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This week on Health Watch, we’ve been talking about bladder-related problems that involve the elimination of fluids from the body. One of the signs of trouble is going to the bathroom too often. But how often is too often?
Dr. Philippe Zimmern, a urologist at UT Southwestern Medical Center, says going about six times a day is average, depending on bladder size and fluid intake. A person with a smaller bladder may have to go more often, and if you drink more fluids, you’ll have to go more often because the body doesn’t store all that fluid unless there’s something wrong. The kidneys filter the blood and produce urine, which is stored in the bladder. An adult bladder holds about 10 to 15 ounces of fluid. The average person should drink no more than about six to eight glasses of fluids — about 64 ounces — a day, depending on factors like heat and activity levels. To avoid having to go to the bathroom during the night, stop drinking fluids after dinner or before bedtime.
Visit http://www.utsouthwestern.org/urology to learn more about UT Southwestern’s clinical services in urology.
