10 foods to have for a healthy bladder

10 foods to have for a healthy bladder

The bladder is a type of muscular sac located just above the pubic bone behind the pelvis. Its primary function is to collect and store the urine produced by the kidneys. The bladder can hold 400 to 600 ml of urine produced in a day before it is evacuated from the body. Foods and beverages consumed daily play a crucial role in maintaining bladder health. So here are ten bladder-friendly options to assist organ function.

Cauliflower
Cauliflower is a rich source of fiber, folates, vitamin C, vitamin K, and mainly indoles, a specific plant chemical compound that is effective in countering inflammation in the urinary tract. Broccoli and cabbage are also excellent cruciferous vegetables to consume regularly. In addition, nutritionists suggest kale and collard greens, among other cruciferous vegetables, to boost fiber and antioxidant intake.

Watermelon
Water helps the body flush out toxins by way of urine. Thus, including water-rich fruits and vegetables like watermelon, cantaloupe, papaya, peaches, and coconuts can help boost hydration. This is one of the reasons why urologists also suggest drinking more water as it helps dilute the urine and increases the frequency of urination.

Assorted berries
Cranberries and cranberry juice are generally recommended for managing bladder and urinary tract infections. Blueberries are also potent antioxidants to include as a snack option as it is low in sodium, phosphorus, and potassium, and high in vitamin C, which helps the kidneys filter out fluids more efficiently. Strawberries and raspberries additionally help boost the acidity content in the bladder to fight off bacteria growth and prevent UTIs.

Bananas
Those who suffer from constipation have trouble passing motion, and this forces the intestines to become enlarged. An enlarged intestine further puts pressure on the bladder and urinary tract. Bananas are rich in fiber and potassium that help speed up digestion and bowel movements to relieve this pressure and promote a better urine flow from the bladder to the tract.

Potatoes
Regular potatoes and sweet potatoes can be consumed to promote bladder health. According to many studies, the veggie is known to have a calming effect on a sensitive bladder. Plus, it is easy to incorporate potatoes into daily cooking.

Lean proteins
Chicken and turkey meats are lean sources of protein that are easily digested and don’t put pressure on the internal organs. Also, they are low in fats, additives, and preservatives and don’t trigger inflammatory responses.

Eggs
Eggs are a rich source of omega-3 healthy fats that counter inflammation. The food item is also rich in lean proteins suitable for bladder health.

Assorted nuts
Almonds, cashews, peanuts, and macadamia nuts are great low-calorie healthy fats to also include as part of one’s bladder-friendly daily meals.

Garlic
Garlic is a potent antibiotic that helps manage a number of digestion problems, intestinal issues, and urinary tract infections. Garlic cloves can be consumed raw or included in daily cooking.

Whole grains
Whole grains are digested slowly, so they don’t put pressure on the bladder and digestive tract, making them a great source of fiber to include in daily foods. Popular choices include quinoa, buckwheat, oats, and bulgur wheat.

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Coping with urges that can trigger a relapse post treatment

Addictions when left untreated can turn into crippling conditions. One can be addicted to smoking, binge drinking, or even shopping. Once addicted, one willfully submits to urges, despite having satisfied them before. However, addictions can be managed and to a great extent treated to full recovery. But, the post-recovery phase is crucial where both the mind and body are put to test and can trigger a relapse. Continue reading to know more about the most common triggers for addictions and how to deal with them.Stress Stress is commonly the root cause of many problems and addictions, both physical and psychological. One can become an addict as a way to manage the stress that may stem from strained relationships or priorities. The best way to avoid a relapse during recovery is to make lifestyle changes that don’t trigger a return to addictions amidst a stressful situation. One can practice mindfulness, engage in relaxation techniques, manage one’s time to avoid stressful situations, and imbibe healthy eating habits and exercise in their daily routine. EmotionsThere is an umpteen number of triggers that invoke a positive or negative emotional response. However, the stress associated with dealing with emotions daily can trigger urges without one even realizing. Often, one turns to a glass of alcohol or relies on prescription medications to put the mind at ease. It is not a permanent solution and prolonged use of these substances can cause more harm in the long run. One must learn and explore productive ways of controlling emotions better to avoid a relapse during recovery. For example, writing and maintaining a journal that contains one’s feelings and thoughts can act as a healthy outlet. Similarly, there are other healthy ways to channel one’s energy and manage emotional responses.Positive conditioningPeople who have addictions such as smoking or drinking may often find themselves in situations where a lit cigarette or a glass of wine can trigger a relapse. This is understandable considering these substances were the primary source of comfort and relaxation. However, with positive reinforcement and reconditioning one can train the mind and curb such urges. Relaxation doesn’t always mean techniques like yoga or meditation, it can also be pursuing your hobby. Counseling for group gatheringsBirthdays, parties, New Year’s events, and any celebration in general call for alcohol consumption and smoking. At times, these could be the very addictions one is recovering from, and in a social gathering, such temptations can be strong. However, a recovering addict should refrain from indulging in any of these as even a taste can turn into a relapse. For instance, a recovering alcoholic must avoid having a single drink as that could put him/her on a slippery slope to relapse. Here, one-on-one counseling can help prepare the mind to resist the urge. It is never healthy for a recovering addict to simply avoid socializing fearing a relapse.

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4 nutrition tips to combat pulmonary arterial hypertension

Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension, or PAH, is a serious health condition affecting a person's circulatory system. People with this condition suffer from high blood pressure in the arteries that carry blood to their lungs. Nutrition plays a key role in addressing PAH and its nasty symptoms. Therefore, eating the right foods can help people manage this condition and improve the quality of their daily lives. Some nutrition tips for managing PAH are: Limiting intake of processed food Processed foods are loaded with unhealthy fats, sodium, and refined sugars. These elements trigger undesirable scenarios such as inflammation, growing belly fat, and blocked blood vessels in the frequent consumers of processed foods. On the other hand, these foods are desperately low on nutrients like fiber, minerals, and vitamins. This deprives those living with PAH of the essential nutrients needed to function efficiently. However, the worst aspect of processed foods such as breakfast cereals, canned cheese, white bread, tinned vegetables, crisps, pizza, French fries, cakes, and biscuits is the high percentage of chemical preservatives and additives they contain. These elements can disrupt the functioning of a person's organs and bodily systems if regularly consumed. Therefore, staying clear of processed foods is one of the biggest nutrition tips to manage PAH. Increasing consumption of high-iron foods PAH symptoms worsen when people with this health condition do not consume as much iron as they need. Iron is essential to maintain healthy blood circulation throughout the body. Therefore, one must incorporate foods such as red meat, dark leafy greens, beans, nuts, dried fruit, whole meal pasta and bread, oats, and tofu, in their daily meals. Eating fresh fruits and veggies every day Fresh fruits and vegetables contain naturally occurring vitamins and minerals that the body requires for the effective functioning of all its systems. Moreover, people with PAH find it more challenging to absorb nutrients due to their blood circulation issues. So, they are likely to have a greater deficiency of nutrients. To cover up for that, they need to eat fresh berries, citrus fruits, white potatoes, peppers, tomatoes, apples, and spinach daily. Apart from fresh fruits and vegetables, it is also beneficial to consume fortified cereals, milk, fresh fruit juices (not packaged ones), and fatty fish such as tuna, mackerel, and salmon. Reducing salt in one's daily meals Salt may be a key tastemaker in most people's foods, but excessive salt intake can also mess with a person's body. Due to its molecular properties, salt retains more fluids than necessary. This puts unnecessary pressure on the right side of a person's heart. After that, people will feel symptoms such as increased blood pressure, hypertension, shortness of breath, water retention in the lungs, and abdominal swelling. Due to these reasons, it is advisable to include salt in one's food in moderate quantities. While all these nutrition tips help combat PAH, it is still advisable for people with this condition to consult a doctor before making extensive changes in their daily meals.

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