The bladder, a small, hollow organ, performs the functions of storing and eliminating urine through precise coordination between the muscles of the bladder wall and the many nerves that carry the signals between the bladder and the brain. According to information published by Bladder Disorders, over 35 million Americans suffer from some sort of bladder disorder that may be caused by disease, trauma, injury or dysfunction. Bladder disorders, even the most common ones, may cause mild discomfort or can severely affect quality of life.
Interstitial Cystitis
Interstitial cystitis, also known as painful bladder syndrome, is a chronic bladder disorder that can cause pain and inflammation of the bladder wall. The cause of this disorder is not fully understood but symptoms range from mild discomfort and pressure to tenderness or intense pain in the pelvis region. Interstitial cystitis is 10 times more likely to affect women than men and typically appears between the ages of 30 and 40, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
Neurogenic Bladder
The loss of normal bladder function due to damage to the nerves that signal the bladder is referred to as a neurogenic bladder. Neurogenic bladder disorder may result in either an overactive bladder in which the bladder contracts too often or too quickly or an underactive bladder in which the bladder is unable to contract fully or empty completely.
The most common symptom of a neurogenic bladder is urinary incontinence, which is the inability to control urine. This may lead to straining while urinating, urinary urgency and painful urination. Those with neurogenic bladder disorder are at a higher risk of developing urinary tract infections and urinary stones in the bladder due to the slow flow of urine.
Urinary Tract Infection
A urinary tract infection is a bacterial infection of the urine that can affect any organs of the urinary tract, but most commonly starts in the bladder. Symptoms include a burning sensation during urination, frequent urination, urinary urgency, blood in the urine and the presence of bacteria in the urine. If left untreated, urinary tract infections can lead to chronic kidney infections that can cause permanent damage to the kidneys.
Bladder Cancer
Bladder cancer, the abnormal growth of cells that begins in the tissues of the bladder, is the fourth most common type of cancer in men, according to the National Cancer Institute. The symptoms include blood in the urine, painful urination and frequent urination. There are several treatment options available for bladder cancer and depend upon the stage (determined by the size and extent) of the cancer but may include surgery, radiation and chemotherapy.
