The human bladder is a sac-like structure in the lower abdominal area.  It’s major function is serve as a container urine. The bladder has a waterproof skin which is called the transitional cell epithelium.

Urine comes to the bladder from the kidneys through tubes called ureters. It is expelled through a tube known as the urethra.

A normal adult bladder holds about 400 milliliters of urine.

As people grow older, bladder problems become more common. It can become more difficult to control the bladder. The result is a condition called incontinence. Incontinence can also occur when there is a problem with the bladder or disease. There are a variety of bladder control products available in drug stores and even grocery markets that help people who must endure incontinence or bladder control challenges.

Other Common Bladder Problems

There are several classifications of bladder cancer. The the type that happens most often  starts in the lining of the cells inside of the bladder. This type is known as urothelial cell carcinoma (UCC) or transitional cell carcinoma (TCC).

A bladder infection is a bacterial infection that affects any part of the urinary tract. Although a bladder infection can be very uncomfortable, it’s fairly very treatable and can be cured quickly if treated properly.

An overactive bladder is a disorder caused by a sudden, involuntary contraction of the muscle in the wall of the urinary bladder. This condition causes an urgent and unstoppable need to urinate. OA is also sometimes called urge incontinence and is a type of urinary incontinence or unintentional loss of urine.

Bladder Stones – Bladder stones are crystalline masses that originate from minerals and proteins which naturally occur in urine. They are considerably less common than kidney stones.

Bladder Spasms – Also known as bladder instability. Normally bladder muscles are relaxed and only function when you urinate. But when the bladder is instable, it sometimes contracts suddenly and unexpectedly. This contraction is commonly known as a bladder spasm.

Bladder Prolapse – The medical name for this condition is cystoceles. It is more often called fallen bladder or prolapsed bladder. This condition happens in women when the front wall of the vagina, which holds up the bladder, becomes weak or loosens. The bladder may then start  to slip into the vagina. There are four different stages, but the basic result can be urinary difficulties, discomfort, and stress incontinence (which is urine leakage caused by sneezing, coughing, exertion, or some other physical condition).

Enuresis (More commonly called bedwetting) – Enuresis is, simply put, involuntary urination, usually during sleep.  This condition is more common in children and typically ends as the child gets older. However, frequent  enuresis can be a sign or symptom other physical or emotional problems.

Paruresis – Paruresis is a condition that is also referred to as shy bladder, shy kidney, or bashful bladder. Both men and women can suffer from paruresis, which  is a type of social anxiety disorder in which the sufferer is unable to urinate when others are present, typically in a place  like a public restroom.