A healthy bladder can be easy to take for granted, but – as part of the urinary tract system – this important organ is responsible for helping to remove toxins and extra fluids from the body, as well as preventing infections. For this reason, uncomfortable bladder symptoms can have a significant impact on an individual’s quality of life. Here, we speak with three local providers about how to proactively protect bladder health and when to consult with a specialist.
Form and Function
Located within the pelvis between the hip bones, the bladder is a hollow, muscular organ that expands and contracts to store extra fluid and toxins (urine) that the kidneys filter from the bloodstream. As part of the lower urinary tract, it works with the urethra and sphincter muscles to then expel this waste from the body during urination.
A healthy bladder acts as a reservoir and gives individuals the ability to control the act of urination. However, lifestyle habits, age, hormones, and certain conditions can impact its ability to function properly.
Common Bladder Conditions
Estimated to impact nearly 100 million U.S. citizens, bladder control issues are very common. However, according to Dr. Rahul Dutta, a urologist at Erlanger Urology, this does not mean symptoms should be disregarded.
“Although these symptoms are common, it does not mean they are ‘normal,’” he says. “You should see a doctor if they are persistent, worsening, or affecting daily life – for example, regular leakage requiring pads, waking up more than once or twice a night to urinate, pain or burning with urination, blood in the urine, or a feeling of pressure in the pelvic area.”
Common urological conditions include:
Urinary Incontinence: Urine leakage due to the loss of reliable bladder control caused by stress, urgency, health conditions such as diabetes, or pelvic-floor muscle loss.
Overactive Bladder: Frequent, sudden, or hard-to-control urges to urinate that impact daily schedules and sleep patterns. Urinary incontinence and overactive bladder often go hand-in-hand.
Bladder Stones: Similar to kidney stones, minerals found in concentrated urine can harden and form solid, crystallized stones. This often happens when the bladder cannot empty completely.
Urinary Tract Infection (UTI): An infection caused by invasive bacteria in the urinary tract, resulting in painful urination and the frequent urge to urinate.
Bladder Health in Women
Research shows that women are more likely to experience urological conditions, with twice as many women reporting urinary incontinence than men. According to Dr. Dutta, this is largely due to anatomy.
“Women’s pelvic floor muscles and connective tissue support the bladder, vagina, uterus, and rectum all at once,” he explains. “Childbirth, pregnancy, and the natural loss of estrogen after menopause can weaken or stretch these support tissues, leading to leakage of urine (incontinence) or a sense of urgency (overactive bladder). While men do experience many of the same issues, they tend to be less common overall and occur for different reasons.”
A women’s health nurse practitioner at Diana Health, Alex Kitchens adds that “Mild and temporary bladder changes can be normal during certain life stages, such as pregnancy or the postpartum period. For instance, frequent urination or mild leakage during exercise and exertion are common while pregnant or in the first few weeks after delivery.” However, she advises not to accept these symptoms as the new normal.
“Women often tolerate far more bladder dysfunction than they should because society or family members tell them it is just a ‘normal part of aging’ or from ‘having children,’” she says. “It’s important to know that there are treatments for these conditions and you do not have to live with disruptive symptoms.”
Helpful Healthy Habits
In addition to medical treatments, family medicine physician with Hamilton Physician Group, Dr. Neethu Kurien says that healthy habits go a long way in protecting and improving overall bladder health.
“Progressive lifestyle changes are the best way to protect/optimize your bladder health, such as adequate hydration, limiting bladder irritants, maintaining a healthy weight, a well-balanced diet to avoid constipation, avoiding tobacco exposure, strengthening the pelvic floor muscles with training, and good voiding and hygiene habits. These adaptations help prevent the most common bladder problems such as UTIs, overactive bladder/
incontinence, and even bladder cancer,” she shares.
Certain dietary choices – such as spicy foods, caffeine, or sugar and artificial sweeteners – and medications can irritate the bladder, often triggering overactive bladder symptoms or affecting overall function. For this reason, Dr. Kurien recommends reporting any changes or symptoms immediately.
“Patients should raise concern for any change in urinary function,” she says. “It’s also important to review lifestyle choices and medications that affect bladder function to see if there are factors that could be better optimized/avoided. Please talk to your primary care provider about how to optimize these areas and assess the best route for maintaining/improving your bladder health.”
Living Carefree
Living with urological issues can be difficult, but the good news is that there are many treatment options available. If bladder issues are impacting your quality of life, talk with a healthcare provider to see how you can begin treatment and start experiencing relief.
Meet the Author
Abby Callahan, BA
Abby Callahan is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts in English with a minor in Spanish and the distinction of cum laude. Prior to joining CMC Media & Marketing Group as editor/digital content specialist, Abby successfully fulfilled roles in marketing and event planning, as well as strategic communications and storytelling for a wide variety of initiatives. Today, Abby leads ideation, conceptualization, and development for numerous health & wellness, business, sports, and lifestyle articles published in print and online for HealthScope® and CityScope® magazines as well as Choose Chattanooga® and Choose Huntsville® – premier publications serving Southeast Tennessee, North Georgia, and North Alabama. She also contributes to the development of blogs and other content shared on the publications’ digital platforms. Off the clock, she enjoys thrifting, sewing and designing her own clothes, climbing, and going on adventures with her husky, Hazel.
