Your bladder and bowel are key to your health and wellbeing. If they are not looked after properly then they may become a problem to you! Read on for more information on how to achieve a healthy bladder.

To maintain or achieve a healthy bladder you need to keep hydrated. A large factor in this is the amount and type of fluid that you drink.

A general guide is that an adult should drink around 1500-2000ml of fluid per 24 hours. It is important to drink this amount throughout a 24 hour period, spreading the amount of fluid throughout the day rather than have a large amount at one time.

A healthy bladder should empty between 4-8 times in 24 hours. Urine should be almost straw coloured, if yellow or darker you need to drink more.

Fluids that are good for your bladder:

• Water
• Milk
• Diluted cordial / squash drinks
• Decaffeinated tea and coffee
• Fruity and herbal teas

Fluids to avoid include:

• Alcoholic drinks
• Caffeinated drinks including hot chocolate, tea and coffee
• Fizzy drinks

Other advice:

• Females should sit on the toilet to empty your bladder – do not hover
• Take time to allow your bladder to empty completely
• Do not empty your bladder “just in case”
• Empty your bladder just prior to going to sleep

Seek guidance from your GP if you experience:

• Pain when passing urine
• Pass blood in your urine
• Notice you are passing urine more frequently or the urge to pass urine is stronger than usual
• It takes you longer to have a wee

If you have any concerns about your bladder, including an altered bowel habit, please consult with your GP. If you want any more information, then please contact Bladder & Bowel UK’s helpline today.

Written by Joanne Hoyle, Specialist Nurse at Bladder & Bowel UK (part of Disabled Living)