How Dehydration Can Contribute to These 4 Urology Conditions
You might be familiar with the idiom that accomplishing something impossible is like “squeezing water from a stone.” Well, if you don’t get enough water and keep your urology system hydrated, the stone may have to squeeze through you.
Science-based evidence indicates that as many as 28% of Americans are dehydrated. But what does being dehydrated mean to your body, including your urology system? Well, consider that about 60% of your body is water, and your cells need 60% of that water to do their jobs, such as converting food into energy, supporting growth, and generally maintaining life.
Water also balances salts and sugars and helps your urinary system flush out waste and toxins.
When your body lacks enough water to perform these tasks, its metabolism slows, bacteria are better able to grow in the gut microbiome, and the organs in your urology system don’t perform as well.
This is a year-round concern. We tend to think of proper hydration in the summer months, when we sweat regularly. But dehydration can occur even in Michigan’s wicked winter months.
4 Urology Conditions That Can Be Avoided With Hydration
If these facts about proper hydration don’t convince you to squeeze more water into your daily routine, perhaps knowing about these four urology conditions will. Each can be avoided with adequate fluid intake.
Kidney stones – Your kidneys are responsible for flushing toxins and waste from your blood and converting extra water from your blood into urine. If you are dehydrated, your kidneys will produce less urine to carry out minerals that build up there, such as salts, calcium, and uric acid. In time, these crystal-like minerals will form into stones. Key symptoms include blood in the urine, severe pain on the side and back, and a more frequent need to urinate. Click here to learn more about kidney stone symptoms and treatments.
Urinary tract infection (UTI) – When your kidneys produce less urine, you pee less frequently, allowing harmful bacteria such as E. coli that creeps into your urethra to take hold (rather than be flushed out). Further, because the urine is concentrated, it can irritate and weaken your urinary tract. As many as 50% of women and 3% of men have or will experience a UTI. Symptoms include burning urination, lower abdominal pain, and cloudy urine. You can read more about UTIs here.
Kidney disease and failure – Because dehydration signals your kidneys to retain water, the waste products they typically filter out have a chance to linger and accumulate in the blood. Further, when you are dehydrated, blood and nutrients can’t get to the kidneys as effectively. If you have chronic kidney disease, however, you might have to reduce your water and potassium intake, because the body isn’t able to make urine and the kidneys can’t remove potassium as well. Signs of kidney disease include muscle cramps, dry skin, fatigue, decreased urine output, blood in the urine, and swelling (hands, feet, and ankles). Read our website dedicated to kidney health.
Bladder inflammation – While a lack of liquid in your system means less urine, the toxins and minerals floating in your urine remain the same. A high concentration of these elements can irritate your bladder’s lining, leading to inflammation and discomfort. In people with painful bladder syndrome, or interstitial cystitis (IC), dehydration can worsen symptoms such as bladder pressure, pelvic and bladder pain, and urgent urination. Hydration helps manage IC symptoms by diluting urine. Learn more about interstitial cystitis here.
If you experience any of the above symptoms, you should request a consultation with a urology specialist.
Most Common Symptoms of Dehydration
The obvious sign of dehydration is thirst, so if your throat is dry, drink water. Other common symptoms include:
- You urinate less often.
- Dark urine (healthy urine will be pale yellow to golden).
- Headaches; lightheadedness.
- Sunken eyes and/or cheeks.
- Dry skin.
- Skin that remains puckered after being pinched.
Go With the Flow: Tips to Keep Your Urology System Hydrated
While you might not sweat as often in the winter months, several factors can contribute to dehydration. These factors include indoor heat, wearing several layers of clothing, and the likelihood of not carrying water. So be proactive. We recommend these easy-to-follow tips to keep your urology system healthy:
- Chase your alcohol with water. Alcohol speeds up urine flow and contributes to dehydration. Alcohol also decreases the kidneys’ ability to filter blood and balance liquids and electrolytes. Alternate cocktails with water to make up for urine loss, and do not drink on an empty stomach, as it can contribute to dehydration.
- Consider electrolytes. When you lack water, your body loses electrolytes, which perform critical functions, including moving nutrients to your cells and waste from them. Symptoms of electrolyte imbalance include muscle cramps and salt cravings. Effective electrolyte ingredients include sodium, potassium, magnesium, and chloride (to regulate body fluids).
- Check your medications. Several drugs can reduce fluid levels in your body. These include blood pressure medicines (beta blockers), antipsychotics, and anticholinergics (for asthma, COPD, overactive bladder, and IBS).
- Wear sun protection – even in the winter. As most skiers and outdoor winter sports enthusiasts know, winter sun can cause sunburn. And sunburn limits your body’s ability to cool down and stay hydrated. Regardless of the time of year, when you are in the strong sun, wear sunscreen and/or a hat with a visor.
- Drink for your age. As you mature, several factors make you susceptible to dehydration, including reduced muscle mass, declining kidney function, and simply feeling less thirsty. As a result, 40% of people older than 65 have chronic dehydration, UCLA Health reports.
Make a 2026 Resolution to Remain Better Hydrated
If you don’t want to squeeze stones, then drink water. The U.S. Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine recommend that women drink 11.5 cups of fluid per day, on average, and men drink 15.5 cups.
If you experience any of the conditions detailed in this blog or would like to talk to a specialist about improving your urology health, click here to request an appointment.
