Five signs of an unhealthy bladder

Bladder health can often go overlooked. People tend to think of the balloon-shaped organ as a standalone — one that doesn’t contribute much to other parts of the urinary tract or overall health. Yet that’s simply not the case.

“Bladder dysfunction can affect multiple bodily systems and should not be considered an isolated organ,” says Joseph Caputo, MD, a urologist at Atlantic Health System. “It really is influential, and it can have significant impacts on your overall health.”

The bladder has two main jobs: to store urine and to empty it. Disruptions in function can lead to notable problems in overall kidney and urologic health. For example, not emptying the bladder properly can eventually cause a severe kidney infection or even kidney failure.

But what is a healthy bladder, and — maybe more importantly — what are some signs your bladder may not be the healthiest?

A barometer of bladder health

Bladder symptoms may show up differently depending on whether you’re a woman or a man. Women often experience trouble with urine leakage (known as incontinence), while men, due to the prostate, typically experience problems with holding onto urine and weakness of the urine stream.

Still, there are a few general symptoms you can use a barometer. Five signs of an unhealthy bladder include:

1. Nocturia (getting up to urinate at night)
2. A weak urine stream
3. Urinary frequency (having to urinate more often than usual)
4. Urinary incontinence (leaking urine)
5. Urinary urgency (feeling a sudden and strong need to urinate)

Remember to use signs as guideposts, though, and look at trends and how long symptoms last before worrying something is wrong. If you just drank a large cup of coffee, for example, you shouldn’t be surprised if your bladder tells you it needs to be emptied — and fast.

Don’t shy away from talking to your doctor

If symptoms do persist, you don’t have to live with them. Talk to your doctor. They should be able to recommend a number of treatment options.

In addition to effective medications, thanks to advances in technology, there are more minimally invasive procedures for prostate-directed treatments than ever before. Similarly, for women, there are innovative and minimally invasive urogynecologic procedures available to help with incontinence related to pelvic floor dysfunction or prolapse.

You also shouldn’t be afraid to be open and honest with your doctor about what you’re experiencing.

“Don’t be shy of bladder-related symptoms,” Dr. Caputo says. “Although it’s not common, they can be a sign of something more serious. As urologists, we deal with this on a daily basis.”

Ways to improve bladder health

There are also steps you can take to better your bladder health on your own.

Two ways you can improve your bladder health include:

Staying hydrated.

“I tell my patients that proper hydration is so important,” Dr. Caputo says. “It’s going to keep your kidneys functioning well and help your bladder cycle urine more frequently, which will lead to reduced infections and a more trained bladder.”

Not holding on to urine.

You should go to the bathroom every three to four hours — whether or not you really have to go.

“If you hold on to urine for too long it can lead to the bladder becoming more dysfunctional,” Dr. Caputo says. “Your bladder learns to accommodate larger volumes, which actually increases the risk for infection and also leads to abnormal voiding patterns.”

You can also choose healthy habits like limiting alcohol and caffeine, not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight and exercising regularly to improve bladder health.

“Don’t let bladder problems disrupt your life,” Dr. Caputo says. “If what you’re doing at home isn’t helping relieve your symptoms, call your doctor. There are excellent treatment options available.”