Healthy Living Tips

Drink and Eat Well

1.	Drink water—Drinking water will keep urine flowing normally and flush waste products from your system. Make sure to stay hydrated especially while in the sun and/or exercising, when you lose water from perspiration.
2.	Have some juice—Cranberry juice helps prevent urinary tract infections in both children and adults  And one study found that a daily glass of pomegranate juice may help prevent prostate cancer re occurrence.
3.	Reduce salt intake—Too much salt may cause you to retain water and disrupt the salt/mineral/water balance in your kidneys, which may put you at greater risk of kidney stones.
4.	Cut back on caffeine—Caffeine acts as a diuretic and may irritate your bladder.

If You Have Children

5.	Before bedtime—Limit fluids at night and ensure that your child uses the bathroom right before bed to prevent bed wetting (Urology Health extra® – Spring 2010, pg. 4).
6.	If you have daughter(s)—Teach girls to wipe from front to back. Wiping front to back will keep bacteria from entering the vagina and reduce the likelihood of urinary tract infections.
7.	If you have son(s)—A boy should begin wearing an athletic supporter or "cup" as soon as he is involved in any kind of activity that could lead to groin injury, such as playing sports.

Make Healthy Choices

8.	Don't Smoke—Smoking and prolonged exposure to second-hand smoke are among the leading causes of bladder and kidney cancer. Smoking can also contribute to erectile dysfunction (ED)
9.	Exercise regularly—Pelvic Floor Muscle, or "Kegel" exercises help strengthen the pelvic floor muscles that help hold urine inside the bladder, preventing leakage.
10.	Maintain a healthy weight—Obesity may contribute to your risk of acquiring urological diseases. Obese individuals are twice as likely to suffer from kidney stones compared to normal weight individuals and obese men are 20-30 percent more likely to die of prostate cancer than men of a healthy weight.
11.	Be proactive in your health care—Get regular check-ups and be sure to speak with your doctor regarding any questions or uncertainties you may have; communication plays a vital role in the quality of patient care that you receive.