discomfort or pain in the bladder that creates a need to urinate urgently and frequently<\/li>\n<li>Bladder cancer<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Urinary tract infections most commonly affect women, but men are also susceptible. Mayo Clinic (<a href=\"#references\">12<\/a>) states that many women experience more than one bladder infection in their lifetime.<\/p>\n<p>Risk factors specific to women for UTIs include:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Female anatomy (shorter urethra compared to men)<\/li>\n<li>New sexual partners and sexual activity<\/li>\n<li>Certain types of birth control<\/li>\n<li>Menopause<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Increased risk of bladder infection in men is linked to (<a href=\"#references\">13<\/a>):<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Enlarged prostate<\/li>\n<li>Kidney stones<\/li>\n<li>Diabetes<\/li>\n<li>Narrowing of the urethra<\/li>\n<li>Procedure where instrument is inserted in the urethra, such as urinary catheter<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<h3>Conclusion<\/h3>\n<p>Today we covered all you need to know about supporting the health of your bladder, including particular lifestyle modifications, foods to eat as well as foods to avoid, and health supplements.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>November is National Bladder Health Month. Discover all you need to know about supporting the health of your bladder.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":17,"featured_media":7270,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[38],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-7262","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-urinary-health"],"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7262","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/17"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7262"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7262\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8963,"href":"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7262\/revisions\/8963"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/7270"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7262"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7262"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.naturalwellness.com\/nwupdate\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7262"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}