November is National Bladder Health Awareness month, so we hope you feel an ‘urge’ to get educated about how important bladder health is to your overall health. 

People rarely talk about bladder health, but everyone is affected by it. Located in the lower abdomen, the bladder is a hollow organ, much like a balloon, that stores urine. Urine contains waste and extra fluid left over after the body takes what it needs from what we eat and drink. Each day, adults pass about a quart and a half of urine through the bladder and out of the body. As people get older, the bladder changes.

Picture: 15 Tips To Keep Your Bladder Healthy | National Institute on Aging (nih.gov)

The elastic bladder tissue may toughen and become less stretchy. A less flexible bladder cannot hold as much urine as before and might make you go to the bathroom more often. The bladder wall and pelvic floor muscles may weaken, making it harder to empty the bladder fully and causing urine to leak.

Common bladder problems and when to seek help

Bladder problems can disrupt day-to-day life. When people have bladder problems, they may avoid social settings and have a harder time getting tasks done at home or at work. Common bladder problems include urinary tract infections, urinary incontinence, and urinary retention.

Some signs of a bladder problem may include:

• Inability to hold urine or leaking urine
• Needing to urinate more frequently or urgently
• Cloudy urine
• Blood in the urine
• Pain or burning before, during, or after urinating
• Trouble starting or having a weak stream while urinating
• Trouble emptying the bladder

If you experience any of these symptoms, talk to your health care provider.

Treatment for bladder problems may include behavioral and lifestyle changes, exercises, medications, surgery, or a combination of these treatments and others. For more information on treatment and management of urinary incontinence, visit Urinary Incontinence in Older Adults.

Disclaimer: This  content is provided for education and informational purposes only and does not constitute providing medical advice. Health experts suggest that you talk to your doctor before you start, change or modify your medications, lifestyle or current treatment regimen. 

Reference and more info:

Bladder Health Month – Urology Care Foundation (urologyhealth.org)

https://www.urologyhealth.org/media-center/bladder-health-month-2020

http://auanet.mediaroom.com/2020-11-02-November-is-Bladder-Health-Awareness-Month

https://simonfoundation.org/resources/national-bladder-health-month/

https://www.iabhp.com/national-wellness-observance-calendar/bladder-health-month/

https://www.ichelp.org/november-bladder-health-month/

National Association For Continence (nafc.org)

National Bladder Health Month | East Jordan Family Health Center (ejfhc.org)

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