1. Just One Piece of the Urinary System
The urinary system filters and eliminates waste products from the blood as urine and includes the kidneys, the ureters, the bladder, the prostate in men and the urethra. The kidneys are the organs that actually make urine by filtering waste from blood. Urine is passed to the bladder through the ureters, tubes that connect the kidneys and bladder. When men empty their bladders, urine is passed through the urethra, which passes through the prostate gland and then out of the penis. In women the urethra is much shorter and passes between the bladder and the vagina.
2. A Muscular Balloon
The bladder is made up of layers of muscle and connective tissue which can stretch like a balloon to hold about 3 cups of urine; however, the urge to urinate is most often triggered when it is just half full. The inner most layer of the bladder gives it the ability to stretch while the middle layer stops urine from absorbing into the body. The final muscular layer allows the bladder to contract during urination and is covered by fatty connective tissue that separates the bladder from other organs such as the kidneys and prostate.
3. Feeling the Loss of Control
While loss of bladder control is most common in women who have given birth or after menopause, incontinence can affect both sexes and people of all ages. Bladder incontinence can be as slight as losing a few drops when you cough, sneeze or exercise or as extreme as complete loss of bladder control. The good news is that all types of incontinence are treatable, regardless of sex and age. If you find that you have loss of bladder control, see a doctor as soon as possible for your specific treatment options.
4. Train Your Bladder
Bladder exercises are easy and can help to keep the muscles which control the bladder strong, helping you to hold your urine longer. Simply tighten the muscles which stop you from urinating and hold them for 4 to 10 seconds. Relax for the same length of time and repeat. These exercises can be performed while going to the bathroom or while watching TV, driving, washing dishes and more. Perform the exercises as often as possible, increasing the length of time you hold the flex as well as the number of times you perform the exercise throughout the day.
5. Horsetail for Bladder Heath
The herb horsetail may be the best natural remedy for bladder health, as it is a diuretic and mild astringent that can help to relieve urinary tract infection or other bladder conditions and can also help to soothe the lining of the bladder. Horsetail is thought to help relieve bladder infections, assist in bladder control, reduce a frequent urge to urinate and calm a spastic or irritated bladder sphincter. As with any alternative therapy, it is important to talk to your doctor about dosage and treatment.
