Can Colon Cancer Cause Urinary Problems?

… Continued …

1. Keep hydrated, but don’t drink too much – particularly restrict for alcohol and coffee!
2. Some foods may worsen your urinary incontinence. For instances foods high in sugar, soda, chocolate, citrus fruits, dairy products, and vinegars may irritate your bladder – especially true if you eat them too much!
3. Before going with strenuous activity, empty your bladder as much as you can! It’s also better to urinate before going to sleep.
4. If necessary, use an absorbent pad and put it inside your underwear!
5. Make it go regularly by having an urination schedule.
6. If you are obese or overweight, restore your weight back to normal. Extra fat you gain can put more pressure on your bladder and its supporting muscles.
7. Stop smoking! Nicotine in cigarette smoke can harm and irritate your bladder.
8. Kegel exercise is good idea to help train and straighten muscles in the pelvic area. Contract these muscles like when you try to avoid passing gas or hold the flow of urine. During contraction, keep muscles in the thighs, abdomen, and buttocks relaxed. Hold the contraction for a few seconds, and release it. Repeat this for 5-10 times or as many as you can! Do the exercise regularly!

And remember that you are not alone. Get support and talk with others such as your family and healthcare provider!

Urinary incontinence or any condition that obstruct the urinary tract can inhibit the mechanism of your body to pass urine. This can increase the risk of infection.

For example, if the bladder is not able to empty properly, there will be more urine left in the urinary tract and stay longer than usual. This is relatively easier for infection to occur if any bacteria get into the urinary tract.

It seems that colon cancer can cause UTI indirectly. Some treatment cancers (such as chemotherapy) may weaken immune system, too – making it easier for infection to occur.

Common conditions that can increase your risk of having UTI:

1. Having kidney stones or other conditions that block the urinary tract.
2. Problem of bladder, especially when it is unable to fully empty itself properly as noted before!
3. Conditions or other treatments that weaken the body immune system.
4. The use of urinary catheter, a tube inserted into the urinary tract (typically into the bladder) to help drain away the urine.

Most cases of UTI are triggered by bacteria infection, especially bacteria that live in the digestive tract. They can travel and spread to the urinary tract through anus. For instance, if you accidentally touch your genital area with toilet paper touched anus before, the bacteria can travel and get into the urinary tract.

UTI can lead to bad odor and other discomfort symptoms. In general, it affects more women than men. Because the urethra of women is shorter and closer to the anus!