Another added: “This is me. And that is why I always have anxiety when I travel on a bus without a toilet.”
Some misunderstood the doctor’s advice and insisted they would continue going to the toilet when they felt they needed to. Dr Sadovskaya was not telling people to hold their wee or stop themselves from using the toilet when they need it, as this can also be dangerous, but was instead suggesting that people only go to the toilet when they actually need to.
How to maintain a healthy bladder
As per Bladder and Bowel UK, you should pass urine whenever you need to. If you are drinking well, then this should be around every two to three hours. They state that holding urine too long can make it more difficult for your bladder to fully empty, and can increase the likelihood of developing a urinary tract infection (UTI).
They also echo Dr Sadovskaya’s recommendation of not going to the toilet “just in case”. They state: “If you go too often when you do not need to pass urine, then the bladder can eventually become smaller and therefore hold less, increasing the need to go to the toilet more often.”
Fluids you should consume to maintain a healthy bladder include:
Water
Diluted cordial or squash drinks
Diluted fruit juice
Fruit and herbal teas
Red bush tea
However, you should avoid or limit your intake of these liquids:
Alcohol
Caffeinated drinks such as tea, coffee, and energy drinks
Fizzy drinks
