Your urinary system plays an important role in protecting your health by removing waste from your body. Each day your body gets rid of a quart and a half of urine, which helps to balance chemical levels in your body and ensure the right balance of water in your system. Two components of your urinary system include your bladder and, in males, the prostate. Both of these organs can experience problems that affect urination. Below are some tips for keeping them healthy and information about bladder and prostate medications.
The Bladder
One of the main organs involved in your body's waste disposal system is your bladder. The bladder is a hollow balloon-shaped organ that can hold between 10 and 20 ounces of urine before it is expelled from your body. Some common bladder problems include the following:
- Cystitis, a condition in which the bladder becomes inflamed, typically due to an infection
- Urinary incontinence, which is a loss of bladder control
- Overactive bladder, a condition that causes your bladder to expel urine inappropriately
- Interstitial cystitis, a chronic bladder problem that leads to pain and an urgent need to urinate
Another potential problem to be aware of is bladder cancer. Some 60,000 people in the U.S. are diagnosed with bladder cancer each year. The good news is that this disease is rarely fatal and, if caught early, doesn't require bladder removal. The most common warning sign of bladder cancer is blood in the urine.
To keep your bladder healthy, it's wise to take steps to protect your overall health, such as eating a healthy diet rich in fruits and vegetables. It's also a good idea to drink enough water.
Be certain to get a physical every year and let your doctor know right away if you experience changes in your urinary patterns, such as pain, or an urge to urinate more frequently.
It's also important to avoid smoking cigarettes, which can not only damage your lungs but also raise your risk of bladder cancer.
Whenever possible, try to empty your bladder when you feel the urge to urinate and make sure you empty it completely each time. Some other tips for bladder health are to urinate after sex and avoid hazardous chemicals.
The Prostate
Another component of the urinary system in men is the prostate. The prostate gland plays a role in both sexual and urinary function. As men get older, prostate problems become more common.
Prostate gland problems may include but are not limited to the following:
- Prostatitis, which occurs when the prostate gland is inflamed, making it painful to urinate or increasing urinary frequency or urgency
- Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH), an enlargement of the prostate gland that can make urination more difficult
- Urinary incontinence
- Prostate cancer
While prostate problems become more common as you age, there are some measures you can take to protect your prostate health, including the following:
Eat healthy. Making healthy food choices, such as choosing a diet that is rich in fruits and vegetables and low in animal fat, may improve prostate health. There is some evidence that reducing the amount of dairy products you consume may be protective as well. Green tea, fish, soy and moderate alcohol use can also help you keep your prostate healthy.
Maintain a healthy body weight. Along with a healthy diet, ensure that your body is at a healthy weight. Obesity can boost your risk of prostate cancer. Also, try to stay active. Researchers have found that exercise may reduce your risk of prostate cancer.
Know your risk. If you are at high risk for prostate cancer, talk to your doctor about other interventions, such as medications that may help reduce that risk.
Taking steps to protect your bladder and prostate health can help ensure your body's waste disposal system runs smoothly for years to come. Many people experience difficulty with their bladder and prostate as they age. These preventative measures can help avoid conditions later in life. Additionally, bladder and prostate medications are now available for managing and treating the conditions mentioned above. For more information about bladder and prostate health and to learn more about common bladder and prostate medications and view available drug discounts, visit our Bladder and Prostate Conditions Page.
