Understanding Bladder Function: Keep it Healthy

This is a vital organ in the human body for the urinary system. It plays an important role in storing and expelling urine from the body. A common related issue that can impact most individuals is urinary incontinence. The bladder is a hollow, balloon-like organ that can collect and also release urine from our body.  It is located in the lower part of the abdomen. It controls our body’s urinary system which plays a crucial role in our healthy body.

People rarely talk about the Bladder but many of them are affected by some diseases related to the bladder. With the changes of age, the bladder condition changes. The bladder wall and its function may weaken and it’s getting hard to empty the bladder fully.

So in this blog, we will discuss the bladder-related issues that we face in our lives and also we will discuss how to keep our bladder healthy.

Functions:

The bladder’s primary function is to store Urine which is created by the Kidney until it is convenient and appropriate to eliminate it from body. When our bladder fills of 300 to 350 ml of urine, the nerves send a response to the brain that we need to go to the toilet. On an average a human bladder can hold 400 to 600 ml urine though some individuals may have small or large bladder. We need to empty our bladder in every three hours. Though a healthy bladder can store at a stretch but it is very important to urinate at regular intervals.

Affective Ratio:  

It is estimated that in 2008 over 45% of the world population aged below or average 20 years were affected by LUTS (lower urinary tract symptoms).

Urinary bladder Cancer ranks Ninth in worldwide cancer incidence. In 2023 an estimated 82290 adults (62420 men, 19870 women) in the United States will be diagnosed with bladder Cancer. GLOBOCAN data from 2020 revealed an incidence of 573,000 new Bladder Cancer cases and 213,000 deaths worldwide in 2020.

In 2018, bladder cancer was the tenth most common cancer worldwide in men.

According to GLOBOCAN, there were 573,000 new Bladder Cancer cases and 213,000 deaths worldwide in 2020.

Some of the common conditions that affect the bladder:

Bladder Cancer:

Urinary Bladder cancer is one of the most common diseases, found in our society. Approximately 356000 new bladder cancers were found in 2002 worldwide. This cancer causes cells in our bladder to grow uncontrollably. It starts typically in the cells of our Urothelium.

Symptoms:

People with Bladder cancer may have some symptoms like:

• Blood in the urine.
• Back pain.
• Frequent urination in a day.
• Feeling pain while passing urination.

Risk Factors:

• Drinking water consumes high levels of arsenic.
• Having infections in the bladder can be the cause of high chances of bladder cancer.
• Having some family history related to bladder cancer or bladder infections.
• Having some genetic disorders related to bladder cancer.

Diagnosis:

Most of the bladder cancer is treated at an early stage. People who are affected by bladder cancer can come back by successful treatment.

Urinary Incontinence:

When any individual cannot control urine or faces a problem of leaking of urine, this is called urinary incontinence. This is not only a medical problem but also affects of social life and it can also hamper our emotions and psychology. Many people think that urinary incontinence is not a disease; it is just an aging problem. But it is not. It can be cured by proper treatment. Men, who have prostate problems, are at a high risk of this disease.  Urinary Incontinence is mostly found among women.

There are some types of incontinence stress urinary incontinence, mixed incontinence, overflow incontinence and urge urinary incontinence.

Treatment depends upon the age and types of incontinence. Surgery is an option if other therapies do not work.

Overactive Bladder:

This is also a urinary symptom. A frequent and sudden urge to urinate which is very difficult to control, is the main symptom of this condition. Sometimes we get very embarrassed or puzzled by this situation that is facing this issue. Sometimes so many times of urges of urination are another symptom of this condition.

This condition can hamper our daily life as well as our social life. It can disrupt our sleep.

Risk factors:

• Hormonal changes
• A urinary tract infection
• Side effects from medication.
• Disease that affects our brain, nerves, and many other body parts.

Treatment:

• Education and behavior therapies are first recommended as per the condition of the patient to reduce the condition of an overactive bladder.
• Suggest weight loss for the heavyweight person.
• Stop smoking can be effective for the treatment.
• Proper medication that can relax the bladder helps to recover from this condition.
• Try to set a proper schedule and maintain this to avoid frequent bathroom visits.

Urinary Tract Infections:

This infection occurs when microbes are found in the urinary system of our body. People of any age can get infected by this infection. Also Kidney infection is another type of UTI. This infection is more common in females than males. Our urinary system consists of the kidneys, bladder, Urethra and Ureters as they are busy removing waste products from our body through urine. Any part of our urinary tract can become infected by this infection. Most UTIs are only related to the urethra and bladder.

Symptoms:

There are so many symptoms that can be found in the infected people mostly in women.

• Bloody urine.
• Dysuria or burning sensation while urination.
• Frequent urination.
• Unexplained fatigue.
• Fever and chills.
• Sudden urge to urine.
•  Feeling unwell, tired, and achy.

Preventions:

• Empty your bladder fully when urinating.
• Keeping the genital area clean.
• Urinating after sexual intercourse.
• Try to maintain hygiene while using the washroom.

Treatment:

The type of medication and treatment depends on the age and symptoms of the infected people. Various medications as suggested by doctors can reduce the chances of this disease. Also, a healthy lifestyle by avoiding the risk factors related to UTI can be the chances of recovery from this problem.

A course of antibiotics depending on the UTI problems for the individuals can cure the diseases. Depending on the situation, a complicated UTI problem can be cured by a long course of antibiotics as suggested by doctors.

Various tests are done to check the risks of the diseases. Urine tests and urine culture are done and Nirnayan is dedicated to its excellence and accurate reports. Depending on the results the disease can be cured by proper medication and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

References:

https://www.cancer.net/cancer-types/bladder-cancer/statistics

https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/urologic-diseases/bladder-infection-uti-in-adults