5 Healthy Habits for Your Urinary System
Your urinary system acts as the janitorial crew for your blood. After your body has taken the nutrients that it needs from what you consume and converts it into energy, your kidneys filter out the rest as waste and send it through the urinary system to be expelled as urine.
Without your urinary system your body would become saturated with waste and toxins that can cause fatal results if left untreated. Luckily, there are things you can incorporate into your daily life to keep your urinary system happy!
- Drink water
After your kidneys filter your blood, the waste travels down the ureters to the bladder where it is held until urination. Drinking plenty of water allows for the urine to be diluted. If you are not properly hydrated, your urine becomes concentrated and that causes uncomfortable urination and increase your risk for UTI’s and kidney stones. A good way to tell if you are well hydrated is by looking at the color of your urine. It should be light colored or clear – if it is dark yellow it is time to fill your water bottle.
- Don’t wait to use the restroom
A general rule of thumb to maintain healthy habits is to listen to your body. Your bladder is a certain size, and once you have the urge to use the restroom you should do so. Yes, you may have stopped an hour ago to use a restroom on your long road trip, but a 10-minute stop is better than holding it for a prolonged period of time and risking problems down the line. Holding your urine for too long can cause your urine to travel up your urethras to your kidneys or infection.
- Exercise
Regular exercise is a given when it comes to maintaining your health. As for your urinary system, exercise helps your body to not retain fluids. Whether it is hitting the gym or just going for a walk – an activity that gets your blood flowing is good for your urinary system. If you spend a lot of your day sitting at a desk, try to get up once every hour and walk around. Make sure to drink extra water when you participate in physical activity!
- Watch your salt intake
A high sodium diet can throw off your kidneys and raise your blood pressure. If your blood pressure remains high for a prolonged amount of time, it can lead to kidney damage. Salt can also cause your body to retain water more. Most foods already have added salt so, before you reach for that trusty saltshaker, think about your kidneys.
- See your urologist
Your body is unique, therefore, seeking a doctor’s opinion might be a good idea. Your urologist can give you tips of what you can do in your daily life as preventative measures to decrease your risk of urinary conditions in the future. If you have a family history of urinary issues, then it is all the more important to have a good relationship with your urologist.
The Bottom Line
Your urinary system is an integral part of your bodily functions to keep your blood clean. Having healthy habits that optimize your urinary health is essential. If you would like to talk to an experienced urologist about what you can do to promote a healthy urinary system, schedule an appointment with us today. USW has over 45 years of experience treating patients in the Washington, D.C. area and is ready to help you live the healthiest life possible.
