The function of a healthy bladder is to store urinee until it is excreted by the body. However, This function can be impaired if there is an infection or other health problem in the bladder.
The bladder is part of the urinary system in the human body. In addition to the kidneys, other organs that are also included in this system are the ureters which carry urine from the kidneys to the bladder, and the urethral tract which expels urine from the bladder out of the body.
Before being excreted from the body, the urine produced by the kidneys will first empties into the bladder. Urine is a filtered product of waste and fluids from the blood. The function of the bladder is to accommodate urine produced by the kidneys and excrete it through the process of urination. The bladder can hold as much as 400-600 ml of urine.
Risk Factors Affecting Disruption of Bladder Function
Bladder function can be disturbed when there are health problems or it can also be caused by age. As you age, the walls of your bladder become stiffer and weaker, so they can't hold as much urine as they used to.
In women, weakened bladder muscles can cause the bladder and vagina to descend, putting pressure on and obstructing the urinary tract. While in men, the urinary tract can be blocked by an enlarged prostate gland.
In addition, some conditions that can also interfere with bladder function include:
1. Bladder stones
These stones can form in the kidneys and down into the bladder or form in the bladder. Bladder stones that block the flow of urine from the bladder can cause severe pain. This condition can be overcome by giving stone urine medication.
2. Urinary incontinencee
This condition is difficulty holding urine which can lead to involuntary urination. This condition can be caused by several factors. You can discuss the possible causes of this condition with your doctor.
3. Urinary retentione
This condition occurs when urine does not come out of the bladder smoothly due to obstruction or suppression of bladder muscle activity. Urinary retention can cause the bladder to swell from holding too much urine.
4. Overactive bladder or overactive bladder
This condition is one of the common causes of urinary incontinence. This condition is caused by the bladder muscle that works too actively and causes urine to come out as a result of muscle contractions.
5. Cystitis
Inflammation or infection of the bladder that causes pain, discomfort or hesitation to urinate, or causes you to urinate more frequently. Cystitis is usually caused by a urinary tract infection and a urinary catheter.
6. Bladder cancer
Bladder cancer is usually characterized by bloody urine that does not hurt, but causes the color of the urine to change completely. Depending on the amount of blood, the urine may turn orange, red, or dark red in color.
The exact cause of bladder cancer is not known. However, smoking, recurrent and chronic cystitis, and work involving harmful chemical compounds can increase the risk of developing this disease.
To be able to diagnose this condition, the doctor will conduct a medical history and perform a physical examination. Doctors can also perform a urine examination or direct observation by inserting a tube with a camera into the urinary tract.
Treatment for bladder disorders also varies, ranging from medication, Kegel exercises, catheter insertion to reduce pressure in the bladder, to surgery.
Call your doctor immediately if you find it difficult to control urination, or symptoms such as easy or more frequent urination without realizing it even though the urine that comes out is not large. Also be aware of complaints such as pain when urinating, dark urine color like tea, bloody urine, back pain, and fever.