What is our urinary bladder? Let's talk about this in detail!

Have you ever thought about this little balloon-like organ in our body, the bladder ? This is the most important place where we collect and store urine, which we call ' urine '. So, today we're going to talk about what exactly this bladder is, how it works, and what diseases it can cause, okay?

What is the bladder? What does it do?

Simply put, the bladder is a small, hollow organ inside our body that collects and stores urine. It is like a balloon. An adult's bladder can normally hold about 500 to 700 milliliters of urine (about two cups of water). When you feel the urge to go to the toilet, the muscles in the bladder tighten, and the sphincter muscles in the urethra relax a little. That's when the urine comes out of the body. The bladder is a very important part of our urinary system .

Now look, our kidneys are the ones that filter the blood and remove the unwanted things in it, such as salts, excess water , toxins , and waste products, as urine. When the urine that is formed in this way accumulates in the bladder, it swells up like a balloon. When it is filled with about 200 to 350 milliliters of urine, the nerves in the bladder tell our brain, 'Okay, now it's time to go to the toilet.' After we urinate, the bladder contracts again and becomes smaller. We usually excrete about 950 to 1900 milliliters of urine (that's about 2 liters) per day.

Do you know where this bladder is located?

The bladder is located in our lower abdomen . To be precise, it is in one place because it is connected to other organs and our pelvis by connective tissue fibers (ligaments) .

• In a man, the bladder is located between the pubic bone in front and the rectum in back.
• In a woman, the bladder is located in front of the vagina and uterus.

What are the main parts of the bladder?

The bladder is made up of four main parts. Let's take a look at what they are:

• Dome / Apex: This is the top, forward part of the bladder. It looks like it's facing our stomach.
• Base / Fundus: This is the bottom, back part of the bladder.
• Body:The entire area between the top and the bottom is called the 'body'.
• Neck: This is a narrow band of muscle along the bottom of the bladder. This is where our urethra connects.

What does the bladder look like? What layers is it made of?

The bladder is usually a deep pink color. It is about 2 inches wide when empty, but can expand, or stretch, to about 6 inches when full. It is made up of three main layers:

• Urothelium : This is the inner lining of the bladder. This is what stops urine from leaking into the body. A very important job, isn't it?
• Lamina propria (Submucosa): This is a thin, loose layer of connective tissue . It contains protein molecules, blood vessels, and nerves.
• Muscularis propria: This is the thickest layer of muscle on the outside of the bladder. It is made up of three layers of smooth muscles . Smooth muscles are a type of muscle that contracts and relaxes automatically, without our conscious control.

What are the common diseases that can affect the bladder?

Unfortunately, our bladder can also develop a variety of diseases. Let's look at some of the most common conditions:

• Bladder cancer : This is when cells in the bladder grow out of control. It often starts in the cells of the inner layer , the urothelium, that we talked about earlier.
• Cystitis: This is an inflammation of the bladder caused by a bacterial infection. It is the most common of the diseases we commonly call Urinary Tract Infection (UTI) .
• Interstitial cystitis /bladder pain syndrome (IC/BPS): This is a long-term condition that causes pain in the bladder and a frequent or urgent need to urinate.
• Overactive bladder: In this condition, you may need to urinate frequently, or you may leak urine without realizing it.
• Urinary incontinence : This is when you lose control of your bladder. You may leak urine even when you don't want to.
• Bladder stones:These are mineral deposits that form inside the bladder. This condition often occurs in people who have difficulty emptying their bladder completely.

How do you know if there is a problem with your bladder?

If you have a bladder problem, you may experience some of these symptoms:

• Inability to control urine .
• Burning or pain when urinating.
• Urine appears dark in color .
• Blood in the urine.
• You urinate more often than you normally would.
• Feeling like the bladder is not completely empty when going to the toilet.
• Urine has a strong or foul odor .
• Pain during sexual intercourse (dyspareunia) .

What are the common tests done to check the health of the bladder?

Doctors use various tests to see how well the bladder is working and to identify problems with it. Your doctor may order tests like these:

• Urinalysis / urine test: You will be asked to urinate into a special cup. The urine sample will then be examined for its appearance, chemical composition, and microscopic examination.
• Urine culture: Again, you urinate into a special cup. It is then tested for bacteria or yeast.
• Imaging tests: These tests can take detailed pictures of the bladder. For example, an ultrasound , a CT scan , or an MRI scan.
• Cytology: A doctor takes a sample of cells from your bladder and checks them for signs of cancer.
• Cystoscopy: In this procedure, a thin, lighted tube (cystoscope) with a camera attached is used to look inside the bladder.
• Urodynamic testing: This involves several different tests that look at how well your bladder and other parts of your urinary system store and release urine.
• Biopsy: A doctor takes cells, tissue, fluid, or a growth from the bladder and tests it in a lab. A biopsy is often done to confirm whether cancer is present.

How can I cure my bladder problem?

Treatment for bladder problems depends on your symptoms and your doctor's specific diagnosis. Common treatments include:

• Medications, including antibiotics .
• Changes in diet.
• Physical therapy(Physical therapy) .
• Changes in behavior.
• Bladder retraining.
• Surgery .

Does drinking water help cure bladder problems?

It really depends on the condition of your bladder. Water is very important for flushing out waste and bacteria from our urinary tract. Also, drinking more water dilutes your urine, meaning it becomes less concentrated. Concentrated urine can irritate your bladder further, which can make your symptoms worse. So, it's best to ask your doctor if drinking more water will help with your bladder problem and how much you should drink.

If I have bladder problems, what types of drinks should I avoid?

If you have any bladder problems, the following drinks and liquids can irritate your bladder. So it's best to limit them as much as possible:

• Alcohol
• Coffee
• Carbonated drinks (things like soda)
• Tea
• Acidic fruit juices (like orange, grapefruit, pineapple, lime juice)
• Tomato juice
• Hot sauces
• Vinegar

What vitamins help with urinary control?

These vitamins may help reduce the urge to urinate and reduce the risk of urinary incontinence:

• Vitamin C: Vitamin C from food can help reduce the urge to urinate. Good sources include oranges, bell peppers, broccoli, and green leafy vegetables. However, taking high doses of vitamin C tablets can sometimes contribute to urinary incontinence.
• Vitamin D: Most people get vitamin D from sunlight. However, it can also be obtained from dairy products, fish, and eggs.

Important: Before you start taking any vitamin supplements , it is very important to talk to a doctor to make sure it is safe for you.

So, what are the most important things we should remember from this story? (Take-Home Message)

So, you probably now understand that our urinary bladder is a flexible, hollow organ that stores urine until it leaves the body. The bladder can be affected by a variety of conditions. Some symptoms can be painful, uncomfortable, or embarrassing. If you have symptoms of a bladder condition, don't be afraid to see a doctor. Then you can find the cause and get the right treatment for your symptoms. Remember, there's no need to be ashamed to talk about these things. Your health is the most important thing!

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