As far as what we can add to our lives, certain bladder-friendly workouts are on the list, such as “dead bugs” and Pilates. Doing pelvic floor exercises and stocking up on foods such as bananas, whole grains and eggs are great to incorporate as well.
To provide further education, let’s talk about one unexpected and harmful thing you probably don’t realize affects your bladder. Spoiler alert: It’s been pretty big in the news.
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“Research on microplastics is increasingly showing that we should be concerned, or at the very least, keep an eye on our consumption,” says Dr. Shaya Taghechian, MD, a board-certified urologist with Georgia Urology in Atlanta. “The way I see it, microplastics can cause several potentially problematic effects on the bladder.”
“The sensitive bladder lining can react poorly to contact with these particles, leading to chronic inflammation and oxidative stress,” Dr. Taghechian tells Parade. “These microplastics may even reduce the bladder’s ability to properly store urine, especially if its protective cellular barrier breaks down.”
Microplastics aren’t the only concern, of course. “In my practice, I always remind patients that the bladder doesn’t respond well to ongoing irritation, whether it’s from infection, smoking, certain foods or potentially environmental exposures,” says Dr. Jason B. Carter, MD, a urologist and medical advisor with Aeroflow Urology. “We don’t have definitive evidence that microplastics directly cause bladder disease, but there’s enough concern that they're worth paying attention to as the research evolves.”
Microplastics Can Cause These 5 Bladder Symptoms
How do you know microplastics are hurting your bladder, and what kinds of symptoms can they cause?
He and Dr. Taghechian list the following symptoms:
Increased urinary urgency and frequencyBladder pain and discomfort Higher risk of chronic, recurring UTIsUrinary incontinence or unintentional leakagePelvic painThis is the million-dollar question, according to Dr. Taghechian. While we can’t completely avoid microplastics, the urologists say, some simple habits can make a big difference. She and Dr. Carter suggest the following:
Swap single-use plastic water bottles (even BPA-free ones) for a stainless steel water bottle.Don’t reheat foods or drinks in plastic; instead, use a microwave-safe glass or ceramic plate and a steel cup.Use loose-leaf tea and a metal strainer instead of a teabag.Filter your tap water.Vacuum regularly. Use a HEPA filtration system.Choose fresh foods over heavily packaged or processed meals whenever possible.Related: Is It Healthier To Drink Bottled Water or Tap Water? Here’s What Health Experts Say
3 Other Unexpected Things That Hurt Bladder Health
While the bladder and bowels are separate, they're close together and affect each other.
Dr. Taghechian encourages talking to a urologist if you have trouble passing stools, noting that adjusting your diet, increasing your water intake and medication can help.
2. Dehydration
“Concentrated urine is actually much more irritating to the bladder,” Dr. Carter explains. “I’ve seen plenty of patients whose urgency, burning or frequency improved simply by staying better hydrated.”
3. A tight pelvic floor
You’ve probably heard the strong push to strengthen your pelvic floor. While that’s good advice for some, it’s unnecessary (and even straight-up unhelpful) for others.
While bladder health as a whole can seem big and overwhelming, taking care of it doesn’t have to be. “Sometimes the simplest changes make the biggest difference,” Dr. Carter says. Consider limiting microplastic exposure as one of those changes.
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Sources:
Dr. Shaya Taghechian, MD, board-certified urologist with Georgia Urology in Atlanta.Dr. Jason B. Carter, MD, urologist and medical advisor with Aeroflow Urology.Hence then, the article about the 1 unexpected thing that can hurt your bladder health according to urologists was published today ( ) and is available on Parade ( Saudi Arabia ) The editorial team at PressBee has edited and verified it, and it may have been modified, fully republished, or quoted. You can read and follow the updates of this news or article from its original source.
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