Victoria’s Read

Over 3 million individuals live with urologic conditions in Canada alone, affecting their quality of life and their overall life span, conditions like painful kidney stones, urinary tract infections and loss of bladder control.

If you suffer or have suffered from any of the above then a visit to your MD for a checkup is your first stop. In the mean time there are a few things you can do to help yourself.

To help with infection and kidney stone issues, you can start drinking cranberry juice. 100% juice, not the over sugared juice blends. It’s tart, but with a bit of water is drinkable. A specific type of tannin found only in cranberries interacts with the E. coli bacteria (the most common cause of UTI), preventing them from sticking to the walls of the bladder and causing infection. The recommended amount is 4-8oz. daily.

Another self help tool is to strengthen and exercise your pelvic floor. Yes exercise!

Your pelvic floor, its tone and strength are a big factor in bladder control and health. In yoga, the pelvic floor is integral to many poses and breath work and has been for thousands of years. A regular yoga class is a great way to strengthen this area along the rest of your body.

Another exercise you can do regularly are Kegels. To find the muscles for Kegels, you focus by tightening your pelvic floor like you are holding back gas or the urge to urinate.

Then:
~Contract your pelvic floor muscles, hold the contraction for three seconds then relax for three seconds. Repeat 10 times.
~Once you’ve perfected three-second muscle contractions, try it for four seconds at a time, alternating muscle contractions with a four-second rest period.
~Work up to keeping the muscles contracted for 10 seconds at a time, relaxing for 10 seconds between contractions.

To get the maximum benefit, focus on tightening only your pelvic floor muscles. Try not to flex the muscles in your abdomen, thighs or buttocks and try not to hold your breath.

Enjoy life, stay well, stay strong… you deserve it.

©Darren Renaud – Natural Health Practitioner www.OhanaWellness.ca.