To function at our best, we need to stay hydrated. For our bladder, hydration means enough urine is produced to flush out bacteria and carry away toxins expelled by our kidneys.
When you start to catheterise, you may think drinking less means catheterising less, but it is even more important to keep your body well hydrated to support healthy bladder function. You should ideally be drinking 6-8 glasses a day, however some people may be more suited to more or less than this, depending on size, exertion, or other health conditions.
So how can you tell if you are well-hydrated? The best way to tell is by looking at your urine colour. Aim for a clear straw colour. Too dark, and you could be dehydrated; completely clear and you may be overdoing it.
To stay hydrated, try to drink small amounts often. If you withhold fluids for an extended amount of time, your bladder can spasm and produce feelings of urgency or increase your risk of infection. On the other hand, if you drink large volumes all at once, sudden production of urine exceeding your bladder capacity could mean you are caught short and risk accidents. To manage this, you might think to set an alarm on your phone, or time drinking to coincide with other natural breaks in your day.
Approximately 60% of the human body is water, so it makes sense that the best choice of what to drink is naturally water! While other preferences are fine, do try and minimise or eliminate drinks that can irritate your bladder – these include caffeinated and alcoholic beverages.
In conclusion, maintaining hydration is important for your health and can help reduce the risk of bladder problems when you practice self-catheterisation.