365 days. That’s what we get at the start of each new year. What are you going to do with yours? Some people vow to save more money, stress less, lose weight,…those are all good goals, but if you’re worried about your urological health or have had issues in the recent past, here are a few of our favorite health-focused resolutions that can help you start feeling better.
Increase Your Water Intake
While drinking water is good for your body overall, it’s especially important for your urological health. Staying hydrated is one of the very best things you can do for your urological health. If you have a history of bladder stones, kidney stones, or urinary tract infections, increasing your water intake helps your body flush minerals out of your kidneys and bladder to prevent stones from forming. Similarly, it helps flush bacteria out of your urinary tract to help prevent bacterial infections. So every time you go and flush, let it be a reminder that you are flushing out bad things and making your body healthier.
Make a first step by deciding to carry a reusable water bottle with you wherever you go. It may take a few days to get into the habit of drinking more, but it’s so worth the effort. If plain water isn’t your thing, try adding fruit or cucumber slices to liven up the flavor. You can even set alarms on your phone to remind you to drink.
Move More
Increasing your activity can increase your overall health in many ways. Just by moving more, you help your body with much more than building muscle and maintaining bone health. You help your lymph system as well. Your lymph system removes harmful toxins from the body through a series of channels and nodes that move lymph fluid which contains infection-fighting white blood cells. Unlike the circulatory or respiratory systems, the lymphatic system does not have a “pump.” It relies on your body’s motion to circulate lymph fluid around the body. So get up and move. Take a walk at lunch, take frequent strolls through the office, and take the stairs instead of the elevator. Get a spouse or friend involved for accountability. Moving more may also help with weight loss and a healthy weight can help reduce the risk of, or even improve, erectile dysfunction. Plus, improving muscle strength in your core can take pressure off the bladder muscles reducing urinary leakage.
Eat Better
Eating better will help you feel better. Along with drinking more water and moving more, eating better can also help you lose some weight and we just told you about the urological benefits of maintaining a healthy weight. Try eating more fresh fruits and veggies, lean meats, whole grains, nuts, and eggs.
As always, If you’re under the care of a physician for a health condition or taking prescriptions, double check to make sure your new lifestyle changes won’t interfere with your current treatment plan.
At KCUC, we specialize in providing supportive care — knowledgeable, accurate, friendly and courteous. We offer state-of-the-art treatments in a modern facility, so you can get in and out quickly, but in a setting that’s relaxing and less stressful than a hospital. We also have some of the top Kansas City urologists and oncologists to help support you with multiple locations in Kansas and Missouri.