Below are eight common causes of bladder problems which can help you determine what’s going on with your bladder.
8 causes of bladder troubles
Aging: Unfortunately, bladder problems indeed can be blamed on aging. It is quite common to see urinary incontinence in both women and men as they age. With time, the bladder – which is a muscle – becomes weaker, meaning it is unable to hold the same amount of urine as it once was in your younger years. Other conditions that are common in the elderly, such as stroke or dementia, can damage the nerves that carry the signals from the bladder to the brain and back, which can impair bladder control.
Enlarged prostate and prostate surgery: An enlarged prostate can cause an obstruction of the urinary tract. This causes urine to accumulate, leading to overflow, especially if stress such as laughing or coughing is added to the bladder. Even if a man has undergone prostate surgery, he can experience side effects such as damage to the sphincter muscle, resulting in a voiding dysfunction. Nevertheless, if there is a tumor, the benefit of removing it outweighs the possible side effect. (A simple natural solution can help you finally free yourself from a troublesome prostate.)
Diabetes: Diabetics may experience greater thirst, which causes them to drink more. This additional fluid intake can result in more frequent urination. In addition, diabetes can also contribute to nerve damage, which can affect the bladder nerves. This means, signals that normally inform the brain that you need to urinate become interrupted. Raising glucose levels can also contribute to greater urinary output.
Obesity: Being overweight or obese puts additional pressure on the bladder, leading to stress incontinence. Obesity is often linked to type 2 diabetes which, as mentioned, can also be tied to urinary incontinence or frequent urination. In many cases, simply losing weight and maintaining it within a healthy range can improve bladder function.
Drug abuse: Aside from abusing recreational drugs in your younger years, even certain prescribed medications can trigger more frequent urination. If you suspect your medications are the cause of your bladder problems, speak to your doctor about a possible alternative, but don’t stop a medication on your own.
Urinary tract infection (UTI): Frequent urination is one of the most common and first symptoms of a UTI. This change in urination behavior may be accompanied by a burning sensation, little urine output, or even lower back pain. You may also have a strong urge to urinate even after you just went. (Say goodbye to bladder leaks and take control of your bladder the natural way.)
Uterine fibroids: If uterine fibroids are large enough, they can push up against the bladder. Although possible, it is a rather rare occurrence that uterine fibroids actually trigger urinary incontinence.
Menopause: Many of the bladder’s functions are regulated by estrogen, but declining estrogen levels due to menopause can lead to urinary problems among women. (Prevent your estrogen from plummeting and maintain your bladder function.)
If you’re concerned about your bladder health, speak to your doctor to make sure you know exactly what is going on. As mentioned, uncovering the underlying cause of your bladder problems can help your doctor recommend effective treatments so you can take proper care of your health and improve the quality of your life.