keeping the kidneys working well with a healthy urinary tract is very necessary. This article is an overview of few tips to maintain the urological health in optimum condition and prevent urological diseases.
Urology is a specialty in the field of medicine which deals with diseases of the urinary tract like kidneys, ureters, bladder, urethra as we as that of penis, testes, scrotum, prostate, etc. The specialty encompass a wide variety of conditions which deals with the organs which assists in filtering and carrying urine out of the body & organs related to the tract. These diseases affect men, women, and children of all ages causing distress.
Tips to improve urological health
There are numerous tips for keeping the kidneys working well with a healthy urinary tract. Few tips are general to keep the overall urinary system disease free and few are disease specific. Some of the general guidelines are given below.
1. Stay well hydrated, depending on the climatic conditions one should consume 3 to 4 litres of water a day(if kidneys are working normally).Waste products are mostly eliminated through urine, and when you drink more water, you will be able to remove more toxins from the body.
2. Cranberry juice helps to reduce UTIs.
3. Restriction in the intake of salt, caffeine and alcohol – both alcohol and caffeine act as a diuretic causing irritation in the lining of the urinary bladder which leads to increased urge to urinate frequently .
4. Have a well balanced diet.
5. Weight reduction (if BMI is high)
6. Smoking cessation.
7. Exercising the pelvic muscles – eg Kegel exercises.
8. Avoid holding urine for long durations if urgency is present.
9. Toilet training for children.
10. Limit fluid intake in the nighttime hours to avoid nocturia.
11. Genital hygiene – It is imperative to keep the genital area clean by washing it with plain water or some mild cleanser at least once in a day.
Preventing urological problems in women:
Women are more susceptible for urinary infections due to shorter length of the urethra compared to males.
1. After utilizing the washroom one should wipe the genital area from the front part to back.
2. Avoid using perfumed soaps and cleansers in the vaginal areas.
Certain specific tips:
1. Benign Prostatic Hyperplasia (BPH): BPH refers to an enlarged prostate, which is common with ageing and causes difficulty in urination in males – avoid more funds at night and stopping all forms of Nicotine and caffeine intake
2. Urinary Incontinence: Loss of bladder control which leads to leakage of urine – weight reduction, restriction of certain food types and a consult with an Urologist.
3. Kidney and Ureteral Stones: Stones develop due to supersaturation of urine. It occurs by formation of crystals in the urine which grows over a period of time causing blockage in the kidneys or pyelonephritis which may lead to permeant damage to the kidneys. These may lead to a block in urine flow causing severe pain.
Knowing the type of stone helps us to guide the patients about the dietary modification required to prevent a formation of a new stone. Certain stones which are very small in size and be managed with a healthy well balanced diet to prevent the formation of new stone and regression of the existing stone.
These habits help one improve the overall health of the urinary system and sexual organs. Prevention is better than cure, adopt these practices to avoid these common urological problems. One should aim to follow these tips to improve the overall function and be disease free having a well-balanced diet and good physical activity helps in the long run.In case you have a concern or query you can always consult an expert & get answers to your questions!
Dr.Bivek Kumar
Uro- Surgeon, Apollo Spectra
143, 1st Cross Rd, KHB Colony
5th Block, Koramangala, Bengaluru- 560034
Ph: 080 4348 555
