One of the most common medical problems is a bladder problem, however it is also one of the least discussed medical problems. There are many different causes for bladder problems, and there are also many different treatments and cures for these problems. Bladder problems can cause a myriad of secondary problems including skin irritations, infections, sexual dysfunction, sleep deprivation, social stigmas and low self esteem.
Urinary incontinence or bladder problems can be caused by physical trauma, disease, genetics or medication. While there are many different physical causes, incontinence can also be caused by psychological problems as well. The symptoms of incontinence can vary widely from a tiny amount of urine leakage to complete loss of bladder control.
Bladder problems can show up as a strong and immediate urgency to urinate where you may not be able to hold your bladder until you can reach a restroom. You may also have developed a frequency of urination where you have to go to the bathroom far more frequently than normal throughout the day and night. Frequent urination during sleeping hours is called nocturia and can be harmful because it deprives you of proper rest. Another manifestation of bladder problems is when there is a hesitancy when trying to begin urinating or when there is straining to force urination. Dribbling after urination is finished is also indicative of a bladder problem.
Other more troubling bladder problems include dysuria, which is a condition where urination causes pain, and hematuria, which indicates that there is blood in the urine.
There are lifestyle choices that we all make that can lead to bladder problems. Smoking is at the top of the list as it can irritate the bladder as well as cause harm to the immune system. Overeating can also lead to bladder problems, as excess body fat and obesity are direct causes to reduced muscle tone throughout the body including bladder and pelvic floor muscles, which support the organs that control the flow of urine. Exercise is essential to maintaining good overall muscle tone as well as bowel health, and becoming constipated can cause muscle damage from straining.
For women pregnancy and childbirth are both contributors to bladder problems, and later in life menopause in women increases the likelihood of developing problems with urinary incontinence. In men an enlarged prostate can cause bladder problems, and later in life the side effects of prostate surgery can cause problems with urinary incontinence.
Then there are any number of medications, diseases and injuries, especially to the spinal cord that can cause bladder problems as well. Treating a bladder problem can be done through behavior modification, medication or surgery depending on what the underlying cause is, and most bladder problems can be well managed even if they are not completely curable.
There are a few things that you can easily do to help your bladder and urinary system stay healthy including proper hydration, restricting foods that irritate the bladder including caffeine and alcohol, eating a healthy diet, maintaining a healthy weight, and voiding both the bladder and the bowels regularly. But if you have developed a bladder problem despite taking care of your bladder health, make sure to discuss the problem with your doctor, and while you are working towards a solution to your bladder problem, make sure that you avail yourself of the many incontinence pads and pants that can help you easily manage your problem. DryForLife has been supplying continence care products for over forty years and is available to help you deal with your bladder problem.
Further Urinary Incontinence Articles
- Surgery for Urinary Incontinence in Men
- Urine Leak Becomes More Likely with Age
- Bladder Problem is Common Condition
- Urinary Incontinence and the Internet
- Urinary Incontinence in Women Increases with Age
- Posture and Urinary Incontinence
- Understanding the Cause of a Leaking Bladder
- Antidepressants and Incontinence
- The Effects of Medications on Urinary Incontinence
- Urinary Incontinence - Facts and Myths

