Bladder

All About Bladders

The human body houses many different organs, including the bladder. The bladder is an organ in the lower abdomen that stores urine until it is ready to be eliminated from the body. The bladder is an important organ that plays an essential role in maintaining the body’s health and well-being. Here is some information about the bladder and what it does:

What is the Bladder?

The bladder is a hollow, muscular organ located in the lower abdomen. It is made up of several layers of tissue and muscles, which enable it to expand and contract as needed. When the bladder is empty, it is small and sits low in the pelvis. As it stores urine, it grows in size and rises towards the abdomen.

What Does the Bladder Do?

The main function of the bladder is to store urine. This occurs as urine passes from the kidneys through tubes called ureters, and into the bladder. The bladder has small muscles known as sphincters which can open and close to control the flow of urine. When these muscles are relaxed, urine is able to pass from the bladder, through the urethra and out of the body. When the amount of urine in the bladder becomes too great, you will feel an urge to urinate.

What are the Different Bladder Conditions?

• Urinary tract infection (UTI): This is a common problem which is caused by bacteria in the bladder. Symptoms include pain or burning during urination and frequent urination.
• Overactive bladder: This is a condition where the bladder contracts more frequently and forcefully than normal, resulting in an urgent need to urinate.
• Urge incontinence: This is a condition where an urgent need to urinate occurs, and the person is unable to control it.
• Stress incontinence: This is a condition where there is an involuntary loss of urine when there is an increase in abdominal pressure, such as when sneezing, coughing, or laughing.
• Interstitial cystitis: This is an inflammation of the bladder which causes pain, urgency, and frequency of urination.

Conclusion

The bladder is a vital component of the human body, responsible for storing urine until it is ready to be eliminated. It is subject to a number of conditions which can affect its function. Be sure to discuss any concerns you may have with your doctor.