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GYN Clinic serving Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk & Portsmouth
Facts about common bladder health problems
Since 2004, our GYN doctors in Gynecology Specialists have been helping women with pelvic floor disorders, stress urinary incontinence, SUI, and other bladder problems such as a bladder infection, overactive bladder, and leakage. Following is some valuable information from the American Urogynecologic Society that can help you better understand this health issue. If you have any questions, please call our GYN Clinic at (757) 312-8221 where we care for women and teens from Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Eastern Shore, Hampton Roads and North Carolina.
November 2016
Each November serves as a reminder to get the facts about common bladder health problems and to take an active role in your health.
1 in 3 women in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Suffolk, Newport News, Hampton, Williamsburg, and throughout the U.S. are impacted by pelvic floor disorders, including overactive bladder and stress urinary incontinence (SUI), according to a Kaiser Permanente study. While pelvic floor disorders are a growing health concern, many women are suffering in silence, too embarrassed to bring it up – even with their doctors. We encourage you to talk with a Gyn doctor if you are suffering from bladder problems.
Following is some excellent bladder information that may be helpful to you:
Key Bladder Facts
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It's normal to go to the bathroom 4 to 8 times a day and no more than twice a night. |
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The bladder is a hollow, balloon-shaped organ, and is made mostly of muscle. |
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When the bladder is empty it looks like a deflated balloon. The shape of a bladder changes when it fills up. |
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Urine is produced in the kidneys. It flows through tubes called ureters into the bladder. |
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The bladder muscle helps you urinate by squeezing to force the urine out. |
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Women have shorter urethras than men. Women are more likely to get a bladder infection as bacteria from outside the body can get into the urinary system easier. |
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On average, the bladder holds about 2 cups of urine (about 16 ounces). |
Bladder Health Tips
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Drink plenty of water. Strive to drink 6 to 8 cups of water each day. |
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Cut down on the amount of caffeine and alcohol you drink - these may upset your bladder. Limit your intake of coffee, tea or cola as these can heighten bladder activity and lead to leakage. |
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Women should sit to go to the toilet - they should not hover over the toilet seat. |
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Take your time when on the toilet so that your bladder can empty - if you rush, and do not empty your bladder fully, over time, you could get a bladder infection. |
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Stay away from foods that bother the bladder. Some foods can worsen incontinence. Skip foods like chocolate (also a source of caffeine), as well as spicy or acidic foods like tomatoes and citrus fruits. |
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Keep your pelvic floor muscles strong with pelvic floor muscle training. |
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Stop smoking. It is of great value to stop smoking for your bladder health - using tobacco is a major cause of bladder cancer. |
If you like these tips, please pass them to your family, friends and colleagues. To subscribe, please click here.
If you have questions about pelvic floor disorders, stress urinary incontinence, SUI, and other bladder problems such as a bladder infection, overactive bladder, and leakage, please contact our GYN Clinic at (757) 312-8221 or by clicking here. Our GYN doctors can help you.
About our GYN Clinic
Our all-female practice of GYN doctors covers a wide spectrum of health issues, including pelvic floor disorders, stress urinary incontinence, SUI, and other bladder problems such as a bladder infection, overactive bladder, and leakage. Our GYN clinic cares for women of all ages in Virginia Beach, Chesapeake, Norfolk, Portsmouth, Peninsula, Eastern Shore, Hampton Roads and North Carolina.
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