Urinary System Disorders

Urinary system disorders are widespread. Incontinence and overactive bladder are two of the most common urinary system disorders.

The bladder, shaped like a balloon, sits in the pelvis and stores urine until your body is ready to urinate. Bladder nerves send signals to let you know when it is time to urinate.

The urinary system works with other organs to get rid of waste and keep chemicals and water in the body balanced. The amount eliminated will vary depending on the amount of liquid and food consumed as well as how much you might lose through sweating and breathing. Some medications you take can affect the quantity of urine eliminated.

Urine exits the kidneys through two tubes about eight to ten inches long called ureters. These tubes carry the fluid to the bladder where the urine is stored. The ureter muscles tighten and relax to pump urine downward. This process is continuous. If the urine gets stuck in the ureters or backs up, a kidney infection can result.

To keep urine from leaking, circular muscles called sphincters (Muscles that control the passage of liquids and solids.) close tightly around the opening of the bladder. When you decide to urinate, bladder muscles tighten and sphincter muscles relax, and the urine is pushed down the urethra.

Diabetes and urination problems often go hand an hand. According to the National Institute of Health, more than half of the people with diabetes have bladder dysfunction. Those people with diabetes who are at risk of urologic problems include people who have poor glucose (sugar) and blood pressure control, have high levels of cholesterol, are overweight, over the age of forty, that smoke, and lack of physical activity. You can lower the risk of urologic problems some when you control the above mentioned.

Some Disorders

Urinary Incontinence - As you age urinary system muscles usually tend to weaken, leading to increased incidence of urinary tract infections and incontinence (leaking of urine that you can't control). Incontinence arises when the bladder muscle is overactive and contracts involuntarily. You may be coughing or sneezing and feel a small amount of urine leak out - that is usually because of incontinence. It is more devastating to one's quality of life than being a danger. Incontinence is one of the most common problems - especially among women.

Overactive Bladder - occurs when you void more than eight times a day and twice at night (more or less), having a strong urge to void. It affects millions of people, both men and women.

Urinary Retention - is when the bladder fails to empty fully, leading to retained urine. Acute urinary retention results in a sudden inability to urinate, accompanied by pain and discomfort. You need to see the doctor to determine the cause and treatment. The doctor may want you to have a CT scan or MRI. For many of the several disorders tests may be run to determine the problem.

A Cystocele - occurs when the pelvic floor muscles which form the wall between the bladder and vagina, weaken, allowing the bladder to drop into the vagina. This causes discomfort and voiding difficulties, such as urine leakage or incomplete bladder emptying.

Urinary Tract Infections - are usually caused by bacteria from the bowel that lives on the skin near the rectum or near the vagina. It is easy to spread from the bowl to the urethra and travel up the urinary tract into the bladder. If the problem is not treated, the infection could continue to spread to the kidneys. If it enters the bloodstream it can become life-threatening. The first sign is usually a strong urge to urinate. As you release urine, you will feel a burning sensation and little urine is eliminated. It is usually very painful to eliminate the urine. You may have soreness in your lower back, or in the sides of your body. The urine may look cloudy or have a reddish tinge from blood. It may smell foul or strong. You may feel tired and shaky.

Ureter Stones - are among the most painful and common urinary tract disorders. They vary in size and in the amount of pain they cause. Less common are struvite or infection stones, caused by the movement of a stone in the urinary tract. If the stone is too large to pass it causes continuing pain in the muscles in the ureter as they try to squeeze the stone into the bladder. Fever and chills suggest an infection - Call your doctor.

Analgesic Neuropathy - improper us of over-the-counter painkillers or analgesics such as aspirin, acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and naproxen sodium, all of which are safe for most people if taken at recommended dosages.

Hematuria - is a term used for the presence of red blood cells in the urine. Hematuria is not a disease in itself, but a sign of some other condition. The cause could be serious, such as bladder or kidney cancer, but usually the cause is relatively benign. See your doctor If this happens. They may want to run some test to identify the cause.

Bladder Cancer - Signs and symptoms can include blood in the urine, painful or frequent urination or feeling the urge to urinate even though the bladder is empty.

I didn't list all the problems you could have with the urinary system, but most of them. Always tell your doctor if you feel you are having a problem.