Planning to have any alcohol over the holidays? If you have had any issues with your bladder recently, keep in mind alcohol is considered a bladder irritant.
Bladder irritants like alcohol, soda, or certain juices can make you have increased urinary urgency and also dehydrate your body. This is because alcohol suppresses the release of the antidiuretic hormone which in response causes the kidneys to release more water. This will dehydrate your body and create more urgency to urinate.
If you have history with urgency and frequency or bladder pain syndromes you may want to rethink your holiday alcohol intake a little. It is wise to drink plenty of water with your alcohol and to limit your intake of alcoholic beverages to 1 or 2 drinks.
What does it mean to stay hydrated? According to the Mayo Clinic, men should have 15.5 cups of fluids per day and women should have 11.5 cups of fluids. This includes water and drinks with water, and food which will restore the fluids lost throughout the day through sweat, urination, and bowel movements.
Why is it so important to stay hydrated? The cells in our body, tissues and organs need water to work effectively. The body depends on water to function properly. The body is made up of 50%-70% of water.
Water has many purposes which are essential to keep us all going:
Our body temperature is regulated by water through sweating and respiration
The carbohydrates and proteins that our bodies use as food are metabolized and transported by water in the bloodstream
Waste is flushed out of your bodies through water in the form of urination
Water acts as a cushion around the brain and spinal cord to protect it from insult
Our saliva is made through water
Water provides a lubricant for our joints
Enjoy the holidays and take good care of your body! If your bladder symptoms are interfering with your lifestyle, reach out to Katy at The Fit Pelvis to see if you are a candidate for pelvic floor physical therapy.
Comentarios