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10 diseases your bladder can tell you about
Last reviewed: 01.07.2025
Bladder problems are often associated with age-related changes and, undoubtedly, there is little that is pleasant about this. Problems of this kind force a person to abandon their usual way of life and provoke stress.
However, bladder diseases are not always a consequence of aging. This phenomenon is quite common among middle-aged people.
Sometimes bladder diseases can indicate hidden health problems. Ilive presents 10 diseases that bladder problems can signal.
Sleep apnea
Sleep apnea is an episodic pause in breathing during sleep that causes a person to wake up. When such pauses occur, the person automatically gets up and goes to the toilet. In the morning, there are memories only of going to the toilet. Other symptoms of sleep apnea include snoring and daytime sleepiness.
Untreated diabetes
Insufficiently effective treatment of diabetes is directly related to frequent urination. Incomplete treatment leads to damage to the nerves that transmit signals to the bladder. This manifests itself in cases of urinary incontinence and frequent urges to urinate, thus the body tries to get rid of excess glucose.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a decrease in the performance of the thyroid gland, which helps regulate metabolic processes in the body. In addition, during the development of this disease, the nerves that conduct nerve signals to the bladder are damaged. Hypothyroidism is characterized by urinary incontinence and frequent urges to urinate. However, these symptoms are secondary, the main ones are dry skin, fatigue, hair loss and weight gain.
Prostate diseases
The urethra in men is located in the thickness of the prostate gland. When the size of the gland increases, the urethra is compressed. This provokes frequent and nocturnal urination and urinary incontinence.
Urinary tract infections
The cause of infections are pathogenic microorganisms. In men, infection occurs less frequently than in women. A person may feel a burning sensation during urination, and a change in the smell and color of urine is also observed.
Obesity
Obesity can be fraught not only with the development of type 2 diabetes and related diseases, but also manifest itself in urinary incontinence during physical activity, sneezing and coughing. The fact is that obese people experience a greater load on the pelvic floor muscles, which leads to a weakening of the sphincter of the urethra, so it does not close tightly even after urination.
Interstitial cystitis
During this chronic bladder disease, the mucous membrane becomes irritated. Interstitial cystitis manifests itself as frequent urges to urinate and pain during sex and menstruation.
Prolapse of organs
Under the influence of gravity, the bladder moves downward. This is called prolapse of the bladder. This happens due to weakening of the ligaments and muscles of the pelvic floor that hold the bladder in place. Signs of this condition include a feeling of incomplete emptying, urinary incontinence, frequent urination, or heaviness in the vaginal area.
Dehydration
When the body lacks fluid, urine may have an unpleasant odor and a dark yellow tint. Headaches, dry skin, dizziness, and drowsiness are also observed. Dehydration can be caused by physical exertion, vomiting, diarrhea, and diabetes.
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Cancer diseases
Blood in the urine, pain during urination, and frequent urge to urinate may indicate that cancer cells have spread to other parts of the body. Similar bladder problems may indicate bladder cancer, renal pelvis cancer, kidney cancer, and ureter cancer.