Watch: [Understanding Your Body] Bladder

⭐English subtitles available⭐

 

 

 

All living creatures absorb the substances they need from their surroundings and use them to obtain energy essential for life.

 

The entire process carried out to sustain life is called metabolism.

 

Urine, produced during these processes, plays a pivotal role in balancing body fluids by excreting circulated water, electrolytes, and waste products like urea.

 

The path that urine takes, consisting of the kidneys, ureters, bladder, and urethra, is referred to as the urinary tract.

 

The bladder is where ingested water stays before being excreted as urine.

 

Urine is a byproduct created when blood, circulated throughout the body, is filtered by both kidneys.

 

Adults typically produce about 1.5 to 2 liters of urine daily.

 

Urine produced by the kidneys travels through the ureters, which are about 25 to 30 cm long, to reach the bladder.

 

Once the bladder is filled up with urine to a certain extent, it receives a signal from the brain to open its outlet and begins to drain.

 

The entire process, from storing urine in the bladder to excreting it through the urethra, is known as the urination mechanism.

 

Any issue in this mechanism can lead to various urination disorders, with the bladder being the most closely related organ.

 

The bladder is located within the pelvis.

 

The bladder is a muscular organ composed of four layers: mucosa, submucosa, muscle layer, and fatty layer.

 

The bladder is highly elastic, expanding like a balloon when filled with urine and deflating when empty.

 

When the bladder contracts to expel urine, the urethral sphincter opens like a faucet at the bladder outlet.

 

Conversely, under normal conditions, the urethral sphincter remains tightly closed to prevent leakage of urine.

 

However, abnormalities in the sphincter, bladder, or nerves can lead to urinary disorders, such as leakage or retention.

 

The causes of urinary disorders are highly varied.

 

Reduced bladder function, inflammation, cancer, nerve damage, or weakened urethra and surrounding muscles may also lead to urinary disorders.

 

Common causes of urinary disorders include cystitis, urinary incontinence, and benign prostatic hyperplasia.

 

Cystitis, also called sychnuria, is characterized by lower abdominal discomfort and frequent and urgent urge to urinate.

 

Also, an unpleasant odor can be detected from urine, with pain during urination or a sensation of residual urine.

 

Women are more prone to urinary tract infections, such as cystitis, due to the shorter distance between the urethra and bladder than in men.

 

Urinary incontinence involves involuntary urine leakage during daily activities, such as coughing, laughing, or movement.

 

Benign prostatic hyperplasia, common in men over 50, is a disease caused by an enlarged prostate, leading to urinary issues.

 

When urinary disorders arise from conditions such as cystitis, incontinence, or benign prostatic hyperplasia, many people may feel embarrassed and hesitant to seek medical help.

 

However, once symptoms appear, it is crucial to obtain an accurate diagnosis from a specialist and receive appropriate treatment as soon as possible.

 

To maintain a healthy bladder, it is important to consume an adequate amount of fluids, practice proper hygiene after bowel movements, and avoid holding in urine for extended periods.

 

Additionally, maintaining a healthy sex life and incorporating Kegel exercises can also benefit bladder health.