7 mistakes, according to a urologist
Peeing is an essential part of the day because it is necessary to get rid of waste from your body. It may seem simple, but there is actually a right way and a wrong way to do it.
Long-term and short-term pee and bladder problems can both be caused by certain unhealthy habits. According to urologists, these are some of the mistakes that people make more frequently.
Holding it in for longer than necessary
We’ve all had to put off nature’s call during lengthy car drives, movies, or concerts. Sometimes holding it in is inevitable. Dr. Ashley Winter, a board-certified urologist and the chief medical officer of Odela Health, warned that doing this frequently or holding it in for longer than necessary can result in other problems, such as bladder infections.
According to Dr. Evan Goldfischer, president of the national non-profit urological trade association LUPGA, a full bladder increases the risk of infection since germs can grow. Urine is not sterile, contrary to popular perception, says Winter.
She points out that, in order to prevent this, it is essential to drink water and urinate as soon as the bladder begins to feel full.
According to Goldfischer, holding in urine over time can cause the bladder to overstretch, which can lead to the loss of bladder control. He continues by saying that an overstretched bladder cannot contract back to its original shape like an old elastic band.
On the other hand, you may have urinary incontinence and should consult a urologist or pelvic floor therapist if you are unable to hold in your urine at all or experience regular leaks.
Not completely emptying your bladder
Similarly, according to Goldfischer, not completely emptying your bladder when you urinate can raise your risk of developing a urinary infection and stretch your bladder. This may happen if you’re in a hurry.
But, Winter notes that it’s not necessarily intentional to not completely empty your bladder, and you might not even be aware of it. According to the Cleveland Clinic, this illness is known as urine retention and can be either chronic and steadily deteriorating over time or acute and severe.
Blockages, specific drugs, infections, swelling, and neurological diseases, where there are issues with the nerves that transmit signals between the brain and bladder, are some of the causes of urine retention, according to Winter.
Speak to your doctor or a urologist if you discover that your bladder doesn’t feel empty after you urinate. According to the National Institutes of Health, urine retention symptoms include pain or swelling in the lower abdomen, frequent, small-volume urination, continuing the urge to pee after urinating, and a sluggish stream.
Mistaking an overactive bladder for a “small bladder”
According to Winter, it’s technically possible for someone to have a “small bladder”, but this is usually not the case. “Most people who say they have a small bladder have a normal bladder, and they’re really talking about their threshold for discomfort”.
According to Goldfishcher, having an overactive bladder is defined as urinating more than eight or nine times per day, however, this varies depending on the person and variables like age, lifestyle, and medical problems.
“Some people are programmed to have a very large prostate, for example, which affects how often you pee”, he adds. Drinking too much liquid may also lead to frequent urination.
According to the Mayo Clinic, there may be an underlying issue if you’re urinating more than nine times a day, such as an overactive bladder, UTI, kidney infection, bladder stones, or diabetes. Frequent urination in men may indicate prostate issues. According to Goldfischer, one in six men will develop prostate cancer, therefore, it’s crucial to discuss prostate examinations with your doctor.
Winter suggests posing the following questions to yourself if you’re not sure if you urinate excessively: Does this negatively impact my quality of life? It’s time to consult a urologist if the answer is yes or if your urinary habits are interfering with your sleep, work, or social life.
Caffeine or alcohol
According to the Cleveland Clinic, caffeine and alcohol are bladder irritants, which means they increase the urge to urinate and cause pain or discomfort. Goldfischer also claims that both substances enhance urine production.
According to Goldfischer, consuming too many of them can cause frequent urination, which can affect your life and sleep. Those with overactive bladders should take this into consideration while consuming alcohol and caffeine because these substances can make their symptoms worse.
Caffeine and alcohol can be particularly dehydrating if you aren’t drinking enough water because they both stimulate frequent urination, which also promotes water loss. According to Winter, dehydration can cause kidney stones and other medical issues. Therefore, drink more water, especially if your urine is really dark and concentrated.
Not getting recurrent UTIs checked out
When germs get into the urethra and infect the urinary tract, they cause a urinary tract infection (which includes the bladder and kidneys). According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms include frequent urination, a strong urge to urinate, and bloody or foul-smelling urine.
Anatomical problems, pregnancy, menopause, and sexual activity are all risk factors for developing a UTI. According to Goldfischer, females are more likely to develop UTIs than males because of the shorter urethra in females, which makes it simpler for germs to enter the urinary tract.
According to the Mayo Clinic, UTIs can be treated with antibiotics, but if the infection is not treated, it can go to the kidneys. “There’s evidence that (having) a lot of urinary tract infections can lead to scarring in the bladder or the prostate, which can affect your ability to urinate”, says Goldfischer.
Male urinary tract infections are far less prevalent than female ones, so Winter advises men to always consult a urologist if they develop one.
Urologists can screen for diseases like kidney stones, low estrogen levels, or an enlarged prostate that could make you more susceptible to UTIs and advise on the best treatment or preventative measures.
Ignoring pink or red urine
According to Goldfischer, the amount of water you drink has a significant impact on the color of your urine. But, other factors, such as particular foods, vitamins, and supplements, can also have an effect.
If your urine is pink or reddish, provided you haven’t recently consumed a beet salad, you should seek medical assistance or consult with your healthcare professional.
Blood in the urine, also known as hematuria, can be caused by an accident or an underlying condition like a urinary tract infection, kidney disease, or stones.
“Blood in the urine can be an early warning sign of not only infection but also bladder cancer”, says Goldfischer, adding that the most common risk factor for bladder cancer is smoking. “Someone who has blood in their urine and a history of smoking… should definitely get to a urologist and have it looked at”.
Consuming massive vitamin C doses on a regular basis
“Too much vitamin C can cause kidney stones”, says Winter, Vitamin C has immune-boosting effects, but she has noticed a rise in people abusing it since the pandemic.
“Almost nobody needs mega doses of vitamin C,” says Winter, as there’s no immune benefit to consuming extra vitamin C on top of the recommended daily intake (90 milligrams a day for adults, per the National Institutes of Health).
“The problem is that vitamin C in your urine becomes something called oxalate, and high levels of oxalate in the urine can become kidney stones”, explains Winter. “If you have fresh fruits and vegetables in your diet, you almost certainly don’t have a medical need for extra vitamin C”.
