Bladder problems, such as urinary incontinence, bladder cancer, and urinary tract infections, affect millions of Americans and can negatively impact quality of life. Women are more affected by incontinence due to pregnancy and childbirth, while men may experience incontinence due to a blocked urethra or bladder cancer. UTIs are more common in women due to their shorter urethra, and risk factors include dehydration, kidney stones, and sexual contact with a new partner. Untreated bladder problems can lead to kidney infections.
Bladder problems affect millions of Americans, and while some of these problems aren’t a serious threat to overall health, they are all distressing and can negatively affect your quality of life. Some common bladder problems include urinary incontinence, bladder cancer and urinary tract infection. The causes of these problems vary, but many of the effects are similar, namely some type of discomfort or lack of control when urinating.
Urinary incontinence can be the most common of all bladder problems. More women are affected than men, due to the fact that many factors related to pregnancy and childbirth can be responsible for incontinence. Childbirth, in particular, can weaken and stretch the pelvic floor muscles responsible for bladder control. Genetic predisposition also plays a role for some, in addition to being overweight. Nerve and muscle damage, as well as nervous system problems, can also lead to incontinence.
For men, the most common causes of incontinence include a partially blocked urethra or possibly a tumor affecting the bladder control muscles. These tumors may be benign or may be the result of bladder cancer. In addition to the presence of a tumor, blood in the urine is the main indicator of the possible presence of cancer. Bladder cancer is usually easily treated if it’s caught early, which it almost always is. Smoking is the most common risk factor, making the reduced risk of bladder cancer one of hundreds of health benefits gained from avoiding or quitting smoking.
Another bladder problem that is more common for women is a urinary tract infection (UTI). The urinary tract includes the kidneys and bladder and urethra and everything in between. Most urinary tract infections, however, are simply bladder infections. They are more common in women because women have a shorter urethra, making it easier for germs to enter the bladder from the outside.
The risk of a urinary tract infection increases if you don’t drink enough fluids, because regular urination helps flush out accumulated germs from your urinary tract. Kidney stones, diabetes and pregnancy are also known to increase the risk of a urinary tract infection. Sexual contact with a new partner can also lead to a urinary tract infection, mainly due to the introduction of unknown germs near the urinary tract. Some women are prone to frequent urinary tract infections, although the medical reason for this is unknown. If a urinary tract infection or any related bladder problem is left untreated, it can lead to a kidney infection, which is a serious health risk.
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