Health professionals have clarified what constitutes a ‘healthy’ urination, and it turns out many of us may be neglecting our bladder health.
Peeing is an essential bodily function that most wish was less necessary. When engrossed in work or scrolling through screens, it can be easy to lose track of when we last visited the bathroom. Often, before leaving the house or heading to bed, we make a quick trip to the toilet ‘just in case’ — but paying closer attention to these habits is crucial for maintaining good health.
Understanding how urination works might seem straightforward, yet delving deeper highlights its complexities.
As your bladder fills with fluid, it expands and signals the brain that it will need emptying soon.
Some people may ignore this signal due to focus on tasks, overpowering their bladder’s signal for attention.
Others might use the bathroom ‘just in case’ before starting their day or turning in for the night.
Both behaviors can disrupt the communication between your bladder and brain.
Your brain may learn to disregard the signals to urinate, potentially overstretching the bladder, weakening its muscle elasticity, and causing damage over time.
Conversely, frequent ‘just in case’ bathroom visits may heighten brain sensitivity, leading to more frequent urges to urinate, even without significant fluid intake.
But how can you determine if your urination habits are healthy? The ’21-second rule’ provides a guideline.
Mechanical engineering students at the Georgia Institute of Technology studied the ‘duration of urination,’ discovering that most mammals, including humans, take an average of 21 seconds to empty their bladders consistently.
Nurse practitioner Janis Miller, PhD, who operates MyConfidentBladder.com, told WellandGood that monitoring if your stream lasts about 21 seconds can indicate healthy urination.
If your urination time is significantly shorter or longer, it might suggest you’re visiting the bathroom too frequently or not enough, warranting a closer examination of your habits.
According to Healthline, “If you’re peeing up to seven times in 24 hours, that’s typical. Certain factors can cause you to pee more or less on some days, and it isn’t necessarily a cause for concern. However, in some cases, you may need to see a doctor.”