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Doctor Warns: Two Habits Shrink Bladder to Yakult Bottle Size

From Liberty Times · () Chinese

Translated from Chinese and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • A 70-year-old woman's bladder capacity was found to be less than 100cc, comparable to a Yakult bottle, due to decades of drinking less than 1000cc of water daily and frequent urination.
  • Doctors advise that reducing water intake is not a solution for frequent urination; instead, bladder training by gradually increasing urination intervals is recommended.
  • The case highlights the risks of improper habits, emphasizing that consistent hydration and appropriate bladder management are crucial for maintaining bladder health.

A 70-year-old woman's bladder capacity has shrunk to less than 100cc, roughly the size of a Yakult bottle, a stark consequence of decades-long habits of low water intake and frequent trips to the restroom. Dr. Hsieh Hsiao-yun, a gynecologist at Taichung Veterans General Hospital, shared this case, noting that the patient drank less than 1000cc of water daily for years, fearing frequent bathroom visits due to her job as a civil servant.

If you have time, go urinate first, be careful, your bladder might get into trouble.

— Dr. Hsieh Hsiao-yunDescribing the patient's habit of frequent urination.

This habit, coupled with urinating whenever she had a moment regardless of actual need, significantly reduced her bladder capacity. Normally capable of holding 300 to 500cc, her bladder now holds less than a fifth of that amount. Dr. Hsieh explained that this practice is counterproductive for those experiencing frequent urination.

Compared to the bladder that should be able to hold 300 to 500cc, her bladder capacity is less than 100cc, which is about the capacity of one bottle of Yakult, a fivefold difference.

— Dr. Hsieh Hsiao-yunExplaining the severity of the bladder capacity reduction.

Instead of restricting fluid intake, Dr. Hsieh recommends bladder training. This involves consciously delaying urination for 5-10 minutes when the urge arises and gradually extending the intervals between bathroom visits to two to three hours. However, she cautions against extreme holding or ignoring persistent symptoms like recurrent infections or pain.

Frequent urination patients should never drink less water out of fear of urination problems, this is definitely not a way to treat frequent urination.

— Dr. Hsieh Hsiao-yunAdvising against reducing water intake as a solution for frequent urination.

The case serves as a critical reminder that maintaining bladder health requires a balanced approach to hydration and mindful bladder habits. Ignoring the body's signals or adopting detrimental practices can lead to significant, long-term health issues.

To improve frequent urination, it is recommended to do some bladder training. When you feel the urge to urinate, do not go to the toilet immediately. Hold it for 5-10 minutes first, then gradually extend the urination interval, preferably 2-3 hours.

— Dr. Hsieh Hsiao-yunProviding recommendations for bladder training.
About this summary

Originally published by Liberty Times in Chinese. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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