Promoting General Bladder Health
Urinary Bladder Facts: 6
6. When empty, the inner lining of the Urinary Bladder makes folds and tucks in. When urine fills in, the lining and hence the bladder expands to accommodate urine flowing in through the Ureters.
7. When empty the muscle walls of the bladder becomes thick and the whole organ becomes firm. However, this is only temporary.
8. The moment the Kidneys process urine and send the liquid through the Ureters all the way down to the bladder, the muscle walls of the Urinary Bladder start thinning and the bladder starts expanding. One thing of note here is that the urine runs down the Ureters because of:
- Peristalsis a wave-like movement of the Ureters.
9. As the bladder keeps expanding, it needs space. The growing bladder gradually moves upwards and fills in the space in the abdominal cavity.
10. There are two question that need to be asked. They are:
Surgical Treatment Of Neurogenic Bladder Dysfunction
To increase bladder capacity, options include bladder augmentation and an ileal conduit. Bladder augmentation is used for patients with detrusor hyperactivity, reduced compliance, and decreased functional storage capacity that do not respond to medical therapy. An ileal conduit used as a urinary diversion strategy is recommended for conditions in which the bladder cannot be preserved. To increase bladder contractility, electrical stimulation with electrodes implanted on the bladder wall, pelvic nerves, sacral roots, and conus is used to elicit detrusor contraction. To increase bladder outlet resistance, options include injection therapy into the bladder neck and urethra to increase tissue bulk under and around the bladder neck, a fascial sling, or an artificial sphincter. To decrease bladder outlet resistance, sphincterotomy is usually indicated in patients with SCI who are unable or unwilling to perform self-catheterization, with bladder neck obstruction resulting from primary hyperactivity or bladder wall hypertrophy that occurs because of chronic striated sphincter dyssynergia. After the procedure, obstruction from recurrence of the stricture or dyssynergia may occur. A urethral stent is used after failed sphincterotomy or as a substitute for sphincterotomy.
Mitesh Parekh MD, in, 2006
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Types Of Urinary Incontinence
While UI in men is primarily associated with prostate enlargement, women are affected by three major types of urinary incontinence: stress incontinence, urge incontinence, and overactive bladder. Many women have a combination of two or three of these, which is referred to as mixed incontinence. To understand the types of incontinence, and their underlying causes, we must briefly review the bladder and its muscles.
The balloon-like bladder stores urine after delivery from the kidneys . The bladder is surrounded by a muscular wall. Normally, leakage from the bladder is prevented by sphincter muscles that keep the urethra the tube that carries urine from the bladder out of the body shut at either end. When we urinate, the bladder muscle contracts and the two sphincters relax, so that urine is squeezed out through the urethra. Incontinence occurs when the bladder muscle contracts suddenly and inappropriately and/or the sphincters are too weak to hold back the urine.
- Stress Incontinence is typically associated with coughing, laughing, exercise, or other movements that put pressure on the bladder. It commonly occurs as a result of physical changes following pregnancy, childbirth, and menopause that weaken the sphincters.
- Overactive Bladder is a result of the bladder muscle squeezing at the wrong time without warning and too frequently. Symptoms include high urinary frequency urinary urgency and urge incontinence.
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How To Reverse Reduced Bladder Capacity From Wearing Too Much
Joules said:I used to have what Iâd call above average bladder capacity, but Iâve noticed since I started wearing I have to go much more frequently.Itâs not just that I wear a lot, , but moreso that even when Iâm not wearing Iâve started to dislike the feeling of having to go and so I just go pretty frequently, which is retraining my bladder to spasm sooner, which is making me go more frequently, which is starting a vicious cycle that Iâd like to end nowWill intentionally doing long holds help move that âfullâ baseline back up?
Joules said:I never said it shrinks, I specifically said that frequently emptying it sooner causes it to spasm sooner⦠which I learned from a pelvic floor physical therapist
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How Can I Care For My Child
At discharge you will receive more information on cares and activities at home.
It is important for your child to drink plenty of fluids to prevent the catheter from plugging with mucus.
A nutritious diet will promote healing.
Your child will go home with one, or maybe two, catheters in place. One may be clamped the other will drain into a bag.You will need to learn how to care for and irrigate the catheter . You will be given education sheets and be instructed before your child goes home. About 3 to 6 weeks after going home, your child will have a cystogram to see if the bladder leaks when filled. If there are no leaks, one catheter will be removed, and you will be taught how to empty the bladder with a catheter. If this goes well, the other catheter will be removed.
Why Is The Bladder Important
Your urinary system or bladder is essential because it filters extra fluid and wastes from your bloodstream, removing them from your body. When your kidneys are functioning normally, they:
Prevent excess fluid and waste buildup in your body.
Produce blood pressure-regulating hormones.
Keep your electrolyte levels like phosphates and potassium stable.
Keep your bones strong.
Produce red blood cells.
Your bladder, urethra and ureters move your urine from your kidneys and then store it until its time to release it from your body.
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What Else Can Be Done
For many people with IC, changes in diet can also help control symptoms. To learn more, check out the information about IC and food sensitivities. There are also over-the-counter products and prescription medicines that may help control symptoms of urinary urgency and frequency .
Revised Tuesday, May 26th, 2015
What Is An Enlarged Bladder Causes And Symptoms
An enlarged bladder is a medical condition where the sac involved in holding urine becomes larger than normal. It is referred to in the medical community as bladder hypertrophy. The condition is characterized by thicker bladder walls that become larger from overstretching.
An enlarged urinary bladder may occur from birth, while other enlarged bladder causes are the result of an obstruction of some sort, most likely post-renal or in the bladder itself. This leads to an abnormally high volume of urine in the bladder that fails to empty as it normally would.
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Symptoms Of An Enlarged Bladder
Physiologically, an enlarged bladder will present with common symptoms that can be seen in the majority of affected individuals. This may include the following:
- Slow urine flow
- Feeling the bladder is full constantly
- Difficulty urinating
- Nocturiawaking up to urinate at night
Considering there are a multitude of varying causes for enlarged bladder development, specific causes may present with unique urinary symptoms. Injuries causing a pelvic fracture will present with additional pain. Kidney stones will present with pain, difficulty urinating, and possible blood in the urine. Having a tumor mass that spreads to the kidneys signifies great carcinogenic issues.
The origin of the obstruction will also dictate the type of treatment used. For large masses such as cancerous tumors or kidney stones, surgery is an option. Getting the obstruction out will most likely relieve the issue. Placing a stent to keep open a narrow ureter or kidney can also promote flow. Treatment of unborn children in the womb involves the use of a shunt to drain the childs bladder into the amniotic sac.
What Foods Are Good For The Urinary System
Along with beverages, its also a good idea to know the foods for a healthy bladder and kidneys. If your bladder is sensitive, there are still foods you can enjoy without irritating it. You already know the foods you should avoid. Here are some bladder-cleansing foods you may want to eat.
Pears: Pears are a great source of fiber and usually start to ripen sometime in September or October, depending on where you live.
Bananas: Youll find bananas in your local grocery store pretty much all year long. Theyre perfect for topping cereals, eating as snacks or putting in smoothies.
Winter squash: Despite its name, you can find squash year-round as well, particularly in the fall and winter. Squash varieties include butternut, acorn and spaghetti.
Green beans: Add a little color to your plate with green beans. Put them in salads, eat them raw or roast them with a bit of olive oil.
Potatoes: Both potatoes and sweet potatoes are bladder-friendly foods.
Whole grains: Rice, quinoa and oats are whole grains and just a few examples of the many varieties youll find. Theyre not typically expensive, either.
Lean proteins: Low-fat chicken, pork, turkey, beef and fish are examples of lean proteins. Theyre not likely to bother your bladder, particularly when you steam, broil or bake them.
Nuts: Cashews and peanuts make perfect protein-rich and bladder-healthy snacks.
Breads: Bread makes a great addition to any meal and is overall bladder-friendly.
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What Drinks Are Good For Your Bladder
When trying to figure out how to keep your urinary system healthy, consider these healthy drinks.
Water: You can help prevent incontinence by drinking enough water.
Kohli tea: This tea is an extract from a subtropical plant that grows in southern China. Its a sweet tea sold over the counter in Japan for its antioxidant benefits. It also has a protective effect on your bladder. A study on kohli tea found it had a substantial protective effect in rabbits with partial bladder obstruction in terms of contractile responses and bladder function.
Cranberry juice: Researchers report cranberry juice could help prevent bacteria from turning into a urinary tract infection within
Pear or apple juice: If you drink fruit juice, switch it to a less acidic juice like pear or apple juice and dilute it with water.
Diluted squash: You can take diluted squash, but try and avoid squash and blackcurrant containing sugar alternatives like saccharin and aspartame, which can irritate the bladder.
Fruit and herbal teas: Fruit and herbal teas come in many varieties and are typically free of caffeine. Ginseng, however, can stimulate the bladder and could increase the urgency and frequency of urination.
Lemon water: Lemon is vitamin C-rich and a powerful antioxidant that alkalizes your body. It helps hinder bacterial growth. Additionally, it acts like a diuretic agent, flushing harmful toxins out from your urinary tract, helping prevent UTI recurrence.
What Are The Risk Factors For Urge Incontinence
Women are twice as likely as men to develop urinary incontinence. Although the problem becomes more common with age, healthcare providers dont consider incontinence a normal part of aging. That means you may be able to find ways to treat it.
Risk factors for urge incontinence include:
- Prostate problems like prostate cancer or an enlarged prostate .
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How To Shrink The Bladder
Shrinking of the bladder is required when its size increases to more than the normal size. And bladder enlargement occurs because of medical reasons for example, injury, venous obstruction, tumors, bladder polyps, stones, benign prostate hypertrophy, urethral rupture, prostate cancer, and cystitis. If you face any such examples, then you have to know the way to shrink the bladder back to its normal size. But prior to following the methods, you have to get the recommendation from your doctor.
If you are experiencing serious medical symptoms, seek emergency treatment immediately.
Start a diet that is fat free and low in fiber content. Consume three servings of fruit and one serving of nuts on a daily basis. Avoid or reduce the intake of dairy and meat products on a regular basis, as this leads to the enlargement of bladder. Consume a diet high in vegetable content since it helps the shrinking of the bladder. Soy lowers fat, which reduces the major component for the cause of enlarged bladder.
Exclude caffeine and alcohol from your diet. Drink fluids such as fruit and vegetable juice and most importantly, at least eight glasses of water a day.
Increase nutrient and mineral content. The deficiency of zinc in the body can lead to the enlargement of the bladder. So, increase your intake of zinc and also vitamin D, as it aids in the promotion of calcium rise in the and prevents the occurrence of cancer.
Tips
Warnings
What Are The Risks Of Surgery
All surgery comes with risks. Risk means that these problems could happen it does not mean that they will happen. Talk with your surgeon or doctor about your overall health and what may be a higher risk for you. There are two types of risks, short-term risks that occur right after surgery and long-term risks that can occur later on. Long-term complications take time to develop and may occur several weeks, months, or even years after your surgery.
Some of the more common possible short-term surgical risks include:
- You could have an allergic reaction to or other problems with the anesthesia , the medicine used to put you to sleep during surgery.
- You could develop pneumonia after surgery.
- The wound where the surgery is performed could become infected.
- Your intestines could take a long time to wake up after surgery, causing discomfort, vomiting, and constipation.
- You could develop a deep venous thrombosis or pulmonary embolism.
- You could have a urine leak or blockage or other problem from the intestine where you had your surgery, which could require another operation.
Related Factsheets
Some of the more common possible late risks/complications from bladder augmentation or urinary diversion surgery include:
Some of the more common possible late complications from urinary diversions include:
Ask your doctor about your level of risk for any of these complications, and what can be done if any of them occur.
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How Is Urge Incontinence Diagnosed
Youll get a physical exam, which may include a pelvic exam or a rectal prostate exam. To help your healthcare provider make an accurate diagnosis, you might keep a bladder diary for two to three days, where you write down your fluid intake, bathroom use and urine leakage, including what you were doing when the leaks occurred.
Tests for urge incontinence include:
- Urinalysis to rule out infections, blood in your urine and other problems.
- Abdominal ultrasound to view your bladder, kidneys and other organs.
- Cystoscopy to examine your urinary tract.
- Urodynamic testing, including a postvoid residual urine test, to show how well your urinary system holds and releases urine.
What Can I Expect Before Surgery
Children are usually admitted the day before surgery to clean out the bowel or you will be instructed to do a home bowel clean out. A salt solution will be given for about 6 hours to flush the stool from the bowel. It can be drunk or given by a tube that is inserted through the nose into the stomach. Nothing else can be eaten or drunk while the salt solution is being given. When the salt solution is finished, antibiotics are given by mouth to clear bacteria from the bowel.
Blood tests will be done on the day of admission.
An IV may be started to help your child get enough fluids. IV antibiotics may also be given.
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Precautions And Proper Diagnosis
The main symptoms of OAB can also occur in other health conditions like bladder cancer, urinary tract infection and enlarged prostate. Seeing blood in your urine is not a symptom of OAB.
A sudden and frequent need to urinate is common in both OAB and a UTI. How can you tell the difference between these two urinary health issues? Unlike OAB, a UTI also comes with other symptoms such as discomfort while urinating. In addition, OAB symptoms are continuous while UTI symptoms are sudden and may also include a fever.
Overflow incontinence is characterized by the involuntary release of urine from an overfull urinary bladder, often in the absence of any urge to urinate. This condition is not associated with OAB. It typically occurs in people who have a blockage of the bladder outlet, which can occur with benign prostatic hyperplasia, prostate cancer or a narrowing of the urethra. Overflow incontinence can also occur when the muscle responsible for removing urine from the bladder is too weak to empty the bladder in a normal way.
It is very important to see a doctor to ensure a proper diagnosis if you experience any changes in your urine and/or urination habits.
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