chapter five
The amount of urine produced will vary from person to person and will be dependent on any number of factors including liquids and foods consumed, as well as any fluids lost as a result of sweating or respiration. Some medications, food types and medical conditions can also affect the amount of urine and it is worth noting that children will produce less urine than adults.
The bladder is situated between the pelvic bones and is a balloon shaped organ that expands as it is filled with urine. Urine empties through the urethra at the bottom of the bladder. The kidneys are small, bean-shaped organs and each equates to the size of a fist, filtering approximately 120-150 quarts of blood each day and producing 1-2 quarts of urine.
The health of the urinary tract is vital and it is important to ensure the regular flow of urine. Too often, people allow themselves to become dehydrated and often drink far less than they should. Ideally, at the first sign of a dry mouth, water should be taken. Although many guidelines are given for water consumption, there is no actual specified quantity. It is just important to keep fluid levels topped up.
In addition to dehydration, too much salt in a diet can also lead to an imbalance of salt / mineral and water in the body that is not good for the kidneys. In addition, a diet high in salt may lead to the elevation of blood pressure and this could lead to kidney stones or even kidney damage eventually. Sodium within salt leads to additional salt being excreted. To help reduce the risk of calcium-based kidney stones, it is wise to reduce any processed foods within the diet as these contain salt. Always check labels before purchase.
Caffeine may irritate the bladder and will lead to urinating more frequently. Additional water is lost through perspiration, exercise, and on hot days so extra water should be taken during these times. Many urinary tract infections are caused by sexual activity, where bacteria can travel into the urinary tract. To reduce the potential for this, urinating prior to and after sex should help. Men are less likely to contract infections in this way simply because their urethra is longer, but it is still possible. Good personal hygiene is essential, i. e. wiping from front to back will help limit the risk of infections as the anus and rectum have a lot of bacteria.
Frequent Urination Frequent urination during the nighttime hours indicates a reduced ability to hold the urine. This is referred to as nocturia. There are in
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