Bad Bladder Emptying Habits
(Don't wait too long and never miss a chance to go!)
Nature tries to displace infecting organisms from the bladder by frequent voiding. The combination of diluting with water and displacing with frequent bladder emptying is the cornerstone of natural defense against infection. Infrequent voiding patterns are common in the work place. Many modern jobs involve sitting for long intervals at a telephone or computer, with little opportunity to urinate when the need arises. For the bladder that is colonized with bacteria, the longer the intervals between voiding, the longer the germs have to incubate and grow before being displaced.
Never use abdominal straining to void. Women should empty the bladder by relaxation of the pelvic muscles and urethra and not by straining. Straining closes the distal third of the urethra and effectively shoves organisms from the urethra back into the bladder. Take time to empty the bladder and do not be rushed or hurried.
Modern society does not do a good job of teaching or promoting healthy voiding habits. School children are often discouraged from voiding when they need to and are encouraged to postpone. The opportunities that are provided for voiding in urban environments and even modern shopping malls are deplorable. Provision of toilet facilities is universally inadequate both in quantity and quality.
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