The bladder is found in the lower part of the abdomen. Your bladder is a hollow pelvic organ with flexible, muscular walls that stores urine. In males, it is superior to the prostate, and separated from the rectum by the rectovesical excavation. In females, the bladder is separated from the rectum by the rectouterine excavation, and it is separated from the uterus by the vesicouterine excavation. Bladder problems are not a natural consequence of aging.
Incontinence is uncontrollable leaking of urine from the bladder. Incontinence is both a health problem and a social problem. Incontinence is often worse if you are overweight, have a cough or a urine infection and after the menopause. Incontinence occurs if the bladder muscles contract or the muscles surrounding the urethra relax without warning.
Symptoms of a bladder infection may include going to the bathroom frequently, passing blood in the urine, cloudy and odorous urine, increased spasticity in the lower extremities, fever and chills. A person with any of the following symptoms should see a doctor: blood in the urine (urine that looks bright red or rusty), pain during urination, passing urine often, or feeling the need to urinate even though nothing comes out. Restricting alcoholic beverages, carbonated sodas, coffee and other caffeinated products, and beverages and foods with artificial sweeteners appears to reduce symptoms in some people.
Overactive bladder is a significant health problem. An overactive bladder is more common in women, and in older adults, but can be found in younger folks and in men. Overactive bladder (OAB) is a treatable medical condition caused by involuntary bladder muscle spasms. The bladder muscle can be such that it cannot contract (ie it is always relaxed) or overactive and the sphincters (especially, the voluntarily controlled one) uncontrollable and either too relaxed or too tight.
