Overview

The bladder is a hollow, muscular organ in the lower abdomen that stores urine produced by the kidneys. It has a flexible structure that can expand and contract. The bladder's anatomy includes the detrusor muscle, responsible for contracting to expel urine, and the trigone, a triangular area near the bladder's base. The bladder is connected to the kidneys through the ureters, and its outlet, the urethra, allows urine to be expelled from the body. The organ stores and empties the urine in a timely. A bladder can be affected by different types of common bladder disorders. These disorders hamper the functioning of the organ and create disturbances in the urination procedure.

Different types of health issues can affect the bladder. These issues can be treated generally with the help of supportive and positive lifestyle changes. Still, they can also turn disastrous and fatal if proper care and required medication are not given to the patient at the right time.

Types of Common Bladder Disorders

There are many types of bladder disorders. Some of them are -

Cystitis

It is a bladder inflammation that causes the organ to turn red, leading to various other health problems. It happens due to the spread of bacteria leading to various urinary tract infections, which cause bladder swelling. The affected individual cannot easily pass urine and feels extreme pain while using the washroom.

Causes and Symptoms: Urinary tract infection happens when E. coli or other bacteria enter the urinary tract through the urethra. The bacteria start multiplying if not treated with the help of medications at the right time. Unprotected sex is also one of the major causes of an infected bladder.
The issues can be identified by signs such as the frequent urge to urinate, burning sensation while urinating, hematuria, cloudy and smelly urine, pain in pelvic muscles, and other similar motions.
Treatment: Antibiotics are the first line of treatment to cure cystitis. The pills help to lower the bacterial infection and lower the damage caused due to illness. If the situation is severe and beyond the control of antibiotics, a urologist helps treat the issue after diagnosing it and suggesting the proper treatment.

Urinary Incontinence

It is a medical situation in which the infected bladder of a patient makes one lose control over the bladder. The affected individual cannot control the extreme urinary urge and sometimes cannot hold it and pass urine before reaching the washroom. The embarrassing situation can be handled with the help of medications and various pelvic exercises.

Causes and Symptoms: Different types of underlying medical issues can cause urinary incontinence. It can happen due to health problems such as enlarged prostate, pregnancy, menopause, intestinal obstruction, bladder stones, and other similar issues. Such situations may block the urinary tract and cause pain while urinating.
Treatment: This one of the common bladder diseases can be treated with the help of different Kegel and pelvic exercises. These exercises help strengthen the pelvic floor and lower the pain while urinating. The situation can also be treated with the help of different types of antifungal and antibacterial medications.

Overactive Bladder

It is a bladder disorder in which the bladder contracts on its own and makes one to urinate frequently. The affected individual cannot have a peaceful professional and social life and may prefer to stay at bay from such instances.

Causes and Symptoms: Health issues such as diabetes, neurological disorders, kidney and bladder stones, and high fluid intake are significant causes of overactive bladder. These issues make the affected individual pass urine frequently and may also make one wake up more than thrice in the night. Such instances disturb the individual physically as well as mentally. Frequent bathroom visits and pain during urination can identify the disorder.
Treatment : Helping lifestyle changes is one of the treatment options for bladder disorders. Practising Kegel exercises, lowering fluid intake during the night, and trying to urinate at scheduled intervals help the body adapt to the routine and let the body adjust according to the planned way.

Bladder Cancer

The formation of cancerous cells in the bladder's inner lining is known as bladder cancer. It is also accounted in the queue of the common bladder disorders. The cancerous cells can also spread to the kidneys and uterus due to the connection of all the organs to store and pass urine. Identifying the issue in its initial stages may be challenging, but it can deteriorate if not treated at the right time with the required treatment and medication.

Causes and Symptoms : Mutation of cells in the bladder is the most significant cause of bladder cancer. If the issue is not treated on time, the cells multiply rapidly and may form a tumour. The tumour then breaks and spreads to nearby organs, metastasising the disease. The issue can be identified by symptoms such as hematuria, back pain, and painful and frequent urination.
Treatment: Surgeries and different types of therapies, depending upon the form and situation of the spread of cancer in the patient, help to treat bladder cancer. Proper and timely treatment helps lower the spread of cancerous cells and allows the affected patient to heal at the earliest possible time.

When to Consult a Doctor

You can also get in touch with the expert Urology doctors at Narayana Healthcare based in your city to get immediate attention and medical support during injuries, health disorders or any other health concern.

Conclusion

Common bladder disorders make the bladder malfunction and cause organ swelling as well. The bladder is unable to store and release urine properly. The form of disease can be treated with the help of different types of medications, surgeries, therapies, or lifestyle changes.

FAQs

Q. What is a bladder disorder?
A. Improper functioning of the bladder due to the spread of bacteria or harmful organisms is known as bladder disorder.

Q. What are some of the common bladder disorders?
A. Intestinal cystitis, overactive bladder, cystitis, and urinary incontinence are common bladder disorders.

Reference Links

https://www.narayanahealth.org/blog/top-10-symptoms-of-digestive-issues-and-what-they-mean/
https://medlineplus.gov/bladderdiseases.html